"Look" Kristie lets out, tired. "The starting XI for tonight's game is here"

When the blonde actually looks at the paper - that Jill and Dawn purposely left there on purpose, since the game is in less than an hour and a half - her eyes go wide, as well as her smile :

When she sees the piece of paper, Steph immediately looks at Kristie, before yelling : "That's my bitch right here !" As the girls are exchanging a high five, Abby rolls her eyes. When Steph notices that, she immediately walks back to the blonde and quickly pecks her lips. "And of course my woman is getting the start as well !"

"You won't make up for it for now, laddie" Abby lets out, walking away from Steph, who suddenly has a shocked face on.

Lindsey, who is just walking past them, starts smirking : no wonder those two are together, they just are as sarcastic and savage as the other. And the forward is not the only one to think that : the whole team does.

She sits not next to Allie, as Ash claps her hands.

"Well, since I won't play today, I'll join Janine on the stands !" she exclaims, smiling. "Good luck girls, kick some butts out there !"

"Wait" Julie calls, getting up as well. "I'm coming with you."

Soon, the two girls walk out of the locker room, after the goalie congratulated Kelsey for the start, even though the other keeper started more important games in the past. Then, only the starting players and the bench remain on the locker room. Becky calls for a huddle, as the girls are positioned in a circle.

The captain then gives her speech :

"Remember : tight defense, wide play-making, and the victory is ours girls ! I also need you to play together, until the end : support each other on that pitch, even if there are mistakes or goals for Clemson. I want to see an united group of girls today, because that's what we need to go far this year ! I want the newbies to be encircled, in a way that allows each one of you to give them instructions if you feel like it. Kelley ?" she then calls, and the brunette winks at her captain, captain. "You will supervise Rose today. And Kealia ? You will keep an eye on Mal, got it ?"

The two experimented players nod, as the newbies are quite happy. Gibby, on the other hand, is freaking out : of course it's only her second game, and she was hoping to get some advises as well.

Jill, after smiling at her captain, says :

"As far as the subs are concerned, I will sub Rose out during the second half or when I see you're tired" the British coach explains in a confident tone. "It's your first game, so it's going to be difficult. When I do the sub, Kelley you will take her spot, as Megan will enter to replace you, got it ?"

Everybody nod.

*

After the game, Steph is upset.

During the second half, as the team was leading 5-0 in the 78' minute (goals from Mal (x2), Lindsey (x2) and Steph), one of the Clemson girl tried to tackle the blonde, but was very late. The only result to this is that Abby went down hard, and that she hit her head on the other girl's cleats. Even though Abby was in a lot of pain, the doctors said it would be better for her to just stay in bed for a while and get some rest.

So Steph set the scene up : she created a cozy ambiance in Abby's loft, as one of their teammates would bring her back here after her visit at the hospital. She bed is ready for Abby to chill in, and Steph also cooked and made some tea.

When the door opens, Steph rushes to the main room, as Abby turns her back on her. Once she's closed the door, she turns around and her jaw drops. Forgot to mention : Steph is naked, and her abs are very hard not to see. Abby's eyes check her out quickly, as she closes her mouth. No matter how many times the two girls have slept together, it never grows old, and Steph loves that look full of desire her girlfriend gave her.

The defender is quite astonished though.

"Hey baby" she greets the brunette, as she fakes ignoring the fact that she is naked and hungry. "Mmh, you cooked something ?"

"Chicken and salad, yes." Steph seriously says. Once Abby has put her sports bag on the ground, the brunette wraps her arms around her waist, which causes the defender to wrap her arms around Steph's neck. The brunette quickly kisses her, before saying : "I hope you're hungry".

Abby couldn't even ignore this seductive tone, even if she wanted to. So she grins, before smirking and caress the back of Steph's head with one of her hands.

"Come here, you hot woman" she sarcastically says, before kissing the brunette.

But Steph quickly stops her from doing so, smirking as well : "Babe, maybe you should shower first. You kind of stinks."

"Speaking of eating, you may want to undress me first" Abby says, winking.

After spending quite some time under the shower, the two girls find their way to the bed. Once they're done catching their breathes, Abby rolls to the side and relies on her elbows, in order to be able to look at Steph.

Even though it's only been a year and a half since they started dating, they have known each other through high school and have fallen for each other way before they entered UCLA. And now, even after all the fights, the differences and the hard times, they're still together. To be truthful, Steph couldn't imagine her life without Abby on it : the blonde brings her so many things she needs, including support and control.

As she realizes her girlfriend is quite thoughtful, Abby asks :

"Are you okay baby girl ?"

Steph immediately smiles, as her eyes are looking straight in Abby's. Her hands then caress her jaw, as Abby's usual smirk is back on her face.

"Yah" Steph only says.

"Are you sure ?" the defender insists, before seeing that little breach, the one that allows her to know her girlfriend is lying. Abby is good at understanding facial expressions, especially Steph's, so she doesn't let go. "What on your mind ?"

"You."

That makes Abby burst into laughter. "Stop joking around, Stephy" she then orders, pinching the brunette's nose.

"I'm not babe. I really, really love you." Steph insists, convinced that she never tells her enough how in love with her she's fallen.

"I love you too, you know that" the blonde says, still smiling. "And I gotta admit, your buffalo chicken is the best I've ever had, so just for that I'll remain your girlfriend until the end of times baby."

"Jerk" Steph smirks, before pulling her closer.

Abby's lips catch Steph's, biting them, before kissing them softly. Steph's arms are now wrapped around her, causing her to climb on top of the forward. And just like that, they're in for round seven.

*

.

The captain sighs, putting her phone down next to her. She then buries her face in her hands, as the tears are growing in her eyes. Fuck off. Fuck this. Fuck her. But anger is not the only feeling animating Becky right now : she misses her, more than ever. Distance usually keeps her from facing her feelings, but since she's seen Shelina again, she can't seem to take her off her thoughts.

The phone buzzes again, and Becky fears to read something that will hurt her. When she sees Shelina's face on the screen, she sighs.

.

Becky immediately deletes the texts.

When Julie enters the dorm after knocking, and finds her captain with red eyes and growing tears, she immediately closes the door and puts her bag on the table. The blonde then sits down on the bed as well, before looking at Becky.

"Let it all out" the blonde whispers, thoughtful. "It will free you."

That's when Becky loses it.

Fortunately enough, Julie is here to hold her, slowly and softly taping her back as she is crying her eyes out. All those conflicted feelings from the past months are surfacing through those tears of sadness, despair and, most of all, that demonstrate how hurt she is. The mentor relies on her girl's arms, Julie who never has been judgmental or anything. It's quite the opposite, actually.

After a few minutes, Becky pulls it together and gets away from Julie's embrace. While the blonde is peacefully waiting for the older girl to speak, the captain just wipe her tears away, before shamefully looking at her teammate.

"You can tell me everything, Broon" Julie softly says, honest. "You know I will never betray you, you know that."

"But I betrayed all of you" Becky lets out in despair.

Julie frowns. "What do you mean ?"

As an answer, Becky only shakes her head. Her stomach is hurting really badly right now, but she knows she has to bounce back and try to forget that weird feeling after losing Shelina. She knows she owes the team that ; a team she has dedicated her life for, made many sacrifices to maintain.

To be a great leader.

"I made a error in judgment"

"Falling for someone is not an error in judgment, Becky" Julie whispers, like if she fears that someone would hear them through the walls.

Becky's eyes go wide, as she looks at her teammate, terrified.

"W-wait, you-" she starts, absolutely freaking out.

"Not until the moment you saw her on the stands before the UVA game" Julie explains, taking Becky's hand in hers. She then smirks, before saying : "I've never seen you so afraid of anyone, so I figured that girl had done something special."

"Julie..."

"She owns your heart, and you're scared to death." the younger girl continues, ignoring her mentor.

The two girls then all into silence, until Becky says :

"It doesn't matter now, I shut her out"

Julie frowns. "That old 'take one for the team', right ?" she asks, as if it was predicable from the captain. Becky only nods. "You know, you don't have to blame yourself, or even that girl. The only person responsible is, and always has been Hope. If it wasn't for her, Stanford wouldn't be our enemies..."

"What happened with Hope is my fault as well" Becky reminds the younger girl, her eyes darkening. "And Ash'. And Kelley's."

"How so ?"

Instead of responding, Becky suddenly gets on her feet and starts gathering her things : she soon has classes, and hates feeling vulnerable, especially in front of someone. She then turns around, before saying :

"That's a story you don't wanna hear, JJ. Now, promise me you won't say anything about the past five minutes."

"I promise".

"Good." Becky lets out, before pulling it together once and for all. When she realizes the girl is not moving a bit, she adds : "Now, go to class because I need you to be educated !"

Julie exits the room, as Becky grabs her phone.

.

As soon as she sends the message, Becky knows it's going to be a rough couple of days, especially since she has practice every day, and that Ash and Kelley are growing more and more curious with time.