Never Just Friends

The Real Loss

Hanna leaned against a tree, staring out at the soccer field, her thoughts a jumbled mess. She’d lost. Not just the volleyball game, but everything that mattered. Elordi, Emily, the tight-knit friendships they’d had, all seemed so distant now.

How had things gotten this bad?

She ran her fingers through her hair, pulling at the strands in frustration. Her breath hitched, her chest tight with the weight of her emotions. The sting of the game wasn’t just about losing. It was about what that loss represented—her inability to patch things up with her friends. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep it together before everything inside her shattered.

Finn found her moments later, his footsteps soft against the grass as he approached. “You alright?” he asked gently, his eyes scanning her face for signs of how she was really feeling.

Hanna shrugged, trying to force a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll live,” she said, her voice quieter than she intended.

Finn’s expression softened as he took a step closer, the noise from inside fading in the background. “That was a tough game. They played dirty.”

“They weren’t the only ones.” Hanna sighed, her gaze dropping to the ground. She hadn’t just been hurt by the game—Emily had made her choice to side with Ciara, and that cut deeper than any volleyball spike.

Finn shifted, unsure of how to respond. He wasn’t good with this kind of stuff—the emotional wreckage that came with feelings. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “I’m about to play my match... you don’t have to watch if you’re still feeling down. I’ll understand.”

Hanna shook her head, smiling faintly. “I think I’ll skip it. If I stay, people might start talking again. I’d just be a distraction.” She forced another smile, but it quickly faded. “But... I know you’ll win.”

He reached out, hesitating before gently squeezing her hand. “Thanks.” His voice was soft, almost apologetic, like he knew how much she was going through but didn’t know how to fix it. “I’ll catch you later.”

As Finn turned to leave, Hanna watched him go, feeling an emptiness settle in her chest. She’d wanted so badly to be with him, to have this moment, but it didn’t feel like a victory. It felt like she’d lost everything else in the process.

Her mind wandered back to the times she, Elordi, and Emily had spent together during past sports events. They used to be inseparable—laughing, competing, always on the same team. They had cheered each other on, celebrated every victory, and consoled each other during losses. But those days felt like a lifetime ago.

Her throat tightened as she remembered the way they’d all used to be. What she wouldn’t give to go back to that.