The next day at football training, Jess couldn't concentrate at all. All she could think about was her feelings for Jules. She'd never played football so badly before, and Joe had definitely noticed, as well as Jules herself. After training had finished, Jess saw them both heading towards her, with concerned looks on their faces. Jess tried not to panic. Stay calm, and if they question you, everything is fine, she told herself. She forced a grin as Joe and Jules reached her.

"Hey guys, what's up?" Jess asked, as casually as she could manage. Joe and Jules exchanged incredulous looks. Joe spoke first.

"Uh, is everything alright Jess?" he asked. "It's just, well, I don't want to sound like I'm criticising, but you weren't at your best today. I know I'm not imagining things, because Jules here noticed it too. We were just wondering if there was something bothering you, trouble at home or something? Because it's not like you."

"I'm fine guys, really, there's nothing wrong," answered Jess. "I appreciate your concern, both of you, but really, everything's fine. So I had one lousy session, it happens, right?"

As she was saying this, Jules noticed that Jess was clearly avoiding their eyes. Something is definitely wrong, she thought to herself. I intend to find out what it is, but I'll wait until we're alone.

"Yeah, you're right Jess," shrugged Jules, pretending she believed her friend after all. "We were just wondering, that's all. I told you that we'd be worrying over nothing, didn't I Joe?"

"No, you said that - " began Joe, before he was cut off by Jules nudging him roughly. He glared at her before continuing. "I mean, yeah, you did Jules. As usual, you're right."

Jules grinned at him. "Of course I am!" She turned to Jess, who didn't appear to have heard the last couple of minutes of their conversation, staring ahead at nothing in particular. "Jess? Planet Earth calling Jess?"

Jess turned to Jules, still looking as if she was miles away. "Sorry, what?"

Jules sighed. "Never mind, you've obviously been daydreaming about Beckham way too much today!" she joked. "C'mon, let's get out of here! See you Joe!" She started walking towards the changing room, motioning for Jess to follow her.

"Yeah, see you Joe," said Jess, slowly following Jules, still lost in her own thoughts.

They're not stupid, she thought to herself. They know that something is wrong, but what can I tell them? "Oh, the reason I'm not playing football too well and not paying attention to anything you say is, well, it's because I fancy Jules." Even in her mind, it sounded ridiculous.

She knew that from now on, she needed to act normally, otherwise she could risk Jules discovering her secret. She was determined that it wasn't going to happen. Jules could never, ever find out.

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Back at Jules's house, everything was going well. Jess was relieved that her friend had apparently forgotten her concerns and was talking about football, Joe, and more football.

Thank god for that, she thought, no more questions.

Or so she thought. As soon as she'd convinced herself that Jules had stopped worrying about her, the subject was brought up again.

"So, Jess...about earlier, I know there's something wrong, and please, don't try and deny it. You should know by now that you can't keep anything from me," said Jules, looking at Jess, concern in her eyes. "Please tell me what's bothering you? Is it to do with Joe?" Jess was again avoiding her eyes. "C'mon Jess, say something!" pleaded Jules.

"I can't," Jess said quietly. "It's nothing, really, can we just drop it mate? Let's see if there's any good matches on the box!" She made a grab for Jules's TV remote, but Jules got there first and threw it across the room.

"Not so fast!" said Jules, determined to get an answer. "You are not watching anything, doing anything, or going anywhere, until I get the truth out of you!" She stood there with her arms folded, waiting. "And even if we have to wait all night," she added, "we will!"

Jess couldn't help grinning at her friend's determination, even though deep inside she was petrified of revealing the issue. "Jules! C'mon, I told you it's nothing I can't handle! Gimme the remote, I could be missing Beckham!" She made to walk across the room to retrieve the remote, but Jules stood in her way.

"Not a chance! Right now, I don't give a damn about Beckham, I just give a damn about you! I just want to find out what's going on, please Jess?" Jules pleaded with her again.

"You're not gonna let this slide, are you?" sighed Jess, knowing that she could no longer avoid the issue.

"Finally, she gets it!" joked Jules. Then, her face growing serious again, she spoke. "You can tell me anything, absolutely anything Jess. Just tell me the truth..what's the problem? And why are you so scared to tell me? If you're gonna tell me you're in love with Joe or something..well, I can handle it." She shrugged.

Jess shook her head. "It's not Joe. It's nothing to do with him...it involves you."

Jules looked puzzled. "Me? What about me?"

It seemed to take years for Jess to speak. But when she finally did, it wasn't what Jules was expecting at all.

"Jules, I can't hide it any longer. Especially with you going on at me," she gave her friend a small grin. "Anyway, lately, well, I just haven't been able to stop thinking about you. I thought it was Joe I fancied, but I realised last night it's not him. It's you. I fancy you," said Jess, turning away, embarrassed.

Jules looked amazed. "Me!" She shook her head. "Jess, you're winding me up, yeah? C'mon, seriously, what's going on?"

"That's what Jules. I'm telling you the truth," mumbled Jess. Before Jules could say anything more, Jess got up. "I'm sorry about this. I never meant for this to happen, but I can't help how I feel. I'm really sorry Jules, I think I better leave. See you around mate?" And she left before Jules could stop her.

Jules stood there for a few seconds, then ran out of her room. "Jess, wait!"