USWNT - High School

Chapter 41

Carli's POV

I got up before school to take a morning run, something I occasionally do. I texted a few of my friends if they wanted to join, without really expecting a reply in return.

I got home and showered, and made my way to my car. I would usually pick up Hope by now, but she texted me saying Melody was going to take her today for some reason. It would be unnecessary for her older sister to drive when I was already basically passing their house, but I didn't argue against. I figured there has to be a valid reason for it.

Hope has been doing fine since she got home, I think. I'm not getting myself too involved in her love life, but I can't help but wonder if she's being naive. It looks like this other girl is going all in, whilst Hope just sits back and waits for Kelley to see what's in front of her. I'm all for Kelley and Hope together, I truly am. I have gotten to know Kelley and she really does care about Hope. But that just seems naive. I'm sure Kelley appreciates effort, and after what she's been through she deserves that too.

**

"Morning, Car." I was greeted by tired faces as I walked into the classroom, but my usual companion was missing from her seat.

"Morning. Anyone talked to Hope?" I asked, trying my best not to worry. I know I shouldn't, Hope's a big girl and she can take care of herself. Sometimes. I think.

"Yeah, she's not feeling well. She's staying home." Becky barely looked up from her phone as she spoke, and I was glad she didn't see my expression. Of course Hope didn't tell me that, because she knew I wouldn't have let her off the hook that easy. She's not sick, something else is going on. Maybe it's just the aftermath of a long day with Kelley and Morgan yesterday, maybe it's something else.

I tried being angry with the goalkeeper for lying to me, but I was mostly just feeling worried. I can't help it.

As soon as the bell rang out I decided to give Hope a call. I needed her to tell me what was going on, and she knew I would find out either way eventually. She didn't pick up the first time, or the second time. The third time she probably figured out I'm just going to keep on calling and it would save us both time to just pick up.

'Carli, wow you're persistent.' She opened sounding slightly sarcastic, but I knew she was just trying to coverup whatever it was that she was hiding from me.

"Hope. What's going on?" I didn't call to small talk, and she knew that. I heard her sigh on the other end, and I was getting more and more convinced that this was hard for her to talk about. I knew Hope has several things in her life she doesn't talk about, she doesn't talk an awful lot at all.

'Okay.' She let out close to whispering, like she had talked herself into telling me in her head. I waited for her to continue, afraid that if I kept going she would back out.

'I don't know how much you know, I'm sure Melody told you some things while I was not myself. But long story short, I haven't seen or heard from my mother in years. Most people think she's dead too, but I'm sure you figured out she's not.' Hope spoke fast and consistent, obviously having a hard time doing this. I felt terribly bad for practically forcing her to do so, but at this point I needed some more information and I was glad she was giving it to me. After all this time I deserved some answers.

'Some stupid mistakes were made at the hospital, something about Melody not being my rightful guardian, and so they proceeded to send documents to Judy, my mom, and now everything's just fucked up.' Hope paused herself, clearly getting frustrated over the situation now. I can only imagine what this must be like for her, I thought her mother was dead for years and now she's getting legal documents about Hope.

'She's coming here, Car. Today, she's coming into my home.' Hope sounded upset now, and I felt my stomach tighten from her words. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Hope, I'm so sorry. I-" I didn't know what to say. "Why?" It was the only thing that made sense asking, because why show up here after all these years. Why show up now that both her daughters are independent adults, nothing thanks to her at all.

'If I only knew that.' Hope sighed loudly, and I wished I could give her a hug right at this second. She doesn't deserve all the crap that's being thrown at her.

**

After my phone call with Hope, it was severely hard to concentrate in general. I didn't get what my teachers were saying and even when the break came around I couldn't really join the conversations.

I decided to excuse myself and head to the bathroom, I needed some time to collect myself. Only I never got the time to do that.

"Carli!" I heard someone yell my name, and actually to my surprise I recognized the voice. I've definitely spent too much time with Kelley lately. I stopped walking and sighed, before turning around and facing the younger girl. She didn't look particularly happy, but then again neither did I.

"Kelley, hello." I said calm, waiting for her to get closer to me. She half jogged over and was slightly out of breath when she reached me.

"Hi, sorry, have you-" She paused for a second to catch her breath, and continued.
"Have you talked to Hope today? I think something's going on cause she called me in the middle of the night, but Moe was there and I think she heard and I need to-" Kelley was on a ramble, but I had to stop her to contain some of the more important information.

"She called you?" I interrupted, getting a severely guilty look in return. Kelley nodded, before letting out a deep and frustrated sigh.

"If she would just pick up that damn phone, I could explain and let her know she can talk to me." She continued, sounding close to heartbroken by now. She truly has gotten herself into somewhat of a mess, but her drama has to wait. Hope clearly can't deal with that today of all days.

"She not feeling well, so she's home. I think you better let her rest for a few days." I didn't want to lie, but I also didn't wanna be the one to tell Kelley. I'm sure Hope had her reasons for not doing so herself.

"What? Is she okay? Maybe I should go over-" Once again I interrupted Kelley, knowing she could definitely not go to Hope's house today, or any time soon really.

"I don't think that's a good idea. She specifically said she didn't want anyone to visit her. Just let her-" I was about to continue my convincing, but the interrupting was returned by the other girl.

"I'm not just anyone." Kelley announced, sounding pretty determined in her words. She did make a valid point, and I was kinda out of arguments at this point. I would regret telling her, but if she goes there I'd regret it even more if I didn't. I'm sure Hope would understand.

"It's her mom, Kelley. She's coming here." I hated seeing the miserable look on her face. She looked at me as if she didn't believe the words that came out of my mouth.

"Her- her mother? Here? What- how, why?" She mumbled out some words, trying her best to form a sentence without much luck. I knew she was the only other person that felt somewhat of what I felt when I heard the news, and I recognized the confusion and worry that haunted her tired features.

"I don't know, it's a long story." I felt truly bad for the younger girl. If Hope had called her last night, she probably wanted to tell her. But she didn't. That must eat eat alive.

"It's gonna be okay though, Hope's strong. We know that." I added some words of comfort, much needing to hear them myself as well. Kelley was at the edge of tears at this point, and I knew there was only one thing I could do. So very unlike myself, I opened my arms and let the younger girl lean into my chest. She didn't hesitate, and soon I had my arms wrapped around the shattered person, who might be the only one beside me that knew what this meant.