HAZE (On Hold)

Part 60

Hailee acknowledges the yellow card in the referee's hand before jogging back to her spot on the field. 

18 minutes later, the shrill sound of the referee's whistle sounds out and the Cardinal players are hit with the realization that they've come up short in their attempt at repeating as the NCAA Champions falling by a final score of 2 - 0 to Florida State in the Semifinal. 

As they wipe away the tears and hug their teammates, they only thought on their mind is getting off the field as soon as possible, but they know that they still have to shake hands and congratulate the competition. After doing so, they head over to the sidelines with their heads hung low, grab some fluids and listen to the few words that the coaches have for them before heading into the changeroom and being flooded by the emotions of the moment. 

Hailee looking across the room wants nothing more than to hold a sobbing Jade in her arms, but over the last few days both at the apartment and in their hotel room, they have had an awkward space between them and she isn't sure how to bridge the gap or if she should wait for Jade to do it. 

Debating against it, she in turn grabs her clothes and heads towards the shower area to get changed and cleaned up. 

Once that's taken care of she heads back out and packs up her stuff before putting in her Airpods and putting on some music in an attempt to drown out her current surroundings. 

As more of her teammates pack up, she follows them out to the bus and takes her seat, looking out the window at the people walking by. She feels a body sit beside her and without turning her head she knows by the smell of her shampoo that it's Jade. 

They ride back to the hotel and up to their room without saying a word until Jade lets her know that she is taking a shower. 

Hailee lays back on the bed and stares at the ceiling, turning over to reach for her phone when it buzzes. 

New Message

D: You doing okay? 

Haze: As okay as can be expected. 

D: Have you and Jade talked yet?

Haze: No. It's hard because all I wanted to do after the game was to hold and console her, but I promised to give her space. 

D: You guys need to talk, even if it isn't about the two of you. I'm sure at the very least you could both use a vent session after your display today or at the very least she should be able to give you shit for that terrible card. 

Hailee laughs and can't help but agree with Dylan's assessment of the play and card. 

Haze: We have a team meal to get to soon, I'll try and speak with her there or afterwards. 

D: Okay, keep me apprised. Love you.

Haze: I will. Give the little man, my love. 

D: What about me?

Haze: I love you, too, D.

D: I'll give the little man some love once he stops giving me heartburn. 

Haze: How about you just stop eating anything and everything in sight - that should solve that issue. 

D: How do you? ... You talked with Mike didn't you?

Haze: Yes. Had to check in and see how my babby daddy is doing.

D: 🤦😘

Haze:  😃😘

Jade walks past the bed, "Bathroom is all yours." 

"Thanks." Hailee sets her phone down on the bed, and then climbing off it heads over to her suitcase to collect some clean clothes to put on for supper.