Immovable Object, Unstoppable Force

You Should Be Loving Someone

"Jade." Kelley whined like...well...like me. Good thing Mom wasn't around because I think she probably would have found that just as unattractive as I did.

"What? That woman is a hard book to read! I'm homeschooled I can only read so much." Kelley didn't find that joke nearly as funny as I did.

"I'm serious, Kid."

"So am I, Adult."

Kelley seemed to fight some sort of baser instinct before squaring her shoulders than marching off to find my Mom.

This oughta be highly entertaining. I quickly looked around for another back to jump on so I would have a better view of this.

"Fuck. What does Hope feed you?" Ashlyn huffed as I situated myself onto her back. Ali slapped her for me. I smiled. I've got all of these women wrapped around my finger.

"Don't talk about my favorite niece like that, Ash. You know I give her my leftovers."

"Shhhh, Aunt Ash. I think Kelley's finally about to tell Mom she's in love with her. I needed a better vantage point."

"Why didn't you lead with that, Heavy Teenager!?" I'm forced to hold on as Ashlyn hightailed it down the hall. Following Kelley about as inconspicuously as a 5'9 blonde woman with a 15 year old on her back could.

Meaning: not at all.

~•~

Hope's pov

Do you ever feel like something is about to happen? Like not a good thing or a bad thing. Just a thing is about to happen.

That's how I felt. It was putting me on edge. I hate anticipating things.

I was so on edge that I jumped when I was tapped on the shoulder. Highly embarrassing.

"Sorry, Hope. Didn't mean to startle you." Kelley spoke softly.

I shrugged, "No big deal."

She smoothed the palms of her hands down her shorts, "Uh. Can we talk?"

"Sure? About what? You played really well today. I have no notes." Kelley only nodded as though she wasn't really listening. Normally, she laughed more than necessary at the inside joke.

"Is everything okay?" I asked. She was fidgeting. Or at least nore than she normally did.

And suddenly, I was witnessing the first time Kelley O'Hara ever got mad...at me.

"What the fuck, Hope Solo?!"

I looked around for help. I could see Ashlyn's head peaking around the corner in a way that I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to see. So, I guess I'm on my own.

"Was it something I said?"

Sometimes things do just slip out but I'm fairly sure this wasn't one of those times.

I backed up slightly. Kelley was a bit scary when she was mad.

"Yes! No...I don't know. It's everything about you really."

What does that even mean?!

"What does that mean?"

I swear her eye twitched.

"Have you ever noticed the way I act around you? I can't imagine I was that subtle about it. Subtly isn't exactly my strong suit."

I'll say.

I still haven't slightest clue where this conversation is going.

"You're always so aware of your surroundings. Except for-. Does Abby have something I don't?"

"Height?"

"Fuck, Hope." I heard from around the corner. Then something that sounded vaguely like skin hitting skin and a resounding shush.

"Oh my God. It's like you see everyone. Everything but me. What about me?"

"I see you, Kelley. Of course I do."

Kelley shook her head, "No you don't. Not in the way I'm talking about."

"If there is a punchline here can you please let me in on it?"

"Is she raising me? Or am I raising her? It's gotta be the latter, because what the hell, Mom." Another stage whisper.

"Jade was right. You really are dense."

"Um. Jade is seldom right about anything e-"

"I'm in love with you."

"Oh."

Oh.

Yeah Jade is right about that.

"Really? 'Oh'. That's all you've got, Solo?"

I folded my arms, "Hey. I've got every right to be caught off-"

It's sort of hard to finish my sentence with Kelley's mouth on mine. Though, I'm not exactly complaining.

"Yes. I knew it!" The horrible eavesdroppers finally fully come around the corner.

"I can sleep in Aunt Ash's room if you're going to do something gross like have sex with Kelley, Mom!"

I took a deep breath, "Sometimes I really do regret letting you be so open."

"Please don't have sex. Your daughter tries to suffocate me in her sleep each and every time." Ashlyn begged.

I turned to Kelley, "Sure you want to deal with all of whatever that is?" I gestured in the general direction of Ashlyn and Jade.

She smiled at me, "I already do."