[Time Skip]

| Cody |

Not much has happened since my birthday, it's almost been too quiet. Like the calm before the storm. Maybe it's my paranoid tendencies that are beginning to shine through, maybe I'm wrong or maybe I'm right. Who knows.

My mom went back to Orlando. She didn't want to, and if I'm being honest, I didn't want her to either. I was tempted to quit everything about Idaho and jump on the plane with her. However, I told Jack that this, staying here, was what I wanted. It still is, I believe it's going to be the one period of my life where the ground beneath my feet is solid and I can be sure of myself. Although, I do miss my mom, I understand she has pre-season but Hope told Jack and I that we could visit mom and Kelley during camps when the time comes.

I actually feel bad for Hope, she's like a single parent, stuck with a crazy, erratic, hormonal teenager who is always either talking, yelling, playing video games or eating - and myself.

Jack kept true to her sly remark, about the fact that I could drive her to school from now on, I don't mind though, turned around it's fair play. She's been driving me to school for the last two years. As far as I know, her and Ellie are still going strong, though she doesn't talk much about her anymore. Part of my brain wishes to run wild with speculation, but I know my best friend, if she needs to talk about it, she will.

I Facetime Jordyn daily, with her back in Canada. Our schedules kind of balance out, school, soccer, freetime. She constantly lets me know that I can talk to her about my mental health and she's been a huge support system for me. It's important to talk about these things, and it's even better knowing that the person I'm talking to can actually relate and not just nod along.

"You okay?"

I glance at Jack from my place in the driver seat of my Mustang. It's been two months and I still have mixed feelings about it, part of me loves it but the other wishes that my mom didn't spend that kind of money on me. I step on the gas when the light turns green.

"I'm fine. Why?"

"You completely zoned out. Were you thinking about Kristieeee?"

I sigh as Jack continues to tease me about my 'relationship' with the Pro. There's nothing to tease me about, in all honesty. Yes, we're...close. But we're not dating. The pressure from Jeri was enough to keep that from happening. I also kept replaying what Krissy told me when she first kissed me...then rejected me. I need to find myself, and until then, dating someone, anyone, wouldn't be right - not if I can't be myself.

Kristie went back to Houston for her pre-season and I didn't even think to ask if Rachel was there. If I could facepalm right now, I would.

My aunts went home too, which Jack is upset about because she fell in love with Jeri, in a completely innocent way. I'm happy about it. As much as I love my family, Jeri and Jack together was like living in a constant hurricane. Jeri still texts me everyday, mostly to be sure I'm doing okay while Alex is in Orlando.

"I'm not thinking about Kristie."

"Liar."

I ignore my best friend as I pull up into the school parking lot. The car brings with it one thing that Jack and I agreeably dislike to an incredible level - attention. We had both hoped that people would get over it, but we were obviously wrong. The attention we've gotten since Alex, and Hope respectively, came into our lives seems to continue to snowball. Almost out of control, so...so much for having my feet on solid ground.

"I'm so sick of this shit." Jack mumbles, unbuckling her seatbelt and grabbing her bag before climbing out. I don't argue with her, I only nod in response as I follow her out of my car. I lock it behind me and we walk into the school side by side, trying to ignore the stares as we go.

"Damn. If it isn't our famous soccer players!"

"Not now, Ally." I nudge one of our defenders with my shoulder as we stop at our lockers, grabbing the books we need for our first lesson.

"Tough morning?" She asks, only to be glared at from Jack.

"Just like every morning now." I chuckle softly, answering for my best friend and I as we head toward math.

| Hope |

"Can you just keep an eye out for her, Hope?"

"Of course, Alex." I reassure the forward who I hear sigh in return. "How serious is this, really?"

"If it wasn't serious, I wouldn't call you." Alex informs me, her voice quivering slightly before she takes another breath, effectively steadying herself. "Atkins called me himself, she's been spotted in town, apparently. But when the police get there, there's no sign of her anywhere."

"At least they're looking for her, but Al, I don't know what this woman looks like. I can't lock Cody up and keep her hidden from every single person."

"I'll call Cody's Social Worker, see if I can get a photo to send you. I'm not asking you to lock her up. Just keep her safe."

"You know I will." I insist, intent on keeping my word. I glance at the clock, doing the math to work out the time where Alex is in Orlando. "You should go, you'll have practice soon, right?"

"Yeah. I'm just finishing my coffee. Thanks Hope, I don't know how to make it up to you."

"You don't have to do anything for me. I'll speak to you later, Alex."