Rachel Daly - Dashed Hopes

Dashed Hopes - Part One

As you stared down at your phone ringing you debated whether to answer it or not. It was your best friend, Libby, you loved her but she always had some sort of drama going on and you weren't sure if you wanted to deal with it today. You'd arrived home from America last week and was reacquainting with your old town. Watching as the name disappeared from the screen you were able to breathe again but the relief didn't last long when it lit up once more two seconds later. You knew she wouldn't stop ringing until you answered so reluctantly succumbed to the drama.

"You'll never believe who I just saw!" she screamed down the phone. This could range from a school friend you hadn't seen in 20 years or Beyoncé. No 'hello' or 'how are you', just straight into the gossip as usual. "Becky!" she shrieked making you move your phone away from your delicate ears. Becky used to be a friend of yours until she stole Libby's boyfriend 5 years ago. You always liked the girl but you can't carry on being friends with someone your bestie hates. It's girl code. "How was she-" you started to ask but got cut off. "No! The news isn't that I saw Becky" this made you frustrated, just get to the point woman! "But you just said guess who I see, Becky" the overly sarcastic tone rolling off your tongue with ease. "No, (y/n) shut up and let me finish the story!" Rolling your eyes, you knew she had drama and should have stuck to your guns with not answering the phone, you just wanted a peaceful afternoon to enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of your home town. But no. In comes Hurricane Olivia. "Stay where you are I'll come meet you" she said hurriedly before hanging up abruptly leaving you no time to object.

The coffee shop bell dinged as the tornado of a woman found you in the corner. Asking how she knew where you were she explained she'd put your phone on her find me app ages ago. You were shocked but certainly not surprised - ever since you lost each other at a party last year she'd been highly protective of you. The woman couldn't fight her way out of a paper bag but she means well.

"So! I saw Becky!" stumbling into the chair opposite you and dumping her bag on the table making it rock. "Yeah you've already told me this, why'd you have to come over here-" you were unable to finish your sentence as she cut you off. "No! I saw Becky.." she paused for dramatic effect "with Rachel!" your eyebrows raised in a fashion that showed you were not amused with her mediocre statement. "Well that's not news, they're on the same team"  you tried to reason with her but once again you were interrupted. "No listen to me, they were holding hands!"

"(Y/n)!" Fingers snapping in your face broke you out of the wide eyed trance staring into your coffee cup. What the fuck. Becky and Rachel? Nooo. This can't be happening. You asked her if she was sure that's what she witnessed but Libby was adamant that it was true - they looked incredibly coupley. God, that girl really knows how to move in on other people's partners! Granted, you and Rachel have been over for a little while now but you didn't expect this. You're still not over her and she's out there with a whole new girlfriend! It's not even been a month! Should have known really, she always moved quickly - historically falling in and out of love fast but you just didn't realise you were that easy to get over. You thought Rachel was the love of your life and now someone you used to call friend has swooped in on her when your side of the bed was barely cold. You tried hard to not let it get to you but your face said everything - you were hurt, sad and in need of a tub of ice cream. The fact she's moved on so quickly made you feel like it was the day of the breakup all over again.

It was unexpected and just like any other day, you'd gone to sleep fiancées and woke up to a letter and her ring on the bedside table. Wardrobes and drawers empty. No pitter patters of Lexi's paws on the kitchen floor. Half finished TV series that you watched together left on Netflix. She'd left your home, she'd left the team and she'd left the country overnight. This showed you her leaving was planned - she had gone to bed with you for weeks knowing she was eventually going to leave as soon as the transfer went through.

Sitting quietly in the corner of the coffee shop tears started to well in your eyes, you'd worked hard to get over her and you thought you had but all the emotions had come flooding back. Scrolling through all the unanswered messages and the photos of her on your phone your heart was breaking all over again. What's worse is you'd just been called up for the World Cup that morning and would have to face Rachel at camp. For months. This couldn't be worse timing. When you got the call up you were excited and felt empowered like you'd be able to be amicable colleagues for a while but all hopes of that had been dashed.