I'm beginning to think Carli lied. I haven't played in a single game with the national team including our game against New Zealand a couple days ago.

"Stop." Kelley says snapping me from my thoughts.

"What?"

"I know you're pissed you didn't play."

"No shit." I say as we walk into our family's hotel in New Jersey.

Kelley and Erin talked me into having a conversation with our dad to clear the air. I told them the only way I'd talk to him is if the whole family is in the room.

"Hey twins." Erin says and hugs us.

"Hey." Kelley and I say in unison.

Erin leads us up to our parents room and knocks on the door. Mom opens the door and lets us in then she hugs Kelley and I. I sit down in the office chair as Kelley hugs Dad then Kelley comes over and sits in my lap.

"How is this suppose to work?" I whisper to Kelley.

"Just say how you feel."

"You really don't want me too."

"So Astrid." Mom says breaking the uncomfortable tension. "How've you been?"

"Really?" I say only to be smacked in the arm by Kelley.

"Stop." Kelley whispers making me sigh.

"Sorry." I say then look at Mom. "I've been doing a lot better Mom."

"That's good."

"Yeah...can we just get this over with. Dan obviously doesn't wan't to be here and frankly it's hard for me to be in the same room as him."

"Why?" Kelley asks.

"You know why Kelley." I say.

"I know, but I'm trying to start this conversation."

"Fine." I say and sigh then look at dad. "You made my life hell for no fucking reason. I never did anything to warrant your treatment of me. I failed tests since I didn't know the material because you made me practice with Kelley. I didn't do projects because we had to get Kelley extra training which I was forced to go to so she had a keeper. I never even wanted to play soccer."

"Then why did you play?" Dad asks.

"You fucking forced me too." I say as Kelley squeezes my hand. "Why did you treat me like you did?"

"Astrid you and Kelley were supposed to be triplets, but when you were born your triplet brother died." Dad says.

"How the fuck is that my fault?" I seethe. "So you've been blaming me since I was 10 minutes old."

"Why weren't any of us told that they were suppose to be triplets?" Erin asks.

"You didn't need to know." Mom says.

"The hell we didn't." I angrily say. "I was seen as a burden for 18 years and for what? Because dad didn't get another son?"

"That's so fucked." Kelley whispers to me causing me to nod then stare at our father.

"I didn't do anything wrong so you need to either get your priorities straight and start treating me as your daughter or I will never consider you my father." I say then I get a text.

Ash: You need to get back here ASAP

Me: Why?

Ash: Your child has locked herself in her room and won't come out for anyone.

Ash: Not even Tobin and Christen

Me: I'll be there in ten minutes.

"I'm sorry, but we have to leave." I say and pick up Kelley. "Kelley will call you guys later."

Once in the hall I drag Kelley to the elevator.

"Come on...hurry the fuck up." I say and tap my foot.

"What's going on?" Kelley asks as we get into the elevator.

"Something's wrong with Mal. She won't let anyone in her room and they can't get her to come out."

"Fuck." Kelley says as we get to the lobby.

The two of us sprint out of our parents hotel and race back to the team hotel.

We took an Uber to our parents hotel.

Once at the team hotel Kelley and I sprint up the stairs and when we reach the team floor we find everyone standing outside Mal's door.

"Finally." Christen says. "She won't come out."

"Okay it's time for dinner so get everyone to the meal room." I say.

"Alright." Kelley says.

All the girls leave and once their out of view I knock on Mal's door.

"Mal...it's Astrid...Can you open the door for me?"

No response.

"It's just me Mal. Nobody else is out here."

No response.

"Alright Mal." I say then sit down and lean against the door. "I'm not leaving until you open the door."

Ten minutes later I hear the door unlock so I stand up and enter the room.

"Hey Mal." I softly say and approach her bed.

The room is littered with tissues and sad music is playing. Mal is in her bed cuddling her panda with my shirt on it while trying not to cry for what, I assume, is not the first time.

I then lay down on her bed so we are facing each other.

"What's wrong Mal?" I ask and run my fingers through her hair.

Mal tries to respond, but she starts crying.

"Come here." I say and pull her into me. "Just let it out."

"I hate him." Mal says after she's finished crying

"Who sweetheart?" I ask.

"My boyfriend. Well ex-boyfriend."

"Oh sweetie." I say and kiss Mal's head. "What happened?"

"He broke up with me...He said he couldn't do the distance this summer."

Oh I'm definitely breaking his fucking leg...Maybe a hand too.

"I'm sorry Mal."

"He made it seem like it's my fault I'm chasing my dreams."

"Well he's an idiot Mal...and he sucks at baseball." I say and Mal laughs.

"Thanks Astrid."

"Of course. Do you want to go eat?"

"I don't want to sit with the team."

"That's okay. You and I can sit by ourselves."

"okay."

Mal and I get off the bed then Mal goes to the bathroom and cleans off her face then we head to the meal room. When we get to the room everyone stops eating and looks at us causing Mal to turn around and bury her face in my chest.

"Eat." I mouth.

A couple seconds later everyone finally returns to eating so I lead Mal over to the food line. After we have our food the two of us head to an empty table and sit down...well I sit down, but Mal decides to sit on my lap.

"Come on Mal. You need to eat." I say after I've finished my food, but she hasn't touched hers.

"Not hungry." Mal mumbles.

"Do you want me to feed you?" I jokingly ask, but to my surprise Mal nods.

I freeze for a second then proceed to feed my favorite 21 year old.

What?

I have a soft spot for her.

After Mal finishes eating the two of us sit in silence until Mal starts crying again. Mal then puts her head in my neck so I wrap my arms around her. I then look at Kelley and we do that weird twin thing where neither of us talk, but have a full conversation with our eyes. After our conversation with our eyes Kelley nods then motions for all the girls to be quiet.

"Mal just close your eyes and focus on my voice...can you do that for me?" I say then Mal nods into my neck.

Remember those walls I built?

Well, baby they're tumbling down

And they didn't even put up a fight

They didn't even make a sound

I found a way to let you in

But, I never really had a doubt

Standing in the light of your halo

I got my angel now

It's like I've been awakened

Every rule I had you breakin'

It's the risk that I'm taking

I ain't never gonna shut you out!

Everywhere I'm looking now

I'm surrounded by your embrace

Baby, I can see your halo

You know you're my saving grace

You're everything I need and more

It's written all over your face

Baby, I can feel your halo

Pray it won't fade away

I can feel your halo, halo, halo

I can see your halo, halo, halo

I can feel your halo, halo, halo

I can see your halo, halo...

Halo, ooh ooh...

Hit me like a ray of sun

Burning through my darkest night

You're the only one that I want

Think I'm addicted to your light

I swore I'd never fall again

But this don't even feel like falling

Gravity can't begin to pull me back to the ground again

And it's like I've been awakened

Every rule I had you breakin'

It's the risk that I'm taking

I'm never gonna shut you out!

Everywhere I'm looking now

I'm surrounded by your embrace

Baby, I can see your halo

You know you're my saving grace

You're everything I need and more

It's written all over your face

Baby, I can feel your halo

Pray it won't fade away

I can feel your halo, halo, halo

I can see your halo, halo, halo

I can feel your halo, halo, halo

I can see your halo, halo...

Halo, ooh ooh...

I can feel your halo, halo, halo

I can see your halo, halo, halo

I can feel your halo, halo, halo

I can see your halo, halo...

Halo, ooh ooh...

Halo, ooh ooh...

Halo, ooh ooh, oh...

Everywhere I'm looking now

I'm surrounded by your embrace

Baby, I can see your halo

You know you're my saving grace

You're everything I need and more

It's written all over your face

Baby, I can feel your halo

Pray it won't fade away

I can feel your halo, halo, halo

I can see your halo, halo, halo

I can feel your halo, halo, halo

I can see your halo, halo...

Halo, ooh oh...

I can feel your halo, halo, halo

I can see your halo, halo, halo

I can feel your halo, halo, halo

I can see your halo, halo...

Halo, ooh oh...

After I get done singing I hear Mal's soft snore's so I know she's asleep.

I pick Mal up bridal style then stand up and walk over to Lindsey. I then motion for her to follow since she is Mal's roommate. Once inside's Mal's room I lay her down on her bed then go stand with Lindsey.

"I know you like her Lindsey." I whisper. "Now's your chance to be the person of her dreams."

"I know." Lindsey whispers and looks at Mal.

"Now seeing as Mal is like my little sister now, if you break her heart you'll have to deal with me."

"I won't." Lindsey confidently says.

"I know you won't." I say and kiss her head. "Go lay with her. I'll clean up the room."

Lindsey goes and softly lays next to Mal, who immediately cuddles into Lindsey which makes me smile.

I grab a clean tissue then pick up all the tissues around the room and throw them away.

Before I leave the room I walk over to the two girls, who somehow fell asleep, and kiss their heads.

"Sweet dreams girls." I whisper then leave the room and head back downstairs.

When I get into the meeting room everyone looks at me.

"Who wants to go with me to Georgia to break a dude's leg?"