Distant Mirage || 13 Reasons Why [ 0 ]

40

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NOVEMBER 

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Bailey stood in the locker rooms, pulling her pads and jersey on over her head. She jumped when two hands began to tug down her jersey for her as she struggled, her head popped through the top; bringing her face to face with Monty. She chuckled, shoving him away as she began to do up her straps. She reached for her compression sleeves then, goosebumps on her arms from the cool weather outside. 

She peered over her shoulder when she heard a few cheers, watching as Bryce wandered further into the locker rooms. She shook her head, snatching her helmet up from the ground by her feet to leave with the rest of the team. But, as she went to pass the Walker boy, he grabbed her wrist to stop her. She ripped it our of his grip turning to him with a glare, the boy holding his hands up in surrender. 

'What?' She hissed. 

'Can you- Can you meet me outside?' He asked. 

'Why?'

'Just do it, please, Bay.'

'Whatever. You've got five minutes or I'm leaving.'

'That's all I need.'

She nodded, shoving past him to stride out of the locker rooms. More boys followed after her, leaving the building almost completely empty. Bailey leant against the wall in the dark, one hand hanging from the top of her jersey as she hooked her fingers over it; the other holding her helmet by its cage. She looked over toward the door when a body strode out of it, Bryce shaking his head before he approached her. 

'Hey,' He greeted as he ran his hand over his hair. 

'What do you want, Walker?' She asked without looking to him. 

'Look, I'm sorry for what happened at Rosie's, ok? I shouldn't have said what I did.'

'That all?'

'I want to give you something.'

'Like?'

'I can't explain it now. But, if you can meet me at Navy Pier after the game, I can tell you there.'

'Whatever. But, you so much as think about laying a hand on me again, I'll cut your balls off and shove them down your throat.'

'Got it. Good luck out there.'

'You're the one that's gonna need it, not us.'

She pushed off the wall, walking away; heading down to warm up. She shook her head, blowing the air from her cheeks into the space in front of her; watching the cloud of white curl around her face. 

~

Bailey was sure half of her body was bound to be bruised by the time half time came around, having been sacked three times due to their lack of defence. But, she didn't yell, she was determined to win the game by more then the four points they were already leading by. She knew they could do this. She stood beside Monty on the locker room, gathered around as they watched Zach pace up and down the middle of the group.