Unspoken Goals

Don't Go

March 1st

Abigail's room was dark—curtains drawn tight against the late-afternoon sun. Dust floated through a narrow strip of light sneaking in from the edge of the window. A pile of laundry sat untouched in the corner, and her backpack slumped where she'd dropped it two days ago after practice. The air was heavy, unmoving. Even the steady ticking of her wall clock felt too loud in the quiet.

She lay sprawled on her bed, a book open in her hands, though her eyes hadn't tracked a single word in over an hour. Her mind replayed the moment she walked back into their apartment after being home on Juliette's birthday—only to find her laughing in the kitchen with Kenzie. The way Juliette's eyes crinkled when she smiled, the sound of her voice—it still made Abigail's heart twist painfully. But what hurt more was how none of the gifts she'd left on her bed were ever mentioned. No thank you, no text, not even a glance her way. It was like they'd been swallowed by the silence between them.

The door creaked open without warning.

"Abigail." Sophie's voice was sharp—stripped of the usual warmth she reserved for their friend group.

Abigail jerked upright. "What—can you knock?" she muttered, her tone defensive, brittle.

Sophie didn't answer. She stepped into the room and crossed her arms, her eyes blazing. "What the hell is going on with you?"

Abigail blinked, thrown off. "What are you talking about? You can't just barge into my room—"

"Don't do that," Sophie snapped, cutting her off. "You've been acting like I'm a stranger for months. You don't talk to anyone, you don't show up to things, and I'm done pretending that's normal. You don't get to push everyone away and expect no one to care."

The words hit like a punch. Abigail's throat went tight, her chest aching. She pressed the heel of her palms against her eyes, trying to hold back the sting of tears. "It's not personal, Soph. It's just... easier this way."

Sophie's voice softened, but only a little. "What is?"

Abigail's breath trembled. "You wouldn't get it."

"Then make me get it," Sophie said gently, stepping closer. "I'm right here, Abigail. Talk to me."

For a long moment, silence filled the room, heavy and suffocating. Abigail stared down at the wrinkled bedsheets between her hands, her mind screaming not to say it—but her heart was tired of hiding.

"I love her," she whispered, barely audible.

Sophie froze. "Juliette?"

Abigail nodded, her lip quivering as the tears finally broke free. "I've loved her forever, Soph. But I was scared—of what people would say, of what it would mean. So I kept pushing it down, and every time she tried to get close, I ran. And then I lost her. I let her walk away because I was too afraid to be honest." Her voice cracked. "Now she hates me, and you guys should too."

Sophie's expression softened completely, the fight draining out of her. She sat down beside Abigail and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as Abigail buried her face in her hands. "Abby," she said softly, "I could never hate you. None of us could. I just wish you hadn't decided to go through all of this alone."

"Me too," Abigail whispered. "I didn't know how to tell anyone. You're all around her all the time, and I couldn't stand it. I didn't want to see her—because every time I did, it hurt too much."

Sophie rubbed slow circles on her back. "Then maybe you need to do something about it."

Abigail lifted her head slightly, her eyes red and swollen. "Do what?"

"Tell her," Sophie said simply. "Because sitting here crying while she's out there trying to move on isn't going to fix anything."

Abigail let out a shaky laugh, half sob, half disbelief. "It's too late. I saw her with Kenzie. She's already moved on."

Sophie shook her head. "You're wrong. She's getting ready for her first date with Kenzie right now. First," she emphasized. "If you really don't care, then fine—stay here. But if what you just told me is true, if you love her the way I think you do, then go stop her. Don't let her walk out that door thinking you don't love her back."

Abigail's heart lurched, pounding in her chest so hard it almost hurt. She searched Sophie's face for any hesitation, but there was none—only certainty. "Why are you helping me after everything?" she whispered.

"Because I've seen the way you two look at each other," Sophie said, smiling faintly. "She doesn't want Kenzie, Abby. She's just trying to make herself believe she's moved on. Don't let her."

Abigail didn't think. She just moved. She bolted from the room, nearly tripping over her sneakers but not bothering to put them on. She sprinted down the hall, her heart racing faster than her feet.

The apartment was alive with noise—Em and Sully were curled up on the couch, Marco scrolling through his phone at the other end. They all looked up, startled, when she burst into the living room.

"Where's Juliette?" Abigail gasped.

They exchanged glances, confused. "She just left," Em said slowly.

"Thanks!" Abigail shouted, already halfway to the door.

She flew down the stairs barefoot, the cold concrete stinging her feet, and burst out into the parking lot just as Juliette was closing her car door.

"JULIETTE, WAIT!" she shouted.

Juliette froze. She turned, confusion flashing across her face as Abigail came running toward her, breathless and wild-eyed. "Abigail?" she said, frowning. "What the hell are you doing? And where are your shoes? It's freezing."

"Please don't go," Abigail said, her voice trembling.

Juliette's brows furrowed. "What?"

"Don't go on your date."

Juliette let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. "You don't get to tell me what to do anymore."

"I know," Abigail said quickly, desperation breaking through every word. "But I can't let you leave without saying what I should've said a long time ago."

Juliette's breath caught. "Abigail—"

"Just let me talk," Abigail interrupted, stepping closer. "I should've kissed you in front of everyone that night. I should've told you I loved you, because I do. I always have."

The words hung in the air, fragile and raw.

Juliette's eyes widened, anger and heartbreak twisting together in her expression. "You don't get to do this now," she said, voice cracking. "You don't get to wait until I've finally started to heal and then show up like this. Do you have any idea what it's been like? Loving you, losing you, and watching you pretend I don't exist?"

Abigail flinched, tears streaming freely now. "I was scared," she choked out. "Of what it meant, of who I'd be. But you—" her voice broke, "you're the only thing that's ever felt right. And I'm sorry it took me this long to say it, but I'm saying it now. I love you."

Juliette shook her head, her voice trembling. "It's too late, Abigail."

And just like that, the world seemed to stop.

Abigail's heart splintered, but she forced herself to nod. "If that's true," she said quietly, "then I'll accept it. But I needed you to know."

She turned away before the sob in her chest could escape, walking back toward the building with shaking hands. Behind her, she heard Juliette's car start, the sound of the engine fading as she pulled away.

Abigail stopped at the bottom of the stairs, the cool afternoon air biting at her bare skin. She wanted to be angry—at Juliette—but all she felt was the hollow ache of knowing she had no one to blame but herself.

And that was something she'd have to live with.

[A/N]: I feel bad for Abigail :(

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Please vote and leave a comment letting me know your thoughts!