PLAYER ✩ Hailee Steinfeld (G!P)

2

{CHAPTER TWO — SELENOPHILE}

THE MOON GLIMMERED ABOVE HAILEE AS SHE SPENT HER SATURDAY FREE NIGHT OUTSIDE, ADMIRING THE STARS AND THE MOON. She felt calm in this scenery, at peace with the sounds of hummingbirds and crickets in the distance. No matter what happened, she could just come here and find relaxation so easily. The moon seemed to be something that described true beauty even when it had a whole other dark side to it.

She could feel the cool breeze of Los Angeles, the soft grass bed underneath her. She could hear the trees swaying in the distance: the leaves rustling about while birds sang peacefully every once in a while, distant car horns and chatter echoed from miles outside the city.

"You seem so at peace." Ariel's voice started the player who jumped up off her back, sitting up with a slightly startled look on her face. "Don't let me disturb you." She chuckled and raised her hands up in defense to calm the slightly older girl down.

"N-No, it's okay. You can join me... if you'd like." Hailee slowly muttered, looking Ariel in the eyes. Ariel smiled lightly as she took a seat beside Hailee, who's eyes never left her figure. Ariel inhaled the fresh air — it was clean — unlike the carbonated air that flowed around the city, especially the downtown and rundown parts of bad neighborhoods.

"Do you come here to clear your mind or just because?" Hailee laid her back against the ground, keeping her hoodie elevated underneath her. She squinted her eyes slightly at Ariel's question, trying to think of her answer.

"Mostly just because, but coming here also helps clear my head before and after games. Especially if we lose one." Hailee shrugged, the brunette beside her listening intently. "I just really love the moon — which happens to be full tonight... so beautiful... and I love the stars."

Ariel let out a small breath of contentment. "So you're a selenophile?" She asked. Hailee tilted her head in confusion at that unknown word. Ariel chuckled softly at that — sitting up, she looked at the taller girl. "It's a person who loves the moon."

"Ahhh." Hailee nodded in understanding, small smile slowly growing on her face. "Then yes, that would be me." She chuckled while Ariel smiled at her. "Do you wanna talk about what happened last night?" Hailee hesitantly asked, fiddling with the rings on her fingers. She wasn't sure if she should've asked that question — considering it was a slightly touchy subject — she didn't know what Ariel's relationship with Niall was but she was invested: she had questions and now she was almost regretful of asking them when a pause of deafening silence took over them.

"All I'll say is you saved me for a moment, okay?" Ariel broke it with a slight shaky tone, it didn't go unnoticed to Hailee. The brunette turned towards the player, a serious look on her face. "You can't tell anyone about anything that happened that night. Niall would... kill you. And then kill me next."

Hailee sighed, she didn't want to be holding this kind of big secret to herself but for Ariel's sake, she would. "Okay." The player reluctantly nodded with a gentle tone in her voice that made Ariel's heart melt in ways she never thought possible. "You seem cool."

"Is this your way of asking to hang out more?" Ariel laughed softly at the small embarrassing blush that was spotted on Hailee's cheeks, even in the dark she could see it.

"Maybe." Hailee mumbled which had her and her new friend laughing. "Would you want to hang out? I know a good arcade just down the block from here, it's cheap too." She suggested with a slight nervous look in her eyes.

Ariel thought about it. "Sure. When were you thinking?" She asked and Hailee quietly sighed in relief.

"Tomorrow, maybe?" Ariel nodded her head in confirmation at Hailee's question. The older girl smiled down at the shorter girl who teasingly smirked up at her.

"Pick me up at 8 and we'll get some food after too." Ariel soon stood from the ground, dusting her hands and butt off, making sure no dirt hung around her. "See you there, Steinfeld." She winked with a genuine smile before wandering off into the distance, Hailee watched her get safely into her car and drive off. When the brunette knew Ariel was safe away, Hailee sat up and stared up at the starry sky, her eyes tracing the shape of the moon over and over again.

"Time to move on." Hailee muttered to herself as she pulled her phone out of pocket. Scrolling through her contacts, she finally blocked the person she's been waiting to block since they broke up. She could finally breath easy and relax now that she knew she couldn't bother her anymore. Hailee laid back down on her back, her hands intertwining together to hold her head up. For once, Hailee's eyes didn't stare at the moon, instead — they wandered down at the city and the shadow that casted over it. Her mind was rid of her own demons (for now) and her body felt at ease for once.

Hailee felt free. She made a new friend who was worth living for.