Breaking the Mold (Alex Morgan x OC)

Wasted Years

Ellie's POV

"This is nice, isn't it?" Alex asked me as I drove down the I-5 S. We had been on the road for about an hour, heading down to Los Angeles. I had to admit that the scenery was pretty nice, the mountains, trees and rivers. "It's nice, yeah." I replied, keeping my eyes on the road. Alex chuckled, "You're not going to take your eyes off the road, are you?"

"Nope." I said, shaking my head.

We both laughed, and Alex turned on the radio and it was on some rock station. Alex looked at me with a puzzled look, "I didn't know you listened to this sort of music." I grinned and said, "Jeff got me onto this genre. Some of the classic stuff is pretty cool. I guess you could call me one of those people who likes every type of genre." Alex laughed, and the song "Wasted Years" by Iron Maiden started playing. "Ooh, turn it up. I love this song." I said and Alex turned up the volume a bit.

"From the coast of gold, across the seven seas

Travelin' on, far and wide

But now it seems I'm just a stranger to myself

And all the things I sometimes do, it isn't me but someone else..."

I've always liked this song ever since I heard it when Jeff played it around me once. Something about the lyrics and the tone of Bruce Dickinson's voice really spoke to me. I guess this song is a metaphor for us leaving Oakland and going to Los Angeles. We're starting a new chapter, and it's a bit daunting, but it's exciting at the same time.

"I close my eyes and think of home

Another city goes by in the night

Ain't it funny how it is?

You never miss it 'til it's gone away

And my heart is lying there

And will be 'till my dying day..."

Singing along to the song, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. I'll miss Oakland and all the memories I made there, but I'm excited for the future and what lies ahead in Los Angeles. I'm sure that Alex feels the same way, and I started singing the chorus.

"So understand

Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years

Face up, make your stand

And realize you're living in the golden years..."

Thinking about it, it's ironic that the song is called 'Wasted Years' but in reality, those years we spent in Oakland weren't wasted. We made many memories and won a championship. It's just time to move on and make some new ones. It's nice to look back on all those memories, but it's no use living in the past. We have to move forward and make the most of the present.

"Too much time on my hands

I got you on my mind

Can't ease this pain, so easily

When you can't find the words to say

It's hard to make it through another day

And it makes me wanna cry

And throw my hands up to the sky..."

Holding onto the wheel, I couldn't help but smile. I'm sure that this journey down to Los Angeles is going to be filled with new memories and experiences, and I'm ready for it. I'm ready to start a new chapter and make the most of it, and Oakland will always have a special place in my heart.

"So understand

Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years

Face up, make your stand

And realize you're living in the golden years..."

Alex was tapping her feet along to the drumbeat at the end, and I couldn't help but smile. She always manages to make me smile no matter what. I looked over at her and she caught my gaze before winking and I returned my gaze back to the road. Alex then changed the station to a different one as I drove us down the highway. I wasn't sure what one it was, but "19-2000" by Gorillaz came on.

"Hey," She said, bumping my shoulder with hers, "I love this song."

I laughed, "Me too."

We both sang along to the song, especially the part where it goes, "Day doo, de bop. Day doo, de bop". It's amazing how much music can lighten up a mood, and it's even better when you share it with someone. The traffic was starting to pick up, and I groaned. "We should be there soon." Alex said and I nodded.

"Yeah, hopefully." I replied and she just looked out the window. "We've been on the road for what? 4 hours now?"

"Maybe a little bit more." She said, "How about we turn off and say, go somewhere and just relax for a bit?"

I looked at her and raised an eyebrow, "You're asking me to take a break?"

Alex laughed, "Yes. We've been on the road for so long, I think we deserve it."

"Or you could drive and I can relax." I joked and she chuckled before looking out the window again. I took the next exit and parked up at the side of the road where there was a bench. We got out and took a seat on a bench, Alex leaning against me as we watched people pass by.

"So, what do you think about the move?" Alex asked me, breaking the silence. I looked down at her, "I don't know. Excited, I guess? Having a stadium that isn't run down and so bad to the point where we can't even play in it is going to be nice. But I'm also a bit sad since we've been here in Oakland the entire time. It's like I'm starting a new chapter in my life, but I'm not sure that I'm ready for it."

Alex looked up at me and placed a hand on my cheek, "You'll be fine, Ellie. We're all going to be fine. Like you said, it's a new chapter in our lives, and we just have to learn how to adjust and make the best of it."

I nodded and looked back out at the cars flying past, "I guess you're right." Alex wrapped her arms around me and I put my arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to me. We just sat there in silence, watching the people go by, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Eventually, the sun started to go down and we decided to get going. We got up and made our way back to the car, Alex taking the wheel as I relaxed in the passenger seat. I looked out the window as she turned back onto the freeway, the sun slowly setting.

"We're almost there." Alex said, her voice bringing me back to reality. I looked over at her and smiled, "Yeah, I know."

And with that, we continued our drive to Los Angeles.