Madison's Journey

Part 25: Tobin's POV

A/N: Just so that everyone is aware I did add a chapter 18.5 to this story. It was something that I had originally meant to write and add in order, but forgot. It does not change anything about the story, and honestly you don't have to read it if you don't want to, but it's there if it interests you.

The game was going well and Madi was relaxing into me and seemed to be enjoying herself and gelling well with the team. I tensed a little when Long turned to pose her question to Madi.

"Madison, truth or dare?" She goes with truth so I let out a little sigh of relief knowing this couldn't end that badly, or so I thought.

"Is it true that you're a foster kid and that you've been to juvie?" I feel Madi freeze against me. I can see the gears turn in her head. I hold her a little tighter and go to respond in her defense, but Chris beats me to it.

"You don't have to answer that Madi. That's not anybody's business but your own."

"But she has hasn't she? As her new foster parents, they would have told you if you were bringing someone dangerous into their home."

"She's not dangerous!" I yell a little louder than I probably should have.

"So then you admit she's a foster kid?"

I shake my head, "I didn't say that."

"So she's not."

Kingenburg tries to help by saying, "Allie, it's not really any of your business."

"But I thought that this was meant to get to know each other better?"

"It is, but..." Madi ends up being the one to cut off Megan.

"Y-yes, I-I a-am a-a f-fost-ter-r k-k-kid-d. A-and y-yes I-I'v-be b-been-n t-to to j-juv-vie."

"Madi..." I hear Chris whispers.

"You see, she admits it. She is dangerous. We shouldn't be welcoming someone like that on our team. Coach should have told us before letting her in." Madi pulls her legs to her chest and wraps her arms around them. Then she digs her forehead into her knees and I start yelling at people to get out.

"OUT! EVERYONE OUT! I can't believe... How could..." I couldn't get a full sentence out but everyone got the gist of what I was trying to say. The room was vacated in seconds and I even see Chris handing Mal her room key.

When everyone is finally out I rest my hand on the kid's shoulder. She pulls away, but I don't give in. She lifts her head and I go straight into reassuring her. "You're ok kid. Everything is going to be ok." I pull her into a hug and let out a sigh as she finally leans into me. It only takes a few minutes before she falls asleep.

I turn to my wife, "Did Long really just?"

"Ya, she did."

I sigh and hold Madi closer to me. "Is this entire camp going to be her hating on Madi? Even after she showed what she can do, Long won't let it go."

"She probably just feels threatened. Long knows that Forward and Midfield spots are the hardest to keep."

"She still shouldn't be taking it out on Madi." I raise my voice and squeeze her a little. I calm back down when I hear her let out a little whine. I sigh again, "How are we going to help her get through this when someone who is supposed to be on her side is against her?"

"We just have to be there for her like everything else."

-----------

Madi wakes up at about 3:00 in the morning. She jolts like she had been having a nightmare and she wakes me up with her. Her breathing is heavy and there are tears streaming down her face. She curls into a ball and tries to keep herself silent.

"Madi," I call setting a gentle hand on her shoulder. She flinches and curls in on herself even more. "S-sorrry." She says.

"For what?"

"W-waking-g y-you."

"I was already up," I lie, "so there is nothing to be sorry about. Do you want to talk about it?"

She shakes her head.

"Alright then we should probably get some more sleep before practice tomorrow." I go to get up to use the bathroom before getting more sleep, but get stopped when Madi grabs my hand.

"D-don't-t g-go. St-stay p-please." She whispers in a way that I almost miss it.

"I just have to use the bathroom, but I'll be right back. I promise." I get up and go as quickly as possible. I'm slipping back into the bed less than two minutes later. Madi curls into me as soon as I'm back under the covers. I wrap my arms around her and hold her against my chest. I run my hand through her hair and rub her head until she falls asleep.

-----------

Madison's POV

When I wake up I feel the sun beating on my eyes. I turn away from it and bury my head into whatever it is that I'm laying on. The warmth of it wraps around me some more and starts stroking my hair. At this, I jerk away and find myself falling on the floor with a thud.

There is a soft chuckle and I am finally able to get my eyes open. "Are you ever going to wake up at camp without falling on the floor?" It's Mal that is talking to me from the bathroom door way.

I shake my head and grin up at her. "Was-sn't p-planning on on it-t."

"Kid, if you fall off the bed one more time I'm going to make you sleep on the floor."

"Not-t going-g t-to do it-t ag-gain."

"If you say so. Go get dressed we need to head down to breakfast." I get up off the floor and go to my suitcase. I grab my gear for the day and head into the bathroom. A few minutes later the four of us are heading downstairs to eat. I follow Tobin and fill my plate behind her. Christen is behind me and points out different things that she thinks I should put on my plate. I grab a few of them so that I didn't seem unappreciative.

I follow them to a table and sit across from them at the end of the table. Mal finds her seat next to me. It doesn't take long for the rest of the team to finish trickling in to grab their food.

I keep my head down as people pass me and don't contribute to any of the ongoing conversations. I shot my head up when I hear Tobin call my name. "You ok kid?" I nod and go back to picking at my breakfast.

When we get on the bus for training I make my way to the very back of the bus instead of sitting next to Syd. Everyone stares at me but I ignore them, choosing to stare out the window and try to get in the right headspace for practice. Christen comes and sits next to me. She doesn't say anything, she just takes my hands and rubs the back of it with her thumb.

I look at her and she smiles at me, "It will be ok. Toby and I will protect you. I promise." She whispers into my ear. I look away to keep her from seeing the tears in my eyes.

Once we arrive at the field I go straight into getting my cleats on still trying to zone out of what is going on around me. I am doing a pretty good job at it until Tobin kicks a ball at me and hits me lightly in the shoulder.

I look over at her trying to decide how to respond, I don't really feel like messing around right now, but I also don't want to leave her hanging. I opt for just tossing the ball back to her hoping she gets the hint, except she kicks it at me again.

And again.

And again.

This time I just take the ball and set it next to me so she can't get to it. She walks over to me and I close my eyes waiting for the blow to come for disrespecting her.

"Are you ok kid?" She asks me. I open my eyes and look at her. "If you're still worrying because of last night, don't. The next time someone says something to you I will punch them, consequences be damned. So don't worry."

I nod a little worried about how easily she talks about hurting others. 'What is she decides that I've slighted her? Is she going to hit me?'

"Alright ladies, let's start warming up. We are doing fitness testing. I want to see exactly where you are all at now that the season has started for most of you."

A/N: Thanks for reading let me know what you think, or if there is anything that you would like to see.