through the silence

unspoken connection

The next morning felt different, lighter somehow, as if the tension I'd been carrying around for weeks had finally faded. Jill and I had sorted things out yesterday, and for the first time in a while, I felt genuinely at ease. Knowing things were good between us lifted a weight I hadn't even realized was so heavy.

I glanced at my phone, where a message from Syd popped up, reminding me of our pottery painting plans later in the day. She seemed thrilled that Jill was joining us, which was a relief. I'd been a little worried about how Syd would take things after everything that happened, but it seemed she was just as ready to move forward as I was.

After getting ready for training, I drove over to the facility, arriving a little before 11 a.m. As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed Leah stepping out of her car, adjusting her duffel bag on her shoulder. She waved when she saw me, and I returned the gesture, falling into step beside her as we walked toward the changing rooms.

"So, how was national break for you?" I asked, genuinely curious. Leah was one of those people who always had great stories about her travels, and I looked forward to hearing what she'd been up to.

She grinned, her eyes lighting up with the memory. "Oh, it was brilliant. Keira and I had a free day, so we drove out to this secluded beach. It was late afternoon, and the whole place was just empty and beautiful. We sat there, watching the sun dip into the water, and the colors... honestly, Hayden, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it."

"Sounds like paradise," I replied, picturing the scene in my head.

"It really was," she continued. "We just sat there for hours, just us and the waves. We brought along a little wine, too, because, you know, when in Spain..."

I laughed, nudging her shoulder. "Sounds like the ideal pre-game ritual. I'm jealous—I need to tag along next time."

"Absolutely! Keira and I decided it's going to be a tradition now," Leah said with a grin, pulling open the door to the changing room. Inside, most of the team was already there, the usual buzz of pre-training chatter filling the room.

Scanning the group, I spotted Jill and Syd chatting off to the side. They looked relaxed, laughing about something, and a surge of relief washed over me. I hadn't realized just how much I'd worried about how Syd would act around Jill until I saw them so comfortable with each other.

As I walked closer, I caught a snippet of their conversation.

"Well, Bavarian beer is simply the best," Syd declared with a firm nod.

I couldn't help but laugh, drawing their attention. "Talking about beer already? It's not even noon yet!"

They turned, both grinning, and I pulled them into quick hugs. Syd smirked, clearly amused by my surprise. "What can I say? It's never too early to appreciate the best things in life."

I laughed and shook my head. "Fair enough. So, are we all set for pottery later?"

Jill's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Absolutely! I've already got a design in mind, though I'll probably change my mind five times once we get there."

Syd rolled her eyes with a grin. "Same here. We'll end up spending more time debating designs than actually painting."

With the lightness between us restored, we headed to the pitch together, everyone in high spirits. Training flew by, a blur of drills and strategies, and soon enough, it was time to call it a day.

---

An hour later, after a quick shower and change, I arrived at the pottery studio. It was a cozy space, the walls lined with shelves displaying rows of blank ceramics—mugs, plates, bowls, and everything in between, all waiting to be brought to life. I took a deep breath, feeling a quiet excitement about the afternoon.