Invisible String

28

Natalie's POV

"I'm sorry Al, but you did your best." I say.

"Yet it still wasn't enough." Alex says and I sigh. "We lost to Sweden in penalties. We failed. I failed."

"You didn't fail Al."

"Well I didn't bring back a gold medal." Alex says and I smile sadly.

"You're home right?" I ask.

"Yes, why?" Alex asks her eyebrows furrowed.

"I canceled all my plans in case you would call so I drove over, I'm outside your house." I say with a soft smile. "Do you want to come outside?"

"I'll be out in a minute." Alex says and I nod.

"I'll be waiting."

To say that nothing has happened in the past few months would be a HUGE understatement.

What hasn't happened.

I rest my forehead on the steering wheel as I try to not think about what's been going on. A sudden knock on my car window makes me sit up. I turn to see Alex in her Cal hoodie and some green sweats. I lower the window down a small smile on my face.

"Get in the car." I say softly.

Alex opens the passenger door as she gets in the car. Silence fills the car if that can even happen. That can happen right? Yeah.

"How are you doing?" Alex asks her hand on top of my thigh. "With everything going on."

"I'm holding up okay." I say and she nods.

"It's brutal what they've been doing." Alex says and I shrug.

"We know what went down and if that's what she wants then so be it. But I know that video Kim posted isn't true. My sister never agreed to that." I say as I tense at the subject.

"Tell me, what's going on in that pretty little head." Alex says as she softly taps my head.

"I don't mind being dragged through the mud if it means my sister has a sense of safe space and it's brutal how they drag people. How can I compete or save myself when it's fucking Kim Kardashian and I'm fucking Natalie Swift who's barely even known. You can't you just can't." I say.

"Breathe. You've done so much for her and I'm sure she appreciates it a lot probably more than you will ever realize."

"Taylor says it's not my fight but I'd take a bullet for her. She's my safe space and always will be. My sister has been through hell and I know it, god all the things she had and has to face. Sometimes I read what people say and they think that the Swift family only took me in because of the color of my skin, that they felt pity for me."

"They love you and absolutely adore you." Alex says as she cups my face. "What else is bothering you?"

"I still don't have the girl." I say with a shrug.

Alex clears her throat as she strokes her thumbs on my cheeks. I look at her blue eyes and yeah I've fallen for those eyes.

"This isn't really exactly how I wanted it to go but would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?" Alex asks and my jaw drops.

"Let me check my schedule." I say clearing my throat as I pull my phone out. "Yeah my schedule says I'm single so yes I'd love to be your girlfriend."

Alex smiles as we both lean in for a kiss, a soft and passionate kiss. One I have been waiting for so long. Her soft lips against mine, the way she smells was now engraved in my mind well nose.

We pulled apart as we both gasped for air. Her bright blue eyes looked straight into my brown eyes. Her smile as always so infectious. How could I not smile.

"I'm glad Lizzie was okay with us talking." Alex says and I chuckle.

"Trust me the public thought we were dating because we had to make everyone believe that but behind closed doors we were just friends." I say.

"If the world wasn't already going nuts because you and Lizzie broke up I can't imagine what would happen if we were out." Alex says and I chuckle.

"I doubt anything would happen, but it's nice to know you have dreams Al." I say and she chuckles.

"I don't know but I think people would go nuts." Alex says and I shake my head.

"You're forgetting that you're famous and I'm not." I say.

"Well excuse me miss 937 thousand followers I'd say that's famous. You're also all over the news and number one on the charts. You're famous whether you believe it or not. I'd say it's safe to say people would go nuts." Alex says and I laugh.

"I suppose." I say. "Do you want to go on a drive? Maybe some ice cream or donuts? I know donuts are your weaknesses."

"You know me so well." Alex says and I shrug.

"Well I am your girlfriend." I say with a wink.

I turn on the car as I drive to a nearby donut shop. I did my research before coming to Florida. You can't blame me.

After a ten minute drive we arrived at the donut shop.

"Let me get the door for you." I say as I quickly unbuckle myself and run to the other side to open the door for Alex. "My lady."

"Such a charmer." Alex says and I smile.

"I get that a lot." I say and I freeze.

"Oh do you?" Alex asks and I smile nervously.

"Well yeah by Taylor's friends oh and Lizzie. I can be a gentlewoman." I say with a nod.

"You're cute." Alex says and I feel myself blush.

"Says THE miss Alex Morgan." I say.

"Oh stop it."

"Am I wrong? No." I say. "Come on."

We walk inside as we grab some donuts and walk back to the car.

"Count this as a date will you?" I say and Alex smiles.

"It's a date in my book." Alex says and I grin.

I take a bite of my donut and I raise my eyebrows.

"Dang these are damn good." I mumble.

"Look at the camera and say donuts." Alex says and I laugh.

"Why can't I just smile?"

"I mean you can but say donuts." Alex says and I shrug.

"Fine." I say and smile. "Donuts!"

Alex smiles as she takes a picture.

"See you're cute." Alex says showing me the picture.

"I look hideous." I say scrunching my nose. "Now hold up. Your turn and say avocados."

"Why avocados?"

"No reason. I just like avocados, I thought we were saying things the other person likes." I say.

"Goof. Avocados!" Alex says as she smiles holding up her donut.

I take the picture and I swoon.

"Feel a little better?" I ask.

"I feel way better. Thank you."

"That's what girlfriends are for. To make the other feel better when the other doesn't feel so good. That's what I'll always do."

"As will I." Alex says and I smile.

Yep swooning.