The Trio

Chapter Two

Since Tobin was designated to show Alex the ropes, they spent the next week side by side. Partners during training and roommates in the Arizona hotel they were staying in. They learned all kinds of things about each other; the basic stuff and then some. Needless to say, it was love at first sight, in a best-friend kind of way.

—

Tobin and Alex were laying on their beds in the hotel room, watching The Bachelor. Tobin's phone buzzed and she saw a text message from Kelley.

Squirrel:

hey tobs- since alex got here we haven't hung out at all!!

Hope's fun, but you're a better roomie & i miss ya. how about lunch in like an hour?

Tobin smiled and replied 'yes' to the lunch date.

She had been having a great time getting to know Alex, but she could tell that Kelley was feeling left out.

"Wanna go play tennis?" Alex asked, sitting up.

"Tennis tennis, or soccer tennis?" Tobin chuckled.

"Soccer tennis, dummy. I'm terrible at real tennis." Alex grinned, grabbing the soccer ball off of Tobin's bed and walking out. Tobin followed, leaving her phone on her bed.

They made their way out to the tennis courts and stepped onto an empty one. Tobin walked over to the far side and Alex dropped the ball. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

They volleyed it back and forth a few times, and then Tobin did a trick and slammed the ball down next to Alex.

"One-nil." Tobin winked.

"We're actually playing with points?" Alex laughed.

"Are you scared?" Tobin grinned.

"Oh, it's on, Heath." Alex growled.

When they were finally too tired to keep going, Tobin caught the ball and walked over to Alex's side of the net. "Good game." They shook hands, laughing.

"So who won?" Alex asked as they walked back up to the hotel. Tobin shrugged.

"I lost count."

They chuckled and Alex pressed the elevator button. It opened and Cheney was standing inside with two coffees in her hands.

"Hey Chen!" Tobin grinned and Alex smiled, walking in behind her.

"Hey..." Lauren flashed a small smile but quickly looked down at the floor.

"You good? Who's the other coffee for?" Tobin asked as the door opened on the ninth floor, where half of the team was staying.

"Kelley. Someone seems to have stood her up." Cheney glared at Tobin, shaking her head and walking out of the elevator.

"Oh man. Oh no. Oh... SHIT! I can't believe myself. I'm such a terrible friend. She's never gonna forgive me. Damn damn damn!" Tobin shook her head.

"What happened? Is everything okay?" Alex asked, confused as they entered the hotel room and Tobin threw herself onto her bed.

"No, no, no, it's not. Everything's not okay. I... How could I do that?" Tobin punched her bed.

"Do what?" Alex began to get concerned.

Tobin sat up. "I, uh, I told Kelley I'd grab lunch with her today, but then I went out with you and lost track of time and I left my phone in here and I can't believe I-"

"Tobin, it's okay, I'm sure she'll understand. I'm really sorry... This is all my fault. I've been here for two weeks and I'm already taking you away from your friends. I, I'll go to Ali's room so you and Kelley can work things out." Alex opened the door and started to walk into the hallway.

"No, Alex, don't go. It's not your fault, it's mine." Tobin called after her, but the door closed.

—

Tobin stood up and took a deep breath before stepping into the hallway. She passed Lauren, who said "room 915" and with that, the tan midfielder found herself at the door of Kelley and Hope's room and knocked softly.

The door opened to reveal the freckle-faced defender. Kelley looked up at Tobin, expecting her to say something, but no words came out.

"Alright, well, thanks for stopping by." Kelley began to close the door, but Tobin held it open.

"I... I don't know what to say, Kel. I'm an idiot. I lost track of time and left my phone in the hotel room, and I, well, I... Can we try again? Dinner? Or coffee, or something? I just, I... don't want to lose you. I messed up, but I miss hanging out with you.." Tobin looked at the floor, realizing her eyes were watering.

"Tobs..." Kelley gave the taller girl a hug. "It's okay. I'm just glad you didn't do it on purpose.. I uh, just had coffee with Cheney, but we can go explore or something, if you want."

"I'd love to." Tobin hugged back and they ventured outside of the hotel, not quite sure where they were going. That was the thing about those two; they never had a destination. Only a journey, an adventure.

They'd never lose each other over something stupid.

Right?