ғᴏᴏᴛsᴛᴇᴘs | ᴋᴍ ✔︎

Breakdown

"Don't hide behind me, you're strong enough to face the fall.
It wont make me love you any less."
- Rag'n'Bone Man

"Hey, Sam?" Kelley yells across the hotel conference room as the national team eat breakfast. "Is your family okay?"

"Uh...yeah?" The tall girl answers, everyone noticing the confusion lacing her voice.

"The fuck was that about?" Alex asks as Kelley hums quietly while looking at her phone. "Hello?"

"Oh. Just this," Kelley shows a few of her teammates her phone. It's an announcement from Houston that Kristie wont be available for selection due to 'family reasons'. "Weird huh?"

"It's probably nothing, why would you ask anyway?"

"Well, Jack didn't say anything about it and-"

"And you just want to know?" Ash asks, earning a glare from the shorter girl.

"Shut up."

_______


"Why are you here?" Cody grumbles, following Kristie into the kitchen of Tobin's place. If she was being honest she would tell you that she missed her mom's place.

Kristie turns on her heel and comes face to face with Cody, "Why? Is there a reason you don't want me here?"

"I-I uh..." Kristie tilts her head to the side, almost puppy-like, as Cody stumbles for an answer.

"How's PT going?" Mewis decides to change the subject, for now.

"Oh. Just great." Cody responds dryly before leaving the girl in the kitchen and retreating to the couch.

"Does that mean you'll be playing again?" Kristie asks, following the girl to the living room.

"Well-"

"Or are you just gonna be high for the rest of your life?" Kristie interrupts Cody, watching the girl intently as she seems to freeze momentarily before shaking it off.

"I don't know what-"

"What I'm talking about?" Kristie cuts Cody off again, crossing her arms over her chest trying to compose herself. She knew how to play this game with Cody after watching Hope and Alex try. "Are you really trying to throw your life away?"

"Fucking hell. You're not my mom, Kristie." Cody spits out. She's angry, frustrated, tired and high.

"Good point. Do you want me to call Alex?" Kristie challenges, her eyes not leaving Cody's as she takes her phone from her back pocket. "'Cause I think we both know I will."

"Go home, Kristie. You have a career and a game to prepare for." Cody mumbles while looking at her busted leg.

Kristie watches the girl for a few minutes longer before she retreats to the kitchen for a glass of water. She places it on the table by Cody and takes a seat next to her at the opposite end of the couch.

"Where are the pills?" Kristie asks, taking advantage of the weak moment that the young Morgan is clearly having. Cody doesn't take her eyes off her leg as she removes the bottle from her pocket, handing them to Kristie. "Thank you."

Mewis stands, leaving the room to hide the pills. She would throw them out, but knows that Cody may actually need one when the pain becomes unbearable. She's stuck between helping and enabling. She sighs, hanging her head before straightening up and going back to face Cody.

"What's wrong with me?" Cody mumbles. She finally looks up at Kristie, the older girl's heart breaks at the teary-eyed look on the younger girl's face. "Why can't I just be normal?"

Kristie stands and motions for Cody to scoot further up the couch. When she does, Kristie sits behind her and holds the brunette as she sobs.

"There's absolutely nothing wrong with you, Cody." Kristie whispers in the girl's ear, holding her tighter against her chest. "You've been to hell and back. This isn't a weakness, you've fought this and won once, you can do it again. What is it they say - one day at a time? That starts now. You're strong enough to face the fall and fight your way back."

Cody breaks down, she leans back in Kristie's arms, the only arms besides her mothers that make her feel safe. She places her hands over Kristie's and squeezes them tight.

"Why are you here, Kristie?" Cody mumbles between sobs.

She knows why Kristie is there, but she doesn't understand why. She's a mess, in every way, nothing but a burden, but the Dash pro is still there for her. Still holding her at her lowest moment.

"Because I care about you, Cody." Kristie whispers, leaning her head on Cody's shoulder.

"You shouldn't." Cody states. Kristie only strengthens her hold around Cody's waist. "I'm a fucking addict, I'm a fucking...a cripple!"

Kristie just listens as Cody rambles, understanding that she's purging her emotions before the detox begins. She's obviously been holding her feelings in, bottling it up until she can't any longer.

"All I do is hold people back. They all physically have to leave, on a fucking plane, to get away from me. Jack, Jeri, grandma, mom, Tobin. You will, too."

"They have to work, babe." Kristie gently insists, but Cody ignores it, and the pet name.

"All I do is push people away because I can't do shit. How am I supposed to get over this," Cody motions to her leg. "The doctor told me I wouldn't play again so why even try? It was all that was keeping me sane...keeping me sober. Why bother? Why bother with me, Kristie? I'm just a fucking pill popper?!"

"It won't make me love you any less, Cody." Kristie whispers, her breath hitting Cody's ear, making the girl instantly shut up. "There's nothing you can do or say to change my mind, or my heart. Don't be afraid to ask for help, it doesn't make you weak. If there's anyone alive that can get through this...it's you."