Chapter Text
Andie and Taylor are next door neighbors who happen to be best friends. They have many things in common, they both love music, they’re both obsessed with soccer and dream to one day be a part of the United States Women’s National Team, but those dreams seem to be impossible while they’re both stuck with unsupportive and abusive families. When they finally have enough and run away they run into a group they never expected to see. Will they be the support and love Andie and Taylor never had?
*Taylor's Pov*
I sighed as the bell rang, signaling the last day of school. Everyone cheered but I sat there quietly. I know most kids would be ecstatic that it's finally summer, but not me. No school meant that I didn't have an escape from my house for 8 hours anymore.
I sighed as I number got up from my desk and grabbed my books, dreading the thought of being stuck in the hell house for the whole summer.
“Have a great summer vacation Taylor!” My homeroom teacher Ms.Simmons chirped, her usual giddy smile present on her face.
I faked a smile and quietly said “You too.” Her grin got even wider if that's possible, and she patted my back as I exited the room. It took everything I had in me not to wince or cry out. Once I was out the door, I gingerly rubbed the bruise on my back that she had accidentally put pressure on. I walked painfully down the hallway, carefully avoiding attention from any of my peers.
“Hey you okay?” A voice asked from right behind me, and I jumped, causing my fresh bruises and cuts to burn. I winced, and Andie frowned.
“It’s gotten worse hasn’t it?” She asked, but it was more like a statement.
I just nodded, letting out a sigh, and letting the pain show on my face. She was the only person I knew that would understand.
She frowned as we opened our lockers that were next to each other, and I grabbed my bag, that I had already packed, my locker now beat up and empty, sort of like how I felt. “I got in the way of another fight, and they took it out on me.” I explained.
Andie nodded, often being in the same situation. “Hey I know, how about we watch USWNT clips at my house tonight?!” She asked cheerfully, and I smiled. This is what we always did to cheer the other one up whenever this happened, and sadly it’s been happening a lot more often lately.
“Sounds like a plan!!” I smiled weakly. We both made sure we had everything, and took the long walk home. We spent the whole walk home talking about how Club Soccer starts in a few weeks, and about how one day we’d play on the USWNT together. It was dreams like this that kept us going.
“But seriously You’d be the best Middie OR Defender ever!!” Andie told me, making me smile.
“Not as good as a forward or Middie as you’d be, like seriously, you and Abby or Alex or you and Pinoe or you and Tobin would make an invincible team!!” I exclaimed.
Andie just laughed shaking her head at me. Our conversation dropped off as we turned onto our block. I felt fear and dread overwhelm me when I saw that my Dad’s car was home.
Andie wordlessly followed me through the door, her hand on my arm for support. The house was eerily quiet as we tried to make as little noise as possible as we headed to my tiny room. It hasn't changed much since I was 8, because that's when Mom died and Dad started drinking and blaming me.
Once Andie saw that it seemed safe, she turned around, and headed back to her house next door since she kept getting angry text messages from her parents asking where she’d been. We agreed I’d meet her at her back door in 5 minute.
I grabbed my duffel bag, and put in my Abby Wambach jersey that I had saved up for from doing babysitting jobs, my soccer ball, a few books and a few changes of clothes in case I sleep over at Andie’s, and since it's gotten worse here, I might.
I finally finished packing my stuff and threw the bag over my shoulder, wincing a little as the strap came into contact with the fresh bruises on my back and stomach.I listened for any indicators that Dad was awake, I didn’t hear anything so I quietly opened my bedroom door and headed down the stairs, picking up speed as I neared the back door. Just before I reached the back door a force slammed into the back of my head. I fell to the ground, stars dancing across my vision.
“Where do you think you’re going bitch?!” My dad yelled. Reeking of alcohol. I cringed, as I looked into his bloodshot eyes that were full of hate and rage.
“I...I’m going to Andie’s house.” I choked out, and tried to hold back a scream as he kicked me in the ribs.
“Just shut up! You’re worthless, and not even that other worthless brat could ever love you!! So I’ll do everyone a favor!!” He screamed as he continued to kick me. I coughed, feeling blood seep out of my mouth, and my eyes widened as I saw him walking toward me with a knife.
I tried to crawl toward the door, just wanting to live. I felt him grab my leg.
“No! You’re finally going to pay!” He screamed. I closed my eye, and waited for the pain of the knife, but it never came, instead there was a crash, and I looked to see my Dad on the ground, the potted plant that Mom had kept on the porch smashed by him.
Suddenly I felt a hand gently grab mine.
“Come on Tay. It’ll be okay.” Andie said, even though her now dirty hands were shaking. I saw that she now had a black eye, but before I could say anything I could hear my Dad getting up.
“Come on! We gotta go!!” Andie said, I ignored the screaming pain as Andie helped me to my feet, and I grabbed my duffel bag and ran beside Andie. We kept running even after the screaming of our enraged parents died down and the familiar city lights started to fade into the distance.
It was only when we reached the well known Dash Stadium that I dropped to the ground, the pain from my gashes and bruises finally overwhelming me.
I looked over at Andie to see she was in a similar state. You’d think 2 teens who were hurt and alone in the city at night would be scared, but I couldn’t help but finally feel at peace.
“We’re finally free.” I smiled slightly.
Andie mirrored my action, and once we were both able to stand again, Andie said “Well, why don’t we find a way in?” She asked.
I nodded, and we walked toward the stadium, never looking back to our old lives, or should I say nightmares. I just hoped that this future would be better for us.