Whispered Promises

Before It All Began

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm golden hue over Pine Ridge High. The bell hadn't rung yet, but the familiar energy of a new school year buzzed through the air. It was the start of senior year, and for Jackson, Marques, Alex, and Josy, it felt like the final stretch before life as they knew it would change.

Jackson strode through the school gates, a confident smile on his face. At 6'4 with his signature strawberry blond hair and emerald green eyes, he never failed to turn heads. Captain of the football team, the guy had charisma in spades, and he knew it. Marques, his best friend and Josy's twin brother, was already waiting by the bleachers, scrolling through his phone, looking every bit the laid-back jock with his dirty blond hair and icy blue eyes.

"Finally, you show up," Marques said, not even looking up as Jackson approached.

"Yeah, yeah. Couldn't get out of bed," Jackson grinned, slapping Marques on the back. "You should try waking up early sometime."

"Try living with you. Then we'll talk," Marques shot back.

The two shared a laugh as they walked toward the football field for their morning practice. It was still early enough that the field was empty, the dew glistening on the grass. Marques twirled a football in his hand, and they started tossing it back and forth casually as they waited for the others to arrive.

"Josy's probably running late again," Marques said, nodding toward the school building.

"She's got that whole 'fashionably late' thing down to a science," Jackson chuckled, thinking of Josy. Her honey-blond hair and ocean blue eyes always caught the attention of everyone, but she was more than just the cheerleading captain or the popular girl. She was also the girl Jackson had known since they were kids, the one who could always make him laugh even when he didn't want to.

"Speak of the devil," Marques said as Josy appeared in the distance, waving at them as she jogged across the field.

"Sorry, sorry!" she called out, panting a little as she finally reached them. Her cheeks were flushed, but there was a bright grin on her face as usual.

"Took you long enough," Jackson teased, tossing the ball her way. Josy caught it easily, tossing it back with a wink.

"Had to make sure I looked good for my first day of senior year," she replied, flipping her hair dramatically for effect.

Marques rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. You always look good. Now come on, we've got practice."

The three of them made their way to the locker rooms when suddenly a familiar voice called out from behind them.

"Morning, slackers."

Alexandra Stewart—or Alex, as everyone knew her—stood leaning against the locker room door with a teasing grin. Her chocolate brown hair was tied back in a high ponytail, her hazel eyes sharp and focused as always. At 5'10, she was tall for a girl, and as the only female player on the football team, she'd fought harder than anyone to earn her spot. But her confidence and determination made her more than capable of holding her own against the boys.

"You're one to talk, Stewart," Marques smirked, tossing her the football.

"Don't hate me 'cause I'm better," Alex shot back, catching the ball with ease before spinning it on her finger. "But really, you should try running more. That spare tire's not gonna help us win any games this year, Anderson."

Marques snorted. "Maybe you should stick to running routes, Alex, leave the jokes to the professionals."

They all laughed, the banter easy and familiar between them. They had known each other for years, growing up in the same neighborhood, attending the same schools. Their bond was tight, and while they spent their days teasing each other, there was an unspoken loyalty beneath it all.

As the morning practice kicked into gear, their conversations flowed naturally between drills. Jackson and Marques worked through their plays while Alex ran routes, her movements fluid and precise. Josy sat on the bleachers, tying her sneakers and scrolling through her phone, already catching up on the latest gossip.

"I can't believe it's senior year," Josy said when the boys jogged over to take a break. "Feels like just yesterday we were freshmen, trying not to get stuffed into lockers."

Marques grinned. "Speak for yourself. I was never worried about that."

"Must be nice," Josy shot back with a playful roll of her eyes. "Not all of us were born giants."

Jackson chuckled, sitting down next to her and grabbing a water bottle. "Yeah, but you've got other advantages."

Josy raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Like?"

"Like being smarter than the rest of us combined," Alex chimed in, coming over to join them. "How many AP classes are you taking this year?"

"Enough to make me want to cry," Josy admitted, though her smile didn't falter.

They continued to chat and joke, the first period slowly creeping up on them. By the time they finished their morning practice and headed into the building, the halls were buzzing with excitement. Locker doors slammed shut, students called out greetings, and a sense of possibility hung in the air.

During their first class together—English—Jackson slouched in his seat, trying not to doze off while Josy sat up front, taking neat notes. Marques and Alex sat next to each other, trading snarky comments under their breath.

As the bell rang for lunch, the four of them met up at their usual spot under the oak tree near the cafeteria. They sat down with their trays, the familiar banter continuing as they picked at their food.

"So, any big plans for senior year?" Marques asked, biting into his sandwich.

"Survive," Alex said dryly. "And maybe win a few games while we're at it."

"Win a few games? Try all of them," Jackson shot back, his competitive streak flaring up. "We've got to leave a legacy, you know?"

Josy smiled, leaning back against the tree. "Yeah, and who knows what'll happen after graduation? Might as well make this year count."

The weight of her words hung in the air for a moment before they all nodded in agreement. Senior year. Their last hurrah before the real world. Whatever lay ahead, they knew one thing for sure: they were in it together, come what may.

❇