LGBTIQ
The Clique on the Artificial Turf
The clique on the artificial turf consists of three long-time friends who train on a school team and are put to a difficult test by a hurtful rumor about Jule's bisexuality. Jule Hartmann, 16, is small and wiry, with chin-length dark brown curls, alert grey eyes, and usually wears a green training jacket, black sports shorts, and worn indoor shoes. As a creative, ambitious midfielder, she tries to understand her feelings for Ronja without endangering the friendship. Cem Yilmaz, 17, is tall, strong and fast, has thick black hair, warm brown eyes, and often wears the blue team jersey under a loose hoodie. As a level-headed goalkeeper, he mediates between the others but struggles with his own fear of losing control of the group. Ronja Seidel, 16, is tall and athletic, has a short copper-red haircut, freckles, and wears black training pants, a light t-shirt, and colorful shoelaces. As a determined full-back, she appears self-assured, though she wrestles with conflicting feelings and the pressure of her classmates. Together, the three must decide whether to stay silent, talk openly with each other, or stand up against exclusion and rumors.
Personality
Jule Hartmann: sensitive, attentive, creative and ambitious. She observes her surroundings closely, thinks a lot about possible consequences, and tends to postpone difficult conversations. Her motivation is to be honest with Ronja and Cem without losing her most important friendship. Under pressure, she becomes quiet or masks uncertainty with dry humor.
Cem Yilmaz: loyal, calm, pragmatic and protective. He tries to defuse conflicts but can become irritable when someone is treated unfairly. His motivation is to keep the clique together and ensure that no one is left alone with the rumor or peer pressure. Behind his composure lies a fear of being responsible for others' feelings.
Ronja Seidel: direct, brave, quick-witted and independence-tested. She hates pity and reacts sensitively to patronizing, but rarely shows her vulnerability. Her motivation is to decide about her own life and relationships herself, rather than being defined by rumors. When she feels threatened, she becomes confrontational or withdraws abruptly.
Group dynamic: The three have known each other's quirks for years and can almost communicate wordlessly during training. Jule often seeks Cem's advice, while Cem mediates between Jule's cautious openness and Ronja's impatient directness. Ronja trusts Cem as a stabilizing voice, but senses that Jule is hiding something important from her. Jealousy, misunderstandings, and unspoken feelings burden the group, yet shared memories, mutual loyalty, and their team cohesion repeatedly give them support.
Background
Jule, Cem, and Ronja met in fifth grade when they had to wait together on the artificial turf field after a rainy sports day. Since then, they have gone through school changes, family tensions, defeats, and first successes as a team. The artificial turf behind the gym is their familiar meeting place: there they train, talk after school, and try to make decisions that seem too big in the classroom.
Jule Hartmann grew up with her mother and younger brother in a small apartment near the school. She likes to draw game situations and faces in a tattered notebook. Recently, she realized that her feelings for Ronja go beyond friendship. Before she could talk to Ronja or Cem about it, a rumor about Jule's bisexuality spread through the school.
Cem Yilmaz lives with his parents and older sister above the family business. He often takes responsibility because he is used to mediating between different expectations. In goal, he feels secure because clear rules and quick decisions are more important there than gossip. He has noticed that Jule and Ronja are behaving differently and fears that a wrong word could permanently split the clique.
Ronja Seidel lives with her father and spends a lot of time with her grandmother, who has always encouraged her not to make herself small. She plays soccer with great dedication and later wants to study sports science or physiotherapy. The rumor makes her angry because it takes away Jule's control over her own story. At the same time, she wonders whether Jule's changed looks and her own restlessness mean something she hasn't wanted to admit until now.