Unspoken Goals

Distance

The girls made their way down to the lobby, bags in hand. Juliette cradled the trophy in one arm. Abigail walked a step ahead, shoulders tense, their earlier disagreement still hanging in the space between them like smoke after a fire.

When they reached the lobby entrance, most of the team was already gathered, chatting and half-asleep, slumped against luggage and each other. Heads turned as the two entered.

"There they are," one of the girls, Maya, said grinning. "The happy couple."

Juliette's footsteps stuttered. Her heart leapt into her throat. Abigail's spine went rigid.

A beat too long passed. Then Maya let out a laugh. "Relax, you two. I meant Julie and the trophy. She wouldn't let go of it last night while we were pregaming."

Juliette forced a smile, lifting the trophy and pressing a kiss to it. "Right. Love of my life."

Maya laughed along with a few others, and the moment passed, at least for them.

But Juliette felt the lingering stares. She saw the flicker of recognition behind Em's eyes, the too-quick glance Soph gave Abigail. And she didn't miss the way Abigail's gaze flicked to every person in the room except her. From that point on, Abigail's smile stayed perfectly polite. But it never touched her eyes again.

On the bus ride back, Abigail sat across the aisle with Soph, headphones in, eyes fixed on the window like she could will herself into a different reality. Not once did she glance at Juliette.

And that became the pattern.

Over the next few days, the quiet between them in group settings stretched thin, like pulled thread. During the celebrations their school held for their win, Abigail made sure to stay far enough away to make a point. At their own apartment, the distance was smaller but even more noticeable. Juliette told herself it was temporary, that this would all be solved once they went home for winter break.

But then they drove home for winter break.

And in the privacy of their bedrooms, everything shifted back. The walls dropped. There were sleepovers that blurred into mornings. Quiet kisses under covers. Tangled limbs. Whispers against the dark like they were safe there, like love could survive as long as no one else saw it.

Juliette would trace the outline of Abigail's shoulder with her fingertips, memorizing the warmth, trying not to wonder how something that felt so right could vanish the moment they left the room.

Because it always changed around other people.

At the mall with their hometown friends, Abigail kept a polite distance, never reaching for Juliette's hand even when their fingers brushed. At dinner with their families, she chose the seat across the table instead of beside Juliette. And Juliette kept swallowing it down, trying to trust that Abigail still planned to come out to her family before break ended.

Then came the beach bonfire, their yearly tradition for catching up after everyone had been away at college.

The ocean was a black sheet behind them, waves crashing just out of sight, and the fire crackled in the center of a loose circle of laughter, drinks, and stories. Juliette sat near the edge beside Hannah and Chloe, half-listening, half-smiling. But her eyes stayed locked on Abigail across the fire, laughing at something Hayden — her ex — said.

They leaned in toward each other, close. Whispering. Shoulders brushing like nothing had ever gone wrong between them.

Juliette stared into her cup, the warmth of the fire unable to reach the cold tightening in her chest.

"You okay Julie?" Hannah asked gently, her brow furrowed.

Juliette blinked, forcing a smile. "Yeah. Just spaced out."

Hannah gave her a look that said she didn't believe her but wouldn't push.

Chloe looked at the two saying what all three of them were thinking. "What the hell is Hayden doing here? and why is Abby talking to him like they are best friends?"

"I was told one of the guys invited him. Apparently, he is a lot nicer than he was in high school." Hannah said.

"Right," Chloe said, rolling her eyes. "Because three years is enough to erase being a total asshole. I swear, I don't get why Abigail entertains these shitty men."

Juliette took a slow sip. "I wish I knew."

The rest of the night went on and Abigail remained at Hayden's side. Juliette didn't say a single word about it instead she chose to drink her feelings away.

By the time they were in the car, the silence was sharp. Abigail gripped the wheel, jaw tight, the glow of the dashboard casting her in shades of frustration. And Juliette — dizzy and hurting — was too drunk to care about consequences.

"What is your problem?" she slurred, voice cutting through the quiet like glass.

Abigail inhaled slowly. "Juliette, you're plastered."

Juliette shrugged. "So?"

"We have breakfast with my grandparents in the morning. It was supposed to be a chill night so we wouldn't be hung over and tired, and now I am going to be up late, taking care of your drunk ass like always."

That was a strike to the gut.

Juliette let out a breathless laugh. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was such a burden. Maybe I wouldn't be this drunk if you hadn't spent the whole night flirting with your ex — the same one who cheated on you, in case you forgot. Oh, and I'm your girlfriend, in case you forgot that too."

Abigail slammed on the brakes, the car jerking to a stop at a stop sign. She turned to Juliette, fury in her eyes.

"Real mature, Jules. You get wasted instead of just telling me how you feel?"

Juliette let out a bitter laugh "Right, because I need to tell you how to act right. Its not like you would have even listened anyway probably would have flinched away and acted like I burnt you if I walked in your bubble."

"That's not fair Jules." Abigail said, her voice low.

"Not fair?" Juliette's voice cracked. "You want to talk about fair? Try being with someone who treats you like a dirty secret. Who lets people believe there's nothing between you, then smiles at her ex like she's never been happier."

Abigail's voice softened. "Jules... you said it was okay. To keep this quiet."

"I said it was okay to keep us a secret Abigail. I didn't say it was okay to ignore me in public and act like I mean nothing while flirting with your ex."

"I wasn't flirting with him," Abigail said, but it came out too quick and defensive.

Juliette didn't argue. She just turned to the window, resting her head against the cool glass, her voice barely audible. "Sure."

"Jules," Abigail said, reaching for her hand.

Juliette pulled away.

"Abigail, please. Just... don't."

The silence that followed was worse than any fight. It was heavy and defeated.

[A/N]: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please vote and let me know your thoughts!