Chapter 10
They win the scavenger hunt.
Some teams come close but none close enough.
Tobin had brought back a whole bag filled with things that had teammates faces on them. She got about 50 tampon coupons with Alex's face in them. With a plan to hang them all up in her locker before their next game. She got 2 posters with Kelley in under amour clothes. Tobin made a point of accusing Kelly of her abs being photoshopped in the ad. Kelly was millimeters away from ripping her shirt off to prove herself before Coach stopped her. Assuring her that everyone believe her claim.
Tobin used a sharpie to draw wings on Becky is an adidas ad. Tobin also drew a mustache on a hilarious poster of Kelly drinking chocolate milk. None of these things were part of the scavenge hunt but in typical Tobin fashion she didn't really care much about the structured rules she was supposed to follow. Instead finding her own joy in a more free flow style.
The winnings teams prize will be rewarded later on during camp. With no one on the teams having any idea what the prize will be.
After the team activity the rest of the day goes as planned
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The next few days pass and nothing exciting happens. The team eats, lifts, trains, scrimmages and sleeps. When the girls do have free time no one has enough energy to move off of their hotel beds.
One night Ash had texted Ali asking if she wanted to hang out. It had become a normal thing for them. One of them going to the others room at night, when they had down time. They would just sit with each other. They would talk , watch tv, be on their phones or just sit there exhausted from their long days.
Every now and then there would be lingering touches. But nothing note worthy. They both were scared of their feelings. They had become such close friends so quickly. Neither one could not imagine a day not involving one another. It had only been a week but neither of them had ever felt a connection this strong with anyone else before. They also had many concerns about taking the next step.
Does she feel the same way? What if she just wants to be friends? How will it work? Would we be allowed to stay on the team? How would it effect the team? What if we dated and it fell apart? What if it was messy? We live so far away.
They both had these concerns but none of them were ever spoken them out loud.
In the time down time they get to know each other. Telling each other about their childhoods Share stories about their siblings and Laughing about their crazy college years. Each learning about each other and growing their connection.
That night Ali's brother Kyle calls while they are watching a cooking show together in Ali's room.
Kyle has just gotten out of rehab. After checking himself in a month ago. He finally realized how bad his problem was after one horrible night in Miami. His addiction had ripped his family apart. He had missed many important moments in Ali's life recently. It was really hard for her to keep track of him while she was away in Germany. Never knowing if he was safe or passed out on a street. Her family had done everything they could of Kyle but it had only pushed him farther away.
This was the first time she had talked to Kyle since he had entered rehab. Which she had only found out because Ali's mom was alerted when Kyle had checked himself into an emergency room a month earlier.
While Ali was on the phone Ash was trying not to ease drop. She was focused on the cooking show playing on the TV with contestant competing to make the best Macaroon and Cheese.
But when Ali hung up the phone and started crying. Ash immediately embraced her and rubbed her back.
"Ali what's wrong? Is he ok?"
Ali sat up and tries to clear her throat
"I'm sorry" Ali can't even make eye contact
Ash reaches under her chin and pulls her face up to look at her. Ali has tears still brimming in her eyes
" I'm sorry everything is fine. He's finally Okay.… He finally got help.
He sounds more like my brother again. I think rehab actually helped this time. He actually wants to be better."
" I mean he's not 100% there but he's actually trying. I'm so proud of him"
"Al that's so great. I'm so happy for you"
Ali takes a couple mins and explains how close her and her brother were as kids. Which Ash had already picked up on from previous stories about Ali's childhood. Ali cries as she talks about when she first found out he had a problem. The most crushing part for Ashlyn is when Ali talks about how absent he had been from her life the last couple of years. And Ali constantly worrying about him.
Ash knows exactly how she feels many people in her family have struggled with addiction. Soccer was her way out of that life. But addiction still eats her family apart. Her own brother is still struggling with his addictions.
Ali finally stops crying. Wiping away her tears. And smuggling closer into Ash's side.
"Ash thank you so much for being here for me. I really appreciate it"
"No problem, princess" Ash whispers and leans down to but a kiss on Ali's forehead. But at the same time Ali moves her head back to make eye contact with her. They sit there for a second. Making Deep eye contact only inches apart.
Ali finally makes the move. She reaches up and cups Ashlyn's face while leaning in and connecting their lips.
It's electric.
Neither one of them wanting to pull apart. Ali might have started the kiss but Ash quickly takes control. Moving her hands around Ali's waist pulling her closer. Ash moves her tongue against Ali's lips asking for entrance. Which is quickly accepted. Their tongues battle for dominance but at the same time the kiss is soft. Both trying to get to know each other in this new way and trying to discover this electricity between them.
Both breathless they pull apart desperate for air.
Ali speaks first but Ashlyn interrupts her.
" That was amazing"
She takes a second to catch her breath.
" Ali I don't want this to just be something you did because you were upset and I was near by"
Ash says this without making eye contact. She can barely understand why a girl so amazing as Alexandra Kreiger would want to kiss her.
Ali grabs Ash's chin. Moving her face up so she is forced to make eye contact.
" What about that kiss makes you think I didn't want that to happen?"
Ash's mouth drops open. She doesn't know what to say.
"Ashlyn Harris I have been waiting for you to make a move ever since I meet you."
"You have?" Ash is completely dumbstruck
"Yes" Ali giggles
Ali leans in again to connect their lips.