Kacey walks out of the room. I pull Teagan into a hug, she pulls away. "I- I'm sorry," Teagan stutters. "It's okay babe," I whisper. Teagan leans back onto me. I slowly wrap Teagan into a warm hug.
Teagan settles into my arms. I lean back onto the pillows and hold my girlfriend. "You're actually the only thing that feels right in my life," Teagan whispers. I don't know what to say to that. I can relate to what she said, but I don't know how to respond.
"I love you Ry," Teagan yawns. I run my hand through her hair. "I love you to Teagan," I respond. I squeeze her in our cuddle. Teagan falls soon asleep on me. I think she's really over tired.
Teagan squirms in my arms while sleeping. She latches herself onto my left arm. Her metal leg rubs up against me, it kind of hurts because it's poking me.
The door opens. "Do you guys want some dinner, it's Kraft mac and cheese," Kacey whispers. I nod at her. I squeeze Teagan. "Babe it's time for food," I whisper in her ear. "Food" Teagan yawns. I glance at Kacey, we both laugh at Teagan.
"Come on, let's go," I insist. I get up off the bed and Teagan falls off of me. I pull Teagan out of the bed by her arm forcing her to stand. I kiss her, she smiles.
"Someone's happier after a nap," Kacey comments. I laugh. "Stop it," Teagan says, she tries to hide her smile. Teagan isn't good at hiding when she's happy. "Now let's go," Teagan insists.
Kacey, Teagan, and I walk down to the mess hall. When we enter the room we sit in the empty seats. I look over at Teagan, she's munching away at her mac and cheese. "This is your favorite supper right here," I commented. I nudge Teagan in her side. "Got that right," Teagan chuckles.
Alex is sitting beside Teagan eating her food. I can't believe Teagan is actually allowing Alex to come to Alaska. I think Teagan sees something in Alex.
"I want to race you again," Alex speaks to Teagan. Teagan turns her attention to the red haired girl. "Okay" Teagan responds. "After we eat?" Alex asks. "Sounds good to me," Teagan replies. Alex and Teagan continue with their meals.
They finish faster than everyone. "Lets go," Alex insists. Teagan and Alex both stand up and walk out of the room. I look to Kacey who sits beside Brynn. "I'm going to go watch them," I whisper. Kacey nods to give me the okay.
I take another bite of my supper and walk out of the room, down the hallway, and into the gym. Teagan is teaching Alex some stretches before they start the race. I step over to the bleachers and sit on the second row.
Teagan is showing Alex some leg stretches. They both start laughing because Teagan can't do the stretches with her left prosthetic leg.
Alex and Teagan are talking to each other but I can't make out what's being said, they're on the other side of the gym.
They both begin the race. Teagan zooms past me, she is still slightly limping but is super fast. Alex is right behind her, I think Alex has a speed rec just like Teagan.
I run up behind them, they've both finished the race and Teagan has won. "Alex do you have a speed rec?" I question the panting girl. Before Alex can respond Teagan speaks. "Yeah I think she does, I think it's new," Teagan states. "Yes I do have speed and yes it's new," Alex agrees.
I think Alex makes Teagan see things different, because Alex is different. There's something about her that brings a certain joy to people. Alex without knowing it, is actually helping my girlfriend. I haven't seen Teagan this happy since before the war.
"Alex did you play sports?" Teagan questions. Alex looks at the basketball nets. "I played basketball for a high school varsity team, I was the starting point guard," Alex proudly states. "But you just turned twelve two days ago, you're not even a freshman," Teagan remarks. "I'm supposed to be going into ninth grade next year, I was going to skip a grade, and I was better than everyone in the middle school league," Alex remarks.
"So you're smart?" I question. "In most subjects, but I'm bad at math, they're arranging for an eighth grade math teacher to help me," Alex responds. "Okay cool," I reply.
"Hey Ry will you ref a game of basketball for us?" Teagan questions. "Hell yeah," I respond. The three of us walk over to one of the two hoops.
Alex runs over to grab a women's basketball. I look over at Teagan who is trying to stand on only her prosthetic, she wobbles and puts her leg down. I'm so proud of Teagan.
Alex runs over to us with the basketball. "The first free throw to go in gets first ball," I inform. Alex hands Teagan the ball. "You first," Alex insists. Teagan limps over to the foul line and sets up for a basket.
Teagan shoots the basketball, she missed by a whim. Alex catches the rebound and runs to the line. Alex makes her shot. "Let us begin, first one to five baskets wins," Alex smirks. Teagan smirks back at Alex.
Alex checks the ball with Teagan. Alex does a pump fake, jab step, and makes a breakaway layup. "That was easy," Alex chuckles. "I'm just getting warmed up kiddo," Teagan laughs. Teagan checks the ball over to Alex who passes it back. Teagan jab steps right, goes left under the basket and makes a reverse layup.
Alex gets the rebound and dribble over to behind the free throw line. Alex passes the ball over to Teagan who passes it back. Alex dribbles right and goes up for a jump shot. Teagan blocks the shot and steals the ball. Teagan dribbles out of bounds to make the ball hers. She goes under the net where Alex meets her. Teagan realizes that she can't make the shot and dribbles backwards out.
Teagan goes up for a jump shot, Alex fouls her and Teagan goes to the ground. I think Teagan is okay, but I'm not sure. Alex walks up to Teagan and offers her a hand. Teagan takes it. "One shot Teagan," I shout from the sidelines. Alex hands Teagan the ball, Teagan limps behind the foul line and lines up for a shot.
Teagan shoots the ball, it swishes into the basket. "Swish" Teagan sings. "Teagan has two, Alex has one," I holler, so they can hear. Teagan passes Alex the ball, and Alex checks it with Teagan. Alex makes a fake jab step, pulls back and shoots the ball. Their scores are tied.
Teagan takes the ball and checks it over with Alex. Teagan dribbles into the middle, pulls her dribble back and goes behind her back. She goes left and misses a layup. Alex collected her rebound and shot the ball into the basket. Alex does this two more times and wins the game.
"Good game kiddo," Teagan remarks, as she bro hugs Alex. "Good game Teagan," Alex chuckles. "Not bad guys," I commented.
"Alex it's getting late, have you gotten a room to sleep in yet?" Teagan questions. "Uh yeah I do have a room," Alex yawns. "You should get some rest," Teagan insists. "Okay" Alex responds as she heads out of the gym.
"She looks up to you Teag," I remark. I walk up to Teagan and hug her from behind. "I know," Teagan chimes. "She's a good kid, but she has been through a ton of shit though," Teagan states. "Well she is safe with us," I respond. "I know," Teagan replies.
I twist Teagan around so that she faces me, I kiss her. Teagan kisses me back. Teagan lifts me into her arms. I wrap my legs around her waist and put my arms around her neck.
Teagan holds me between her body and the wall. I love her so much. I kiss Teagan as I run a hand through her hair. Teagan parted her hair differently today, I like it.
"We have to get ready for bed, we need our rest," I giggle. Teagan kisses me. "I need to figure out how to shower with one leg, want to help me?" Teagan laughs. "You know it," I beam. I kiss Teagan, and she sets me down on the ground. "Lets go figure out the shower," Teagan insists.
Hand in hand, we walk out of the gym and back to our bedroom.
