Though Allie and Tobin were official, they hadn't told anybody because, well, they hadn't shared a kiss yet. The most they did was watching movies together in one of their rooms and occasionally holding hands.

That's why it came as a surprise to Kelley when she and Alex opened the door to her room, theirs mouths falling to the floor as they took in the sight of the two cuddled on the couch, lip locked and kissing each other with passion. Tobin looked up to her friend and instantly pushed her girlfriend off of her, wiping her lips with her sleeve and glaring at the couple.

"What the..." Kelley trailed off, stunned.

"Hell," Alex finished for her.

Allie shared a quick look with Tobin, who nodded softly. "Tobin and I are... dating."

This explanation made Alex and Kelley's jaws fall even more.

"O-okay," Alex said flatly, her eyes flashing between the two girls like she was watching a ping pong match. Kelley's glare turned to her own girlfriend, who shrugged in response.

"As long as they're happy," she murmured, her eyes not trailing from the couple seated on the sofa. Allie wrapped an arm around Tobin's shoulders, smiling at her best friend.

Kelley looked at Alex, as if to warn her. "Tobin, can I talk to you for a minute," she said, her eyes not trailing from the girl.

Tobin shared a glance with Allie, who's cheeks were a bright shade of pink. Allie nodded and Tobin stood and moved towards Kelley, who tugged her out of the dorm room not very gently.

Once they were facing each other in the dorm hallway, Kelley's voice came out angrily. "Tobs, I don't approve."

Tobin's mouth opened but no sound came out. "Kels, I didn't know I needed your approval," she replied shortly, her tone curt and crisp, no hint of play fullness.

Kelley placed her hands on her hips and took a sharp breath. "Tobin Heath, think about what you're doing. Who is this? I would never of guessed you had feelings for Allie."

Tobin groaned. "Well, I think I do. So let it go."

"You think?" Kelley asked, throwing her hands in the air in frustration. "Tobin, what about Christen?!" The freckled girl spun around and stomped off the floor.

Tobin stared after her friend in disbelief. It wasn't any of her business who the mid liked! That wasn't polite, Tobin thought. I can be in love with who I want. Kelley has no control over that.

-

"She said that?" Allie asked, gently stroking her girlfriend's chestnut hair as the two zoned off to the distant sounds of fireworks. Alex had followed Kelley into the forward's room, and the freckled girl hadn't returned to her own room. 

Tobin was cuddled into the blonde's side, channel surfing through the tiny TV Kelley had fixed up in their room. Stopping every so often at a somewhat intriguing channel, she would look up to Allie, who would either nod or shake her head and motion for the mid to keep going. While doing that, the two chatted about Tobin's earlier conversation with Kelley. 

"I can't believe she thought you needed approval," Allie repeated herself, sighing loudly. "At least that's all she said."

Tobin bit her lip. She hoped her girlfriend didn't notice; the blonde always seemed to know when she was hiding something. Thankfully, Allie didn't bring it up. Instead, she turned her attention back to the TV and smiled when Tobin clicked to a re-run of Dirty Dancing.

"Can we watch this?" she asked, not exactly needing an answer. Tobin shrugged, knowing it was Allie's favorite movie. They watched it.

-

"I love you."

Ali beamed at the words. She knew she would her them every morning. And they would never get old. 

"I love you too, Ash," the defender responded, hitting her girlfriend with a pillow softly. 

"Hey!" the blonde exclaimed, climbing on top of her, pushing the pillow in between their bodies.

Ali smirked, leaning up to kiss her girlfriend on the lips. 

"You're such a tease," Ashlyn muttered under her breath, which was unfortunately picked up by Ali. 

"I love you." 

"I love you," Ali murmured, letting their lips met once again. 

"I love you. No matter what they say." 

Ali teared up at the statement. Ashlyn's parents had met Ali a week ago, and had not been the nicest. Same with Ali's parents. Everyone said they were too young. Their love was fake. They didn't know what they were doing. The only people that seemed to be able to see just how incredibly in love they were was the NYU soccer team. The girls were- well, mostly- all best friends. They watched the shared glances during practice, and they caught the lingering stares, full of adoration and pride. 

Outside of the university, Ali's older brother, Kyle, loved the pair and always treated Ash with respect. Maybe it was because he himself was gay, and supported the entire LGBTQ+ community, or maybe he sincerely meant it. Ali hoped it was the second one. 

Family gatherings were the hardest. Ashlyn's older brother Chris had gotten married the last weekend, and both girls were invited to the wedding. Throughout the reception, the Harris' had managed to keep Ash away from Ali as much as possible:

"Ashlyn, Honey, come talk to your Aunt Judy," Taymme Harris, Ashlyn's mother said, practically ripping her daughter out of Ali's linked arm. The blonde sent a half smile half grimace to her girlfriend, reluctantly following her mother to talk to her grumpy aunt. 

Ali stared longingly after the family, desperately wanting her girlfriend's touch. Mike Harris, Ashlyn's father approached Ali soon after, wanting to introduce her to Chris's new wife, Marissa. It turned out the newly weds were already out in the middle of the dance floor, romantically moving along to a waltz like song. Chris kissed his wife passionately and Mike and several of the other Harris family members let out a loving "aww" at the couple. A pain tugged at Ali's heart, knowing that both her family and Ash's family would never do that for them. As if they would even turn up at a lesbian wedding, Ali laughed out loud, even though it wasn't very funny. Mike glanced at her, an eyebrow raised, but the brunette ignored him. 

Finally, the reception was over and Ashlyn met the defender out front. Wrapping her arms tightly around the dressed girl's waist, she pulled her into a tight hug and a short kiss, which was interrupted by Ashlyn's Aunt Judy's high heels clicking on the pavement, throwing disapproving looks at the two over her shoulder. Ali sighed, resting her head tiredly on Ashlyn's chest. She was sure glad the night was over.