Let me in

"Please don't do this! I'll give you whatever she owes you! Pleas-umph." Ella was cut off with a blow to the stomach, she caved in on herself trying to catch her breath when another blow came, then the rough wood of the baseball bat struck her head and everything went black.

Erin woke abruptly to a scream coming from down the hall. She rose from her bed as fast as she could running out her door and straight to Ella's room. When she opened the door she found the forward sitting up holding her knees to her chest. She was breathing heavily and tears were falling down her cheeks.

"Ella baby what happened?" Erin cooed, as she wrapped the shaking forward in her arms.

"I.. I... I thought they had stopped... When i stayed with you I didn't... They're back..."

"What's back Ella?"

"The nightmares...

Erin sighed, Ella had told her about the nightmares and what usually occurs in them, but she hadn't seen them in a while.

Erin ran her hands in soft circles on the forwards back as her breathing settled. "I'm here Ella, it's gonna be okay."

“Can you stay?” Ella asked softly.

“Of course, I’m not going anywhere.”

Erin pulled the blanket back and got the two of them situated under the covers. Ella ended up laying almost completely on top of the keeper, with her face buried into Erin’s neck. She felt so safe wrapped up in the keeper’s protective arms.

Erin started to sing just above a whisper as the forwards breathing evened out, sleep eventually taking her once again.

The next morning Erin’s mom walked into Ella’s room when she noticed that the keeper’s bed was empty. She found both girls sound asleep, Ella was clinging to the keeper as if her life depended on it, and Sharrell could tell she had been crying during the night. A sad smile came across her face, as much as she didn’t want the couple to be sharing a bed, she could tell that the forward needed her daughter.

-At least they both have clothes on- Sharrell thought to herself as she walked out of the bedroom.

-----------

Ella had been tense all day and Erin could tell that something was wrong. During human performance the keeper decided to speak up.

“Hey is something wrong Ella? You have been really quiet today.”

“Um it’s nothing really I’m fine.”

“It’s not nothing, you know why I know, because you said um. You only stutter when something is not okay. Tell me, please.”

“I… I want to hold your hand in public....” Ella said just above a whisper. “but… I’m scared of what people will say.”

Erin knew that this was a hard topic for the forward as she was still coming to terms with her sexuality. “Babe I know that you are worried about people judging you for being with me, and it’s going to be tough in the beginning to get used to. People are going to stare, they are going to talk about us, but just know that I’m gonna be there every step of the way okay? If you want to hold my hand in the hallway then I will proudly do that, but if you aren’t comfortable with that yet then that is okay too alright?”

Ella smiled shyly up at the keeper and reached out for her hand. “Thank you.”

“As much as I’d love to stand here holding your hand, I need you to spot me.” The keeper said with a wink.”

“Alright alright.”

After they got changed, Ella took a deep breath, reaching down and taking Erin’s hand in her own as they walked out into the hallway. Erin smiled down at their intertwined hands and placed a quick kiss on the forwards cheek as they walked together through the crowds of students. There were a few glances, but most people were too preoccupied to even notice, something that eased Ella’s mind.

They couple walked into art, a few heads turned as the two girls walked hand in hand to their seats. When Kealia an Meghan noticed, the two practically jumped out of their skin at the public affection that Erin and Ella were showing.

“Oh my god, you girls are so cute, I can’t handle it.”

“I know we’re adorable we can’t help but pull attention sorry.” Erin said with a wink

Through the entire class Kealia never stopped making comments about Erin and Ella, giving both of them little nudges when they would stare at eachother.

“Erin I think you’re drooling.” Meghan smirked.

“Well I mean can you blame me, my girlfriend is beautiful.”

This got a blush out of the forward, who reached across her desk to hold Erin’s hand.

When the final bell rang Ella was standing by Erin’s locker waiting for the keeper to get her things so they could drive home. When she shut the door Ella caught her off guard and leant in for a kiss. Ella brushed her lips lightly against the keeper who was pressed against the locker. The forward pulled away to soon for Erin’s liking so she pulled her back in by the waist to give her one last kiss when Ella heard some kids whispering a few lockers down. She looked over at the group of boys who were all staring at the couple.

Ella was about to walk away when Erin spoke up. “Is there a problem?” The keeper shot daggers at the boys who just scoffed, turning away.”

“Come on babe let’s go home.” Erin said, putting her arm around the forward.

When they pulled up to Erin’s house, the keeper saw a car she didn’t recognize in the driveway.

“Who’s car is that?” Ella asked.

“I don’t know.”

The two girls walked hand in hand up to the door, the door opened before they got to it, and Erin dropped both her bag and the forwards hand when she saw who had opened the door.”

“Erin.”

The keeper stood speechless for a moment, Ella reached out taking her hand again and giving it a squeeze, unsure of what was happening.

“Dad...:”

“What are you doing here?” Erin asked coldly.

“I came to talk to you, to apologize.”

“It’s a little late for that don’t you think.”

“Erin please…”

“There is nothing you could say to make me forgive you! You left us! You didn’t just leave me, you left me and Cara and Megan! Do you even care that you left your entire family behind just because you couldn’t get over the fact that your own daughter is gay!” Erin was crying hard and Ella didn’t know what to do.

She hooked her arm around Erin pulling her close, and Erin looked down at her with tear filled eyes.

She looked back up at her father, “How did you even get in here?”

“Your mom let me in, she upstairs.”

“Get out.”

“Erin-”

“Get out! I don’t want to hear what you have to say! If you think you can just walk back into my life after all this time then you’re wrong.”

Her father opened the door, turning back to Ella and the keeper before walking out. “I’m so sorry.” He looked over to Ella with a sad smile before leaving.

Ella picked up both of their bags and put her hand on the keepers back, leading her upstairs. Ella held Erin for over an hour on the keepers bed, letting her get all of the tears out.

When it slowed down, Ella wiped the tears from Erin’s eyes, lifting her chin so she would look at her.

“You’re beautiful Erin.” Ella smiled as she gazed into her girlfriend’s dark brown eyes.

Erin let out a small smile. “You’re the beautiful one babe.” She whispered before capturing the forwards lips in a passionate kiss.

It became heated quickly, as Erin reached her hands under the forwards shirt, running her hand up Ella’s hard stomach. After a moment she hesitantly tugged the top over her head, disregarding it. Ella curled in on herself, a bit self conscious in the intimate space.

Erin could sense her nervousness so she pulled back, lifting Ella’s chin. “Hey,” She said, placing a kiss to the forwards temple. “you are so beautiful Ella.” Erin was about to lean back in when there was a knock on her door. The keeper quickly threw the blanket over top of them and curled into Ella as her mom opened the door.

“Dinner is on the table girls.”

“We’ll be down in a minute.” Erin said quickly.

“Okay, and just so you know, shirts are not optional at the dinner table, so Ella if you could put that back on please.” Sharrell said pointing to the ground where Erin had thrown her shirt.

Ella blushed deeply, burying her face in Erin’s neck.

“And you wonder why you aren’t allowed to share a room.”

“Nothing was gonna happen mom.” Erin said rolling her eyes.

“That’s what they all say.”