Just Keep Loving

Chapter 17: Advice

"I know you don't Sonnett stop lying."

"Can't Hallie pick?"

"That's a good idea." Rose agrees.

"How about just getting dinner at a restaurant?"

"That's sounds good."

Everybody smiles at me.

"Lead the way Mewy."

"Why me?" She groans.

"I felt like choosing you." I laugh.

We walk for five minutes, before we stop outside a nice restaurant. Hoping that it's free since we didn't book, I ask for a table for us six.

I take a look at the menu, before ordering a water and a salad.

"Why such plain food?" Rose asks.

"Picky eater." I shrug. "I have been since I was a kid."

"I used to hate olives as a kid, but now I love them in my salads." Lindsey says making me laugh.

"I use to love foods like spaghetti bolognese, but because it was one of the few foods I would eat, I became bored of it."

"I'm surprised you like salads then." Sammy laughs.

"When it gets here, she'll pick everything out of it." Mal says.

"Thanks for exposing me."

Mal sticks her tongue out at me causing me to roll my eyes.

"Mother and daughter drama, everybody." Emily raises her voice.

Lindsey hits her on the arm. "Be quiet."

We all talk and laugh before our food comes, immediately shutting us up.

"Oh my god. Look at Hallie's napkin." Emily snorts.

My napkin has olives, spinach, kale and celery on it.

"Now I understand how picky you are."

"Why didn't you just ask for it without?"

"I don't want to cause any trouble." I shrug.

"Typical Hallie, always thinking about others before herself." Mal mumbles.

"Hey. Take that back. I find it offensive." I joke.

"Of course you do."

We finish up our meals before, paying and heading out.

"Wanna go for a walk?" Lindsey asks.

We all agree.

Walking around for half an hour, I can't help but look around and take in the views.

"Picture?"

"Of what?" I ask.

"Me and the sunset." Emily grins.

"Sure." I laugh.

I take a photo of Emily and Lindsey with their arms wrapped around each other, the sunset behind.

"One with us two!" Rose squeals dragging Mal and Sam in for a group pic.

"Say cheese!"

"Send them to me right away Hallie." Emily says.

"Will do."

When we all get back to the hotel, we part ways and head to our own rooms.

"Hey I'm back, Kelley."

"Hey! Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, we got food and then walked a bit. Took a few photos."

"Can I see?" She questions.

"Sure." I say getting my phone out, and swiping through the photos.

"You should of got someone to take a photo of you all."

"Maybe next time."

"What food did you get?"

"A salad. They all bullied me because I took out all the gross bits."

Kelley laughs. "I do that too, but I just ask for them to be taken out."

"I feel bad when I do that."

"Well I don't." Kelley says cheekily.

I laugh before changing out of my clothes and into sleeping shorts, leaving my bra on.

Brushing my teeth in the bathroom and combing my hair, before getting into bed and turning the lights off.

"Hey Kelley?"

"Yeah Hallie?"

"What was it like when you played your first game?"

I can hear Kelley shuffle to face me. " I made mine 9 years ago, so I can't remember much. Are you worried about it?"

"I try not to worry too much about these things, but I can't really help it. This is a bigger stage than I've ever been on before."

"Can I turn the light on?" Kelley says.

I stupidly nod before remembering she can't see me so whisper a quiet, "Yes."

I look at Kelley and see her eyes fixed on mine.

"People say I'm not very good at giving advice but I'll give it my best shot. You may not realise it Hallie but you create the big stage, when you step on any pitch you are the stage. You're the main goal scorer for every team, you've ever played for. It might seem like that's going to make your problem bigger for you. But if you've gone that long not being scared of playing well, than you can do it for one more match."

"Thank you Kelley. I'll keep that in mind. And I think that was some good advice." I smile at her.

She turns the light off again. "Goodnight Hallie. Sleep well.