Chapter Text
Gen was rushing across the soccer field. Feeling one with the wind as she ducks and darts around the opposing team players with ease. Aligning herself up to the goal post and winding her right leg up for a powerful kick. The ball streaks like lightning as it flies into the goal post. She’s done it! Made the winning goal for the yellowjackets. They’ve just won nationals!!! The whistle blows signalling the end of the game. Her teammates all flock around her to celebrate and Gen dances around with them excitedly. But there is only one person she’s looking for. She scans around until finally seeing..yes there her captain is! Jackie approaches the huddle with the biggest smile. “Oh Gen. I can always count on you.” Jackie pushed her way all up to Gen’s front. “It would be an honor if you could be my girlfriend.” “OH Jackie!” Gen exclaims “I thought you’d never ask! I.. I”
BLAM!!
Suddenly the side of Gen’s head was injured. Talk about a way to snap out of her lovely day dream. “Uhh earth to Gen.” came the voice of her best friend Melissa. Gen raising her hand to the side of her head that got smacked by a stray soccer ball. “Ow.”
“Hey I said heads up.” Melissa scoffs “Not my fault you had your head in the clouds.”
Gen groans and looks back over her shoulder to see if Jackie caught her taking a hit. Thankfully it doesn’t seem so as Jackie is standing off to the sides studying Taissa’s footwork. Sigh.
“Thinking bout her again, hmm?”
“Oh shut it.” Gen snaps her head back. Kicking the ball back to her friend.
“If you never ask her out we can never do our double date.”
“I know. I know.”
Melissa kicks the ball back. Gen catching it with her right foot. Kicking it back with more force. “Alright. I’ll make you a bet.” Melissa says.
“What kind of bet?”
“Go stand in the goalpost and try to block my goal. If I make a goal you’ve gotta go ask Jackie if she’s free after practice.”
Gen considers it. “And if I block your goal then you never get to bring up Jackie again.”
“Kinda hard when we’re on the same team.”
Gen grumbles “you know what I mean.”
Melissa chuckles. “Alright bet.”
Gen starts to walk towards the goalpost on the left side of the field. Getting in position to defend against the ball getting in. Melissa moves into position in the middle field. Looking straight ahead to make sure her friend was ready. Gen gives a ready nod and Melissa’s off! Dodging Mari who innocently stood in the way. Dribbling the ball more determined than she’s been at practice in a long time.
Gen studies the ball coming at her but just as she’s certain the ball is gonna soar straight past the right side and she dives down onto the grass to block the shot Melissa does the unthinkable. Pulling a fake out Melissa drives the soccer ball into the left side. Completing her goal as it sinks hard against the net.
The dive doesn’t escape the eyes of one team captain. Especially the way Gen doesn’t get up right away. Jackie making her way over. “Hey you good?” she asks squatting down to inspect her teammate.
Oh sure. This Jackie notices. “I’m fine.” Gen replies still laying on her side. “I was just..defending.”
“It’s a little early but why don’t we call it a day.” Jackie says stretching her arms out to Gen “C’mon I’ll help you up.”
Gen doesn’t read into it. Instead whipping her hands out to gratefully accept Jackie’s help. The two work to get Gen up on her feet. Once she was on two feet Jackie’s eyes raked over her uniform. Noting the grass stain that streaked down the right side. “Does it hurt to stand?” Gen shakes her head no. “That’s good.” Jackie beams a smile.
Letting go of Gen she turns back around to face the group. “Think practice is done for today. I’m gonna get Gen to the locker room.” Melissa flashes a grin at Gen. Gen who simply glares back but as Jackie turns her attention back on her she manages a small “thanks.” Jackie leads the way to the locker room. Being the first one in there is always a little awkward but she was with Jackie.
“You sure you’re alright?” Jackie asks as she leaves Gen’s side to head towards her locker.
“Oh yeah. I didn’t mean for it to happen..” Gen starts to explain “but It means I can get to..my plans.”
“Oh? Got a hot date after practice?” Jackie teases.
“No!” Gen blurts “it’s just. There’s someone I wanna impress.”
Cue a curious look from the captain.
“And. I was just wondering..” Balling her fingers into fists “If you were free right now maybe we could hit up the mall?”
“Me?” Jackie asks surprised, “Wouldn’t you rather go with Melissa?”
A valid question as Gen and Melissa are hardly apart. Though Melissa's been spending way more time with Shauna ever since they became official. It almost seemed like Gen was the only single one on the team. But if Jackie was seeing anyone it wasn’t someone from the team.
“Mel doesn’t super care for the girly stuff.” Gen admits “I kinda wanna go all out you know? Makeup, a new dress.”
Jackie nods in understanding. Sounds just like Shauna. “You’re in luck as I happen to be completely free.” Lies. She had homework but that can wait. “I just uhh..don’t exactly have a car.”
“That’s fine. We can take mine.” Gen reassures.
“Well what are we waiting for!” with a pep Jackie strolls to her locker and gets it open. Gen finds herself letting go of a breath she didn’t know she was holding. The opening of the locker room door snaps her to attention and quickly goes to get her own locker open. Putting in the combination and starting to peel off her dirty practice jersey.
“Soooo did you and the captain have a good chat?” Melissa says as she casually presses herself against the row of lockers.
Gen gets the jersey off and tosses it onto one of the benches to be cleaned. “You’re gonna have to find a ride home today.”
Melissa smirks, “I’ll ask Shauna.”