Grumpy boo

Kelley gave a soft smile before she wandered back into the kitchen.

“You want some? I think Hope and I bought enough for the whole team.” Kelley replied while she gestured toward the counter scattered with the takeout boxes.

“Sure, thanks a lot. I didn’t realised I’m quite hungry actually.”

“You're welcome. Just make sure you get the shrimp fried rice before Tobin here finish it.” The defender said jokingly.

“So..when did you guys arrived here? Where’s Hope?” Allie started.

“Just a few minutes before you, I guess. We bought some groceries and lunch first though. Hope went out for a meeting with her sponsors. I thought I just wait here till the meeting’s over and I hope I didn’t interrupted you guys.” Kelley said nonchalantly while putting the groceries away.

Allie just nodded her head eagerly at the information. Internally, she was feeling relief. Kelley’s here. Hope’s too. Maybe Tobin will listen to them. After choosing one of the fried rice, she took a seat beside Tobin who kept quiet on her stool.

“We really appreciate the help, Kell. Right, Harry?” Allie nudged Tobin’s side with her elbow.

Tobin remained silent while she continued to play with her food. Kelley stared at the slumped figure in front of her before she whispered softly at Allie.

“Can you give us a minute?”

Allie nodded before moving herself to the living room. Even though her eyes fixed on the TV, her ears however focused on the conversation in the kitchen.

“Why didn’t you tell me about what happened?” Kelley asked.

Tobin just shrugged her shoulder.

“Tobin…this is where I need you to talk to me. So..let me ask again..why?”

“I didn’t think you’ll care.” Tobin mumbled out.

“How can you say that? I thought we are friends! Of course, I want to know what happened to you!”

“…..”

“Tobin….”

“I don’t want you to tell Christen, all right! I know how she always went to you since what happened between us. I don’t want you to have to lie to her. She will hate you for it.” Tobin finally confessed.

Kelley let out a small sigh. “Tobin, you can’t dictate what other people’s feeling like this. Let them decide for themselves how they want to feel, okay?” Kelley reprimanded the midfielder.

Tobin pushed her plate away from her and looked at her hand in guilt.

“And is that what you really think of us? That whatever happened to you we just don’t care? Do you think so little of me?” Kelley asked back, her voice now tinge with sadness.

“No…no..no..of course not. I know you are not like that. I just thought that since you are with Hope now. You guys are so busy with your life..I…I don’t know. Maybe I deserved this.” Tobin looked down onto her plate shamefully.

“Tobin, nobody deserved this. Especially you. You don’t need to punish yourself like this. I know that you are not eating and you are not following the doctor’s orders. You can’t ignore your health like this. I’m not gonna allowed it.” Kelley stated determinedly.

Tobin looked up at Kelley in surprised. “But…why?”

“I have been thinking about this..about what happened between Christen and you..I think you guys should start by being friend again. We are in National team together. We still need to get that World Cup and Olympic Gold. We can’t do that if you guys are not at least acting as friends.”

“I tried. But every time there was a slight chance that it is happening, something else happened to stop it. Well, look at me now. I don’t want her to be my friend just because she pities me.” Tobin let out unhappily.

“Too bad then. Even though I’m your friend I’ll still pity you and I’m sure she will too. You are a mess! Not only you are disrespecting yourself, you are also disrespecting us, your teammates! Also, you are being downright selfish. Allie and Baiti took the time away from their personal life to take care of you and how did you repay them? By not taking care of yourself! This stop today! Now finish your lunch. Then I suggest for you to go shower. You smelled!” Kelley response in a serious tone.

Tobin watched Kelley walked into the living room. After making a small talk with Allie, Kelley went outside citing that she need to make a call. Tobin just remained staring at the defender with her jaw wide opened. She was interrupted from her staring however, when Allie nudged her at the side again.

“Stop staring at the door. She asked me to make sure you follow her orders.”

“What..just… happened?” Tobin exclaimed in a whisper to herself.

“You tell me. I just went out for an hour and I come back to you sitting here. Which what I have been asking you to do for the past weeks!”

“She and Hope, they just walked in and asked me to help bring in the groceries. Hope threatened to throw me outside if I didn’t move.” Tobin explained.

She shuddered in fear when she remembers the glare she received from the keeper. No one dare to mess with Hope, that’s a given.

“Oh..is that what it takes to make you move your stubborn ass?” Allie replied in fake surprised tone. She was doing the same thing but to her disappointment, it doesn’t seem to affect the midfielder as much as the keeper does.

Tobin looked down sheepishly. “I’m sorry for being testy with you. I’m just frustrated. I know I’m a mess and it’s been hard for you.”

Allie chuckled and side hugged her best friend. “You are forgiven. Now, I think you better listen to what she said. She didn’t seem to be in a good mood and I don’t want to see what happen if she told her girlfriend on you.” Allie warned.

Tobin grunted unhappily but Allie noticed the midfielder pulled back her plate to finish her lunch. She didn’t hide the small smile forming on her face. Maybe they can do this without Christen.