Caoilainn

I race into the locker room with Siofra, Courtney and Pearl tight on my heels behind me. The worry I feel for Tadhg is overwhelming. I hope he's ok. He looked so-

"Oh, Tadhg," a squeaky voice coos. "That hit looked so terrible, Baby."

When I stop abruptly in my tracks, Siofra, who had been talking to Courtney behind her, plows into my back. "Ooomph. Aw! What the---Caoi-"

"Shh!" I whisper-shush her, waving my hand to emphasize my immediate need for her silence. I point to the locker room with one finger, while at the same time placing a finger from my opposite hand cross my lips. Siofra, Courtney and Pearl all go silent. They look at me in confusion and surprise but thankfully don't ask any more questions. "Just wait," I whisper.

I peek around the locker room door jam and see Tadhg sitting, a towel around his waist and his legs spread out around a bench. Corrine, one of the usual team groupies, is hanging on his back behind him while rubbing his temples. He has his eyes closed and it's clear he's enjoying himself under the care of her all-too attentive fingers.

"Naw," I hear Tadhg reply in his familiar voice. "I'm ok. It's all good. No worries, Corrine.

Ahmmnnn, that feels awesome."

"Oh," she squeals, little pearls of girly gushing out of her lips. "I'm SO glad. I was going to ask you to take me to Archer's party tonight. When you were hit I was afraid you wouldn't be able to."

"What's up, Corrine?" I hear Brody ask, coming into the locker room from what I'm guessing is the shower area. "Did I hear you say you're going to Archer's tonight?"

At the sound of Brody's voice, Pearl makes an indecipherable excuse about forgetting something and runs out leaving the girls and me behind. I turn and watch her go while Siofra mumbles something derogatory under her breath. Courtney looks at me for translation but I don't have any more answers than she does. I didn't understand Siofra's comment either. I shrug my shoulders and turn back towards the threesome before us.

"If Tadhg will take me," I hear Corrine mock-swoon.

I feel like punching her. The sticky sweet tone of her voice makes me want to pour something sour down her throat.

"Yeah, sure," I hear Tadhg say. "You can ride with us. We're all going together-"

I turn around and start to leave. Siofra grabs my arm and Courtney asks, "You're leaving? But I thought-"

"I know what you thought," I reply quietly but resolutely. "I'm out of here, though."

I turn to stomp away and just as I reach the doorway to the field, they catch up with me. The both of them exchange a look before glancing back at me. "You're coming with us."

"What?" I ask Siofra surprised.

"To my house," Siofra explains simply. "I know you were supposed to go to the party with Tadhg."

"But that's changed," Courtney interjects. "You're coming with us. Jenny and Pearl are meeting us at Siofra's and so are you. Text Tadhg and tell him and then we're leaving. We're going to get ready together and you, my dear, are going to look hot when we're done with you."

I turn my head towards the locker room and then back to the girls. "You know what? You're right." I say with determination. "Let's go."

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Source for above video:
Sybert, N. (2014). Clip 49 199 scrum collapses-August 23, 2014. Web Search 18 April 2020. Website: https://youtu.be/e3Pk_om5pPo
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