"Slow down, would you?" Allie said gently, placing a hand on the tray of food Alex was devouring in the cafeteria. 

"I didn't eat anything for breakfast!" the young forward protested, glaring at her friend before turning her attention back to her mashed potatoes.

Allie rolled her eyes, but took a small bite of her own lunch. The two girls had gone with Kelley and Ashlyn to a college party last night, and they didn't come back to their dorms until three in the morning. Ashlyn and Kelley drank too much at the party, but Allie and Alex stayed sober. 

Alex grumbled in her seat, slowing her eating pace slightly, and looking at the blonde as if it was her fault that she was starving. 

Alex's brow furrowed, staring at Allie, who was absorbed in her phone. 

"Who arf ooh exing, anyway?" she mumbled through a spoonful of potatoes. Allie looked up from the electronic, and stared at Alex with disgust. 

"Can I just say, ew," she replied. "Kelley."

Alex's head shot up. "Kelley? Our Kelley?"

Allie rolled her eyes, scrolling upwards with her thumbs. "Do we know any others?" 

"Kelleys?" Alex was puzzled. Allie blinked. 

"No, lesbian dating sights," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Alex's eyes shot up to her eyebrows. The naive seventeen year old was sometimes as dumb as a door nail. 

"Yes, Kelley. I'm texting Kelley." 

Alex's face fell with disapproval. It was clear how the athlete felt for the former defender. Everyone saw the way she looked at the freckled girl. She was so obvious, even Coach Jackson and Opal had asked Allie if something was going on between the two, when Kelley was on the team. Allie, who was the first to observe the two, had to respect their privacy and claimed that they were just good friends. Of course, nobody believed her, but they didn't say it aloud. 

"Uh, what are you saying to Kelley?" Alex asked, suddenly forgetting about her meal and peering over the blonde's shoulder in hope for a glance of the messaging page. Allie looked at her suspiciously. 

"See for yourself," Allie handed her phone to the forward. Alex practically stole the device from her best friend and scrolled upwards to read the texts from the beginning.

[11:43- Kelley] Hey there huney! how're ya doing? just finished class, heading to Diegos to eat w/ mom. Want anything?

[11:45- Allie] No, I'm good. eating lunch with Alex [pic attached]

The forward glanced up to glare at Allie. 

"You took a pic of me?" she exclaimed, reaching over and pinching the blonde on her arm. 

"Ow!" Allie whined, rubbing the now red mark and frowning. 

Alex drew her attention back to the phone and continued to read the string of texts. 

[11:47-Kelley] how is she? how are you? 

[11:48-Allie] we're good. sorry for leaving u guys alone at the dance... :|

[11:50- Kelley] are you feeling better? 

[11:51-Allie] oh yeah, tons better. 

[11:52- Kelley] i'm sensing sarcasm...

[11:54- Allie] Alex is not chewing. I'm concerned for her health.

[11:55- Kelley] omfg.

[11:56- Kelley] Don't let her die, okay? I would kill myself. 

[11:58- Allie] Caring, much?

[12:00- Kelley] stfu.

[12:01- Allie] Kelley...

[12:06- Kelley] Maybe. I have a bit of a crush...

Alex clicked off the phone, feeling her cheeks heat up. She handed it to Allie, who smirked at her. The forward was humiliated. She knew that the blonde, who also had feelings for Kelley as well as Tobin, would continue to tease her about it until she backed off. Or fell in love and made the choice easier for Allie. She would get Tobin, and Alex would get Kelley. 

She didn't even have a crush on Kelley! Yes, she thought the former defender was pretty and maybe a little hot, but it wasn't like Alex fantasized about the two of them. Allie did, of course, but she was Allie and she was in love with everyone. 

"Ahem," Allie coughed, gathering the younger's attention. Alex looked up hesitently, and stuffed another spoonful of potatoes into her mouth so she wouldn't have to talk. Swallowing them was difficult. 

Alex wasn't hungry anymore. 

-

Ali was content. Actually she was beyond content. Intwined like a pretzel, she and Ashlyn were cuddled together on the bed. Ashlyn's leg was draped over the defender's  hip protectively and her arm was wrapped around the girl's shoulders. 

"Baby, it's time to get up," Ali cooed lovingly. A soft groan emitted from the other as she burried her face into Ali's neck, planting a kiss and closing her eyes. Ali laughed. 

"Aww, you're cute, but we have practice. We already slept through classes today. If we miss anything else..."

Ashlyn sighed, the warm air hitting Ali's skin, who shivered. 

"You're right, of course," Ashlyn whispered. "But I don't wanna..." she whined. Ali uncurled herself from the bigger girl and slipped off the bed. Ashlyn lifted her head, aware of the missing presence. 

Seeing Ali change into training gear, Ashlyn stood up and followed suit. 

"Let's go," Ali said, grabbing the dorm key from the bedside table and picking up her cleats. Ashlyn pulled her blonde hair into a ponytail and caught up to Ali. She laced an arm around the defender's waist and kissed her forehead. 

Ali's grin couldn't of been any wider.