USWNT - High School

Chapter 30

Kelley's POV

"And Moe? Thank you." I ended the call to Morgan, and found myself letting out a deep breath I didn't know I had been holding in.

My body was almost shaking from the bad conscious I had prior to this call, and I was honestly amazed at how good she was. She's so mature and adult about this whole thing, which is ironically more than I can say for Hope.

What did Hope expect exactly? That I would just sit and wait forever until she decided to give it a go? No, I can't let her have that control. I know that probably sounds childish, but I just can't help but think that way.

I'm obviously still in love with Hope. There's no denying those feelings, I don't think I ever could. But the question is whether or not she's good for me, or not. It sucks to even just think, but maybe love just isn't enough.

**

I took my time after the call to calm down, and just try my best and get my thoughts in order. I knew the second I would see Hope again it would all be clouds, because that's what she does to me. I can't think straight when I see her, she makes everything seem like it's going to be okay, even when it's not. That's a good thing most times, but it's also toxic in some ways.

"I made you coffee." Hope spoke as I walked down the stairs, hinting towards a cup on the counter. She was wearing an oversized hoodie and underwear, nothing else. Her long legs resting on the chair next to her as she read the paper with her coffee.

In that moment, it was like I could see my future. At least the future I had always wanted. Lazy Saturday's with coffee and the girl of my dreams, it doesn't get much better than that. How can the perfect bubble be so far from reality, why can't it ever just be easy.

"Thanks." I mumbled, as I made my way over to the counter. The cup was still warm, so I carefully took a sip and sat down by the table.
Hope kept looking down at the paper, but I could clearly see she wasn't reading it.

"You're not even gonna ask?" I couldn't help myself. I knew she was dying to say the words herself, but couldn't do it.
Hope looked up at me, then let out a deep sigh. She closed the paper and paused.

"Fine. How's Morgan?" The way she spoke the younger girl's name was not friendly. She was almost mocking it, but I knew she was just being jealous and protective.

"Well, considering I'm here with you, not so great." I spoke honest, hoping that Hope would understand that there's another person's feelings involved in this now. She kept her eyes at me, reviling something I couldn't quite read in her eyes.

"If you don't wanna be here, no one's forcing you." She spit out, clearly feeling hurt. I felt my heart shatter in my chest at the pain in her eyes, and I hated that I was now hurting not only one but two people I care about.

"Hope." I whispered her name, letting all my emotions out with my eyes and expression. She could read me like an open book if she wanted to, and she would find that I obviously didn't want to leave her. She knew that, and I think that's exactly why she said it. She wanted to get it confirmed, she wanted to have that win over Moe, even though she got the phone call.

"I spent the night with you, didn't I?" I let the words fall out, and I wasn't sure what they meant. I did spend the night with Hope and it was amazing, but I woke up feeling guilty because of it. It might just be the fact that I never ended things with Moe, but I didn't end anything on the phone now either. I think a part of me doesn't want to, but I can't keep doing both either.

I know in my heart that I should choose Hope, simply because there's always been Hope. I honestly didn't think there would ever be anyone else, and I don't care how young we are, if it feels right then so be it.

But I did find someone that made me question the force between Hope and I, even though it was mildly accidental.

"You did. And it was perfect. You can't deny that." Hope spoke up again now, and I looked up to meet her glowing eyes staring at me.
"I'm not denying that." I said simple, knowing there was no point in doing that. We both felt what the other one felt last night, neither of us were half as good actors to fake that.

"Maybe we just need to take things a little slow. We have never actually dated before, maybe just start off with an official date?" Hope seemed to collect herself slightly now, and I noticed a smile creep on her lips. It was so contagious I had to focus hard on not letting out a big grin back.

"Hope Solo, are you asking me out?" I said in a jokingly voice back, knowing she's not known for being the dating type. I was actually slightly taken aback by her suggestion, but I also kinda loved the idea.

Hope let out a smug smile now, shrugging her shoulders as she looked at me.
"I guess I am." She said simple, now fully smiling. I let my own lips mirror hers and suddenly, just like that, it seemed so easy.

I knew it wasn't, I knew we had forever to go, but this is a start. A step in the right direction.

"Yes." I said back, getting an even wider one from from the goalkeeper. Her eyes flickered down to my lips and I couldn't help but bite down on my own lower lip as I watched.

"I would love to go on a date with you." I continued, making it clear to try and distract myself from the tension that was now building between us rapidly.

"Can I kiss you?" Hope suddenly let some words out, looking as if she was almost surprised at them as much as me. Hope Solo never asked for anything, if she wanted it she would take it and get it right away. I liked that she asked, it made me feel appreciated somehow. Like I was someone worthy of her making sure and not doing anything I wouldn't like.

I didn't need words to answer her. My lips once again formed a smile, before I put my coffee down. I stood up and walked over to where she was seated. In that moment the world around us just disappeared like it had so many times before when we lock eyes.

She let her legs fall from the chair they rested on and turned towards me. I wasn't shy when it came to Hope, and sat down seductively on her lap. My hands found her face and cupped it as I took in how beautiful she was. I felt her strong hands wrap around my waist, one hand slowly running along the side of my back.

"This feels so right." Hope breathed out, and her huskily voice sent me over the edge. I crashed my lips onto hers and fireworks exploded inside me as always. Nothing else matted in that moment, nothing but Hope.