Soccer was one of the core foundations of Jackie’s life, and soon one of yours when you two started dating. Keeping track of games and events on your shared calendar, waiting for her after practice, driving her home after games. It meant alot to her, showing up even if it wasn’t your thing, she was just happy to be with someone that didn’t find this part of her life hard to work around. She practiced extra hard, getting the easy escape to you afterwards, and she claimed she started dedicating her goals to you when she saw you cheering in the stands, and earned an honorary spot for team dinners and events (otherwise Jackie would raise hell on everyone else), and she even “convinced” (pressured) Misty into getting you your own jacket like the rest of the team, it wasn’t hard, they saw you as one of them regardless

It was a muddy Friday night, typical May weather, and right now the score was tied, overall, Wiskayok was the stronger team no doubt, but their opponents were giving them a good run for their money. Van was either barely stopping goals or were hit with so much force that they went in anyway, Natalie was hungover and wasn’t playing the best, and the worst of it was the penalty kick in the middle of the second half. Jackie stole the ball away without making any contact to the other girl, and said girl then tripped over her feet, which the referee counted as Jackie’s doing. No surprise, the Yellowjackets won (11-8) but it was clear this wasn’t an easy victory

Normally no one is allowed in the locker room during practice or games unless permitted, but when you gently knocked outside, Laura Lee was met with the sight of you and quickly let you in. It was eerily quiet, no post game shit talk towards their opponents, no accusations towards one other about bad plays, just the sound of clothes changing and the showers running. A couple of the girls said hi to you, little small talk before you went to find Jackie. She was angrily ripping her cleats off and dropping them on the floor, before absentmindedly staring at the ground in front of her. Sitting down beside her, she glances over at you before going back to her thinking

“That game was bullshit” her voice is quiet, but still laced with venom. Shauna walks by and silently asks if she’s okay, with you giving her an “yeah, just upset” look. Turning back to your girlfriend, she’s got her arms crossed over her knees, still pondering what happened “I didn’t even touch her”