A Chance at Life

A Surprise Trip

The time in LA seems to be so short with me and Shelby exploring it each day. With the some of money I saved and some of what Shelby had saved, we buy a car together using Kate's help to find us the best one. We both gets jobs to save up and find ourselves working at the same local café. The manager loved Shelby's strong Texan accent when we got breakfast and took a liking to our home stories so she hired us on the spot. June went by and Emily and I were expecting to start training for the first time in the morning with our new team.

It was mid July and I was sitting by the pool sunbathing when Shelby comes over and sits with me. "I'll never get over that view"
"It's very different from our Texan views"
"How are you feelin' about tomorrow?"
"Excited, nervous, wishing I had Marty here"
"We should book her a flight out here"
"Or go home before college starts?"
"You want to go back?"
"It'll probably be the last time until Marty's birthday and It's Fatin's birthday soon. We can go home for it..."
"What about training? What about work?" I sit up fully and take off my sunglasses, looking at her.
"It'll be a few days, I'll take training off and we can just take those days off from work. Come on Shelb"
"Ok alright! Alright!" she laughs and I climb on to her and hug her.
"I love youuu" she kisses my head and I get off and go back to sunbathing.

Later that night we book two return flights to Texas for the end of July. "Should we tell Marty?"
"We can make it a surprise? We'll let her parents know so they're prepared"
"I'm nervous"
"What for?"
"My family...they'll know I'm back"
"You still have that tracker on?" She just looks at me and doesn't say anything. "We should get you a new phone, with your own bill so your dad can't see anything"
"I'll go out tomorrow and get one"
"What time does Rosa get here?"
"8:00, I told her I can take Eli with me but she was adamant I enjoy my day without him"
"She reminds me of Mariana" Shelby puts her head on my shoulder and plays with our hands.
"It's it because they're both Latina women?" She laughs and intertwines our fingers.
"No because they both know what's good for you. Elliot is in great hands, Shelby. Enjoy your day, your first day alone"
"You make it sound depressin'"
"Every day with me, I'm shocked there's no-"
"Don't say it!"
"Say what"
"Whatever you're about to say, just don't"
"Alright then" I smother her with kisses and she cuddles up to me.
"We should visit the café when we're there"
"I miss the pancakes. The pancakes at The Rec are good but not as good as the recipe the García's use"
"I'll message Mila tell her we'll be over..."
"Or we could surprise everyone? Just tell Marty's parents so they can pick us up"
"It sounds like a plan" I smile and turn up the tv as we get comfy, falling asleep for the night.

The next morning I wake up at 7 to go for a early run with Emily, both Shelby and Eli were both still asleep as we left the house so it was really quiet. We start with a slow jog through the streets and pick up the pace the further we get. We arrive at the park and take a seat to stare at the early morning views.
"I forget how not training for two months can throw your body out of shape" Emily sighs as she takes a drink of her water.
"I feel better already, I don't know why I stopped"
"I surprised you've kept in your form"
"I still get my exercise" I tap my stomach and she laughs.
"I bet you do many forms of exercise"
We jog on a little more around the park and Emily sits down again at a bench.
"Come on don't be a sore loser, I'll race you home" we laugh and run back throwing ourselves through the front door to Rosa staring at us.

"¿Dónde has estado?" Rosa looks as us as she's taking her jacket off.
"Running, Rosa" she looks as me kinda shocked that I understood.
"Where is Miss Goodkind and Mr Jones?"
"They're asleep upstairs, they could be awake now though" I walk upstairs after taking off my sneakers to get a shower before college and see that Shelby's still asleep. I go into our en suite and shower before changing into some suitable clothing. I pack a bag with my sports kit, softly kiss Shelby and leave to meet Emily in the car.
"Shelby still asleep?"
"Yeah. Eli?"
"Yep. Are you ready?"
"Not one bit"

Training at a college is much different to at school, the courts are bigger and the atmosphere and the determination of the other girls are amazing. We're 2 of 3 newcomers and the rest of the team welcomed us with open arms. They'd watched a video of us all play and learned each of our skills through playing small games to learn our strengths and weaknesses. By the end of the day, we get our new kit and have our new training schedules.

We get home mid afternoon and I find Shelby on the phone with Marty. "I'm so happy for you Marty" she looks up and smiles. "Toni come here" I walk over and see Marty on the screen.
"Hey Marty B"
"Toni! Hey!"
"How are things?"
"Really good, Marco got me a promise ring!"
"Marco? A promise ring? I've been gone too long"
"But you'll be over soon right?" I look at Shelby and shake my head, shrugging my shoulders.
"I don't know Mart, I got my schedule today and it's super busy" Her face dims but she doesn't say anything other than nod.
"But we'll be over when we can, it's not like we have to come together. If Toni can't find time, I'll come over myself" Shelby cuts in and Marty's face changes again.
"It's okay if you can't come anytime soon, I understand. Fatin said she's having a huge party for her birthday, it'll be strange without you guys"
"It's a shame we can't be there"
"Yeah, I know..."
"On a positive note, how was college Toni?"
"It was amazing, you're gonna love it Shelb"
"I'm so happy for you both"
"Aww Marty, look at you though. A gorgeous girl with a ring on her finger"
"Shelby...it's a promise ring"
"A promise for a future, I think that's the most special gift"
"I agree Marty. I think Marcus is one of a kind and you're lucky to have him"
"Thanks guys. I love you both"
"We love you too, see you soon?"
"See you soon bye"

I get up and get changed into one of Shelby's hoodie and some sweats. "Pink is your color"
"Why thank you" I curtsy and she laughs. I get into bed joining her and we sit cuddling, watching a movie. We hear the doorbell ring and Eli bursts through our door a couple minutes later.
"Shelby..." He tries to catch his breath and puts his hands on his knees.
"Eli?" I look at Shelby confused and she looks at me confused.
"What's up?" He walks in to the end of our bed and sits on it to catch his breath better.
"Your...pare-"
"Shelby?!" Her mom and dad appear from round the corner. Shelby jumps off of me and we all freezes up.
"Fuck"