Unspoken Goals

I Could Kiss You

One week later

It was now the next Friday, a week after Juliette and Abigail's fight, and not a word had been spoken between the two. Juliette did everything she could to respect Abigail's space, from sitting in different seats during classes, avoiding her at lunch, and partnering with different teammates during practices. Everyone close to the pair had begun to worry about the two best friends, even Drew texted her, asking why he hadn't seen her all week.

The team was getting ready to head to the hotel they were staying at for the state championship game. As Juliette approached the bus, her coach pulled her aside.

"Julie is everything okay between you and Abby?" her coach asked, her tone filled with concern.

Juliette sighed, knowing she needed to be honest. "No, it's not."

Her coach gave her a sympathetic smile. "The two of you bring a lot of positive energy to this team, so it is very noticeable when my two-star players are playing and acting off. You may not notice it, but the whole team is picking up on your guy's energy and it's causing everyone to play off their game. We can't win a championship if we aren't playing like champions, can we?"

Juliette shakes her head. "No ma'am."

"I've placed you two in the same hotel room in hopes you can work things out before the game tomorrow. I don't enjoy seeing you two this way."

Juliette nods. "I'll try my best to figure things out with her."

"I trust you will," her coach said, patting Juliette on the shoulder. "Now, go find a seat on the bus."

As Juliette climbed onto the bus, she saw Abigail laughing with Hannah. Ignoring the pang of hurt she felt, she took a seat next to Natalie.

"You really have to stop looking so glum," Nat said, nudging her. "It's starting to rub off on me."

"I can't help it," Juliette replied. "Look at Abby sitting over there acting so unbothered by the fact we aren't talking."

"Some people hide their emotions better," Nat said, pausing before adding, "You should take notes."

Juliette rolled her eyes and pouted. "This is the last time I tell you my problems."

Nat laughed, putting her arm around Juliette. "I'm only kidding. You know I love you."

Juliette couldn't help but grin. "Yeah, yeah."

"So, what did coach want?" Nat asked.

Juliette explained, and Nat nodded. "You know she is right. You both make up a big part of the heart of this team, and I honestly don't think we can win if you both are playing off."

"You really don't think so?" Juliette asked genuinely.

"I really don't, so please figure things out so all of us seniors can say we won state champs," Nat says with a teasing smile.

"I can't believe you are going to be leaving me. I'm really going to miss you," Juliette says, resting her head on Nat's shoulder.

---

Once they get to the hotel, their coaches hand them their keys, and they all head to their rooms. Juliette and Abigail stand in an awkward silence as Juliette gets the door open.

They walk in and put their stuff down. Juliette heads to the bathroom, leaving Abigail to gather the courage to apologize to her. She had been trying to talk to her all week, but it was obvious to her that Jules was finding every way to avoid her. It had been eating her alive all week that the last words spoken between the two was Abby telling Jules she needed a new best friend, which was actually the last thing Abby wanted.

As Juliette comes out of the bathroom, Abigail starts to say her name, but Juliette cuts her off. "I'm going to Nat's room, but I'll see you later with the team."

And just like that Abigail was left standing there, hurt and confused. She felt the most alone she had ever felt.

---

Juliette came back to the room around 10 pm. She instantly noticed Abigail sitting with her hood up in bed. "Hey Abs, how come I didn't see you out with the team tonight?"

"I wasn't feeling up to it," Abigail replied, her voice breaking.

Juliette immediately notices that something is wrong. She walks over and pulls Abigails hoodie down. Abigail looks up at her with teary eyes, breaking Juliettes heart. She instantly feels every wall she had up this past week crumble down as she sits down next to Abigail. She takes her hand. "What's wrong?"

"I have never felt so lonely in my life Jules. This has honestly been the worst week of my life not having you by my side." Abigail says, tears now streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry for everything I said. Jules, you mean so much to me. You are the one person who understands me better than anyone else. I know it was only a week, so call me clingy if you want, but losing you felt like I lost a part of myself."

Juliette pulls her into a hug, tears now streaming down her face. "I'm sorry too Abs. I handled the whole situation poorly. I shouldn't have gotten angry at you, and I shouldn't have avoided you. However, I am not sorry for punching Hayden."

Abigail laughs through her tears. "I don't want you to be he deserved it. The girl he was flirting with messaged me on Instagram apologizing for everything. She didn't know we were dating. I dumped him shortly after I got that text."

Juliette gives her a sympathetic look. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Abigail says, wiping her tears. "That didn't hurt nearly as much as not talking to you."

Juliette pulls her into another hug. "I really missed you Abs."

"I missed you too."

They end up spending the rest of the night watching their favorite movie, Grease, falling asleep in each other's arms.

---

The next night, the stadium was electric with excitement. Fans filled the stands, their cheers creating a roar that echoed through the night. The bright stadium lights illuminated the field, the scoreboard read 2-2, and the tension thicker than ever as the match had five minutes left in overtime.

Both teams fight fiercely for the winning goal, neither wanting to enter into penalty kicks. The ball is being possessed in the midfield when a striker from the opposing team manages to break through. Abigail's heart races as she anticipates the striker's next move. With a burst of speed, she intercepts the ball, skillfully stealing it away.

She looks up and sees Juliette wide open, positioned perfectly for a counterattack. With precision, Abigail sends a long ball soaring across the field. Juliette takes the ball out of the air, her eyes locked on the goal ahead. The crowd's roar grows louder, the excitement building.

Juliette dribbles towards the goal, the opposing defenders closing in on her from behind. She could feel the weight of the moment, the pressure to deliver for her team. As the goalkeeper advances, trying to narrow the angle, Juliette makes a split-second decision. She chips the ball over the keeper's outstretched arms, watching as it hits the back of the net.

The stadium erupts in cheers, the sound deafening. Juliette's teammates rush to her, their celebration filled with pure elation. They quickly get back into their positions and play possession for the remainder of the game.

As soon as Juliette hears the three long whistles, she sprints towards Abigail, tackling her to the ground. Both girls break out in a fit of laughter, the stress and tension of the past week melting away.

Abigail giggles as she rolls them over so she's on top. "I'm so happy, I could kiss you!" she says, and before Juliette could react, Abigail gives her a quick peck on the lips. Laughing even more as the rest of their team joins their tackle.

Juliette lay there, not being able to focus on anything other than the fact that her best friends lips were just on hers. It may have been a quick peck that others may look past and say that's just what best friends do, but for Juliette it opened a whole new set of emotions.

[A/N]: Fun fact one of my all-time favorite movies is Grease.

Please let me know what you all thought of this chapter!