“I’m being serious! You were close to that girl, I hate it!" Jackie said angrily while kicking the soccer ball. You knew how pissed she really was because the ball completely flying over the goal.
“Fuck!” Jackie yelled annoyed with herself. She's always been the jealous type since the very first date. “Baby, all we were doing was talking. She asked me where Coach Scott’s office was!”
Jackie rolled her eyes and still didn’t look up to you, still focusing on the field before her.
She crossed her arms and frowned. “And why were you so close?!" Jackie said clearly still jealous. She hates it you talk to other women.
God she can’t stand it! The thought of another girl talking, thinking, looking at you is beyond frustrating.
Jackie huffed, keeping her arms crossed over her chest. She looks to you before quickly averting her gaze. “Why are you even friends with her?" She said.
You’ve always known her jealousy was a problem for her, but it’s been worse lately, she’s been extra clingy. She knows she’s being unreasonable, but she can’t help it. She gets super possessive if a girl even glances your way, Jackie feels the need to grab your hand or throw herself onto your lap when other girls are around.
Jackie let out an annoyed huff. “Girls are naturally flirty. Why was she being so smiley?” Jackie kicked the ball again before looking to you. “Did she say anything to you? Did she try anything?”
I laugh to myself, the whole situation was honestly really funny, Jackie knew nothing happened she heard the whole thing unfold.
“No, Jackie. She didn’t. I only have eyes for you, Love.”
Jackie gave you a hard stare. “You sure?” She questioned, raising an eyebrow.
“Because you looked happy to be talking to her.” She said, looking down at her shoes still feeling unsure.
I walk closer to her and making her look into my eyes. “I love you.”
Jackie’s expression softened slightly when she saw your eyes. She still had her arms crossed, but she wasn’t looking away now. She knew that look in your eyes. It was the one that knew how to make her weak.
She sighed and wrapped her arms around your neck. Her body pressed against yours, and she leaned up to rest her head against your chest.
“Just don’t get close to that girl again.” Jackie mumbled against your chest.
“I promise.” I say as I kiss her head. “Now come on show me what soccer moves you got, Taylor!”
Oh, god. Shauna stood there in front of you, wearing your worn-out Led Zeppelin T-shirt. Time had taken its toll on it; the letters nearly faded beyond recognition. Yet, there was something so comforting about the shirt's soft fabric against Shauna’s skin.
The shirt was a sign of the timeline of love you’d spent together, a reminder of countless memories shared between Shauna and you. Despite its worn-out faded state, it remained one of your favorites, and it looked damn good on her.
You can’t stop.
Your eyes roamed down her body, glancing at the shirt that seemed to hang just right on her shoulders, the collar loose enough to expose a hint of her collarbone. Your mind wandered, imagining what she might or might not be wearing beneath the shirt, the thought alone driving you crazy.
You shook yourself internally, trying to focus on the conversation you and Shauna were having, but your gaze always drifted back to her.
Your heart raced as Shauna moved closer to you, her hand threading through your hair. The feel of her fingertips against your scalp sent a shiver down your spine, and you found it increasingly difficult to think clearly. “Y/N?”
"Uh, yeah," You managed to stutter out, struggling to keep your gaze from drifting down to her thighs, exposed by the short hem of your shirt she was wearing.
She continued to run her fingers through your hair, her touch sending spark through your body. Your gaze kept drifting to her legs, clad in just the shirt and… god all you wanted was to touch her. The thought of it was enough to make your mind spin, and you struggled to stay focused on the conversation.
Shauna's soft voice danced along your ear, her words sending a shiver down your spine, "You're quite the silent one, aren't you? Something on your mind?" Her warm breath lingered against the sensitive skin of your neck, as her body leaned in closer to yours.
A low chuckle rumbled deep within your chest, and you replied in a gruff tone, "Baby, you have no idea."
The morning sun gently peeked through the curtains, casting a soft glow over your room, You slowly opened your eyes, immediately noticing the comforting presence of your girlfriend, Jackie lying beside you.
Her face was peaceful, her hair tousled against the pillow.
Waking up beside her was truly a dream. All your problems seemed to disappear when you were with her. You reached out to gently tuck a strand of Jackie’s hair behind her ear, admiring the way her lashes laid against her cheek.
She stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she slowly roused from her slumber. A sleepy smile formed on her plump lips as she saw you lying next to her, her eyes still heavy with sleep. Jackie snuggled closer, needing the warmth of your body, and let out a content sigh.
You wrapped your arm around her, pulling her closer, you enjoyed the feeling of her warm body pressed against yours, it was the best. You buried your face in her hair, inhaling her scent, which lingered with the sweetness of her sleepy state.
“I love you.”
"I love you too." Jackie replied, her words spoken softly. Her gaze was fixed on you, her eyes filled with affection and tenderness.
If possible she cuddled closer, resting her head against your chest, and her fingertips traced gentle circles on your arm.
“Are you going to visit me at college?” You heard her sigh, her big brown eyes looking into yours.
"Of course, I'm going to visit you at college," You replied, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Why wouldn't I?"
Her gaze stayed fixed on yours, her expression was vulnerable. "I just... I don't know, I guess I just needed to hear you say it."
You both sat there in silence for a moment, your hand still on her cheek. Then you spoke.
"I'll be there for you, always," You said softly, looking into her eyes. "No matter what, I'll be there."
Jackie smiled, leaning into your touch. "Thank you," She whispered.
You pulled her in, wrapping your arms around her. "I love you," You said, kissing the top of her head.
"I love you too," Jackie murmured, snuggling into your chest.
Jackie Taylor wasn’t used to being doted on. She’d always carried herself with that confident, all-American poise—shoulders back, chin lifted, the kind of girl who could walk through a crowd and make heads turn without even trying. But when she was with you, the guard slipped.
The day had started with a simple plan: a quiet trip to the mall, no cameras, no friends, no drama.
Just the two of you. Jackie wore her favorite denim jacket, the one slightly frayed at the edges, and a pair of sunglasses she tried to act like she didn’t care about—but she clearly loved how they looked on her.
As you laced your fingers through hers, she tilted her head toward you and grinned. “You’re up to something,” she said, narrowing her eyes playfully.
“Maybe,” you replied, with the kind of grin that gave everything away.
The first stop was a boutique she always admired from afar but never walked into.
The moment you guided her inside, her jaw dropped. The racks were filled with silk, tailored pieces, and delicate accessories that seemed made for her.
“Pick whatever you want,” you told her.
She froze. “Wait. Seriously?”
You nodded. “Jackie Taylor deserves to be spoiled.”
She laughed, a real laugh—the kind that started in her chest and bubbled out like champagne. She wandered through the store in awe, holding dresses up to her body, spinning in front of mirrors.
Every time she hesitated, you gently nudged her: Yes. Get it. You deserve it.
By the time the bags started piling up, Jackie was glowing. The confident girl everyone else saw had melted into someone soft, loved, and fully seen.
In the jewelry store, she tried to protest. “This is too much,” she whispered, cheeks flushed pink.
You cupped her face gently. “It’s not about the price. It’s about showing you how much you mean to me.”
Her eyes softened, and in that moment, it felt like the whole mall disappeared. She kissed you right there, not caring who was watching.
The rest of the afternoon was a blur of laughter, overpriced lattes, and hand-holding down glossy marble hallways. Jackie leaned into you like she always belonged there—like the world had carved out this space for the two of you to exist without explanation.
As you left with your arms full of bags and her heart full to the brim, she looked at you and said softly, “I’ve never felt this loved before.”
You and Lottie decide it’s time. Time to rejoin civilization. Time to leave the house like functioning adults. Time to take your baby boy, Theo, out into the world for the first time.
“People take babies out all the time,” you say confidently, zipping up the diaper bag like you’re preparing for war. “We’re gonna crush this.”
Lottie stares at the mountain of supplies you’ve laid out on the couch: five outfits for Theo (“in case he explodes”), three burp cloths, two packs of wipes, a backup pacifier for the backup pacifier, enough diapers to survive an apocalypse, and—because Lottie is Lottie—a tiny lavender oil roller “for calming energy.”
She raises an eyebrow. “We’re going to Target, not the desert.”
“Yes,” you say gravely. “But Target changes people.”
Theo, blissfully unaware of the nightmare his existence creates, is sitting in his car seat wearing a tiny onesie that says “Team No Sleep”. He kicks his legs like he’s already plotting.
⸻
Stage One: The Car Ride
It starts well. Too well. Theo’s quiet in the back seat, Lottie’s humming along to the radio, and you actually feel… calm?
Then, halfway there, Lottie gasps. “Did we pack the bottle?”
Silence.
You make The Face.
She makes The Other Face.
A full five minutes of frantic digging through the diaper bag at a red light later, the bottle is found under the extra pair of socks. Crisis averted. But the tension lingers.
⸻
Stage Two: The Store
The moment the automatic doors swoosh open, Theo decides it’s showtime. His previously angelic face scrunches up like a tiny raisin, and the wailing begins.
You grab the cart like a mad man. “I’ll push. You bounce.”
Lottie starts rocking Theo in her arms while simultaneously trying to grab items off the shelves.
“Why are the diapers always in the back of the store?” she mutters through gritted teeth.
You’re sweating. She’s sweating. Theo is glowing in chaos.
Then, someone from Lottie’s yoga group spots you. “LOTTIE! Oh my god, is this your baby? He’s so cuuuute!!”
Lottie smiles that “I am holding it together by a thread” smile. You freeze like a deer in the cereal aisle. Theo stares at the stranger and lets out a single, dramatic hiccup, followed by the loudest fart you’ve ever heard.
You swear the entire aisle heard it.
Yoga Friend politely pretends not to.
⸻
Stage Three: The Blowout
Right as you reach checkout, Theo chooses violence. There’s a sudden warmth. Lottie looks down. You look at her. Both of you realize it at the same time.
“Oh no.”
“Oh YES.”
The blowout is… catastrophic. It’s like the diaper didn’t even diaper. People are staring. You sprint to the family restroom like you’re in a war.
Inside, the two of you become a chaotic diaper-changing team: Lottie holding Theo like a baby bull, you trying to maneuver wipes with surgical precision, both of you laughing and gagging at the same time.
“WHY IS THERE SO MUCH,” you yell.
“I DON’T KNOW, HE’S THREE MONTHS OLD, NOT A FIRE HOSE,” she yells back.
Somehow, miraculously, Theo emerges clean, changed, and smug. You both look like you survived a natural disaster.
⸻
Stage Four: The Aftermath
Back in the car, all three of you are exhausted. Theo is finally asleep in his car seat, looking like a tiny, innocent angel who didn’t just destroy a diaper on aisle 7.
Lottie leans her head against the window, laughing softly. “We made it.”
You grin, reaching for her hand. “Barely.”
She squeezes it back. “I can’t believe we did all that… for baby wipes and oat milk.”
And despite everything—the chaos, the mess, the near mental breakdown in the restroom—you both can’t stop smiling. Because this is your life now: messy, loud, unpredictable, and weirdly perfect.
For Y/N and Lottie, it was their last summer before everything would change. The last summer before the world they knew would start to pull them in two different directions.
They met in their sophomore year, when Y/N was sitting alone on the bleachers after a long, draining day at school.
Lottie had just come from soccer practice, sweat dripping down her face, her energy still buzzing from the field.
She sat next to Y/N without asking, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Lottie didn’t know what to say, but somehow, she didn’t have to. There was something about Y/N that made her feel seen, even when words weren’t exchanged. That was the start of it.
Ever since that day, they spent every day moment together. They’d meet in the park near Lottie’s house, barefoot on the grass, their feet tracking paths through the dirt as they talked about everything and anything.
They lay on their backs, staring at the sky, and sometimes, Y/N would trace the patterns on Lottie’s hand, Their fingers light as a whisper.
“I’ll always carry you with me,” Y/N whispered, their voice low and calming.
Lottie smiled, her eyes softened. “I’ll never forget you, Y/N. Not for a single day.”
Then, one night, after a summer storm that had left the sky dark and heavy, Y/N took Lottie’s hands in there’s, looking at her with eyes full of sorrow and love.
“Lottie..I got excepted to Princeton.” Y/N’s hands trembled, “I don’t know how we’re going to do this,” their voice breaking, “but I can’t imagine my life without you.”
Then Lottie rushed forward, throwing her arms around Y/N, holding them like she never wanted to let go.
“I’m so proud of you,” She whispered into their shoulder. “God, I’m so proud.”
Y/N clung back, the paper still crumpled in their hand. “But Princeton’s a thousand miles away. I-I know we’d figure things out, but this… this is a lot.”
Lottie pulled back just enough to look at them, brushing a tear from Y/N’s cheek.
God that face. She’d could look at that face all day long.
“You think distance changes how I feel about you?” Her voice was steady now. “I love you, Y/N. That doesn’t end with a zip code.”
There was a pause, then a soft, shaky laugh from Y/N. “You always make things sound possible.”
“That’s because with you,” Lottie said, leaning in until their foreheads touched, “they are.”
And for the first time that day, Y/N let themselves believe it.
You look at her, your eyes widening as she talks to you. "Pregnant...?"
You ask, your heart racing with panic and frankly, you felt sick to your stomach. A baby…you’re in high school! You have no job, your grades are terrible. How are you going to raise a baby?!
You took a deep breath, trying to gather your thoughts as your mind ran what felt like 800 miles per second . "Are you sure? Because those are false all the time.”
Anthony Alejandro Martinez grew up in a home shadowed by his father, Bill—whose moods flipped from icy silence to explosive rage on a whim. Anthony learned early to tiptoe around him, protect his little brother, Javi, and quiet his own needs.
As the middle child, Anthony spent most days caught in the crossfire. He couldn't keep Javi completely safe, but he became his brother's rock—offering comfort, reassurance, and quiet strength whenever their father lost control.
Their older brother, Travis, withdrew into a hardened shell over time. He couldn't stand Anthony's gentleness, seeing it as weakness. Rather than confront Bill's abuse, Travis turned his own frustration on Anthony, unable to reconcile the sibling in front of him with the pain at home.
School became Anthony's sanctuary. He dove into books and picked up the guitar. Music became the one place he could release what he couldn't say—his refuge from the chaos at home.
Meanwhile, Javi looked up to Anthony with unwavering faith, often leaning on him for guidance through the roughest days.
As Anthony edged into his teens, he dreamed of freedom—scared of what it might mean to break away, but more afraid of staying trapped.
Then Shauna entered his life.
She was the left winger for the WHS Yellowjacks—his father's favored player.
Shauna and Anthony came from different worlds, but soccer drew them together. He watched her fly down the field during one of Bill's coached games—and couldn't look away. She was focused, confident, relentless.
Their first real conversation came later, after games and community events. Anthony shared his music—it was soft, unpolished, real. Shauna opened up about winning, losing, pushing herself on the field. There was something comforting in their honesty, something healing in their simplicity.
Slowly, their connection deepened. They became each other's safe place, a team of their own—the push and pull of teenage drama softened by something that felt stronger: love, trust, understanding.
One night, Anthony picked "Silence of the Lambs" for a cozy movie night—but he'd fibbed about it being a movie about a shepherd. When Shauna realized what the film actually was... the look on her face said it all.
"Anthony, this has to be the worst movie on the planet," she groaned, covering her ears.
He paused the movie and shrugged, grinning. "All good?"
"Yes," she sighed, silent and suspicious.
"Sorry," he chuckled. "I couldn't resist."
She rolled her eyes. But by the time the movie hit its thrilling twist, she was hooked—and though she'd been misled, there was no taking back that fascination.
The next morning, Anthony pulled up to Shauna's driveway in style: his bright-red 1996 Ford F‑250. He hopped out, opened the door for her, and she stepped into the warm greeting, wrapped up in the pride of her Yellowjackets uniform.
"Morning, beautiful," Anthony greeted, voice soft with affection.
"Hey," she answered, cutting straight to a kiss that felt like everything to Anthony.
"Ready for the big game?" he asked, settling into the driver's seat.
"Absolutely," she said, and they drove toward Schaeffer Field, the sun shining down, adrenaline and hope surging for whatever lay ahead.
As they approached the field, the sounds of cheering and excitement filled the air. Shauna's focus was palpable, her determination clear in the way her eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Anthony watched her, a mix of pride and admiration swelling within him. When they arrived at the field, Shauna joined her teammates for warm-ups. Anthony leaned in, giving her a quick kiss and whispering words of encouragement before she ran off.
Throughout the game, Anthony cheered loudly for Shauna every time she made an amazing play. His heart soared with pride as he watched her skill on the field. They shared glances of encouragement whenever their eyes met across the field.
The game was intense, Anthony's nerves were on edge, his eyes glued to Shauna's every move. When she passed the ball to Tai, his anxiety spiked along with the crowd's excitement.
Both teams fought with all they had. Anthony Martinez watched nervously as his girlfriend pasted the ball to Tai, Anthony grimaced as the fans around him cheered loudly in excitement.
Home 3 visitor 3.
Seeing Tai wave her hand getting Jackie's attention. Tai swung her leg hitting the ball perfectly. The ball glided effortlessly through the air like a bird in flight.
Jackie Taylor jumped into the causing the soccer ball to bounce off her forehead. Everyone in the crowd goes silent in anticipation they all watch as the soccer ball hit the middle of the nylon net.
As the final whistle blew and Shauna's team emerged victorious, Anthony rushed down from the stands to meet her, sweeping her up in a tight hug.
"You were amazing out there," Anthony said earnestly, his eyes reflecting his admiration.
Shauna grinned up at him, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Thank you for coming," she replied, squeezing his hand tightly.
"Great job guys!" Anthony beamed high fiving the team.
A Week Later.
"Thanks for the ride, Shauna. My truck should be running by tomorrow." Anthony said opened the backseat to Shauna's car.
Shauna turned a smiled to the boy. "No, problem Ant."
"We headed to Jacs?"
"Yeah."
As the pulled up to Jackie Taylor's enormous white House they watched as Jeff sneaked out of her bedroom window.
Anthony sighed. "I thought they were done?"
"Me too."
Just then the white house door opened and out came Jackie, Anthony watched as Shauna perked her head and gave Jackie her infamous "Are you serious look".
Jackie walked up smiling and opened the car door. "Shauna, Ant."
"Hey, Jackie."
Shauna didn't say a word until they left Jackie's neighborhood. Jackie stared in a playful manner at Shauna before changing the music on the stereo.
Jackie giggled. "Were you listening to that?"
"No. Not right now it fell into the tape deck, and I accidentally pressed play." Shauna smirked at her response.
"So, Jackie." Anthony sighed, "You and Jeff…Again?"
Jackie turned to Anthony. "I decided that showing up to college a virgin is a mistake. No offense."
Anthony snickered to himself. Only if Jackie knew the things I knew.
"We've been together for so long that if we're each other's firsts then we'll be linked forever it's more poetic that way."
Anthony leaned up on Jackie and Shauna's chairs arms. "Well shit Jackie, if that was the problem you could've just asked me for help."
"Haha. Not funny Anthony." Jackie rolled her eyes. "Anyways Shauna. I've decided on a color palette for our room at Rutgers next year. Pink and green. It's like, classic preppy meets Palm Beach. Very Lilly P.
"College is going to eat you alive Jackie." Anthony said popping a piece of gum in his mouth. "Wait. Did you say Jeff 's a virgin?"
Jackie rolled her eyes again at Anthony. She pulled up a makeup pallet and began applying some lipstick "We've been together since freshman year."
"Yeah, but. I mean, you guys have broken up like, ten thousand times." Shauna chimed in.
Anthony scoffed, "More like a million."
"Never long enough to count." Jackie shrugged, putting away her makeup, as the turned the corner she noticed a sign next to Muriel's.
"The hell is this bullshit!" Jackie shouted pointing at the sign.
Anthony and Shauna looked up to see a sign reading "We're proud of our boy's varsity baseball, Go Jackets!!"
"These assholes were under five hundred all season! Shauna, honk at that thing."
Jackie reached over to the steering wheel and honks at it. Anthony and Shauna both laugh at Jackie's antics.
"No, they're just going to think you're like, saluting mediocre baseball.
Jackie scoffed before rolling out the window and reaching out "Oh, they'll know. Here, take over.”
"Try undefeated, bitches! We're going to motherfucking NATIONALS!" Jackie yelled Shauna continued to hold the horn down.
Anthony laughed watching the blonde. "You're crazy, Taylor."
