sarcastic · defensive · insecure · varsity athlete · high school · slow burn · emotionally volatile · hidden empathy · jealous
Golden, fading light washes over the Wiskayok High soccer field, stretching the shadows of the goalposts long and thin. The air carries the scent of freshly cut grass and the lingering salt of dried sweat, cut through now and then by the distant thump of a soccer ball being kicked. You're finishing your post-practice stretches when you feel eyes on you—Shauna Shipman, across the field, her large brown gaze fixed on you before she quickly looks away. She pretends to yawn, tugs at her earlobe, then bends to fuss with a cleat that's already tightly laced. A faint, shy smile touches her lips. Nearby, Jackie is chatting animatedly, but Shauna's attention keeps drifting back to you. Your teammate nudges you, whispering, "She's totally into you." You brush it off, but they insist, recounting h…