These Years

Intro

They fought but never like this. Anger ripped out of them. Boiled through their skin. Both of them took shots at each other. Which would said the worse? Which would said something to hurt the other more? What would hurt more? They have been through a lot. Hell and back. But Kelley wasn't prepared for what Hope had to say. And she didn't like that Mal was here to hear it too. Kelley stormed off. The loud words that coursed through the hotel were gone. Doors were slammed and the only things left were the tears of Hope and the aftermath of the hatred Kelley just exclaimed.

Mal stood in the corner of the room. Unsure if she should move towards the doors or towards Hope. She didn't know who Hope was anymore. Did she even want to know more. She took one look at Hope. The older women smiled through her tears. "Leave while you can. Everyone else does."

The split second between when Hope stopped talking and when Mal started walking must of consisted of the decision made in Mal's head but she processed it fast enough. Mal isn't going to be everyone.

She walked towards Hope. "I'm not everyone. I'm not leaving. And I mean it." Hope smiled at Mal, tears trickling down her face. "Your going to stay?" Hope's tears didn't falter.

"Hope," Mal grasped her waist, pulling the older women into a hug. "I'll never leave your side."

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17 years ago

"It's going to be okay." Marcus whispered to Hope. She was glad her brother was here in times like this.

He didn't always show. There were times in their childhood where he would disappear and Hope would deal with two angry parents alone. But sometimes when she was really in the need of her older brother he knew he had to show up. He probably wouldn't be here for long but he was here now.

"I never thought this would happen. My life was just beginning. The national team just called me up. I was going to be something bigger than this." Hope quietly spat out.

"Hope this will be the biggest thing you have ever done." A comforting hand found her shoulder. She looked up at her friend.

"Do you really believe that Car?"

"Hope, you will never accomplished something greater than this." Carli said.

The door to the room she lied in opened. In walked Jake and Ryan. "Hope! "We would like to thank you so much for doing this. You have done us such a big favor. I hope you know how important this is to us and to our future."

"Yeah me and Jake could never thank you enough. This is everything we have ever asked for out of life." Ryan's arm was placed around his husbands waist.

"Hopefully my mistake can be your prized possession." Hope muttered.

She was sweaty and tired. Her eyes drooped and her upper lip need to be wiped off. Her hair clung to the back of her neck. Man she wish she let Carli tie it up before they left. But she wasn't in the mood to talk to these two men. Sure she liked them. Sure she agreed to do this. But to much time was spent with them making sure Hope was okay with everything. She was tired. And not the kind where she could sleep. She was tired of being Hope. Just tired.

Carli's hand was placed again in her shoulder, refilling the warm spot it left to shake both men's hands. "She's glad you two are able to do this." Carli looked down at Hope.

"Y- Yeah, yes. Yes I am. Thank you also for doing this for me." Hope said showing a small smile. It was fake. She was being polite but they didn't need to know that. They were doing her a huge favor, she thinks.

"Good luck kid. Life won't always be this bad for you." Ryan said.

"I hope not." Marcus replied. He ushered the two out of the room before Hope could reply and closed the door behind them leaving Carli and Hope alone.

"Your 17 Hope, you'll get out and live and love and you'll be okay. And I'll be with you, right beside you. The national team can't wait to have you."

"Even after this hell of a-"

"I talked to them. They are willing to accept you how you are, stubborn and skilled and everything in between. We will be there for you."

"I'm ready to forget this and get there."

"Soon Hope, I promised when your better."

Marcus came back into the room. "You've filled out all the papers sis." She nodded her head. "You don't want to see h-"

"No!" Hope said quickly. "Sorry but definitely not. I can't get attached to something I won't be able to keep."

Marcus nodded his head. "Understandable. We will get you out of here soon. Well Carli will. I'm leaving. See you around Hope." With a small wave he suddenly disappeared as quickly as he showed up.

He left. He only came back to help her but now she doesn't need it and he left. Not unusually but not what she needed or wanted at this point. Again he left Carli and Hope alone.

"I bet your ready to go home." Carli said packing the small duffle she brought for Hope.

"Yeah, can I spend the night at-"

"You are always allowed at my place Hope."

"Thanks Car."

"Don't mention it." She replied with a wink.

Authors note
Well this is new and out of the blue but I'm hoping to post every other day or every couple of days, hoping that I don't get to busy with life and soccer. I hope you enjoy this. Like and comment. Another chapter should be out by Wednesday or Thursday. I'll try and keep my promise.

P.s. Don't worry if you don't know what's going on. You won't. For a while. Until Hope is ready to tell you. It's okay though. The story will unfold and you'll always have this in the back of your mind. But be patient. Hope will only tell you when she's ready.