Across The Hall

“Christen, I appreciate the gesture, but no matter how much water I drink I’m still going to be hung over” Tobin explains as she fixes her hair into a secure pony tail while Christen observes from her side, holding out two bottles of water.

“Yes but part of the reason why you feel hung over in the first place is because your body is dehydrated” Christen knowingly recounts, insisting that Tobin take the waters before she can sneak around her neighbor to grab the rest of her soccer gear from the floor of her room. Tobin chuckles and turns toward Christen once she finishes wrapping the hair tie around her hair.

“No, the reason why I feel so hung over is because I’m an idiot and tried to drink myself into oblivion last night” Tobin kids as she looks Christen in the eye, only to be met with a less-than-amused expression in return. “You know, they do have water at practice too. And also this thing called Gatorade that’s a little more fun to drink” Tobin teases once more, only to find that Christen’s skeptical expression hasn’t changed in the slightest. Tobin stares Christen in the eye until she realizes that the battle is already lost. “Alright fine, I’ll take these silly waters” Tobin relents with an exasperated sigh. The corners of Christen’s mouth gradually turn up into a smile as Tobin takes the waters from her hands.

“Wise decision” Christen lightheartedly commends as she allows Tobin by to collect the rest of her stuff.

“I’m just going to get dehydrated at practice anyway, I always do” Tobin groans as she bends down to pick up one of her cleats and haphazardly toss it into her duffle bag.

“Maybe it’s because you don’t drink enough water” Christen suggests with the slight shake of her head, “I think we may have just found the cause of your problem, Tobs. You see, sometimes you can prevent bad things from happening if you just take a few precautionary measures beforehand.” Tobin throws her balled-up pinny into her bag before straightening up and directing her gaze back to Christen.

“Hey, correlation isn’t causation” Tobin points out with a dignified look on her face. “Haven’t you learned that in one of your gen-ed’s yet, freshie?” Christen places her hands on her hips as Tobin cracks into a playful smile.

“We were born in the same year, don’t act like you’re so much more knowledgeable just because you beat me by a couple of months” Christen responds, already anticipating Tobin’s attempt to play the ‘I’m older than you so I know more’ card.

“Actually I’m seven months older” Tobin quips while maintaining her mischievous and entertained grin, “A lot can be learned in seven months.” Christen rolls her eyes but struggles to uphold her stern expression as Tobin’s childish behavior begins to affect her in its usual way.

“Apparently drinking a sufficient amount of water wasn’t part of that” Christen returns, letting a faint chuckle escape her as Tobin’s smirk turns into smallish pout.

“Water is for the weak” Tobin returns in a last ditch effort to win their little senseless discussion. Christen shakes her head once more before glancing at the alarm clock next to Kling’s bed.

“You’re impossible” she sighs as she crosses the room and stands directly in front of the smug midfielder. Tobin smiles at her when Christen laces her arms around the back of her neck. “But you’re also gonna be late for practice so I’ll let you have the last word on this so you can get going.” Tobin slightly fist pumps as Christen just laughs and pulls her in for a quick kiss. Tobin eagerly catches Christen’s lips within her own and seems to savor the moment before Christen is forced to pull away first. “Seriously” Christen grins as she separates the kiss, “You need to get going before everyone else leaves without you.” Tobin glances over Christen’s shoulder at the clock before landing her eyes on Christen’s once more.

“Actually, for some odd reason my knees suddenly feel a bit wobbly” Tobin draws out as she glances down to Christen’s lips, just inches away from her own. “And come to think of it, I am feeling pretty thirsty now. I could be dehydrated after all, maybe I should sit this one out.” Christen giggles before she places a finger under Tobin’s chin, tilting it up ever so slightly so that Tobin makes eye contact with her again before Christen connects their lips once more.

“There” Christen whispers against Tobin’s lips after pulling away once again, “Feel better now?” Tobin nods slowly as she wraps her arms around Christen’s waist and pulls her closer.

“Yeah” she mumbles, leaning her forehead against the green-eyed girl’s in front of her, “But now I really don’t want to go.” Christen gazes into Tobin’s warm eyes for a few moments as she contemplates Tobin’s suggestion. Her thoughts are broken up shortly thereafter as the loud bang of the door swinging open pulls her back to reality.

“Tobin, let’s GO. If Baby horse and I can get our asses to practice after last night, then you sure as hell can too” Kling reprimands, not even acknowledging the fact that she’s just broken up whatever moment Christen and her roommate were having. Christen takes a step back from Tobin, a little embarrassed but simultaneously not wanting to deal with the wrath of Kling as well.

“Alright Kling, I’ll meet you downstairs in a minute” Tobin reluctantly sighs under the glare of the surprisingly intimidating defender.

“You better because if not, oh-ho-ho boy I am going to – ” Kling excitedly begins again before Tobin raises a hand to cut her off.

“Kling” Tobin returns in a firm voice, displaying a bit of annoyance of her own, “One minute.” Kling ceases her threat as she inspects Tobin’s face and finds some sincerity there. After a few seconds of further pensive assessment, Kling relents. Damn, the way Tobin just stood her ground like that…it was kinda hot. Oh my god, Christen. I can’t believe you just thought that. There’s a time and a place, c’mon!

“Fine” Kling huffs, turning slightly towards the hallway, “Just kiss your girlfriend goodbye and let’s go.” Christen tenses up slightly at the mention of the ‘g’ word as it echoes in her head. Girlfriend? Is that who I am now? Tobin’s girlfriend? Is that a title I actually have, or is Kling just teasing? Why am I so confused? I feel like I should know the answer to this…

“Yeah, Kling. I got it” Tobin returns, drawing Christen’s attention away from her own ambiguous thoughts. Kling grumpily shuffles down the hallway and Tobin turns back to Christen once the two are alone again. “Sorry about Kling” Tobin begins, “She’s just extra snarky when she’s sleep deprived.”

“It’s okay” Christen replies as Tobin reaches down and grasps both of her hands, “I understand.”

“Good” Tobin smiles as she leans in and plants a quick kiss to Christen’s lips. It’s brief, but it’s enough to settle Christen’s nerves.

“Alright” Christen interjects as Tobin leans back, “It’s time for you to go get your ass kicked at practice. I’ll see you after, okay?”

“What about Julie?” Tobin asks, her eyebrow quirked at Christen’s sudden availability. Christen gives both of Tobin’s hands a squeeze before meeting her eyes once more.

“Don’t worry about Julie, I’ll see you after practice” Christen affirms, soliciting the small grin forming at the corners of Tobin’s lips.

“After practice” Tobin echoes and confirms with a single nod. She reluctantly pulls her hands from Christen’s and slings her duffle bag over her shoulder. Just before she enters the hallway, Tobin stops at the doorway and turns around. “Christen?” she asks, attaining her neighbor’s attention for one final moment that morning.

“Yeah?” Christen responds, a little caught off guard by Tobin’s last second interjection.

“I can’t wait” she smiles as Christen nods and grins warmly in return. Tobin’s eyes linger on Christen for just a few beats more before she decisively turns around and exits the room. Christen stands still for a few moments as it dawns on her just how much she’s missed being around Tobin over the past week. I can’t wait either.

“Someone’s looking pretty chipper for just scraping by on the pitch a few minutes ago” Sarah points out as she tosses a towel in Tobin’s direction as she and the rest of the team filter into the locker room. Tobin snatches the towel out of the air and uses it to wipe off her sweat dripping face before responding.

“Just happy to be at a resting heartrate again” Tobin shrugs as she slings the towel over her shoulder and walks over to her locker. She takes a seat in front of it and wastes no time untying her laces.

“All I’m saying is that it’s a little surprising considering you got frat-boy-wasted last night” Sarah expresses as she too takes a seat at her locker and inspects Tobin’s sudden suspicious shift in attitude. “I mean, just take baby horse for example. You two were both equally gone last night and she looks like a character out of The Walking Dead” Sarah adds as she gestures over to Alex who’s sitting with her head between her knees at her own locker.

“Ughhh, I swear if I so much as hear the word ‘jello shot’ again in my life, I’m going to be sick” a muffled groan escapes Alex as Ali walks over and places a cold towel on the back of her neck.

“Frat-boy-wasted?” Tobin chuckles as she peels off her socks and deposits them aimlessly into her bag. “What does that even mean?”

“It means that you were drunk, even worse than O’Hara” Kling interjects as she walks through the locker room and grabs some athletic tap from one of the supply shelves.

“Why does everyone always call me a frat boy?” Kelley whines, pouting as she searches around her locker for a stick of deodorant.

“Because you act like one” Kling shrugs while walking over to the training table, “It’s really not a difficult concept to grasp.”

“What? I do not!” Kelley protests as she pulls her hair tie out of her sweat-drenched messy bun.

“You have chugging competitions, fist pump while dancing, and call everybody ‘Bro’” Sarah offers, all too eager to poke fun at Kelley, “Only frat boys and cast members of Jersey Shore do that.” Sarah sits smug in her seat while Kelley gasps at a loss for words. After a moment a flash of anger runs across Kelley’s face as she flings a shin guard in Sarah’s direction, hitting her on the left leg. “Ow! Goddammit, Kel!” Sarah shrieks, rubbing her leg gingerly before reaching down to the ground and picking up the projectile Kelley just struck her with. “Did you seriously just throw your shin guard at my leg?!”

“Ironic, isn’t it?” Kelley smirks from her spot, seemingly pleased with her retaliation on Sarah’s remark.

“You are such a child!” Sarah yells, slinging one of her discarded socks back in Kelley’s direction. It hits Kelley directly in the face and stays there a second before it drops to the floor.

“That’s so fucking gross!” Kelley squeals as she continues to wipe at her face even though the sock has long since abandoned contact with her skin.

“For the love of all that is good, could you all stop your godforsaken yelling?” Alex morosely whines as she rubs her hands over her face and winces as she rubs her temples. Tobin just chuckles to herself as she watches the exchange from afar. She soon gets a text and fishes around her locker to find her phone. Once she finds it, she doesn’t hesitate to open her recently received message.

Pizza Thief:  Waiting in the parking lot. Text me when you’re on your way out :)

“Oooh Sarah I think you’re right, Tobin is in a better mood” Ali comments from across the room, causing to Tobin to look up from her phone at the mention of her name. She didn’t even realize that she had been smiling at the text until she becomes conscious of her teammates’ eyes on her. She quickly wipes off her smile and attempts to play it cool once again.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about” Tobin nonchalantly dismisses, even though she’s unable to make direct eye contact with any of her friends.

“How much you wanna bet that text was from Christen?” Sarah teases, seeing clearly through Tobin’s stoic façade.

“The way Tobin’s blushing, I would bet my life on that” Ali continues, smirking triumphantly as Tobin fidgets under her gaze. Tobin subconsciously brings a hand up to her check and feels the heat radiating from her skin. She’s blushing alright.

“It’s definitely Christen” Kling chimes from her seat atop the training table, “I walked in on them making out this morning in our room.” Kling’s comment solicits a chorus of ‘Oooohs’ and whoops around the room. Tobin shakes her head at the ground before looking back up at her merciless friends and teammates.

“We were not making out!” Tobin exclaims as she begins peeling off her practice clothes and getting her stuff ready for the shower so she can make a quick get away from the awkward ‘pick on Tobin’ session.

“Well I definitely interrupted something” Kling jokes, wiggling her eyebrows up and down suggestively while the others coo some more.

“Vultures, all of you” Tobin quips, pointing her finger accusingly around the room, only adding to her friends’ laughter. She grabs her shower supplies and stalks off to the showers.

“Atta kid, Tobin! Can’t keep your lady friend waiting any longer!” One of her friends calls after her.

“Make sure to wash behind you ears, we already told her that’s your weak spot!” Another voice echoes after her, causing the room to erupt behind her. As Tobin finally makes it to a shower stall, she can’t help but laugh as well. As embarrassed as she is, her friends’ ridiculousness ends up getting the best of her.

Tobin cheerily hums to herself as she pushes through the doors of the athletic center and begins her journey through the parking lot. The sun warms her skin as water from her freshly washed hair drips down to the shoulders and back of her old high school varsity soccer t-shirt. Her eyes graze the semi-empty lot until they finally land on a brunette in the distance whose smile makes her heart beat faster even from so far away. Tobin stops momentarily and smiles back at the now waving girl. She sighs contently and adjusts the shoulder strap of her duffle bag before continuing forward. However as she draws closer, an unexpected blonde figure steps out from behind the familiar brunette and Tobin feels her stomach turn. She wasn’t expecting additional company and she sure as hell isn’t ready to face the girl after last night’s drunken confrontation. As much as she wants to turn back, Christen’s already spotted her and enthusiastically beckons her nearer, leaving no possibility for Tobin to make a hasty retreat. So instead of running for the hills, Tobin takes a deep breath and plasters on the best fake smile that she can muster.

“Hey! How was practice?” Christen beams once Tobin arrives in front of her and Julie.

“Pretty awful” Tobin sheepishly replies with a forced half-smile, “But the fact that I’m still alive bodes well.” Christen giggles at Tobin’s played-down humor. Tobin glances over Christen’s shoulder to find that Julie’s expression is one of far less amusement. Or any amusement at all. Tobin fidgets and clears her throat before turning her attention back to Christen, all the while sensing Julie’s icy glare continuing to send chills down Tobin’s spine. “So uh, what’s the plan for the rest of today? I gotta say it’s nice that we don’t have any classes. Remind me to thank the idiots who rampaged through the Hingst and Jefferson buildings last night, they did us a real solid” Tobin nervously jokes, again earning a few chuckles from Christen and stoic silence from Julie.

“We’re actually going to take Julie to the airport pretty soon” Christen informs as she noticeably deflates while she shares the apparently tragic news. Tobin’s eyebrow shoots up in surprise and she has to force herself to hold in the smile that dances at the corner of her lips. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a little excited to see Christen’s friend go. It’s nothing truly personal, but after the hellish week Tobin’s had, she can’t force herself to feel any emotion other than relief.

“Oh really?” Tobin’s voice cracks as she tries her hardest to feign disappointment, “I thought she was going to stay all week.”

“Yeah, that was the plan” Christen nods as she gives Julie a somber side glance, “But Julie can’t last an entire week without Zach, and what kind of friend would I be if I forced her to stay and suffer.” Julie cracks into a smile for the first time since Tobin joined them and gives Christen a playful shove in the shoulder.

“He’s the one who begged me to go back early” Julie corrects while laughing in Christen’s direction, “Get your facts right.”

“Alright, alright” Christen concedes between a few giggles as she looks back in Tobin’s direction again. “Either way Julie is chickening out and leaving early so we need to get her to the airport within the next hour.”

“’We’?” Tobin repeats, somewhat confused by Christen’s phrasing, “You want me to come, too?” Christen chuckles at Tobin’s dumbfounded expression.

“Duh, of course I want you to come!” she bubbles, looking at Tobin quizzically as if she’s just asked the silliest question in the world. “Aren’t you the one that whined all last night about missing me all week?” Tobin forces a laugh for a second before resuming her cautiously hesitant state.

“And uh, Julie…” Tobin’s eyes anxiously dart to the intimidating blonde, “…wants me to come as well?” Julie maintains the composure of a brick wall before finally allowing her expression to soften.

“Yeah” Julie curtly agrees, “I want you to carry my bags for me. I’m the guest of honor and we both know noodle arms over here can’t do it again.” Christen just shrugs and owns the appropriate nickname.

“We figured it was only fair after last night when you – ” Christen begins as Tobin’s eyes widen at the mention of her distasteful behavior the night before.

“Yeah, yeah, no sweat. I totally agree. I’ll do that. I’m really sorry about last night Julie, I didn’t know what I was saying and I wasn’t in the right state of mind and I – ” Tobin quickly rambles, desperate to smooth the tension between her and Christen’s cherished childhood friend. Julie puts her hand up and Tobin instinctively bites her own lip.

“Tobin, just carry the bags” Julies exhales, in a way reminding Tobin to do so herself. Tobin nods silently and focuses on slowing her erratic heartbeat.

“So” Tobin begins after a moment of silence, “How are we getting to the airport? None of us have any wheels.” As soon as Tobin finishes her sentence, a shrill voice calls from a distance behind her.

“Julie!” Kelley squeals, thundering down the pavement parking lot and rapidly approaching the group. “What do I have to say to get you to stay?” she whimpers when she’s just yards away.

“Sorry, Kelley” Julie chuckles as Kelley bends over and catches her breath, “But as cute as your pout is, Zach’s is cuter and I need to return to him.” Kelley frowns but clutches her side and nods slowly while her panting stabilizes.

“Kelley’s our ride” Christen finally answers, gesturing to Kelley’s Toyota parked just a few stalls away. Tobin nods in understanding and once Kelley is back to her usual rambunctious self, Christen suggests that they all head to the car.

“Shotgun!” Kelley yells as she giggles to herself while unlocking the car and pulling the driver’s side door open. Tobin rolls her eyes and is just about to claim the front passenger seat when Julie speaks up first.

“Hey Christen, how about you take the front. I want to spend a little quality time with Tobin before I leave.” Christen nonchalantly shrugs and leaves Julie’s bags with Tobin while she joins Kelley in the car.

“If you could throw those in the trunk for me, that’d be great” Julie advices, again with that unreadable tone and expression that scares the living shit out of Tobin.

“Yeah, I can do that” Tobin mutters, shaking under the intense gaze of Julie’s piercing blue eyes. Julie offers her a tight-lipped smile before wordlessly walking around to her side of the car and getting in. Tobin grabs the bags, which admittedly are a lot heavier than she had expected, and gingerly places them into the trunk of the Toyota. She takes her time closing the trunk door and takes one final uneasy breath before gripping the handle of the middle passenger door and preparing to be at Julie’s side for the entirety of the forty five minute commute to the airport.

“Ok Kelley, I think it’s time to let Julie breathe now” Christen gently reminds as she begins to slowly pull Kelley away from her tight embrace around Julie. Kelley is reluctant at first, giving Julie one last desperate squeeze, before she finally allows herself to be ushered away.

“I guess… I guess this is goodbye” Kelley sniffles as she wipes at the corners of her eyes. Julie offers Kelley an equally sad smile and slowly shakes her head back and forth.

“No, not goodbye” Julie corrects, laughing to herself as she notices that her eyes are getting a little misty as well. “Just, ‘See you later’.” Kelley nods in agreeance as her eyes crinkle and a small smile forms at her lips.

“Yeah” Kelley half-chuckles, “’See you later’ sounds better. I like that.” Christen looks somewhat surprised between her old friend and her recently acquired companion/roommate. Watching the interaction tugs at her own heart strings. Wow, I guess I didn’t realize how close Kelley and Julie have gotten during this past week. “Ok, well, I don’t think I can bear to watch you leave” Kelley admits after a moment of recollecting herself. “I guess I’ll just wait outside from here on out. Travel safely, Julie. Stay in touch.” Julie nods and pulls Kelley in for one final hug.

“I will” she agrees as she lets her arms drop from around Kelley. Kelley smiles one last time before waving at Julie and walking away toward the exit. Once she’s finally out of sight, Julie turns back to Christen and Tobin. “Well, I certainly wasn’t prepared for that.”

“I don’t think any of us were” Tobin admits, equally as shocked to witness Kelley’s tearful reaction.

“She’s just bad at goodbyes” Christen explains, recalling some personal details that Kelley revealed to her early in the year. “She once told me that on the night of her high school graduation, she snuck into the school and spent the night there” Christen can’t help but laugh a little at the story. “She said she would’ve stayed even longer had the janitor not found her asleep, cuddling the school mascot’s head in the field house the next morning.” Tobin and Julie chuckle as well, apparently not finding the ridiculous story hard to believe.

“Anyway” Julie starts after recovering from her small bout of laughter, “It turns out that Kelley isn’t the only one that’s bad at saying goodbye.” Julie’s gaze settles on Christen and for the first time since they arrived to the airport, it dawns on Christen that Julie is actually leaving. Christen feels herself getting worked up, so the only way she can think to respond is by pulling her beloved friend in for a hug.

“It was so good to see you again, Jules. I really missed you” Christen admits, resting her chin on Julie’s shoulder.

“Missed you too, Christen” Julie adds, hugging her a little tighter. “Take care of yourself, okay? Remember what we talked about.” Christen nods against Julie’s shoulder while remembering their heart-to-heart moment from the previous evening.

“She’s in good hands” Tobin chimes from beside the two, feeling like an outsider looking in. She instantly regrets speaking up when Julie’s critical gaze falls on her. Julie allows some space between herself and Christen before addressing Tobin’s remark.

“She better be” Julie warns, staring Tobin directly in the eye. “Kelley and I are friends now and she already told me that her dad would have no problem getting me on a plane and flying me back out here in a heartbeat.”

“Good to know” Tobin’s voice cracks before she’s forced to clear her throat. “So I guess I’ll just let you two say goodbye in private. Besides, I’m sure Kelley is getting lonely out there. Uh yeah, so um, bye Julie. Have a good flight.”

“Bye Tobin” Julie offers flatly. Tobin gives her one final nod before she slowly starts backpedaling for the door. She makes eye contact with Christen as she turns, and Christen flashes her a sympathetic smile. As amusing as it is to see how shy Tobin suddenly is, Christen wants to reassure her that she did a good job of trying to get back on Julie’s good side. Once Tobin disappears amongst the crowd of people, Christen turn’s back to Julie and places her hands on her own hips.

“Why do you have to make her squirm like that? You told me last night that her drunken escapade was already forgiven” Christen points out, trying to figure out what angle Julie is playing at. Julie first responds by chuckling contently.

“Because it’s just too funny seeing how genuinely scared of me she is” Julie laughs, proud of her menacing act. “And besides, I never got to have the ‘don’t break my best friend’s heart or I’ll break your face conversation.’ I figured this was my last chance to remind her to be good to you.” Christen smiles but shakes her head nonetheless. Of Course Julie would pull something like this. I should’ve seen it coming. Poor Tobin, I didn’t have a chance to warn her.

“But she is good to me!” Christen argues, smiling at the truth of the statement.

“And now she’ll stay that way” Julie quips without missing a beat, “I’m your insurance plan in case she starts to take you for granted. No need to thank me, by the way.”

“Julie, you’re ridiculous, but I love you” Christen laughs, already missing her best friend from home even though she hasn’t even left yet.

“Love you too, Press” Julie returns with a wink. “But seriously though, Tobin’s a good one. I’m happy you found her, I think she’s the type of person you need right now.”

“Yeah” Christen sweetly sighs, “She is pretty great.”

“Look at that” Julie grins as she gestures up and down Christen’s body. “You’re glowing again. Are you sure you’re not pregnant? Is Tobin the father?”

“Julie!” Christen yelps, smacking her friend on the arm, a blush creeping at her cheeks. “Alright, you can go home now. I think I’ve had enough of you for one day.” Julie laughs at the sight of a frazzled Christen. She’s missed messing with her friend since Christen moved to school. Julie looks around the busy airport as the blood begins to drain from Christen’s face one again. As much as she doesn’t want to admit it, she knows it’s time for her to take her leave.

“Well” Julie sighs, the serious expression on her face gaining Christen’s undivided attention. “I suppose I should probably head through security now.” Christen peers around Julie and notices that there are a decent amount of people lined up in the queue. Julie’s right. Christen holds out her arms for one last hug from her friend. Julie wastes no time in accepting Christen’s embrace. “Hey Christen” Julie mumbles against Christen’s shirt.

“Yeah?” Christen asks, only half paying attention as she tries to savor her last moments with Julie.

“I may have accidentally told Tobin about the accident…” Julie trails off, somewhat hoping Christen didn’t hear her. Christen’s body stiffens. She what?!

“What?” Christen quickly returns, a bit of urgency in her voice, “When?” Julie pulls back so she can look Christen in the eye.

“Well she came over that night of the bad thunderstorm to come check on you. She told me she already knew about your problem with storms, so I just assumed you told her why” Julie explains, only to be met with Christen’s shocked silence. “I didn’t give her any details or anything, I just alluded to it a little. I wouldn’t worry if I were you, I’m sure she already forgot I said anything.” That last part Julie adds in an attempt to cover her own tracks. Christen doesn’t seem to take the bait though. She told Tobin? Shit, how am I supposed to avoid this now? Part of the reason I was excited about going to school here was the fact that no one would know to bring it up.

“Julie! How am I supposed to deal with that now?” Christen demands, unsure of how to tread the water from here.

“I don’t know, just talk to her about it if she brings it up. But she probably won’t, so don’t worry, okay? Can you forgive me?” Julie rambles, trying her best to ease Christen’s panic.

“Julie, I – ” Christen stammers as Julie begins slowly walking backwards with her carry-on in hand.

“You have to forgive me because I’m about to get on a plane and if I die, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life” Julies sings, continuing her gradual retreat. Is she seriously pulling the guilt card right now?

“Julie! Are you serious?” Christen calls after her, beginning to feel frustrated, but slowly falling victim to Julie’s trap. Yep, she’s pulling the guilt card. And it’s working…dammit.

“Alright, if you want a guilty conscience, I guess that’s your choice…” Julie continues back pedaling, a small smirk playing at her lips.

“Fine, I forgive you!” Christen calls back, her superstition getting the best of her. Damn Julie and her jedi mind tricks.

“Great! Love you, Christen! Bye!” Julie calls, and with that she enters the security line, leaving Christen wordless and alone in the middle of the bustling airport.

“Hey Chris, you alright?” Tobin asks with mild concern as Christen walks through the doors at the airport’s exit. Christen snaps out of her spiraling thoughts and does her best to shake worry from her brain. Tobin places a supportive hand at the small of Christen’s back and her gives enough inspiration to push away any concern that she’s still holding onto from her previous conversation with Julie.

“Yeah” Christen confirms with a smile, softening at Tobin’s touch, “Are you?” Tobin seems somewhat embarrassed and caught off by the question, so she shrugs a little, not really sure how to respond.

“Yeah?” she replies with a quizzical expression, “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well it’s just that today with Julie you seemed kinda uncomfortable. I’m sorry if she made you feel weird or scared or anything, she was just being Julie and pulling one of her stunts. She actually thinks you’re really cool” Christen explains, feeling the need to apologize on Julie’s behalf. Julie may have been willing to let the charade play on for a while, but Christen never agreed to do so as well.

“Julie thinks I’m cool?” Tobin scoffs, reasonably skeptical with the way Julie behaved around her today. “Sure, I could tell by all those daggers she was shooting at me.” Christen laughs but she can still detect the speck of insecurity in Tobin’s eyes.

“She does, she just thought it was funny to mess with you. Sorry again, she’s just…” Christen continues, trying to find the right words to describe her unique friend.

“Julie” Tobin definitively finishes Christen’s story for her. Christen chuckles and nods in the affirmative. “I’m really alright, Christen. You don’t need to apologize” Tobin reassures as she mindlessly runs her hand up and down Christen’ back. “I’ll admit Julie had me on the ropes, but I’ve handled worse in my life. A lot worse. It takes a lot to push me away.” Christen’s eyes light up as they connect with Tobin’s and she wordlessly thanks her for being so understanding. So amazing. So admirable. So Tobin.

“Can you please stop saying her name? I’m trying not to think about her being gone” Kelley whines in a small voice, her tone a bit hoarse.

“Sounds good to me” Tobin jokes with a chipper grin. “How about we go get some coffee? I think the two of you could use a pick-me-up” Kelley and Christen lock eyes before nodding their heads excitedly at Tobin’s suggestion.

“To The Lady Killer!” Kelley chimes as dangles her keys above her head and marches forward towards her car.

“The Lady Killer?” Christen asks incredulously, arching an eyebrow at Kelley as she and Tobin follow a few steps behind.

“Yeah” Kelley confirms over her shoulder, “I’ve been trying out new names for my car and I think this one’s a winner.”

“I suggested ‘Martha’ but Kelley didn’t like it” Tobin comments, smiling to herself once she earns a giggle from Christen.

“Yeah, because I don’t want my car to sound like a grandma” Kelley contributes as if the decision to veto Tobin’s suggestion was the most obvious thing in the world. “She has a few miles on her, but not that many.”

“Well that seems fair” Christen agrees as the get closer to the car, “You already have a grandma middle name, so if your car did too it would just be overkill.” Kelley stops in her tracks and glances over her shoulder to narrow her eyes at her roommate.

“You can walk if you want” she sassily returns while crossing her arms, Christen apparently striking a nerve. Christen throws her hands up in surrender and shakes her head.

“No, I’m good” Christen concedes. This seems to be enough to appease Kelley because she soon faces forward and continues on route to her car once again.

“I actually think the name is appropriate” Christen admits with a mischievous smirk as Kelley tunes her out, too distracted with unlocking her Toyota. “Considering the way Kelley drives, I wouldn’t be surprised if this thing kills a few ladies.” Tobin snickers vehemently at Christen’s side, eventually resorting to biting her lip so Kelley won’t notice.

“Man, I can’t decide between the caramel frappe or a milkshake instead” Tobin huffs, staring at the chalkboard menu of the café like her drink order is a life or death decision.

“Just go with whatever your gut feeling is” Christen encourages from beside her in the unexpectedly short line to the cashier.

“My gut wants both of them, that’s the problem” Tobin sighs dejectedly. Christen glances at Tobin’s profile and takes a moment to admire how adorable she is when she can’t make up her mind. And as if Tobin can feel Christen’s eyes on her, she momentarily tears her eyes away from the overhead menu to glance at Christen. Slightly embarrassed that she was caught staring, Christen quickly looks away. Tobin simply smiles at the beautiful brunette beside her and wordlessly takes Christen’s hand. As soon as she feels Christen’s fingers intertwine with her own, Tobin returns her eyes to the menu for further contemplation.

“Hey do you think those two up there are together?” Kelley asks from directly over Christen’s shoulder, effectively shaking Christen from her heart-fluttery moment with Tobin. She glances to the front of the line, her eyes landing on two girls ordering drinks at the counter.

“Why?” Christen asks as she glances over her shoulder to speak to Kelley, “You interested in one of them or something?”

“No” Kelley half-heartedly dismisses, her eyes narrowing on the two girls as her brain fills with analytical thoughts. “They just look they they’d be a couple.”

“What makes you say that?” Christen questions as she finds herself being sucked into Kelley’s mini-investigation.

“Well they’re holding hands for one” Kelley observes as she gestures down, leading Christen’s gaze to the girls’ joined hands, barely visible through the line of people ahead of them.

“So?” Christen questions, feeling like Kelley may be reaching as she’s so quick to jump to conclusions about two complete strangers. “Friends can hold hands, too.”

“Sure” Kelley allows as her lips tighten into a flat line and her concentration increases, “But they’ve also been stealing a lot of side glances at each other when the other isn’t paying attention. It kinda seems like heart eyes to me.”

“Kelley, people look at each other from time-to-time, that’s kind of a natural thing to do –” Christen attempts to argue, only to leave her sentence unfinished as Kelley pipes up once again.

“Oh! Oh! Look! Did you see that?” Kelley animatedly interjects in Christen’s ear, causing her to wince at the outburst. “One of them just paid for both drinks. Chivalry is the path to the heart. They are so together.”

“Kel, come on. You can’t just –” Christen attempts to reason, only to have her words fall on deaf ears.

“Oh shit!” Kelley chirps as she quickly darts behind Christen, using her shoulder to shield her face from the front of the café.

“What? What happened?” Christen urgently asks, extremely confused by Kelley’s behavior. Kelley peaks over Christen’s shoulder for just a moment before ducking her head again.

“The girl on the left. You see her?” Kelley begins. Christen looks from Kelley to the girl and nods.

“Yeah, what about her?” Christen ponders, waiting for Kelley to continue. Kelley sneaks another glance at the girl before pulling Christen around so she can face her when she speaks.

“Ok, so earlier in the semester I asked her out and she immediately shot me down” Kelley explains in a hushed tone. “At the time I thought it was because she was straight, but apparently that wasn’t the case.”

“Alright, so why are you hiding from her then?” Christen asks, slightly amused by how unnerved her usually overconfident roommate appears to be.

“Because she flat out shot me down!” Kelley exclaims with wild eyes. “And now she’s going out with that girl, whom is a five at best.”

“I think I’m missing the point here” Christen confesses as she glances between the ‘couple’ up front and Kelley, still doing her best to be ‘incognito’ behind her. Kelley’s eyes roll back as her frustration mounts.

“Christen! I’m a nine point five!” Kelley whisper-yells as she gestures vigorously between herself and the girl on the left. “A five got the girl over me! That’s so humiliating!” Christen’s eyebrows shoot up in disbelief. Seriously, Kel? All this fuss because your superficial ego was threatened?

“C’mon Tobin, frappe or milkshake? Why can’t you make a decision?...” Tobin mutters from beside Christen, completely oblivious to Kelley’s antics behind her. Christen glances back to Tobin, noticing her brows are knitted together and she seriously seems to be conflicted about her drink order. Is she talking to herself? How can she be any cuter?

“Dammit!” Kelley squeals, drawing Christen’s attention yet again.

“What?” Christen returns, her focus shifting back to Kelley.

“They’re coming this way! Just go along with it, okay?” Kelley cryptically explains. Before Christen has a moment to ask for clarification, Kelley separates Christen and Tobin’s joined hands and throws her arm over Christen’s shoulder, wedging herself between the two.

“What the hell are you –” Christen begins as the two girls from the front walk in their direction, carrying caffeinated drinks in their hands as they head for the door.

“Awww, babe, I can’t believe you’re treating me again!” Kelley coos overdramatically, and unnecessarily loudly, as the couple draws within earshot. “You’re the sweetest, most-loving, most-generous, and all around bestgirlfriend ever!” Chills run down Christen’s spine. There’s that word again. Girlfriend. Why do I keep feeling strange whenever I hear it? I mean right now it could be because Kelley is draping herself all over me – which by the way, what the fuck is going on with that? – But still, something seems off… I can’t explain why I’m feeling like this.

Kelley interrupts Christen from her thoughts when she plants a lip smacking kiss on Christen’s cheek. Christen is too dumbfounded to react as Kelley continues to stroke her fingertips along Christen’s jawline, pretending to be completely enamored as she does. As the couple passes them, Kelley and the girl on the left lock eyes. They exchange a nod, and soon the couple has vacated the café. It’s only when Kelley is 100% certain that they’re gone that she finally releases Christen from her clingy, and safe to say nauseatingly affectionate, death grip. Christen quickly rubs the area of skin where Kelley planted a wet one on her cheek, and then turns to face her roommate for some sort of an explanation.

“Mind telling we why you just assaulted my face in a café coffee line?” Christen questions, an edge to her voice. Kelley, on the other hand, casually shrugs and plays off her stunt as if it weren’t completely out-of-the-ordinary or uncalled for in anyway.

“They were coming this way, I had to do something” Kelley informs, still extremely laid back and unfazed by events from moments ago.

“So ‘something’ was to cover the side of my face in your saliva while the girl that turned you down was watching?” Christen retorts, still fairly agitated by her roommate’s brash actions.

“Christen, you’re a ten” Kelley draws out, as if that small utterance is all the explanation Christen needs.

It’s not.

“What?!” Christen bursts, equally confused and annoyed at this point.

“Now do I go for whipped cream or without…” Tobin mumbles beside Christen, still paying neither her nor Kelley any attention. Did Tobin seriously just miss all that fucking happened?!

“Listen, Pressy” Kelley starts again, this time making more of an effort to allow Christen to be in-the-loop. “I couldn’t let that girl have the satisfaction of turning me down and choosing a five instead. That would’ve been completely embarrassing, one hundred percent out of the question. So instead I figured that if I had a ten on my arm, she would be the one that was embarrassed. She’d realize the error of her ways and have to live the rest of her life knowing that she let me get away, and that I found someone way out of her league.” Christen just stares at Kelley in disbelief. The smallest part of her had hoped that Kelley would have some logical explanation. Nope. That part of her was wrong. Dead wrong. “So yeah, you’re like top-of-the-line arm candy and I just seized the opportunity.”

Before Christen has a chance to respond, which she’s not even sure she would know how to if she did, Tobin tugs at her arm and earns her attention.

“Chris,” she urges, jerking her head towards the cashier, “What do you want to drink?” Christen looks around and notices that they somehow made it to the front of the line.

“Oh, um, an iced mocha, no whip, with just a drizzle of chocolate syrup” Christen instinctively recites. She may be a little disoriented after what just happened when they were further back in line, but not so much so that she forgot her coffee order. That would simply never happen, no matter how many times Kelley tries to maul her face. The cashier smiles politely as he punches Christen’s drink order into the register. Christen reaches for her purse to pull some money from her wallet, but the cashier is already handing Tobin back her debit card. He then turns his attention to Kelley to take her order next. Christen raises an eyebrow as Tobin ushers her out of line.

“Don’t worry about it Chris, I already got it” Tobin explains with a wink. It’s a small gesture, but it’s enough to send Christen’s mind into hyper drive. Suddenly she’s having flash backs to when Kelley was sleuthing out weather the two girls from earlier were a couple or not. “They’re holding hands… they’ve also been stealing a lot of side glances at each other… one of them just paid for both drinks.” Kelley’s voice echoes in Christen’s head. Christen glances down to the hand that Tobin held earlier, then to the barista that’s preparing both her and Tobin’s drinks, and then finally she dares to look over to Tobin, who happens to be smiling in her direction with a glint in her eye. The chills return, and before another word can surface in Christen’s mind – a word that usually causes her to have the chills – she’s brought out of her barrage of racing thoughts when her drink order is called out.

She and Tobin walk over to the pick-up area and thank the barista once they receive their drinks. Then they stand off to the side of the room to wait for Kelley to claim hers as well. In the meantime, both Christen and Tobin take their first sips. Christen relishes in the euphoric sensation when the chocolatey, coffee goodness makes contact with her tongue. Tobin has a somewhat less pleasurable experience. When Christen glances over to her, she finds Tobin frowning down at her drink.

“Is it not any good?” Christen asks, a little sympathetic that Tobin doesn’t seem to enjoy what she ordered even though she used a lot of brain power to decide on it.

“No” Tobin pouts, still staring woefully at the drink in her hand.

“Then what’s up?” Christen asks, now only concerned with getting to the root of Tobin’s problem.

“I just wish I would’ve ordered the milkshake instead” Tobin admits as she swirls the straw around her frappe. Christen lets out a barely audible chuckle as she smiles at the midfielder beside her. Still so cute. How does she even manage it?

“Tell you what” Christen begins, causing Tobin to look up from her drink and into Christen’s eyes. “If you score a goal during your game over the weekend, I’ll buy you a milkshake myself.” A smile illuminates from Tobin’s face and her eyes crinkle with shear satisfaction.

“You’re the best, Chris. So generous and kind” Tobin warmly returns, taking a happier sip of her ordinarily delicious drink. At that moment, another string of words creeps back into Christen’s mind before she can stop it.

…“You’re the sweetest, most-loving, most-generous, and all around best girlfriend ever!”

Christen takes another long sip of her iced mocha, hoping to make some sense of it all.