Grumpy boo

Christen walked into the restaurant and smile when she heard a familiar laughter’s. By the time she arrived at the table, the two men stood up and hugged her warmly.

“Hey, Chris. How are you?” Nima greeted.

“I’m good. You?”

“Same. But Steve here just told me that I’m getting chubby. Can you believe it?” Nima pouted.

Steve leaned back from Christen and slapped Nima’s shoulder playfully while the same laughter that Christen heard earlier rang out again.

“Hey, I didn’t say it bothers me. I’m saying that you look more macho.” Steve just wiggled his eyebrows playfully.

Christen meanwhile, just point her finger at the broad shoulder in front of her.

“Oiii! How dare tease my bestie! Don’t listen to him, babe. I think he’s just jealous. Your pudgy cheek really brings out your eyes.” Christen said jokingly.

Nima let out a small chuckled and put his hand up.

“Yeah yeah.. I know with you two, I’ll never win.”

Christen took her seat before she started. “Thanks for coming to see me today. I didn’t think you guys want to.”

Nima just shrugged his shoulder. “Since we are in town, we don’t mind. What surprise us was that your friend agreed for this meet up too.”

“Yeah, she was the one that suggested it since she knew I was not really comfortable being out in the open.”

Both men nodded their head knowingly.

“So what time is she coming?”

“She said she’ll be here soon. She texted me a while ago. She’ll be here in 10.”

“You nervous?” Nima asked. His tone worried.

“Actually, I’m not sure really. Maybe just a little. We agree not to do anything if I’m not ready. It’s a bonus that she knows me. So…”

“Yeah, we understand. Just don’t want you to rush into things that’s all.” Steve said.

“I don’t think…”

Before Christen can finished her sentences, Nima interjected.

“Yeah…since Tobin. You sure you didn’t jump into things? Maybe you need more time to think about this?”

“I’m sure. We talked about this and I think this is a good time.” Christen assured her best friend.

“Well, then I guess it’s decided. We will fully support you on this.” Steve added.

“Hi guys…..” The voice greeted from behind them.

Three pair of eyes turned toward the voice. Christen stood up to greet the newcomer.

“Hey, Lys….glad you are here already.”.

Nima and Steve waved their hand as a greeting. As soon as the tall girl sat down, Nima started his questioning.

“Are you guys sure that you want to do this? People would be wondering….”

“Nope. But we must. She already said yes.” Alyssa smirked.

Christen eyes widened at the woman beside her. “Well, I want to but YOU on the other hand don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“Oh god, Chris, I’m joking! Really…Don’t be mad. I’m here aren’t I?” The keeper side hug Christen teasingly.

Christen eyes softened. She can’t blame the keeper if she feels uncomfortable about this situation too. This is a bizarre one at that. Of course, anyone will be surprised if they realized she has chosen Alyssa. To be honest she really didn’t think anyone will ever thought about them together like this at all.

“So.. how’s you’ve been Lys? The last time I heard about you, there were some rumors that you were injured?” Steve asked.

“Yeah… just a slight sprained on the shoulder but nothing to be worried about. Just need to ice it occasionally.”

“What are you going to do when this thing come out? To the public, I mean.” Steve addressed his questions directly to the keeper.

“Well, it’s up to this girl here, actually. I mean I don’t want to say anything that will create more problem to us later. So I will let Chris decide on how we are gonna do this.”

Nima looked at the pair in front of him. Christen looked a little worried but most of all she didn’t seem to be sad anymore and that was the most important thing for him at the moment. If the keeper can help Christen get back her confidence, he will not say anything.

They continue with their conversation throughout the rest of the lunch. When the bill came in the keeper graciously took it away from the waiter.

“Guys, this is on me. I just want to thank you guys for being here with us. I told her there’s nothing to be nervous about, but you know how she is. You always looked beautiful to me.” Alyssa stated while looking pointedly at Christen.

Nima smiled at the sweet gestured. She’s glad that Alyssa seemed to understand Christen’s mood. Christen in the meantime blushed red at the keeper’s comment. When they walked towards the parking lot, Steve and Christen led the way while Nima and Alyssa followed slowly from behind.

“I’m glad that we had a chance to meet up. When Christen told me about this, we are a bit skeptical at first but seeing you guys now I guess I can be sure that you gonna take care of her?” Nima challenged the keeper.

“Yes, don’t worry. I’m gonna take good care of her.” The keeper promised.

“I…I was so wrong about Tobin before. I just felt guilty you know. I should have known that Tobin was not like who she seems. Christen has suffered enough. I don’t want her to be hurt in any form again.”

That last statement rang through Alyssa’s mind while she drove Christen’s back to her apartment. She took a peek at the forward beside her.

“Just say what you want to say, Lys.” Christen softly.

“You sure about this? Once it is out there, you can’t hide it anymore.”

“I’m sure. It has been a long time. I shouldn’t stop living my life just because I was hurt before. I need to move on. Why do you keep asking me this? Aren’t you the one that said to grab life by the horns and seize the moment? Did you change your mind now?” Christen questioned back.

“It’s just that maybe you need more time to think about it. About this. This is a really important decision. I don’t want you to regret it later.”

“No. I’m sure about this.”

Alyssa heard the determined voice in the forward’s voice but her brain kept questioning whether they were making the right decision. She keep quiet on the rest of the journey. Once they reached Christen’s driveway, the keeper no longer surprised to see the slumped figure on Christen’s porch. She was actually expecting it when Christen texted her earlier about Tobin’s message. She felt a rush of protectiveness overcome her when she saw Christen’s face as soon as she saw Tobin. Before Christen can opened her door, she held the forward’s arm softly.

“Hey, if you don’t want to see her, you don’t have to. I can tell her to leave.” Alyssa offered.

Christen just shook her head. “No, it’s okay.”

“You sure?” The keeper asked again.

“No but I have to. She’s not gonna leave until she does. You know how stubborn she can be.” Christen replied.

The keeper released a resigned sigh. Yeah, everyone know how stubborn Tobin can be.

“Okay. But make sure to text me later.” The keeper said before she leaned in to hug Christen.

“K..” Christen replied softly as she was developed in the keeper’s strong arms.

Christen took a deep breath before moving out of the car. She watched Alyssa’s car until the taillights were gone from her view before turning back to her house. Tobin now stood staring at her. Yeap. The midfielder saw everything and she doesn’t look happy.