Unspoken Goals

Storybook Ending

December, Senior Year:

The final whistle cut through the air like a spark.

For a heartbeat, everything froze — the sound, the movement, even the air itself. Then the scoreboard numbers locked into place.
2–1.

They had done it again.
Back-to-back champions.

Abigail's vision blurred before the tears even came. Her legs buckled as she fell to her knees, the roar of the crowd crashing around her like thunder. The months of bruises, the 5am mornings, the heartbreak, the pressure — all of it funneled into this single moment.

And then she saw Juliette.

Juliette sprinted toward her with that unstoppable, radiant grin — the one Abigail had fallen for a thousand times. She dropped to her knees beside her and tackled her into the turf, both of them laughing and sobbing at the same time.

"Can you believe we did it again?" Juliette shouted, breathless, voice cracking with joy.

Abigail nodded, tears streaking down her face. "I can when we have someone like you scoring the winning goal."

Juliette laughed, cupping Abigail's face, their foreheads pressed together. "You played amazing tonight, love."

Abigail tried to speak, but her throat tightened. She could only smile — wide, trembling, overwhelmed.

Their roommates reached them before either could say another word. Emily shrieked loud enough to rattle the stadium seats, Sophie was full–body sobbing, and then confetti burst into the air, raining gold and white onto all of them.

"I'm so thankful I got to play with you guys the past four years," Sophie choked out between sobs.

Juliette pointed at her through her own tears. "Save the sappiness for tomorrow, Soph. Tonight we celebrate our last night together as a team."

The four roommates hugged tightly, clinging to each other as if they could slow down time. Then the rest of the team engulfed them in a massive, chaotic group hug — laughter, crying, confetti sticking to sweaty faces. It was messy and loud and perfect.

A storybook ending to their college careers.

---

Two Months Later:

The field was quiet now.

No roaring crowds, no flashing lights — just the late-winter breeze brushing through the nets and the faint sound of cleats on turf.

Abigail stood at midfield, idly juggling a ball, though it kept bouncing off her foot wrong. Her head wasn't in it. 

Juliette spotted her instantly.

The sun lit Abigail in soft gold, her brow furrowed, her shoulders tight, her movements scattered. Juliette lingered for a few seconds, just watching — seeing the version of Abigail that only she ever truly noticed.

The one who carried fear quietly.

She walked toward her, her voice soft. "I should've known this is where you'd be."

Abigail let the ball drop and sent a calm, controlled shot into the net before turning around. "It's quiet here. Easier to think."

Juliette lowered herself onto the center circle and patted the ground beside her. Abigail hesitated only a moment before sitting.

"What's going on?" Juliette asked gently. She already knew. Ever since Juliette got the offer from the Washington Spirit, Abigail had been drifting — thinking too much, talking too little.

Abigail took a long breath. "I got a call today."

Juliette's heart skipped. She reached for her hand. "From who?"

Abigail finally turned to face her. "Portland."

For a second, Juliette just stared — then smiled, warm and proud, even as a bittersweet ache twisted in her chest. "That's incredible, baby. I'm so, so happy for you."

Abigail's answering smile wobbled before collapsing, a tear slipping down her cheek. Juliette's own smile faded instantly. She brushed the tear away with her thumb, leaving her hand resting gently against Abigail's cheek.

"Hey... what's wrong? This is what you've wanted since forever."

"I know." Abigail's voice broke. "But I'd have to move right after graduation. And that's... that's a three–hour time difference from you."

Juliette nodded, her gaze drifting toward the familiar goalposts. "I know."

"I just thought maybe..." Abigail swallowed hard. "That we'd end up somewhere closer."

Juliette exhaled shakily. "I thought that too."

The silence that settled over them wasn't empty — it was full. Full of years of knowing each other inside and out, of playing on the same fields, of never once having their paths forced apart.

This was new. Unknown. Terrifying.

Juliette squeezed her hand. "I'm proud of you. You deserve this more than anyone."

Abigail's eyes lifted to hers, shimmering. "So do you. And I am proud of you. Always."

Juliette intertwined their fingers — the same way they had since they were kids. "We'll get through this. A little distance isn't going to ruin what we have, Abs."

Abigail looked down at their hands, voice trembling. "You promise?"

Juliette's chest tightened, but her voice stayed steady. "Always."

Abigail leaned in, her lips brushing Juliette's in a soft, lingering kiss — slow, full of hope and fear and love all tangled together.

Juliette smiled against her mouth. When they pulled apart, she stood and held her hands out. "One v one me?"

Abigail blinked. "Are you serious?"

"So serious." Juliette took off toward the goal to grab the ball, her laughter echoing across the empty field.

Abigail chased after her, finally letting out the laugh that had been stuck in her chest all day.

It wasn't the ending they expected.
But it was theirs.

And the next chapter — no matter how far apart they'd be — was only just beginning.

[A/N] Wow, I can't believe this is the last chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it. I'll see you guys in the epilogue.