Memories

Chapter 4

On the way back to the hotel, Syd and Kel exchanged cautious looks.

"What do we do?" Syd asked, opening the door to the lobby.

Kelley ran a hand through her brown hair, tiredly sighing. She shook her head as she walked, replying, "I dunno, Syd. I forgot that Tobs has the ability to live off of one suitcases and can pack her life up just like that."

The other woman sighed and rubbed her eyes. "The two people who would have meant so much to each other almost literally ran into each other and didn't even realize it. What do we do now?"

"I told Alex that Sarah wouldn't see her, Syd. I promised. What we're gonna do is call Alex and tell her that Sarah knows for sure," Kelley murmured, her eyes downcast.

They walked into the elevator, and Syd pressed one of the buttons. "We don't have to tell Alex anything, Kel."

"Yes we do!"

In the elevator, Sydney crossed her arms, looking at her friend. "Kelley. If we call Alex now, one of three things are gonna happen. One, Alex is going to demand we send Sarah back home immediately. Two, she'll personally come up here and take her home. Three, she'll make Sarah AND us come home."

"So what are you saying, then?" Kelley asked.

"I'm saying, we let it play out. If they're supposed to meet, then they will. We let it be, and we don't tell Alex a thing," Sydney replied, as she leaned back onto the elevator wall.

After a few beats of silence, Kelley sighed and nodded. "Okay, fine."
-
The next afternoon, after practice, when Sarah asked if she could explore the area herself, her aunts acted as nonchalantly as possible.

"Don't stay out too long– be back at the hotel by three, okay?" Syd had told her.
"Alright. I'll see you guys later!" Sarah replied, smiling sweetly.

With that, they went their separate ways– Kelley and Syd to the hotel, and Sarah undoubtedly heading towards the training center.

When she walked in, the receptionist from yesterday sat behind the desk, with a name tag reading 'Elizabeth' pinned to her Thorns' t-shirt.

Looking up, surprised, Elizabeth flashed a smile at Sarah, putting the pen she'd been using to write with down.

"Hello again," Elizabeth remarked, waving.

Sarah smiled nervously, waving. "Hi," she murmured.

"Need something?" the receptionist asked.

When Sarah anxiously shifted her weight, she replied, "Oh– uh– I'm looking for Tobin Heath again."

Her heart sank when she saw the smile on Elizabeth's face fall, and her eyes become sympathetic.

"I'm sorry sweetie, you just missed her again. She's gone out for lunch," Elizabeth said sympathetically.

Sarah sighed inwardly, forcing a smile. "Oh, okay then," she said weakly, turning to go.

"Do you not want to leave a message?" the receptionist asked.

When the young girl shook her, she replied quietly, "No, it's fine, thank you."

"Not even a name?"

Sarah's hand paused on the door. She turned back to look at Elizabeth.

"Uhm–" Sarah debated it for several seconds before shaking her head. "No, it's fine. Have a great day," she said wistfully, before leaving.

In the hotel room that she and her aunt Kel were sharing, while Kelley was in the shower, Sarah called KK.