There's More to Soccer Then That

Chapter 6

//Hope\\

4 days Later

Just had Scarlet collapsed in my arms, I could feel the heat of her body radiating from her small frame. Everyone seemed to be oblivious to the fact this girl just collapsed unconscious, and had a very high fever. 

4 days since then, specialists had been coming in and helping her with something. Coach Ellis had told us it was just a cold, but she seemed to be hiding things from us. We hadn't been allowed to see her. Or even ask if she was okay. All that was told was that she'd be on the flight with us for the next game in a week.

I stood with Ashlyn, as we took turns taking shots from the team. Honestly, my mind was elsewhere. I hadn't spoken to Scarlet since that day, and she had literally just collapsed, in my arms.. Was she just tired? Or was she sick? I was really worried. The new girl had really taken a home in my heart, and I think most of the people on the team can agree. My eyes were gazing blankly in the distance when I ball flew at me, hitting me in the side of the head which took me to the turf. I let out a groan, lifting a hand to my head as I continue to simply lay there, the left side of my face in the turf. Julie came jogging over, along with Carli and Christen. Julie was the one who placed a hand on my back.

"Sorry Hope, I figured you would have caught that." Julie apologized, the tone in her voice filled with guilt.

"Any other day she would have." Carli added in, offering me a hand which I took, as she pulled me to my feet. 

"I'd have to agree with Carls. Something has you distracted." Christen said, resting her hands at her hips. I let out a sigh, as I slowly walked from the goal post and grabbed my water bottle, taking a few drinks. I could sense them continuing to stare at me as the few others that were doing rounds with me jogged over. Tobin, Moe, Crystal and Pinoe had joined them, and were all waiting for me. Finally, I turned, quirking an eyebrow at them as I shrugged my shoulders.

"What?" I asked dumbly, taking another drink as I walked back to my line. They all sort of laughed, then went back to taking shots. About 20 minutes later, my mind had pondered back to the fight. When I had taken that punch, I was so ready to punch back. But the protectiveness of Scarlet came out so quickly. No doubt I would have gotten suspended. But sense it was just Scarlet taking in defense, no one was suspended from our team. Just as I was about to snap back to reality, Tobin sent a ball straight to my gut, I wrapped my arms around it and let out a loud grunt from impact, before collapsing to my knees, and falling forward on the ball. 

"Hope!" I heard Tobin yell out, as I slumped over to my side, holding my stomach with my free arm. My eyes were firmly shut, a sharp pain from the fast impact of the ball stinging against my abdomen.

"Okay, I think we're done for the day." Carli said softly, kneeling down just close to me, as she lifted me up by my free arm, hooking it around her neck. She lifted me up, and was beginning to help me walk when Moe came beside me, hooking my other arm around her neck as they pretty much dragged me to the benches. I sat down, then Carli helped me lay as she lifted the lower part of my jersey, so my abdomen was showing. I simply lay there, allowing her to ice my stomach as I stared blankly at the sky.

1 Week Later~

We traveled in the bus on the way to the airport. Everyone was super stoked for our upcoming game against South Korea. Ever since the fight, everyone was kind of on edge, because things didn't seem to end right. But now that things were getting back to normal, we were ready to get back out on the field. The starters would be announced the day of the game, so none of us really knew what to expect. 

I listen to my music as I gaze around the bus. I sit in the very back, Alex and Tobin sitting in front of me with Kelley and Moe just across the isle. They're playing a card game, with Carli sitting across the isle from me, watching them. Just behind Carli, in the very corner of the bus, is Scarlet. She hasn't really said much today, but this morning when she showed up to breakfast for the first time this week, everyone cheered for her and hugged her, telling her they were happy to have her back. 

We quickly unload the bus, check out things into baggage claim, then get ready to board the airplane. Just as I grab for my ticket, I realize Scarlet standing a bit back away with the staff members. I think for a moment, before grabbing Carli's arm and pulling her from the line. 

"What?" Carli asked, not arguing much as I lead her back to where Scarlet stood. She looked up from her phone, glancing from me, to Carli, back to me.

"I think you could use some friends to sit with." I say simply, offering a smile which is soon returned. Together, we got our tickets and walked to board the plane. We ended up sitting in the right side, front row. Just behind the pilot's seating, and then behind us was Kelley, Moe and Ali. Just to the left of us, was Alex and Tobin. The rest of the team filled in behind us, and I let Scarlet get the window seat. We sat for a few, and as took off began, I could feel myself tense up. I had never liked lift off. It always had given me an uncomfortable feeling, and it was honestly the worst part of the trip. I glanced at Carli whom was leaned to look behind her, laughing with Moe and Ali about something. Scarlet beside me, her eyes glued to the window. The plane accelerated, and I felt my fingertips sink into the skin of the arm rests. I could feel my chest tightening, my breaths becoming more rapid.

//Scarlet\\

I could hear Hope's breathing become more rapid, I glanced to her and her head was leaned back against the seat, her fingers gripping to the arm rests.

"Hope, hey. Hope. Deep breathes." I said to her soothingly, allowing my hand to slip into the palm of hers. Almost immediately, her fingers gripped around my hand, and she closed her eyes. I leaned closer, to be able to speak in her ear. 

"Hope, look at me. Into my eyes. Nothing more. Just focus on my eyes." I said softly, and she slowly opened her eyes. Hey hazel gazing deeply into my crystal blue. I slowly reached my free hand to the back of my neck, gently unhooking the necklace around my neck, and then placed it into hers.

"This is my grandmother's necklace. It's like my lucky charm. I know it's stupid because I don't believe in luck, but for some reason when I hold this I calm down." I whispered, and I could feel her grasp it. I payed close attention, offering a smile as I could see her breathing calm down.

"Hey, look. We're in the air." I told her, brightening my smile as I pointed out the window, and as she glanced out the window, she let out a sigh of relief. To my surprise, I was wrapped up in her arms, a tight hug.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." She repeated in my ear, and all I could do was pat her back.

"Don't mention it." I told her, giving another smile before I sat back in my chair. I allowed her to reach over and clip the necklace back around my neck. From there, we had a little over 11 hours before we'd hit out midway stop in California. There we'd spend the night at the airport, then take another 20 hour flight to South Korea.