Always

Chapter 78

The flight here was dreadful, Julia wouldn't stop talking about her problems with her boyfriend named Zach and how shes scared she feels he's going down to some dark path . I don't really know, I wasn't really listening with everything thats been on my mine. I gave a few nods and 'yeah I'm scared to.'

I walk back into yet another shuttle bus as the old man that smells like cheap cigaretts drives us to our hotel.

Coach Stephinie goes by row to row handing us our room cards for each of us to stay in our own hotel room. I thought that we would be sharing each with a teamate, but she explains to us how the California team payed for us, and got us each our own room.

She goes over our 'bed time', no one aloud in the room unless a player or her, no alchol, or drugs, and if we sneak out we don't play. She goes over each of the rules percicly and with a firm voice,

I hold the plastic key card in my hand, it looks quietly similar to the one hotel Harry had the memorial at.

I grab my luggage and soccer bag out of the area that holds them under the bus.
I drag my red suitcase with the raggedy weels, jumping at each sidewalk crack it goes over.

"Aren't you excited! California!" Julia says to me with full excitement in her voice. I haven't even thought about being here, I have been thinking about the game but not the fact were in California. One if the most famous places, were celebrities are made.

"Yeah, so excited." I say with a voice full of sarcasm. We walk inside the small elevator, that has red walls with a blue flower. My mind flashes images of me and Harry together in that elevator a week ago.

"Were I can get away from my life back home, not to think about Zach here or any boys." She says, I still have no idea what she was talking about on the plane about Zach.

"Yeah that's great." I tell her as I roll my eyes before existing the elevator that's making me feel trapped.

I nearly run to my room as an attempt to just be alone for a bit. I slam the door close before Julia tried to come in.
No matter how much I love her, I just need to be alone. Hot salty tears rush down my face, my bags fall to the floor as my back slides down the door before my but hits the floor.

I cry harder and harder, I hate the way I screwed everything up with Harry. I bolted out of the state thinking I will find a peace state of mind.

Ever since I got on that plane and got farther and farther away from him. My heart aches, literally aches from caring so much about one person. I wish he was just here, and everything could be fine. But as Ashley said I can't let it happen so easy, even though its all I want.

"Emily, are you alright?" Grace asks on the other side if the door, probably here me crying.

"Yeah, I'll be out in a minute." I call back before picking myself off the floor and finding the mirror in this small hotel room. I wipe the mascara from under my eyes.

I set my suit case on the stand and my bag next to it. I unzip the luggage and hang up my Jersey for tomorrow I haven't worn the away Jersey. I like the way it looks, the same as the home one just opposite colors.

I head out the door and down the hall to the room Julia briefly told me she is. The door swings open before I can even knock.

"Emily, come in!" Holly says with a smile.

"Coach says shes not holding practice tonight, so we get rest the night off. She says we can do anything as long as were back for roll call." Grace tells me and send me a smile, thankfully not telling them about my tears.

"Oh, good." I say short before sitting down on the bed with them, I grab a chip from the bag and dip it into the salsa.

"So, did you guys hear that old cranky guy on the plane, he wouldn't shut up." Grace complains.

"Yeah, so abnoxious." Julia adds.

"I didn't hear him." I say, I wonder how bad this guy was?

"How, I was right next to you, he wouldn't be quiet and let people sleep."
Julia says to me surprised I didn't hear him.

"Oh, I must have been listening to music or something." I say playing it off.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

"It's open." Julia calls over to the door.

A few girls on the team walk in.
"Some of the girls are going to the beach with us for a bit, then maybe grab some dinner, you guys in?" Alex asks us.

We all look at each other seeing if we want to go. I would rather stay in tonight but if they want to, sure.

"Lets do it." Julia announces and we all get off the bed.

"Okay, lets meet in the lobby in five." She says and they leave.

I head back to my room and put on my hot pink swim suit, I tie it tights and slide on the white bottoms.I throw on some shorts and a baggy top.

"Ready?" She asks sitting on my bed.
We walk out the door and meet Holly. Grace, and Audrey in the hallway.
We head down stairs in perfect timing, the girls hop in the large taxi and we drive off.

We arrive at the beach, it's still light out but will probably go dark soon. Theres a few people here but not much. Half the girls nearly sprint into the water, as I walk down the sandy hill and looking out on the ocean. The ocean looks so beautiful and peaceful as the small waves crash into shore. I pull my towel out of Julia's bag and lay it out laying it flat before sitting down ok it.

I watch as the waves become smaller, and they fall back into the ocean. The sky is so clear and peaceful.
Before I know it, I am up and walking over to the water were the team is.

"Emily, come in!"

I run farther in, my feet sink into the small pebbles in the water. The waves hit my body, I run further in to a point to water is up to my chest.
. . .

"What's to eat around here?" One of the teammates asks as we make the taxi driver roam around.

"I heard theirs a good sushi restaurant over here?" Julia suggests.

"I don't like seafood." I announce and I get looks from some of the girls.

"Your insane." Holly laughs and I laugh along.

"Sorry, I jut don't." I tell them and they finally agree on a hot dog shop.
We all eat our hot dogs, and drink our sodas. Some order froyos, and churros.
. . .

I sleep in late, exhausted from the late night with the team. They all wanted to go out for drinks and I said no but I couln't make them mad again. We barley made it back in time for roll call, I could tell coach was getting angry. Some are still pissed from all the sprints, one of the girls got ynomonia.
I hop in the shower and wash my body, my dried up skin become soft and smooth. I change into my uniform and brush my teeth, then blow dry my hair. I check my phone for any messages.

*Hope you're having the best time in California!* My mom texts me.

*Where are you we need to talk, I looked for you yesterday and you were gone.* A text message from Harry pops up on the screen and my heart stops. Harry wants to talk, how would this even end? Harry and I talking, how can I wait. i'm all the way here in California and I wont be home till tomarrow.
I slide my phone to reply.

*I wish I could, I'm away on a soccer game in California.*

///Thanks for reading!///