Madison's Journey

Part 12: Madison's POV

I finally got my clothes on and headed back downstairs.

"You sure you want to do this? It's ok if you're not feeling up to this today." Christen asks me when I make it downstairs.

I nod my head. "Alright then, let's head to the car." It only takes about ten minutes to get to the restaurant. It's a small local Mexican restaurant.

When we head inside Tobin and Christian lead me to the back

We got to a table with a couple of other people already sitting there.

"Sorry, we're late guys. We got back from the park a little later than we had originally planned." Tobin told the group.

'No, we didn't.' I thought to myself, 'We got back early, I just couldn't pick something out. Why is she lying for me?'

"It's no problem, it's not like we've been waiting long." Said Meghan Klingenburg. I followed Tobin and Christen to the open side of the table. I sat in between the two of them and someone passed me a menu.

I took it and stared blankly at it for a while pretending to turn the pages. After a few minutes, Tobin leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Hey kid, do you know what you want." I shook my head. "That's ok, you ever been out for Mexican before?" I shake my head once again.

"Alright, that's ok. How about this? Do you like beans?" I nod, "Ok, and cheese and tortillas?" I nod once again. "Perfect, I think I know something that you'll like." Eventually, the server came around with chips and our drinks and took our order.

Tobin ordered us both bean burritos leading to a weird look from Christen, "What they're good! Don't give me that look!"

She shakes her head.

"So what brings you to Portland?" Allie Long asks me. I look between the two girls sitting next to me. 'Do they want them to know? I thought they already did.'

Christen speaks up before I can form any words, "Jill asked us to look after her until camp. She's been called up."

'Just until camp? Am I going back after?' I try not to think about it too much as AD quickly continues the conversation.

"Really?" AD asks excitedly, "That's so cool. How old are you? 12? 13? Jill wouldn't go younger than that would she?"

"I-I'm f-fi-fift-teen." I manage to stutter out.

"Oh." She sounded a little disappointed, "Well then you'll have to use your shortness to get around all of the defenders. You are a forward right?"

I nod, "A-and s-somet-times-s mid-mid."

"Have you two seen her play yet? She any good?" Allie asks.

"Of course she's good Allie. Otherwise she wouldn't have been called up." Tobin defends.

"Well, sometimes I don't know what goes through Jill's head. We already have Mal on the team. I didn't even know we could go any younger, that's all." As the conversation continues I grow increasingly uncomfortable. Before things could get worse the food starts to come out.

Two identical plates get set down in front of Tobin and me. I start eating once I see Tobin take a bite. I'm a little hesitant at first, never having had anything like it before. 'Wow, this is good.' I continue eating it, trying not to go too fast.

"Is it good?" Tobin asks. I nod, having food in my mouth. "Good, I knew you would like it."

All throughout the meal Christen and Tobin have been talking to their teammates and I've been happy to stay out of their conversations. They've mainly been talking about the game they have tomorrow.

"So kid, how's it living with Preath?" Ad asks.

"Seriously don't get her started on that stupid name. Tobin tells her obviously annoyed.

I give them both a weird look, "It's Tobin and Christen's ship name." Klingenburg tells me. The confused look on my face is now turned to her. "You know the name the fans have given to their relationship."

"B-but-t but-t I th-though-t th-that th-the fans did-didn't-t kn-now about-t th-their re-re-relationsh-ship."

"Well they don't technically, but we don't exactly hide it." Explains Christen.

"Are you going to let her answer my question or what?"

"It-t's g-good. Th-they're re-really ni-nice."

"She always do that?" Allie asks Tobin and Christen.

"Do what?" Now it's Christen's turn to be confused during the conversation.

I put my head down and go back to picking at what's left of my food.

"You know. The stuttering. Is that an all the time thing or is she just nervous cause it's getting really annoying?"

"What the hell Allie! Why would you even ask that? What's wrong with you?" Tobin exploded.

"I'm just saying no one's going to want to be around her if she does that all camp. That's all."

I'm trying to hold back my tears, 'it's not like I've never heard it before. It's ok. It's going to be ok.'

"Well it's none of your business. You done Madi?" Christen asks, switching her attention to me.

I nod, still looking at my plate. "Alright, let's go." I follow her out of the restaurant and it's not until we get back to the car that I realize that Tobin's not with us.

"She's just paying the bill. She'll be out in a second" Christen reassures me.

Tobin's POV

As soon as Chris and Madi are gone I turn straight to Allie, "If you talk to her if you even look at her outside of the pitch I will personally rip you to shreds." With that I got up and went to pay the bill.

Getting back into the car I sit with a large sigh, "The nerve! I swear to God I'm going to kill-."

I get nudged in the ribs, "What?" Chris nods to the back seat. Madi is curled up in her seat with her head in her knees.

"Mads don't worry she won't bother you again. And if she does, you come tell me and I'll kick her ass, got it?" She doesn't respond. She doesn't even acknowledge that I said anything to her.

A/N: Make sure to kudos and leave me a comment on how you liked the chapter.

Also let me know if there is something you may want to see happen, I'm always looking for new ideas.