CHAPTER FIVE   ౨ৎ    Lovesick
"Can we pretend that nothing's changed at all?"

        Upon comprehending that the brunette had received numerous notifications about her liking one of Paige's posts, she quickly unliked it. She felt a sense of embarrassment, as she was unsure how she didn't realize and knew that others had obviously already noticed, possibly including Paige herself.

        She just wanted to curl up into a ball and die.

        "Juliette, you've been in here all day. Do you want to head to the soccer field with us?" Amara offered, "Me and Lorelei were planning on practicing. Or, she was planning on practicing, I'm just there to... be there."

        The girl shook her head, "Not really in the mood to 'be there'." Juliette sighed, her hand running through her tousled hair, "You guys have fun, I'll probably study or something."

        Lorelei peaked her head in, "Boring," she drawled, dragging out the 'g'. "Come on! You know how to play, so play with me! I need the practice."

        Her eyes narrowed as she spoke, "Amara knows how to play too, not just me. And I need to study, final exams are soon and I feel like I've learned absolutely nothing."

        "Play now, study later?" She questioned, looking at Amara for help to which she laughs in response. "Please!" The two plead in unison, tilting their heads. "Clementines also meeting us there, it'll be a group hangout, we haven't really had one of those in forever."

Reluctantly, she finally gives in and nods. "Okay, okay, I'll go. Lend me a pair of shorts?"

"Course! Let's raid my closet," Lorelei grins, ushering the girls towards it. "Choose— Just not the blue ones, thanks."

        Amara nods, eyes scanning the small space. "Noted."

        After around ten minutes have elapsed, she waltzes back into the room once more and asks, "You guys ready? Let's go."

        "Right behind you." She replied. Both she and Juliette followed suit, stepping out of their apartment and securely locking the door behind them as they made their way outside.

        Reaching the car, they hopped into Lorelei's vehicle. She tosses her bag onto the front seat, leaving Amara and Juliette to sit in the back. It was clear to both of them that she did this to have control over the aux without possibility of any potential arguments.

        With 'Abstract (Psychopomp)' by Hozier playing softly in the background, Amara nudged the brunette beside her. "You okay?"

        Juliette furrowed her eyebrows, "Yeah, fine. Why? Are you okay?"

        "Don't turn this around on me," She murmured, rolling her eyes. "This isn't questions for questions. But I was just asking because you seem... I don't know, out of it? Does it have anything to do with—"

        "No! Just stressed with finals, that's all." A shrug, "And kicking soccer balls wasn't exactly on my to-do list for today. But I'm hoping Lori will go easy, I'm really not looking forward to having bruises on my legs."

        The girl chuckled, fully aware that Juliette wasn't telling the truth. However, it was apparent that she had no interest in discussing the matter, so she chose to simply move on. "Yeah, I doubt she will. There's a game coming up and she's been kicking extra harder, sorry to break it to you."

Amara hears a groan escape her friend's lips as she rests her head on her shoulder. In a comforting gesture, Amara reaches out and gently pats Juliette's arm. "Any chance of getting out of this unscathed?"

"Unfortunately not, but I've seen you play. You'll get her back or something," She replies, quickly adding, "Maybe."

"I can hear you, idiots. And I don't even kick that hard." Lorelei speaks up, narrowing her eyes in the rear-view mirror, her gaze landing on her two overdramatic friends.

She scoffs, "Easy for you to say! You're the one doing the kicking,"

        "Uhhuh," She hummed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Now turning into the parking lot that leads towards the soccer field. "Okay! Juliette, can you grab the balls, if you laugh I'll send you home, and Amara! My beautiful, can you grab the other duffel in the trunk?"

        "On it," Amara grinned, the trio disembarking from the vehicle. Her, being in charge of grabbing the duffel, does as told. Juliette with two soccer balls now held securely under her arms. Lastly, Lorelei with her bag slung over her shoulder. "And there's Clem!"

        Clementine smiles almost instantly, lifting a hand and waving. "Evening!"

        "No time for greetings, let's practice!"

        Once on the field, the girls slip on their cleats— The girls being Lorelei, Amara, and Juliette. Clementine deciding on staying back, her reasoning? 'Somebody might steal them! I'll stay back and watch, kick hard'.

        With that being said, Amara assumed the position of the goalie, while Juliette made an effort to defend and prevent Lorelei from scoring a goal.

        And of course she scored not even five minutes in, a proud smile present on the girls face. "Try harder! Is that really the best you've got? I need more."

        "Oh, shut up." Juliette huffed, snatching the hair-tie off her wrist, and swiftly pulling her hair into a high ponytail. She then skillfully braided it downwards. Cursing at herself when she realized who it was she got that from. "Come on."

        "You got me beat," Amara wheezed, dropping to her knees and running both her hands over her now sweaty head. "I'm never playing soccer with you again."

Lorelei laughed, taking a much needed sip of her water bottle before splashing some over her face. "If it makes you feel any better, I feel ready."

"Yeah, it actually does. I'm betting on your team." Her friend smiles, shooting her a thumbs up.

"Shouldn't you always be betting on my team?"

"Oh. When you put it like that, then, well, yeah?" The response coming with a hint of confusion in her tone, "Clem, Julie, you guys are coming, right?"

"Obviously, why wouldn't we be?" Clementine inquired, lifting her eyes from her phone and meeting Lorelei's gaze. A moment of silence enveloped the group of four, and at that point, Clementine let out a frustrated groan. "That was one time, so it doesn't seem fair for you to be upset that I had to leave early due to being literally ill."

        She gasped, bringing a hand up to her chest. "Hey! Who said I was upset? It was just a question. Nobody is upset."

        "Are we going to continue this conversation or can we go somewhere with air conditioning." Amara spoke up, wiping a hand over her forehead. "We've been playing for hours. I feel sick."

        "I guess I've received enough practice for today, let's go! Juliette, you're driving."

        "What— why me?" The brunette questioned, furrowing her eyebrows. "You drove us here in your car for something you wanted to do."

        Her eyes narrow, hands landing on her hips. "My legs are tense so unless you want me to brake and swerve and probably hurt our necks, I suggest you drive."

        Oh. "Oh, okay. Let's go!"

        "Wonderful!" She smiles, groaning when she lifts up her bag. "Also, hello, your hair is super cute. Can you do mine the day of the game?"

        "Hm, I'll think about it." Juliette nonchalantly shrugged, playfully kicking a rock while she patiently waits for everyone else to gather their belongings. Locking eyes with an unamused Lorelei, she bursts into laughter. "I'm kidding, yes, I can!"

        "Thank you! Now, how about you go ahead and tell me about the supposed like on you-know-who's post."

Moment ruined!

        Slowly turning towards her friend, her smile drops. "How about we talk about yours and Nika's relationship." She shoots back, raising a brow. Another smile tugging on the corner of her lips when she hears a scoff. "Oh!"

        Juliette nodded, "Yeah, so shut up."

        "I'm going to kill you," she mumbles, extending her hand to pull on the girls braid, causing her to gasp and pull forward. Lorelei bites back a laugh and averts her gaze to Amara. "Oh, my god! Mars, what the hell!" 

        She swiftly whips her head around just in time to see the redhead point at the smiling woman, causing her to purse her lips in response. "I know," She mutters, "I'm not going to do your hair anymore."

        "No, hey now! It was a joke, let's go ahead and let the joke marinate, please." Her tone apologetic, clasping her hands together.

        "A joke until you find out you ripped the literal hair from off my head and the only reason why you can't tell is because the hair-tie is still holding it in place."

        A laugh tumbles out from her lips before she can stop it, "Oh, overdramatic much."

        "Guys, hurry up!" Clementine calls out.

At the same time, the three instantly pick up their pace. "We're coming!"

౨ৎ

Hellur...... no Paige except for a small mention, this chap was merely a filler (???) *_* also hey! Some of yall missed a small little chap.

Bellita, Veruh hi hello! 💗💗🦫

elena!