Mini Ertz///USWNT/NWSL

Overhearing

I was completely exhausted, so tired that my legs were heavy and I was in a battle with my eyelids to stay open. 

But I kept going around the party, holding Mace's hand, careful not to lose him. 

I finally was able to catch up to Tatumn, who had been, like, running away from me since I woke up and was bringing Mace around. 

I grabbed her arm and yanked her backwards into me. 

"There you are!" I said. "Tatumn, this is my boyfriend Mace. Mace, this is my teammate Tatumn." 

They exchanged awkward 'hi's and then she left to go get something to eat. 

We were looking for Julie, but we gave because every time we saw her she was in deep conversation. 

My the end of the game, Zach had 2 touchdowns and I didn't want to help clean up. 

So when a good amount of people had cleared out and I said bye to the random people, I pretended to be asleep on Mace's shoulder this time.. 

I heard the place empty a until it was down to a few of Julie's teammates that were helping clean up. 

I recognized that it was Tatumn, Mal, Ella Stevens, and Kealia Watt (JJ Watt's wife). 

"Mace it's getting late, bud. Why don't you head home. It's a school night." Julie said. "You're welcome to stay as long as you like though if you want." 

"I should probably get going. My mom probably wants me home." He said. "Should I wake her up or..." 

"Just lay her down on a pillow or something. She's a heavy sleeper." 

"Alright." 

He gently moved me so I was laying on a pillow instead, and he kissed my forehead before saying bye to the girls and leaving. 

"He's such a sweet kid." Mal said. "He's good for her." 

"He really is." Julie said. 

"He looks like he could be your little brother, Tatumn." Ella said. "He's a cute kid." 

Tatumn was quiet. 

"Julie how's she doing?" Kealia asked. 

"She's such a good kid. She just has an issue with keeping her emotions straight sometimes. She still gets into fights a little bit, but nothing bad. Just little verbal fights or whatever. It's anger I think. But she never let it get to her on the field, so why is it so hard for her in school?" 

"I feel for her. There's no way the thing with her parents doesn't affect her even a little bit." Mal said. "I mean, it has to." 

"It definitely does. She's not fooling anyone." Sighed Julie. "But is it best to let her keep thinking she is or just tell her?" 

"One of her fights surrounded her parents, didn't it?" Asked Ella. 

"Two or three of 'em." 

"That's horrible." Tatumn said. "Kids are so brutal." 

"I don't get it really." Said Mal. 

"I just hope this acting out thing doesn't mean she's unhappy." Julie said. "I really hope." 

"Julie, I can tell you this much. She loves being here with you. She loves you and appriciates you so much. You saved her from having two more shit years with her shitty parents. And she told me how much she loves it here. So you've got nothing to worry about. Don't change a thing." Tatumn said. 

"Thanks, Tate. But something's gotta change if she keeps getting into fights like this." 

"That's something that's gotta change with her, not you." Said Kealia. 

"She's been through a lot. Give her time." Tatumn said. 

"But I've given her so much already." Sighed Julie. 

"Maybe just talk to her." Suggested Ella. 

"I've tried." 

"Have Tatumn talk to her. Or I could." Mal said. I heard someone pull the trash bag out from the trashcan and leave. 

"She'll be okay. Poor Julie has no idea what to do." Kealia sighed. "None of us do really." 

"This is just kind of....throwing ideas onto the table that we have no idea how well they work." Ella said. 

"I don't blame her for not knowing." 

"Me neither." 

"Look at the her." Tatumn said. "Easy to forget she's so young. She fit in with us so well.." 

"Maybe that's the problem. Maybe she needs soccer again." Mal said. 

"That could be it." Ella said. 

The door opened, and who I assumed was Julie walked in. 

"It's getting late. You all can get going if you want." She said. 

"Is this you kicking us out?" Asked Mal. 

"Nope. Not at all. Stay as long as you'd like and help me clean up." 

They all laughed. 

"Want me to get her to move upstairs?" Tatumn asked. 

"If you wouldn't mind." 

"Not at all." 

"Great." 

I was sad because I was intrigued by the adults talking, but I was also dead tired and had school in the morning. 

"Britt. Britney. Britt." Tatumn tapped me lightly, and I stretched 'awake.' "You wanna go upstairs?" 

I nodded and she walked with me upstairs. 

"Clearly you had a fun night." She laughed. 

"That was last night." I said. 

I realized I still hadn't watched the videos, and who knew what was circling school at this point. 

"Tonight was kind of chaotic." I told her. 

"I get it." 

"I don't like that. It reminds me of when my parents would have tons of people over and those nights were worse than any others." 

She nodded sadly, and I followed her into my room. 

She closed my curtains and turned off my light for me as I just flopped down on my bed, a blanket from downstairs still around me. 

"Thanks Tatumn." I said. 

"No problem, kiddo." She said. "I'll see you tomorrow morning for school?" 

"I don't really wanna go." I said. 

"Did you talk to Julie about that?" 

"No. But I am going to text her right now." 

"Okay." 

"Hopefully she lets you know." 

I texted her and then put down my phone. 

"Get some rest, okay? You need it." Tatumn came over to me and sat on the edge of my bed. 

"I will." 

"Love you, kiddo." 

"Love you too, adult-o." 

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JULIE'S BACK!! She played so awesome for her first game back. I'm so proud of her. But everyone send your best wishes to Mal. We don't know the extent of her injuries but we know she'll have to take some time off, just before the World Cup. Anyway, I hop you enjoyed this chapter :)