Breaking the Mold (Alex Morgan x OC)

That's what friends are for

Kelley's POV

The dark clouds hovered over Oakland, the rain coming down in sheets. There's something about the Bay Area that always made me feel like I was home, and this was no different. I felt a little lost, not knowing what the future would hold for me. I was at home in Georgia for a few weeks, but with Erin being Erin, she and my parents told me to go take a holiday away to clear my head instead of sitting in my room with the curtains closed, like I had been doing since I got there. I thought about going to LA, taking in the sun and going surfing, but I felt more compelled to come out here.

My feelings have been all over the place since what happened to me with Sky Blue, a mixture of anger, sadness, and confusion. I've been trying to find clarity, but it's been hard to get my head on straight. A day after being kicked out of the team, they put a statement out which was filled with complete lies, saying I wasn't being a team player and that I was causing issues in the locker room. There's only so much my family and friends can do to console me and help me through this. I needed to find my own path to healing.

I stepped out of the taxi and looked around, taking in the scenery. It was dark and gloomy, and I couldn't help but think that it followed me here. I stood outside Ellie's new apartment, hoping she'd be home instead of being up in Calgary. Jeff had given me the address when I asked him for it and here I am, standing here in the pouring rain, my bag of clothes in hand. I knocked on the door gently, and heard some shuffling around inside.

The door opened slowly and I saw Ellie, wearing a pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt. She looked surprised to see me and I could tell she was trying to hide her shock. "Kelley?" She said, her voice soft and a bit hesitant.

"Hey," I said, not really sure what to say.

Ellie looked me up and down, taking in the sorry state I was in. "What are you doing here?" She asked, the question laced with concern.

"I just...needed to get away for a bit," I said, my voice trembling a bit. "I wanted to talk to you, and...I don't know, I just needed some time to think and process things. Is that okay?"

Ellie nodded, her face softening. "Of course," she said, her voice gentle. "Come on in." I stepped inside, and she closed the door behind me. I stood there, feeling a bit awkward, not sure what to do next. Ellie stepped closer and put her hands on my shoulders, her touch comforting. "Let's get you out of these wet clothes," she said, helping me out of my coat and handing me a towel. "The spare room is just down the hall, you can stay there as long as you need to."

I nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed by her kindness. That's Ellie for you, I thought, always so generous and understanding like a best friend would be. I followed her down the hall to the spare room and she showed me where I could find an extra blanket if I needed one, "I'll let you change and get settled in, and then we can talk," she said, before leaving me to it. Looking around the small bedroom, I took in the white, blank walls, the soft bed, and the comfortable chair in the corner. I could feel my body start to relax, and I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before kicking off my wet shoes and changing out of my clothes. I used the towel to dry myself off and opened my bag, pulling the zip up and taking out a few items of clothing. I put on a pair of comfortable leggings and a long-sleeved t-shirt, my damp hair tied up in a messy bun.

After I changed, I made my way back down the hall, where I found Ellie in the living room, a cup of coffee in her hands. I looked around her apartment, taking in the smells and the small details, like the framed photos of her and her family. It felt like a home away from home, and I couldn't help but smile. Her small kitchen was well organized, the sharp knives hanging up, the counters and the stove top both wiped down and looking brand new. Ellie motioned for me to come sit next to her on her sofa, and I did, the soft cushions wrapping around me like a warm hug.