Chapter Text
Coach Martinez blows the whistle. Practice is finaly over, they've been practicing for almost 2 hours. Lottie was tired, but she loves it. The adrenaline when they're in the middle of a match and she can't focus on anything besides the game. She fucking loves it.
The Yellowjackets had won every game they participated this season.
"We're going to nationals, Charlotte!!" Jackie runs towards Lottie linking their arms together as they walk to the locker room.
"I'm so excited! Really, this all i can think about. I go to sleep thinking about it, I dream with it and i wake up thinking about it."
Lottie giggles at her friend dramatically expression. Jackie wouldn't shut up about nationals for weeks now.
But as they stepped into the locker room the blonde suddenly has an familiar annoyed look on her face. And Charlotte knows exactly why.
"Can you believe that Shauna is seeing Melissa? She doesn't even have a personality besides that stupid pink hat." Jackie doesn't take her eyes of Shauna, who is talking with a shy smirk in her lips.
"Well, Jax. Why do you care? Isn't Shauna happy with Mel? They look pretty happy together. And maybe she likes the hat"
Lottie laugh while looking at the two girls sitting on the bench smiling to each other.
"I care because because Shauna is my best friend, duh." Jackie huffed, folding her arms. "And i care about her very much, I don't want her to suffer because of Melissa hat" Shauna glances at Jackie, who is now smiling like a child in a funfair.
" I think you guys should date, like, you two already act like you're dating," Lottie says notincing the situation between her friends "just make it oficial" Lottie says casually as she changes out of her dirty uniform.
"Fuck off, Charlotte" Jackie groans, trowing her hands in the air. "I'm with Jeff. And i don't like girls" she adds, making a face, that makes Lottie giggles.
"Okay, then. If you say so" Lottie says, watching Jackie make her way to Shauna and hug her - casual, but intentional. Just enough to make sure Melissa knows it’s time to back off
Time passes. Lottie still is in the locker room, but now its just her. Alone. She is laying in the bench with her eyes closed, letting the post-practice exhaustion settle into her bones. Trying to regain strength after running around after a ball for almost two hours. The silence is peaceful. For a moment, it feels like she’s the only person in the world.
But suddenly - bang - the door swings open.
Lottie jolts upright.
It's Natalie, with an backpack slung over one shoulder.
'what is she doing here now?' Charlotte thinks. Nat eyes widen when she sees Lottie.
"Oh. Hey, lottie!" She seems... nervous. "I didn't think anyone would still be her." Her grip tightens on the strap of her bag, as if trying to hide it.
Lottie fully sits up, trying to decifrate the girl in front of her.
"Hi, Nat. I was just trying to recompose myself heading home"
She gives a soft smile, brushing the hair of her face as she stands.
"And what are you doing here? It's pretty late"
Nat hesitates. "Yeah, uh... i forgot something. In my locker" Her eyes drop to the floor.
Lottie raises a eyebrown. "In that backpack?" She asks, nodding toward the clearly packed bag.
Natalie looks at Lottie, then chuckles under her breath. "Shit. I'm not a great liar, huh?" She has a shy smile on her face.
Lottie laughs quietly. “Not really.”
There is a pause, the air between them seems softer.
"You okay?" Lottie asks. "Can i help you with something?"
Natalie looks at her for a moment, like she’s not sure of how to answer. Then she shrugs.
"Yeah, I just didn't feel like going home either"