When the final whistle blew, we all knew we'd throw a party.

After Hao hugged us all, we headed to my house. Allie is out for the night, and since our dad is on a trip for work (that lucky guy is in Venice right now), we basically dispose the house. Moe helps me settling the couches so that there's enough room for the whole team.

We won 3-1, with a brace from Ashley Sanchez, and the third goal from Mal. The chemistry between those two is just amazing, and now I get why Hao put them in my initial position. Don't get me wrong : it's not that I don't like the attacking mid, especially since I'm basically a forward. But I wasn't used to it. The defense, on the other hand, was struggling a little bit, and it showed when that chick scored against us in the 5th minute. But then, they got along and eventually became a brick wall. I gotta admit that Sonnett and Dahlkemper were way better than I expected them to be.

Andi is the first one to burst into the room. I've always liked the way she's such a dork, and yet such a well-driven person. Even though she isn't the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, she's got something more, something else than just beauty. I don't understand how that stupid guy she's loved for the past three years still doesn't return her feeling. But, well, boys are stupid, that's not new.

What's new is how Sam is already drunk, even though we only are here for about fifteen minutes. Since she seems quite sad to be the only one, I decide to join her, along with some other girls. We celebrate our first win of the season, and since tomorrow's Sunday and that either of us have classes, we can celebrate big time.

About an hour later, it's like 11 PM, and everybody is a little bit drunk. Mal and Ashley have been laughing in a corner of the room for an hour, without anybody knowing the exact reason. I spot Sonnett, in a very deep talk with Danny and Moe, and I feel my heart missing a few beats. Seeing her with alcohol in my system only reminds me of how beautiful she looks, and how attractive I find her. I shake my head, relying my attention on Sam, who is sitting in front of me, along with Cari.

She is by far the drunkest of us all.

"I'm sooooo happy we got reunited guys !" she exclaims, hugging Cari.

Since the brunette isn't exactly the most touchy person ever - that's something we have in common - she just awkwardly taps Sam's shoulder, rolling her eyes at me because I am making fun or her.

I take a sip of my Vodka.

"Me too" I let out, thoughtful.

"I wonder..." Sam starts, but then something (or someone) catches her attention, and her eyes brighten. "Heeeeeeeey, Abs, it's been a looooong time !" she then yells.

I turn around to see the defender with a glass in her hands, just awkwardly standing there, frowning. Sam then gets up, almost falls on the ground, before grabbing Abby's glass and drinking the rest of it. She then hugs the blonde, who seems pretty uncomfortable. She knows I'm watching, so she just pulls away and sits on the opposite side of the couch. Sam seems too drunk to get it, so she just sits next to her, one of her arms around Abby's shoulders. The blonde seems conflicted.

Cari and I exchange a look : it's time for me to go somewhere else, because that poor blonde won't make it through the night if she gets scared of what I might think all night long. I smile at my friend, before leaving the three be. Moe joins them, and I spot Danny in a corner of the room, on the phone with who I assume is her boyfriend. One though comes to my mind, and won't leave it : where's Sonnett ? I look around, quite terrified. What if she left so that her mother will hit her again ?

I immediately rush outside, only to find her standing on the porch, her glass in hand. She knows I'm right here, but still, she doesn't react a bit.

"Emily" I let out, bitter.

She lets a small 'mmh?' out, as I am standing right next to her. She doesn't even dare looking at me in the first place, but then she pulls it together and smirks.

"What is it, Lindsey ?" she asks in a cold tone.

Why am I so nervous ? "Listen, I just wanted to tell you that it was okay if you wanna spend the night here." She suddenly looks up at me, surprised. Say something else, otherwise she'll think you're hitting on her. Even with that much of alcohol in my blood, I manage to add : "I mean, I'm not sure your mother will be pleased when she learns you are drunk."

"It's gonna get worse if I don't get home at all" she murmurs.

I can feel the despair in her sweet voice. I frown.

"Please" I sigh, surprised by my own tone. "Let me help you."

She looks up at me again, frowning. "Why do you want to help me that bad ? You don't even like me, I remind you."

"I do like you."

I freeze. Completely frozen. She seems tense too, so I just decide it's time for me to go inside again. So that's what I do, leaving her with her own thoughts.

Really, Lindsey ? Shit.

**

As 1 AM approaches real fast, I see her entering the room and sit next to Moe. I am still drinking my Vodka, wondering why she still hasn't left. Cari and Andi are totally drunk, talking nonsense in front of everyone for half an hour now, while Ashley and Mal are sitting right next to me, trying to keep up. Jane and Steph had to go home, since their parents were picking them up - well, I think Steph lied and that Kristie was the one picking her up, but never mind - while Sam fell asleep on Abby's arms.

Danny looks at Sonnett.

"Hey, you okay, mate ?" she asks, as silence takes over the atmosphere.

That makes the blonde sigh. "Yeah, I'm better now" she then says, looking straight in my eyes.

I feel my body shiver, as I am ironically winking at her. She smirks, and then starts talking with Moe. When the people finally are leaving - Sam and Abby have to catch a bus, since the defender is walking my friend home, while Danny, Cari and Moe just are walking back to their houses. When I stand on the porch, I feel a presence next to me.

Since Ashley and Mal still are on the couch, talking about soccer, my bet's on her.

"Can I stay here tonight ?" she shyly asks.

I look down at her, smirking.

"Sure, Sonnett."