vulnerable

36.

Chelsea won. The game had just ended with blue fireworks shooting into the dark sky. Stella clapped for both teams, though no one would know. She watched the fans trickle out of the stadium. The security guards were beginning their trek through the endless rows, making sure everyone was leaving. Hannah slung her purse over her shoulder and stood, glancing at Stella with a raised brow.

"Ready to go?"

Stella hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck. "You think G is upset?"

Hannah dropped her shoulders, looking irritated. Her lips pursed before speaking. "He got to play didn't he?"

Stella fiddled with the hem of her black shirt. "Yeah... I hope Julian is okay."

"Ooooo." Hannah teased, cocking her head to the side with a grin. "Should I tell G about your old crush on him."

Stella's eyes widened with fear. She only liked him for a little- nothing more than a celebrity crush. It was ages ago, when Christian was still with Dortmund. "Please, don't."

She winked, "Your secret's safe with me. I'm just glad they're treating you nice."

Stella let out a sigh of relief, nodding her head in agreement. "Me too."

"Let's get going." Hannah flashed her pass at the guard creeping closer. He shot her a brief smile before he continued his journey. Stella followed her up the stairs, trying not to lose balance as the space got smaller. They walked in silence for a bit, taking in the echoing sounds of chatter outside the concrete walls.

"Have you thought about... Hunter?" Stella caught her breath, shuffling through the metal detectors.

Hannah rolled her brown eyes with haste, "I'm not talking to him until I get back to Hawaii."

"Aren't you leaving tonight?" Stella wondered.

Hannah twisted her lips, "I think I want to stay another day."

Stella gleamed- the gears shifting in her head. "Gio and I can stay too! That way we get some more time together."

"I'd like that." Hannah grinned, looking a bit relieved. The girls squeezed through the crowd out front, trying to get to the barricade where the teams exit. There was a mass of screaming girls. Most of them were in blue, wearing the same jersey as Hannah. They blended into the scenery and decided to stand off to the side. The boys could find them later. Hannah sucked in a nervous breath and took her friend's hand. "I have something to confess."

Stella narrowed her chestnut eyes, "Did you kill someone? Tara maybe? You got a hit man to do it?"

Hannah tried not to chuckle, yanking her hand out of Stella's grip. "No, but that doesn't mean I couldn't have her killed."

Stella gaped. "Are you serious?"

Hannah smirked, showing off a few teeth. "Maybe. Anyway, that's not the point."

Stella waited for her to continue. The chatter around them was still loud, but the girls tucked in closer to each other. Stella leaned against the brick wall, feeling the cool air wrap around her exposed arms. Hannah pressed her shoulder into the corner, biting into her lip with a sigh. "I haven't gotten my dress yet."

"Han! I'm pretty sure that's an important thing to have for your wedding!"

She hit Stella in her stomach with the back of her hand. "I know, I know. It's just- I thought I would always go dress shopping with my mom. But, she's God knows where with my dad. They promised to be at the wedding and all. We'll see though."

Stella looked at her friend with sympathy. Hannah's parents were always traveling- it was apart of their job, but she rarely saw them. That's why she started to live with Claudio and Danielle in the first place. Then when she started dating Christian, she was welcomed to the Pulisic household. Stella knew that Hannah always wished her parents settled in a home for them, but it was an unlikely dream.