Stop lying to me. (GirlxGirl) (wlw)

1

Tuesday night 5:45pm

I really should hurry now or I'm going to be late for practice...and I hate being late. Usually I am always early but tonight I had a stressful meeting that took more time than necessary or than I had planned, and I end up rushing to my flat where I quickly change into a sport t-shirt and shorts. 

I grab my bag, put my spikes inside and fill in my water bottle. Maybe I should take a second one just in case, because the weather is still hot for a September night, but I don't have another five seconds to spare. I'm sure I'm making a mistake though and I'll end up thirsty as hell.

I run down the stairs, minding my steps and rush to Central Park for practice.

5:58 pm. Right on time. Thank god.

« Hi girls !»  I shout to the group of girls gathered around our spot.

« Hi Ju ! » my best friend Lea greets me, walking towards me to hug me. « How was the beginning of your week ? »

« It went Ok. I had a tough meeting though and I can't wait to release some of the stress I got from it. »

«Ouh. Gotcha. I'm here to make you sweat. » she winks.

« I knew I could count on you » I answer playfully.

Lea and I are best friends. We got on very well right from our first encounter and she gets me. I don't need to talk to her and it always amazes me how good she is at reading my moods. She has been there for the good times and the worst times for the past seven years.

Sometimes she just sits with me, not talking, just reminding me I have someone to lean on or a shoulder to cry on. And at other times, she is that cocky, playful girl who can't help but tease me with her jokes or comments. Like tonight. And I love it. I ususally answer her with the same playful tone but we both know nothing can ever happen between us. We are too close and it would be like sleeping with a sister.

I sit on the grass, take my sneakers off and reach for my spikes inside my bag. I tie the laces and take my hoodie off. All set.

« Ok girls, let's begin. Juliette, you are in charge of warm up. » Lea tells me.

I don't particularly enjoy it...having people follow my lead. It reminds me too much of work and tonight I had rather follow someone's orders. But I guess Lea had an agenda... being in charge would prevent me from getting lost in my thoughts since I had to watch everyone's movements and make sure they were made right.

« Ok girls follow me » I say as I start running.

After two lapses I tell them to stand in a line, and we start our routine. I watch the girls grimacing and I can't help but smile. Feeling the pain in my muscles makes me feel good. Gosh I love softball. And suddenly my mind drifts back to the past, to happy memories...

.................................

I remember the sound of her spikes as she had walked towards me, and her perfume. That day she had worn La petite Robe Noire. Still my favourite perfume. From the way she had approached me I could tell she was shy. She was at softball practice for the first time, just like me. But unlike me, who had no difficulty talking to strangers and blending in, she had remained quiet the whole time we had warmed up and trained. 

After practice had ended, I had just learnt her name : Kelly. Her accent gave away that she was not French but American. I guessed she was an exchanged student who had come to France for her first or second year of college. We had this program in my university too and I wanted to apply to one for my third year of college.