Holiday Prep At The Preaths'

Truths and Consequences

After AT has served her cornertime, she is confronted with the rest of the consequences of her actions- some immediate, others further-reaching. Breaking a safety rule, even with the holidays fast approaching, is never going to be ignored by the team. 

This chapter includes AT, who is a (Very) young adult being helped in the bath as though she were a young child or injured, because she broke her teammates' trust and can't be treated like an adult. It also includes what is for a player of her age a red-card level spanking, though her relative youth and inexperience probably make it worse on her than it would be for some of her older teammates. 

None of this is intended as anything other than platonic, found family caring for and sternly discipling their team youngest. 

"Come here, Alyssa Paola Thompson." 

Forget butterflies, AT was sure her stomach had vanished. She slowly turned from the corner, to regard her captain warily. Beside Brunn, Alex Morgan still stood, arms folded. The look on her face was one AT recognized- mingled displeasure and fading panic. 

Oh. She was worried for me. AT slowly forced herself to move toward Alex. Of course she was. I was scared, too. 

When she reached Alex, the older forward led her toward the bed, and had her sit down. "You start Thanksgiving break soon." It wasn't a question.

AT squirmed. "Next Tuesday. Though I've been attending school virtually because..." She gestured vaguely, taking in the room. "So they might just let me stay home until after." 

"We'll just have to see about that." Alex studied AT intently. "Do your parents know where you were tonight?"

"In New Jersey." AT offered tentatively. It wasn't meant as Sass, and Alex didn't take it that way. 

"I see." 

Becky pulled out her phone, and AT turned nervously as she saw the motion out of the corner of her eye. "Are you calling them, Brunn?" 

"They have a right to know where their daughter's been tonight." 

"Brunn!" 

"That's enough, Alyssa." Alex said quietly. "Did you actually get to eat anything tonight?"

AT shook ger head. 

"Then we'll handle that first. Let's leave Brunn alone to make her phone call, you and I will get a bite to eat and I expect you to behave for me." 

"Okay." AT said meekly. 

"What was that?" Alex asked mildly, eyebrows raised.

"Yeah- yes Ma'am." AT tried, and was rewarded with a nod.

The two of them returned to the hotel restaurant, selecting a quiet table away from the noise of the party. Alex had eaten already, so she settled for a cup of tea. When the server asked what AT would like, Alex ordered for her off the kids' menu. A vegan cheeseburger, with a glass of orange juice and a side of apple slices.

"I hate apples." AT grumbled when the server had left.

"You're not allergic, I know that much." 

"I want fries, though." 

"Too bad, Sunshine." 

When AT's food came, she tucked in as though she was starving- which, Alex knew, she probably was. She hadn't eaten since before the match, anyway, and even though she hadn't played in it, she'd probably been at the least emotionally exhausted by the not-date afterward that had gone fifty shades of wrong. That was a lot for a teenager to go through, even one who fancied herself grown up.