Offside Hearts

Before Midnight

Louisa sat sideways on the chair at her study desk, one leg tucked beneath her, her phone resting in both hands.

The screen lit up.

Nothing.

She locked it.

A few seconds later, she unlocked it again.

Across the room, Olivia reclined against the headboard of Louisa's bed with a book open on her lap.

She hadn't turned a page in several minutes.

"You know," she said without looking up, "if you keep staring at that thing, it might eventually feel sorry for you and ring."

Louisa didn't answer.

She checked the screen again.

Still nothing.

Olivia sighed and lowered her book.

"Okay."

"You've checked your phone at least twenty times since we got back."

Louisa gave a weak shrug.

"I'm just..."

"Waiting."

Louisa looked down at the dark screen.

"Yeah."

Olivia studied her for a moment before setting the book aside.

"Julian?"

Louisa nodded.

"I don't know what's happening anymore, Liv."

Her voice cracked.

"One day he talks to me like everything's normal... the next, it's like I'm invisible."

Olivia frowned.

"You never told me you two fought."

"We did."

"When?"

"This morning."

Olivia blinked.

"This morning?"

Louisa nodded slowly.

"I finally saw him after weeks."

She pushed herself to her feet and began pacing the room, her phone still clutched tightly in her hand.

"I thought maybe we'd finally talk. Maybe he'd explain why he'd been disappearing."

She let out a humorless laugh.

"But he just walked right past me."

Olivia's expression hardened.

"He ignored you?"

"I stopped him."

Louisa paused beside the window.

"I kept asking what was wrong."

She swallowed hard.

"He said it wasn't me."

Olivia frowned.

"Then what was it?"

"He just said..." Louisa's voice trembled. "'Maybe this isn't working anymore.'"

The room fell silent.

"I asked him what that was supposed to mean."

She shook her head.

"He wouldn't answer."

"I kept asking."

"Begging, really."

Another shaky laugh escaped her.

"He just... stood there."

Olivia watched her carefully.

"You think this has something to do with his parents?"

Louisa nodded.

"I know the divorce has been hard on him."

Her voice dropped to almost a whisper.

"But he won't let me in anymore."

She turned to face Olivia.

"I don't know how to help someone who won't let me."

"I'm exhausted, Liv."

She laughed weakly.

"It feels like I'm fighting a battle I've already lost."

She stopped walking.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

Olivia was already moving.

She crossed the room in a few quick steps and wrapped her arms around Louisa before she could wipe the tear away.

For a long moment, Louisa simply stood there, her forehead resting against Olivia's shoulder.

Neither of them spoke.

Finally, Olivia rested her chin lightly against Louisa's head.

"You don't have to fight it alone."

Louisa nodded, holding onto her for another moment before finally pulling away.

She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her hoodie and managed a small smile.

"I spoke to Darren today."

Olivia frowned.

"...Who?"

Louisa stared at her.

"You are a terrible person."

Olivia looked genuinely confused.

"What?"

"It's not my fault I don't know every single person on this campus."

Louisa folded her arms.

"The football player."

Recognition flickered across Olivia's face.

"Oh."

"Him."

"The one you practically skinned alive yesterday."

Olivia shrugged.

"He hit me with a football."

"He made a mistake."

"He apologized."

"And you threw his apology right back in his face."

Olivia rolled her eyes.

"Oh, please."

"No," Louisa said. "Not 'oh, please.' You were unfair."

Olivia didn't argue.

"I apologized to him."

Olivia looked at her.

"You what?"

"Someone had to."

Louisa smiled faintly.

"Not all of us can go around with your devil-may-care attitude."

That earned the smallest smile from Olivia.

"He's actually nice."

"I think... we could become good friends."

Olivia raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"And I found out something else."

"What?"

"He's Julian's roommate."

Olivia's expression softened, almost too quickly to notice.

"Oh."

Louisa nodded.

"I didn't hear it from Julian."

"I found out through one of the football players."

Silence settled between them again.

Then Louisa suddenly clapped her hands together.

"Oh!"

"I almost forgot."

She pointed at Olivia.

"Dimitri's helping organize the Midnight Gala this weekend."

Olivia groaned.

"I know."

"He hasn't stopped reminding me."

Louisa's eyes brightened for the first time all evening.

"So..."

"We're going?"

Olivia let out an exaggerated sigh.

"Apparently."

Louisa squealed, throwing both hands into the air.

"Finally!"

"We actually get to have fun for once!"

Olivia looked at her friend.

The smile on Louisa's face wasn't as bright as it usually was.

But it was there.

And after everything she'd carried that day...

It was enough.

A small smile tugged at the corner of Olivia's lips.

Maybe the Midnight Gala was exactly what Louisa needed.

*******************************************************

The sun was low over the football field by the time practice ended. Coach Reynolds’ whistle echoed across the field one last time. “Good work. Same time tomorrow.” The players scattered, some toward the locker rooms and others still on the grass, replaying missed passes and lucky saves. Darren climbed onto the lowest row of the bleachers, twisting the cap off his water bottle. His muscles ached. In a good way. He leaned back, watching the grounds crew begin collecting stray footballs. “Mind if I join you?” Ethan didn’t wait for an answer before dropping onto the bench beside him. “You were going to sit there anyway,” Darren said. “Exactly.” Ethan grinned. “See? We understand each other.” Darren chuckled. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence. Then Ethan nudged him with his elbow. “So…” “How’s life with Casper?” Darren frowned. “Who?” “Your roommate.” “The ghost.” Darren laughed. “He’s not a ghost.” “You sure?” Ethan took a drink from his bottle. “I swear nobody knows where Julian Sterling disappears to.” Darren shrugged. “He keeps to himself.” “He always has.” Ethan leaned back against the bleachers. “Still…” “What?” “I think he likes you.” Darren stared at him. “What?” “I’m serious.” “He actually talks to you.” “He talks in complete sentences?” “That’s practically a miracle.” Darren shook his head, smiling despite himself. “I think you’re exaggerating.” “I never exaggerate.” Darren raised an eyebrow. “You once told Coach Reynolds you pulled a hamstring because you slipped rescuing a puppy.” Ethan pointed a finger at him. “I stand by that story.” “You slipped getting fries.” “The details are irrelevant.” They both laughed. Ethan’s expression shifted. “Oh.” “I almost forgot.” He reached into his backpack and pulled out a sleek black invitation. “The Midnight Gala.” Darren looked at it. “I’ve heard of it.” “You should.” “It’s the biggest party of the semester.” “I don’t really do parties.” “I know.” “That’s exactly why you should come.” Darren looked unconvinced. Ethan continued. “It’s invitation-only.” “Student leaders.” “Top athletes.” “Cheer squad.” “Some professors even show up for the first hour.” Darren whistled softly. “Sounds exhausting.” “It sounds legendary.” Ethan handed him the invitation. “I’m serious.” “Come.” “I don’t know…” “You don’t have to stay all night.” “I’ll pick you up.” “We’ll hang out.” “If you hate it…” He shrugged. “I’ll bring you back.” Darren looked down at the invitation. A quiet evening in the apartment suddenly didn’t seem much more appealing. He sighed. “…Fine.” Ethan threw both hands into the air. “Yes!” “I knew I’d wear you down.” Darren laughed. “I haven’t even gone yet.” “You will.” Ethan stood, slinging his backpack over one shoulder. “And trust me…” “You’ll be glad you did.” Darren watched him jog toward the parking lot, the invitation still resting in his hands. For some reason… He had a feeling Ethan was right.