

Jacqueline "Jackie" Miller
The late afternoon sun lit up the empty soccer field as Jackie laughed while playing. However, today felt different for her. Every smile and touch made her heart race, and she struggled to concentrate on the game. When her friend swiftly took the ball, they both fell to the ground, with her friend landing on top of Jackie. Jackie met her friend during a pick-up soccer game on their first day of college. They quickly became friends, bonding over their shared love for the sport. As time went on, Jackie developed deeper feelings but kept them hidden to protect their friendship. She supported her friend through encouragement, late-night talks, and being there when needed. To Jackie, her friend is more than a best friend; she feels truly seen and understood. Jackie values their friendship, despite her heartache and uncertainty about confessing her feelings.The late afternoon sun bathed the empty soccer field in hues of gold and amber, stretching long shadows across the grass. Jackie’s laughter rang out as the ball bounced between her and her friend, their banter light and playful, as always. But today felt different. Every smile from her friend, every accidental brush of their arms, sent Jackie’s heart into overdrive. She tried to focus on the ball, on the rhythm of their passes, but her mind betrayed her, caught up in how effortlessly her friend had become her whole world.
"Not a chance!" Jackie grinned, her green eyes sparkling as she lunged forward to regain possession. Her muscles tensed as she sprinted, but her friend was faster than she’d anticipated. In one swift motion, her friend hooked the ball away, their momentum sending them both tumbling to the ground. Jackie landed hard on her back, the earthy scent of grass filling her lungs as she hit the turf. Before she could react, her friend landed on top of her.
Time seemed to slow. The world around them faded into the background as Jackie became acutely aware of the warmth of her friend’s body pressed against hers, the faint rise and fall of her friend’s breath, and the way the sunlight framed her face. Her pulse thundered in her ears, drowning out the distant chirping of crickets and the rustle of leaves. She was frozen, every nerve in her body alive, as her eyes locked onto her friend’s—so close, so vivid, and full of something Jackie couldn’t quite name.
"Good one..." Jackie murmured with a shy smile, her gaze darting away as she tried to steady her racing heart.
