I have a few lovely little plans for the future. If will ever be kind and let me upload new chapters, that is. After this very small story I have first chapters written for two other stories that will follow after this one; She Shines 2: Testing Love’s Elasticity and She Shines 3: Love Has No Fear. Although these won’t be entirely from Joe and Tony’s pov, they will still continue to focus on the relationships that they share with Jess. I also have a third idea that I’m happy to write if someone thinks it’s a good idea – I Turn To You, which is basically a what if – what if Jules had never interrupted the kiss between Jess and Joe in Germany. Where would it have lead them?

So please review and let me know what you think!

Chapter Five – Oh Shit

When Jess came to the park after her training session, Tony almost wrapped her into a huge hug on the spot. The sheer joy in her face, the glowing smile and delighted eyes, made him happy beyond belief. And in her Hounslow Harriers uniform she already looked like a seasoned professional player. He was indescribably proud of his best friend, what she had already achieved, and what achievements he knew were sure to come.

But then those utter jerks he played football with began to try to break the smile on her face, tear her down. The burn. The one bit of Jess she was so sensitive about, that she used to hide with suppressed tears and blushes in primary school, that the other girls had all teased her about, that her mother was worried would lower her value as a wife; that was what they attacked. At that moment, Tony felt he could have beaten the crap out of any single one of the worthless idiots that would dare to hurt Jess.

He realised, though, that that was the worst possible thing he could do. So her just settled with a viscous ‘back off, you wanker!’ and had thought to leave it at that. What he had underestimated, as always, was the fierce, blazing heart that hid within Jess.

As she proceeded to snatch the ball away from the offender and ‘skin him with her eyes closed,’ just as she has said she would, all Tony could do was laugh and cheer her on. Her spirit could not be suppressed… and it was always funny watching Jess play the pants off all the guys around her.

It was funny, until Tony saw, with his heart dropping more quickly than one of Tads’ pathetic kicks, Jess’ mum walking out towards them.

As Mrs Bhamra lead her away, the fury in her eyes speaking louder than words, Tony mentally echoed the words he was sure were running through Jess’ head; oh shit.