𝗌𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇
Alani Beckham | 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟲
Wiskayok, New Jersey
Alright, everyone, listen up!" Mr. Calloway clapped his hands, silencing the room. "As you know, the Yellowjackets are heading to states tomorrow, and the school newspaper needs a feature piece on them. So, who's interested?"
The classroom fell into an awkward silence. A few students exchanged glances, but no one raised their hand.
Mr. Calloway scanned the room, clearly unimpressed. "Come on, people. This is a big deal for the school. It's a great opportunity for one of you to get a front page byline."
Still, no one volunteered. Alani kept her head down, hoping to avoid eye contact.
"Well, if no one's going to step up..." Mr. Calloway's gaze landed on Alani, and a sly smile crept onto his face. "Alani, you're best friends with two of the players, aren't you? You're perfect for this."
Alani's head shot up. "Wait, what? No—I mean, yeah, I'm friends with them, but—"
"Great!" Mr. Calloway cut her off, scribbling her name down on his clipboard. "You can give us an inside perspective. Interview a few players, write about the team dynamic, their season so far—it'll be fantastic."
"But I—"
"No buts," Mr. Calloway said with a grin. "Consider it your new assignment. Due by the end of the week."
The class snickered softly as Alani slumped back in her chair, groaning.
"Come on, Alani," one of her classmates teased. "You're practically in the Yellowjackets already."
"Yeah," another chimed in. "Just ask Jackie and Shauna for all the answers."
Alani glared at them, her cheeks flushing. "You guys are hilarious," she muttered under her breath.
As the bell rang and students packed up their things, Mr. Calloway called out, "Alani, stay back for a minute."
With a sigh, she approached his desk.
"I know you're not thrilled about this," he said, leaning on the edge of the desk, "but I think you'll do a great job. You have a unique angle, and your writing is strong. Plus, it's a good chance to push yourself."
Alani nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if they hate me for asking questions, it's on you."
Mr. Calloway chuckled. "I think they'll survive. Just start with Jackie and Shauna, they're your friends. It'll be easier than you think."
Alani left the classroom, clutching her notebook tightly against her chest. She scanned the swarm of students for familiar faces and spotted Jackie and Shauna by Jackie's locker. Jackie was rummaging through her bag, while Shauna leaned casually against the lockers, a small smile on her face.
When Jackie noticed Alani approaching, her face lit up. "Hey, how was class?" she asked, closing her locker with a metallic clang.
Alani let out an exaggerated groan, leaning against the lockers beside them. "You won't believe what Mr. Calloway just roped me into."
Shauna raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What now?"
Alani sighed. "I'm writing a piece on the Yellowjackets for the school paper."
Jackie's eyes widened, and a grin spread across her face. "Wait, seriously? That's amazing!"
"Is it?" Alani asked, deadpan. "Because it feels like he just volunteered me as tribute."
Shauna smirked. "Why you?"
"Apparently because I'm 'best friends with two of the players,'" Alani said, using air quotes. "So now I'm stuck interviewing people and trying not to die of secondhand embarrassment."
Jackie laughed, nudging Alani playfully. "Oh, come on, it's not that bad. You already know me and Shauna, you've got two interviews in the bag."
"Yeah, great," Alani said dryly. "Two down, an entire team to go."
Shauna chuckled. "You'll be fine. Just ask us some questions during lunch or something. Make it easy on yourself."
"Sure," Alani muttered, then added with mock seriousness, "but don't be surprised when I ask for deep, emotional answers about your hopes, dreams, and fears."
Jackie burst out laughing. "Alani, you're going to crush this. Seriously. And hey, if you need help, I'll talk to the team for you. They'll be cool about it."
Alani smiled despite herself. "Thanks, Jackie. I might take you up on that."
Jackie threw an arm around Alani's shoulder, pulling her in close. "You're one of us now, whether you like it or not," she said with a playful grin.
Alani chuckled, though the warmth of Jackie's arm against her sent an unexpected flutter through her chest. "Yeah, lucky me," she replied, her voice softer than she intended.
For a moment, they stood there like that, their laughter fading into the background noise of the hallway. Jackie's eyes met Alani's, and her teasing smile faltered slightly, replaced by something quieter, something uncertain.
Alani's breath caught, her heart beating just a little too fast. The hallway noise seemed to blur, and for a second, it felt like it was just the two of them.
But then, as if realizing the moment had gone on too long, Jackie quickly dropped her arm and stepped back. "Uh, anyway," Jackie stammered, rubbing the back of her neck.
Alani looked away, pretending to be very interested in the scuffed toes of her sneakers. "Yeah, um, I should get to my next class," she said, her voice a little too rushed.
Shauna, who had been watching the entire exchange with a raised eyebrow, shifted uncomfortably.
Jackie cleared her throat. "Right, totally. We'll, uh, talk at lunch about the article?"
"Yeah, sure," Alani said, glancing up briefly. "See you then."
Jackie cleared her throat, the awkwardness still hanging in the air like a bad smell. Before she could think of anything to say, Shauna swooped in to save the moment.
"I heard we're scrimmaging with JV at practice today," Shauna said, her tone casual as she leaned against the lockers.
Jackie groaned immediately, her expression twisting in displeasure. "Ugh, scrimmages with JV are the worst. They don't know what they're doing half the time."
Alani glanced over her shoulder as she walked away, suppressing a small smile at Jackie's dramatic tone.
"It's better than suicides," Shauna pointed out, shooting Jackie a knowing look.
Jackie rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Barely. At least suicides are over faster. Scrimmages just drag on and on. And then Coach is like, 'Work on your leadership skills, Jackie.'" She mimicked their coach's voice in a mocking tone.
Shauna laughed. "Leadership skills? Maybe he's onto something."
"Yeah, yeah," Jackie grumbled, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward.
Shauna nudged her shoulder as they started walking toward their next class. "Come on, it's not like they're that bad. Besides, I'd rather deal with JV than have Coach yell at us for having a shit defense again."
———
After soccer practice, Alani followed Jackie and Shauna up the path to Jackie's house, her notebook tucked under her arm. The three of them walked in comfortable silence, their cleats dangling from their fingers and their duffel bags slung over their shoulders. Once inside, Jackie tossed her bag onto the floor and flopped onto the couch, Shauna settling into an armchair nearby. Alani perched on the edge of the couch, flipping open her notebook to a fresh page.
"All right," Alani began, clicking her pen. "Let's talk Yellowjackets. I need some good quotes for this article."
Jackie groaned, throwing her head back. "Can we talk about how Isa and Nat almost murdered each other at practice first?"
Shauna smirked. "That was a disaster," she said, shaking her head.
"What even happened?" Alani asked, curious.
Jackie sat up, rolling her eyes. "I don't know, but they couldn't stop screwing everything up. Isa wouldn't pass to Natalie, and Natalie wouldn't even look at her. Then Nat would go for a tackle, and Isa would, like, hesitate and miss the mark completely. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion."
"And then they started yelling at each other," Shauna added, leaning back in her chair. "Isa said Natalie wasn't communicating, and Nat said Isa wasn't the one communicating. Lottie and Wren had to intervene."
Alani raised an eyebrow, furiously jotting notes. "Sounds like they've got unresolved issues."
"Unresolved? More like a full blown war," Jackie muttered, crossing her arms. "I have no idea how we're supposed to win states with them on the field. They can't even be in the same room without killing each other."
Shauna nodded in agreement. "If they can't get their shit together, we're screwed."
Alani looked between them, intrigued. "Do you think this'll affect the team?"
Jackie scoffed. "Uh, yeah. It already is."
Shauna shrugged. "It's not like we can bench them. We need them. But if they don't sort this out soon, it's gonna be a shit show at states."
Alani glanced between Jackie and Shauna, her pen over her notepad. "Sounds like I've got a story within a story."
Jackie groaned, leaning back against the lockers. "Please, for the love of God, do not write about Isa and Nat's fight during practice. They'd kill me and Shauna if that made it into the school paper."
Alani raised an eyebrow, smirking. "What, afraid of a little drama?"
"No, I'm afraid of actual murder," Jackie shot back. "Isa would go full on Captain of the Apocalypse, and Natalie—well, Natalie would just straight up murder me."
Shauna nodded in agreement. "She's not kidding. You have no idea how scary Natalie can get."
Alani chuckled, closing her notebook with a dramatic sigh. "Fine, I won't write about it. Guess I'll just stick to the boring details, like how many goals Shauna missed during practice."
Shauna gasped in mock offense. "Wow, Beckham."
"Relax, it's called journalistic integrity," Alani teased.
"More like slander," Jackie muttered, but the corner of her mouth tugged into a smile.
Alani glanced between the two of them, smirking. "Who's getting interviewed first?"
"Oh, Shauna will," Jackie said, already hopping up from the couch. "I'm making popcorn for our movie, so she's all yours."
Shauna shot Jackie a look but didn't protest as Jackie disappeared into the kitchen. Alani grabbed her notebook and pen, flipping to a fresh page before turning her full attention to Shauna.
"Okay, so, let's start with the basics. What's it like being on the Yellowjackets? What's the team dynamic like?"
Shauna hesitated, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's intense," she admitted. "But in a good way, mostly. Everyone's so driven and competitive. It's like having a second family, even if we don't always get along."
Alani jotted something down, her pen moving quickly. "Sounds like it can be a lot of pressure. How do you deal with it?"
Shauna shrugged. "You just do. I've played soccer for years. I started playing when I was a kid, and it just stuck."
Alani tilted her head, curious. "Was there something that got you into it? Like, a moment when you realized this was what you wanted to do?"
Shauna hesitated, her gaze drifting to the popcorn ceiling as a faint blush crept up her cheeks. "Well, I mean my dad signed me up for the rec league, but, uh, there was also someone I liked."
Alani raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, really? Someone on your team?"
Shauna shook her head quickly, her blush deepening. "Yeah. They loved soccer, and I thought if I played too, maybe they'd notice me. Stupid, right?"
Alani smiled warmly, leaning forward a bit. "Not stupid at all. That's actually really cute. Did it work?"
Shauna let out a soft laugh, rubbing the back of her neck. "Not really. I mean, we became friends, but nothing ever you know, happened."
Alani tilted her head, studying Shauna's expression. "Do you still talk to them?"
Shauna hesitated, her eyes flicking to the kitchen where Jackie was rummaging for bowls. "Yeah, we're still close."
Alani's pen hovered over the paper, but Shauna quickly added, "But, uh, can you not put that in the article? I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea or anything."
Alani nodded, her voice gentle. "Of course. Off the record."
Shauna sighed in relief. "Thanks. It's just personal, you know?"
"Totally," Alani replied, tucking her pen into her notebook. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."
Alani clicked her pen and leaned forward. "So, do you think the Yellowjackets will make it to nationals?"
Shauna's brow furrowed slightly as she considered the question. "Honestly? I think we have a shot. If we can get our act together and stop letting personal stuff mess with our game."
Alani nodded, jotting something down in her notebook. "What about states? Think you're ready?"
Shauna smirked. "States feel less intimidating after last week's match. I mean, we've proven we can work as a team, even when things get heated. But it's not just about skill. It's about focus, and, well, not losing our tempers."
Alani raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a teasing grin. "You mean Isa and Natalie?"
Shauna rolled her eyes but laughed. "I'm not naming names. But yeah, people like them need to put their issues aside and not let it affect the game. If they can manage to do that before tomorrow then I think we got it."
Alani closed her notebook and leaned back on the couch. "I guess I'll take that as a yes."
Shauna shrugged, her smirk softening into a genuine smile. "Yeah, I think we'll win."
Before Shauna could respond, Jackie's voice called out from the kitchen. "Popcorn's almost ready!"
Alani chuckled, closing her notebook. "Guess that's my cue to wrap this up. Thanks for being my first interview, Shauna Shipman."
Shauna shrugged. "Yeah, no problem, Alani Beckham."
Jackie reappeared moments later with a big bowl of popcorn, plopping down between them. "Alright, journalist. Time to stop working and enjoy the best part of the night—movie time!"
———
The movie played on, its flickering light casting shadows across the living room. Jackie leaned back against the couch, her arm resting on the cushions. Shauna had fallen asleep halfway through, her head tilted toward Jackie's shoulder, her breathing steady and soft. Alani sat on the other side of Shauna, her legs tucked under her, eyes still focused on the screen.
Jackie glanced at Alani, her chest tightening. The memory of that night at the bonfire had been weighing on her, a constant hum in the back of her mind. She'd tried to forget, tried to convince herself it didn't mean anything, but now, sitting here with Alani, it felt like the right moment to say something. Or maybe it was just the quiet making it harder to stay silent.
Clearing her throat softly, Jackie leaned forward slightly, her voice low to avoid waking Shauna. "Hey, Alani."
Alani turned her head, her gaze meeting Jackie's. "Yeah?"
Jackie hesitated, running her thumb along the seam of her jeans. "I've been meaning to talk to you about something. It's about the bonfire."
Alani's brows furrowed in confusion, but she nodded. "Okay, what is it?"
Jackie glanced down at Shauna for a moment, making sure she was still asleep, then back at Alani. "That night, when I brought you up to my room, you kissed me."
Alani froze, her eyes widening slightly. Her lips parted as if she was about to say something, but no words came out.
Jackie quickly continued, her cheeks burning. "I know you were drunk and high, and maybe you don't even remember it, but it's been on my mind. I didn't know if you meant it or if it was just—you know, the moment."
Alani sat back, blinking a few times. Her heart was racing, but she forced herself to stay calm. "I remember."
Jackie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You do?"
Alani nodded slowly, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "Yeah, I do. I just—I wasn't sure if I should bring it up. I didn't want to make things weird between us."
Jackie exhaled a laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Well, it's already weird, so mission failed."
They both chuckled softly, the sound breaking the tension like a thread snapping. Alani glanced down, her fingers still twisting her sleeve. "I didn't mean to make things complicated."
Jackie shook her head, her voice soft. "You didn't. I don't know what it meant or if it even meant anything."
Alani looked up at Jackie, her expression unreadable. She wanted to say something, anything, but the words stuck in her throat. After a long pause, she simply said, "I don't know either."
Jackie gently shifted Shauna's head off her shoulder, careful not to wake her. She glanced at Alani and tilted her head toward the kitchen. "Come on," she whispered, rising quietly from the couch. Alani hesitated for a second but then followed, her socked feet making soft noises against the floor.
Once they reached the kitchen, Jackie leaned against the counter, crossing her arms over her chest. The faint hum of the refrigerator filled the silence as Alani hovered by the doorway, waiting for Jackie to say something.
Jackie took a deep breath, her fingers gripping the edge of the counter. "I just—I didn't want to talk about this with Shauna right there."
Alani nodded. "Yeah, that's fair."
Jackie looked at her, her brows knitting together. "So, you really remember everything?"
Alani leaned back against the opposite counter, her arms folded tightly across her chest. "I do," she said softly, her eyes dropping to the floor. "I didn't forget. I just didn't know if you'd want to talk about it."
Jackie sighed, brushing a hand through her hair. "It's not that I didn't want to talk about it. I just didn't know how to bring it up. I mean, you were wasted, and I didn't want to make you feel weird."
Alani's lips quirked into a faint smile. "Jackie, I'm high most of the time, I always feel weird. It's kind of my thing."
Jackie laughed softly, the tension easing for a moment. But then her expression grew serious again. "Did you mean it? The kiss?"
Alani hesitated, her eyes darting to the side as if searching for an escape. Finally, she nodded. "Yeah, I did. I just didn't think you'd want me to mean it."
Jackie blinked, caught off guard. "Why wouldn't I?"
Alani shrugged, still avoiding her gaze. "I don't know. You're, like—perfect. Everyone loves you. I'm just some burnout who writes for the school paper. You're out of my league, Jackie."
Jackie stared at her, stunned. "Alani, that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
Alani looked up, startled. "What?"
Jackie stepped closer, her voice firm but kind. "You're not 'some burnout.' You're smart and funny and you make people feel seen. That's not something everyone can do."
Alani blinked, her cheeks flushing. "I didn't think you noticed stuff like that."
Jackie shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I notice a lot more than people think."
The silence between them grew heavier, charged with unspoken emotions. Alani finally broke it, her voice barely above a whisper. "What about you? Did it mean anything to you?"
Jackie hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. She thought back to the kiss, the way it had caught her off guard but hadn't felt wrong. If anything, it had felt right. "Yeah," she said softly, meeting Alani's eyes. "It did."
Alani's breath hitched, and for a moment, neither of them moved. The space between them felt electric, charged with unspoken words and lingering glances. Jackie stood frozen, her chest rising and falling in uneven breaths, caught between the tension and uncertainty that had been building for weeks.
Alani's gaze softened as she looked at Jackie, something flickering in her eyes—vulnerability mixed with determination. She stepped closer, closing the gap between them. Jackie didn't back away, her lips parting slightly as though she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
Alani reached up, her hand trembling as she brushed a strand of hair away from Jackie's face. Her fingers lingered, their warmth sending a spark through Jackie's skin. The world seemed to pause, everything beyond the quiet hum of the kitchen fading into the background.
And then Alani leaned in.
The kiss was soft, hesitant at first, as if testing the waters. Jackie froze for a split second before responding, her lips moving against Alani's with an urgency that surprised them both. The edge of the counter pressed against Jackie's back as her hands found their way to Alani's arms, steadying herself as the moment deepened.
For a heartbeat, nothing else existed—no Shauna asleep in the living room, no awkward conversations, no hidden doubts. It was just them, wrapped in something that felt both exhilarating and terrifying.
But then Alani pulled back, her face flushed, her breaths uneven. Her wide eyes searched Jackie's for reassurance. "Jackie," she whispered, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "what about Jeff?"
Jackie blinked, her expression shifting as reality crept in. But instead of pulling away, she steadied herself, her jaw tightening. "What about him?" she said firmly, her voice low. "He doesn't matter right now."
Before Alani could respond, Jackie closed the space between them again, her hands cradling Alani's face as their lips met once more. This time, the kiss was bolder, driven by a mutual understanding of the risks but an unwillingness to let the moment slip away.
Alani hesitated briefly before giving in, her hands settling on Jackie's waist. The kitchen felt warmer, the air heavy with a mix of adrenaline and something deeper they didn't dare name.
Jackie was the one to break away first, her breathing still ragged as she rested her forehead against Alani's for a moment. She let out a quiet laugh, her voice shaky. "We should probably get back before Shauna wakes up and notices we're gone."
Alani nodded, her face still warm from the kiss. "Yeah," she murmured, stepping back slightly to compose herself. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her hands still tingling from where they'd touched Jackie.
Jackie smiled, softer this time, her usual confidence dimmed just enough to show a glimmer of vulnerability. "Come on," she said, nodding toward the living room.
As they walked back, the weight of what had just happened lingered between them, unspoken but impossible to ignore. When they returned, Shauna was still asleep on the couch, her head tilted to the side, oblivious to what had just transpired.
Jackie eased down onto the couch, glancing at Shauna before her eyes flicked to Alani, who settled beside her. The movie played on, the sound muffled beneath the pounding of their hearts.
They didn't speak, but when their hands brushed briefly as Alani adjusted the blanket, neither of them pulled away.
——————————————————————————
alex's corner!
Isa and Nat wished they could communicate like this
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