Unknown Beginning

Part 12

Eventually Coach V found Riley in the gym and waited until Riley slowed the treadmill to a walk before she told Riley to come to her office. Once they arrived in the office Coach V said "Please sit, Riley." Riley sat, jiggling both legs while sitting on her hands as Coach V continued, "I don't think I need to explain why your actions were unacceptable today?"

"No Ma'am," Riley replied.

"I can't have fighting on this team. I know James instigated. I also recognize that I should have called her on her behavior during the scrimmage before you retaliated. I have spoken to her already. I would like for there to be consequences but you are both first line and I don't want to punish the team by benching you two. Instead, you will both be responsible for first-year and equipment manager tasks after practice tomorrow and for our two away games. In addition, Coach Hawk and I agree that you and James will share a room Friday night while we are on the road. It is in both of your best interest to use that time to sort out your issues because another outburst like today from either of you will not be tolerated. Am I understood?"

"Yes Ma'am" Riley replied sullenly.

"Good. You are free to go." Coach V said, indicating the door. Riley was pissed. It was bad enough to do the first-year grunt work and the equipment manager's job but to actually share a room with James? Riley couldn't even fathom it. Wishing she could just skip the next three days, Riley gathered her stuff and headed to her dorm.

Riley hadn't been up for talking much that night or Thursday and Kenny had let her be. Riley assumed she couldn't avoid talking about it forever though as she and Kenny sat next to each other at the front of the bus Friday afternoon. Yet Kenny was busy texting as soon as she took her seat next to Riley. Hoping to steer the conversation away from the recent events, Riley asked "Who have you been texting so much? Greg?"

"Huh?" Kenny asked, caught off guard. "Greg?" No no turns out he met some girl at the party so he's been hanging out with her lately."

Kenny didn't provide any further details so Riley tried again, "That sucks, I'm sorry. So is this someone new?"

"Oh um" Kenny seemed nervous for some reason. "No, just a friend from one of my classes."

"Ok..." Riley replied uncertainly. She wasn't sure why Kenny was being so secretive but didn't want to pry so she let it drop.

Kenny tucked her phone under her leg as she asked "Are you ready for tonight?"

"If you mean, am I ready to avoid James and pretend we aren't in a room together, then yes. Yes I am."

Kenny laughed, "Maybe it won't be that bad?"

"Yeah and maybe I'll grow five inches tonight." Riley replied sarcastically. Noticing that Kenny was trying to subtly check her phone now Riely said "Go ahead and text your secret friend. I'm gonna listen to music and close my eyes anyways" as she put her headphones on.

"You sure?" Kenny asked apologetically.

"Positive" Riley replied, turning her head to face out the window.

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After the game had ended in a loss, Coach V reminded Riley and James they had to shower last and help take care of equipment and laundry. Kenny had faithfully waited with Riley until Coach V stuck her head in the locker room to say "Kelsey Kennedy! On the bus. Let's go!" which left Riley and James alone. Neither girl spoke as they gathered the remaining bags. James left the locker room first, not looking at Riley as she let the door close behind her just as Riley approached it.

When Riley finally plopped into the window seat Kenny had saved for her, she was beyond annoyed. She was determined to stay in Kenny's room as late as possible and avoid James when they got to the hotel. Riley didn't even bring her bags to her room when they first checked in and instead followed Kenny to her room. Kenny's roommate tonight was Shannon, the other third line defender. Shannon was a sophomore too and apparently either very nice or just intimidated by Riley because she didn't seem to mind Riley being in their room. Riley stayed until she was practically dragged out and escorted to her own room at the 9:30pm bed check by Coach V.

Walking past James, who was sitting on the bed closest to the bathroom and door with her back propped against the headboard, Riley dropped her bags onto the farther bed. Before Riley could even unzip a bag, she heard James get off her bed and close the bathroom door behind her. Assuming James was using the bathroom, brushing her teeth, and getting ready for bed, Riley began to unpack her stuff. When ten minutes had passed and James still hadn't vacated the bathroom, Riley decided she would change into her pajamas. She changed into her pajama bottoms first before absentmindedly pulled off her sweatshirt as she ran through the combative things she would say to James if prompted. These distracted thoughts meant Riley didn't hear the bathroom door open as she slid her t-shirt over her head. Couldn't see James, who was standing outside the bathroom now. Didn't see James' eyes follow Riley's hands as they reached to unclasp her bra. Couldn't have known James eyes were running the length of Riley's back. Taking in the side of her breasts that were just barely visible when Riley's arms moved from her sides. How Riley's pale skin showed both her spine and muscles quite clearly. James couldn't look away even if she had wanted to.

It wasn't until Riley had thrown her pajama top over her head that James hurriedly stepped out of sight, back into the bathroom. When Riley turned a moment later, she saw James leave the bathroom and say "All yours" before climbing into bed without looking at Riley. By the time Riley was done, James was laying in bed on her phone, facing the wall, away from Riley's bed. Unsure of what to do, Riley climbed into her own bed, muttered "Night" and turned off the light.