Anniversary

The lacrosse stadium had been meticulously prepared for the upcoming match. Its impressive structure stood tall and grand, with seating tiers that offered a commanding view of the field from every angle. The stadium's exterior was adorned with banners and flags, proudly displaying the team colours and logo.

Inside, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. The crowd had filled the stands, eagerly awaiting the game to begin. The air was charged with anticipation as fans chatted animatedly about their favourite players and past matches.

The turf on the field had been freshly mowed and marked with precise white lines. The goalposts stood tall and steady at each end, their nets taut and ready to bear the brunt of the incoming shots. The surrounding walls were cushioned to ensure player safety during intense plays along the boundaries.

As the teams took to the field, the stadium erupted into cheers. The announcer's voice resonated through the speakers, introducing the players and building up the anticipation for the game ahead.

The girls' lacrosse game was a thrilling display of skill and determination. The teams clashed on the field with each player fully committed to the intense competition. The weather had been favourable, with the sun shining brightly overhead.

Throughout the match, both teams strategized and executed their plays flawlessly. Passes were made with precision, and shots at the goal were delivered with power and finesse. The defensive players worked tirelessly to intercept passes and prevent the opposition from scoring.

Amidst the spirited battle, several goals were scored, prompting cheers from the spectators on the sidelines. The roar of the crowd echoed around the stadium with each goal and exceptional play, creating an electric atmosphere that fueled the players' determination. The girls showcased their athleticism and teamwork, supporting one another and rallying their spirits even during moments of pressure.

The stadium's floodlights illuminated the field as the sun set, casting a dramatic glow over the intense competition. As the clock ticked down, the game grew even more intense. The tension in the air was palpable as both sides vied for victory. However, in the end, one team emerged triumphant. A black-haired girl slotted a goal as the match reached its inevitable end, signified by the blowing of the final whistle.

After the match, the stadium slowly emptied, but its aura of excitement lingered. The echoes of the crowd's cheers seemed to reverberate through its walls, leaving a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. The post-game atmosphere was filled with sportsmanship and camaraderie. Despite the intensity of the match, the players congratulated each other on a game well played. As the winning team entered the changing room, loud cheers could be heard as the team raised the scorer of the winning goal on their shoulders.

[Time Skip]

"You were great in that match", Zephyr praised.

"Thanks", Alex muttered, slightly embarrassed by the overwhelming number of compliments she had received.

"How does it feel to be a star?", Zephyr teasingly asked.

"It feels ... nice", Alex replied, taking a second to think about it.

"Nice? That's it?", Zephyr asked.

"Yeah", Alex answered, "How else am I meant to feel?"

"You're meant to feel like you're on top of the world", Zephyr stated, "You scored the winning goal in a final. You should be showing everyone the medal you won".

"I didn't do it for the recognition", Alex remarked, "I did it because you encouraged me to take lacrosse seriously".

"So you did it for me?", Zephyr asked, a goofy smile on his face.

"Yeah", Alex replied, her face turning crimson within a second, "Why did you want me to take lacrosse seriously anyways?"

"All you've been doing this year is study", Zephyr explained, "Revising all the time is bad for your health and since you enjoy playing lacrosse, I thought it'd be a great idea if you played lacrosse seriously to distract you from exams".

Hearing his response, Alex felt a warm comforting feeling in her heart. Without hesitating Alex hugged Zephyr tightly, resting her head on his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him with affection. Her face beamed with a joyful smile, and she held him close for a moment, conveying her feelings through the warm embrace. Zephyr seemed pleasantly surprised but quickly reciprocated the hug, a soft smile forming on his lips as he enjoyed the heartfelt gesture. "Thanks", Alex mumbled, wrapping her arms tighter around him.

Running his hands through her hair, Zephyr whispered, "I'll always be here for you".

After a few moments of enjoying each other's embrace, the couple separated with gigantic smiles on their faces. "Hey, I wanna take you somewhere", Zephyr said, quickly taking hold of Alex's hand and leading her away.

Zephyr led Alex through the quiet streets, his hand gently holding hers as they navigated the urban maze. They meandered through quaint alleys, past charming cafes, and beneath the shadows of towering lamposts. He skillfully navigated through the labyrinth of streets, always considering her comfort and safety. When they approached busy intersections, he would stand protectively by her side, waiting for the traffic lights to change before continuing on their adventure, finally arriving at their destination.

As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, its warm rays cascaded across the sky, painting it with a breathtaking tapestry of colours. The park was bathed in a golden glow as the evening unfolded. Trees swayed gently in the fading light, their leaves catching the last rays like shimmering jewels.

Birds soared gracefully through the air, their silhouettes dancing against the vibrant hues of orange and pink. The serene lake mirrored the sky above, reflecting the stunning display with unrivalled clarity. In the distance, a group of children played joyfully on the green, their laughter echoing in harmony with the soothing sounds of nature.

As the twilight deepened, the sky transformed into a canvas of dusky blues and purples, signalling the approach of nightfall. The stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky, one by one, as if whispering secrets to the world below.

Navigating the rural jungle, Zephyr continued leading Alex, finally stopping in front of a tree. The beautiful oak tree stood tall and majestic in the centre of the clearing. Its thick, gnarled branches stretched gracefully in all directions, adorned with a tapestry of vibrant green leaves that fluttered gently in the breeze. The bark of the tree was weathered and rugged, showing the marks of many years of growth and resilience. Birds that made their homes within the cosy nooks of its branches cheerfully chirped, their songs filling the air.

As she looked at the tree before her, tears prickled at the corner of her eyes. "This is where we met for our first date", Alex muttered.

"I thought it'd be nice to celebrate our 6 month anniversary somewhere that meant a lot to both of us", Zephyr explained. Still holding her hand, Zephyr led her to a small clearing near the tree where a blanket had been set up with a basket on top.

"You didn't have to go through all of this", Alex said, feeling extremely happy.

"Of course I did", Zephyr replied, finally letting go of her hand. Within a few seconds, he had a small variety of delicacies laid out on the blanket. Sitting down, he took a plate with a slice of cake. With a fork, he took cut a small section of the slice and directed the fork towards her mouth, "Here".

Despite being embarrassed, Alex opened her mouth, letting Zephyr feed her. Her eyes lit up with delight as she took a bite of the sweet treat. Zephyr watched her savour the flavours, enjoying the moment of shared happiness with a smile on his face.

As the sun continued its descent, the couple remained captivated by the breathtaking sight before them. Zephyr wrapped his arms around Alex's waist as they both sat there, enjoying the warmth that each other's body brought.

[Time Skip]

"Aargh!", Claire screamed, "We're such bad parents!"

"I know!", Phil exclaimed, hugging his wife as tears streamed down his face, "We forgot about Alex's final".

"I was too busy with that crazy speeder", Claire muttered in disappointment, "That I didn't even remember about Alex's lacrosse final".

"And I was so desperate to dethrone Gil Thorpe I didn't pay attention to our daughter", Phil muttered, wiping his tears with a tissue.

"How can we be such bad parents?", Claire cried.

"Just throw her a party or something", Haley, who was sitting on the couch said.

"Yes!", Phil exclaimed, full of life. As soon as he took out his phone, he checked his notifications and found a message from Zephyr. Reading it, his eyes widened, depression enveloping him again, "That's a no-go on the party".

"What?!", Claire exclaimed, "Why?!"

"Zephyr's taking Alex on a date because today's their 6 month anniversary", Phil replied, setting down his phone. "What are we going to do now?", Phil asked.

"I don't know, but we have to do something to make it up to Alex", Claire answered, receiving a nod from Phil.

"You'll never guess what I just did", Luke declared as he entered the house with a large water gun in his hand.

"Not now Luke", Claire cut him off.

"We'd love to hear about it Luke but we're a bit busy right now", Phil said in a much calmer tone than Claire.

"Urgh", Claire screamed into a pillow.

"We'll fix things", Phil muttered under his breath, "Somehow".