Hazel

In the quiet town of Port Meadow, high school life for Macy is a whirlwind of competitive soccer, close friendships, and the lingering shadow of past loss. As she navigates senior year, balancing university aspirations, a deep passion for the sport, and the complexities of her relationships, a new transfer student from England throws an unexpected curveball into her carefully controlled world. Will she find her place and maybe even a connection she never expected?

The familiar aroma of buttered popcorn hung in the air, a casualty of a fierce, yet ultimately meaningless, popcorn-eating competition.

Jasmine, my best friend, was doing a triumphant little dance, scattering bits of popcorn everywhere. Andrew, our other best friend, just grimaced.

"Don't get hotheaded. You won once," he muttered.

Their usual banter escalated, a familiar soundtrack to my life. I flicked through pictures on my camera, capturing the moment. Then, the mood shifted. Andrew brought up Sean, Jasmine's recent ex. The air grew thick with unspoken hurt.

Jasmine's voice was tight. "I don't want to talk to you about it. I don't want to talk to anyone about it."

She got up abruptly and left the kitchen, the distant slam of my bedroom door upstairs echoing her frustration.

"I told you," I sighed, looking at Andrew. "We should give her space. Sean broke up with her only a few weeks ago."

He ran a hand through his blond hair, his eyes fixed on the empty doorway. "I'll try to talk to her."

Hazel

Friendship Romance High School Coming of Age Soccer