Chapter Text
Alex sat back with Mal as she tried to explain to her the concept of the Iceberg Method and how it applied to the story her teacher had given her.
"why did you ask me again? Aren't you rooming with Christen? She's a Stanford grad." the forward pointed out and Mal rolled her eyes, the women sucked at teaching
"Because.. all she talks about is Julie, Julie likes this, omg JJ is so funny , oh Mal look how cute this puppy Julie just sent me is." the younger player tried to mimic her roommate and quite honestly the squeal after the work puppy was right on point if you asked Alex.
"Mal, they spend most the season together, they have obviously gotten costume to each other and found a comfortable rhythm. She is really just trying to show off her defender." Mal sighed and shook her head.
"You'll see what i mean, now i need a break so i'll catch you by the pool." Mal smiled and changed.
-- --- --- -- --
Mallory sent a quick text to Moe, she wasn't paying attention and ended up bumping to someone. Without looking she grabbed their stuff.
“Gosh, i am so sorry i was busy texting and i should have been paying attention and now you might be hurt and i am sorry, i didn't mean to, i was distracted ..” she was going to keep rambling when she saw who it was and smiled softly.
“It is alright Mallory, i was distracted myself. “ she nodded at the shorter midfielder.
“Mal, i mean i am Mal not you.. you're Jessie, wow i am talkative today. I meant you can call me Mal, in a couple of months we’ll be back to being teammates ..” she said as she looked at the light eyes of the Canadian midfielder.
“That we will.” She smiles softly and grabbed her book looking at the other girls attire. “You know we play in a couple of weeks Mallory, you should train instead of.. party?” Mal rolled her eyes knowing the girl would definitely not call me Mal.
“I am, i am training my socials skills, Fleming.” The shorter midfielder shook her head and smiled.
“I believe those are quite impeccable , now your crosses? They could use some work. “ Mal pretended to be offended.
“Now just because of that, when we win your sweet smelling money country looking .. ugh. I’ll score on your team. With a cross..” Jessie smirked from the corner of her lip.
“Technically if you score on a cross it will be someone else's cross, proving nothing. However, if you cross the ball and they score then it is them who scored on my team, Mallory.” Mal narrowed her eyes.
“See you on the pitch Fleming.” She walked away bothered, she could never really strike a nerve with the midfielder, she wasn't as bothered as she wanted to be and that bothered her.
“Mallory, when we win the cup will you at least attend the celebration with me?” Jessie really meant for that to be an insult, a way to show off her team and not at all a proposition of a date. Mal turned around and smirked, oh it was on.
“Only cup you’ll get a hold of is the one you and i will be winning for UCLA Jessie, don’t feel as though you have to try and win this one to take me on a date though, all you have to do is ask..” Mal smirked and walked away when the midfielders face had turned white… or whiter.. pale will satisfy.
Mal saw Moe by the pool who was annoyed.
“You took forever!”
“You're so impatient Moe, i got held up by Alex. So have you gotten what i wanted ?”
“Should i ask why i bought you a flower? Really Mal if you're that lonely i don't mind buying you flowers..” Mallory rolled her eyes.
“It's not for me. Look over there, what do you see?” Mallory pointed across the pool and to the bar.
“Easy, umn that's Julie and Chris looking at.. dog videos?” Mal sighed.
“Do i have to do everything myself, i need the Moe that first figured out Hope’s feelings for Kelley to show up any time soon. Look again.” Moe looked closer, Christens hand rested on top of JJ on her knee and their laughed seemed to move their bodies closer. They would each take turns trying to be sneaky about looking at the other. It was becoming clearer. At some point a strand of Christens hair hand fallen out of place and JJ immediately tucked in behind her ear, her hand seemed to linger as her fingers softly graced the forwards shoulders softly.
“OH MY GOD THEY LIKE EACH OTHER!” Mallory shushed her and pulled her behind an umbrella.
“Be quiet! Jesus, i think even peter pan heard you.”
“Mal, they like each other. Christen and JJ, they are like into each other.” mal rolled her eyes.
“Yes, i know. So, us being the great teammates we are, are gonna help them realize it..”
“With a rose? “ Moe asked confused.
“Exactomundo.” Mallory smiled proud of herself.
“That's not how yo- nevermind. How exactly are you planning on doing this?”
“Doing what?” They both jumped to find Kelley next to them.
“Jesus, Kelley, you gave me a mini heart attack!” Kelley arched her eyebrow.
“With your height, a mini heart attack is all you're ever gonna get Smalls.” Moe let out a chuckle. “Now, what are you kids planning and how can i get in on it ?”
“Moe is going to go tell JJ that Christen needs a dress because she is going out with us, which she isn't, and then i’ll leave this rose on Christen bed. She’ll think it's JJ so she’ll feel comply to get her one, she’ll come to me for advice,( probably not), but that's where you come in, you’ll tell her that it's best if she gets her something extra. Then JJ will feel like Christen likes her therefore she’ll confess her feelings. “
“That's a great plan kiddo, problem is, what if she doesn't confess her feelings ?”
“Well aren't you a ray of positivity today, if so or when it happens we shall leave the imprint of our opinion on their minds so slowly by slowly they realize their feelings for each other.” Mal explained.
“Or we could lock them in a room and make them accept their feelings..” Mal stared at Kelley.
“How in your mind would you ever think that could work out?”
“I don't know okay, every time a couple is about to get together i give the idea and everyone gives me the same crazy look, i was hoping you'd go for it.” Kelley shrugged and Mal sighed.
“Okay but that's like plan X, okay?” Kelley smirked.
“I am in.”
Much to the youngers intelligence and ego, the plan had worked out. Christen had not questioned the flower but instead gossiped to Kelley about it. Which ended up with Christen buying JJ her favorite flowers, quite rare and as Mal later found out, expensive to get too, only they were in Brazil so they weren't as exclusive but still, Press won major points. The plan was would flawlessly, that was until they invited Kling in. Piece of advice: never allow kling and Moe to be part of the same plan. They will mess it up.
They had decided to upped their game so they took it to the next level, they created a scavenger hunt for Christen and JJ, each thinking the other had created it. Point of it was that at the end they’d find themselves alone, in a beach and with a rush of adrenaline, that and way too many flowers. That was until Kling confused the paper that she was supposed to give JJ with the address to an old “Haunted House’ she and Moe had planned to explore. Which brought them back to a crying Christen and a JJ that refused to talk because if there was anything that scared the defender was haunted house after being stood up. She felt played and quite honestly, Mal and the girls felt guilty.
“We need to fix it, but we need help.”
“Are you crazy! They girls would kill us if they found out we were involved!” Kelley retorted.
“Mal is right guys, it is our fault. We do need help.”
“But who do we ask?” Kling finally spoke up and questioned the group. Mal sighed and rolled her eyes shaking her head.
“I know someone, but just know, i take no pleasure in this and i hate you all for making me do this.” Mal dragged her teammates to an unfamiliar hallway and knocked on a door.
“Mal are you crazy? Do you even know who is there?” kelley questioned knowing this hotel was also shared by many of the other teams along with other people.
The door opened to find Jessie Fleming, all 5 foot 3 inches in sweatpants and a hoodie. The played tilted her head.
“I need you help, i did.. a thing and i need to fix it but i have no idea how. “ Jessie let the corner of her lip slightly lift before walking back inside. All hope left Mal, she didn't think the girl would be so harsh. They were about to turn away when the same girl came outside wearing a CANWNT shirt along with jeans and a hat.
“So, what have you done now Mallory..” the girl fixed her hat on her hair and Mal turned back smiling.
“I might have accidentally made two of my teammates totally hate each other..”
“Accidentally?”
“Mmhm”
“Did you trip and mess up their life?” The midfielder retorted and it made Kelley smirk while Mal huffed.
“Okay, technically i did nothing wrong. It's all their fault. “ kling and moe gasped.
“Pointing the blame elsewhere, how could i have expected less.” The girl smirked as she said in her soft mysterious voice.
“Listen here baby Canada, i need you to work your Canada magic and fix it. Your money smells like maple syrup, you’re … you. I need you to work your leprechaun canadian magic and help me out here. Please..” she sighed disappointed, she felt really bad which made Jessie feel bad, she missed the smile on the goofy forward.
“Fine, but only because your friends might be nice. Who is it?”
“Pressy and JJ..” Jessie gave Moe and look telling her she would need a lot more than nicknames. “Sorry, i forgot. Christen Press, forward and Julie Johnston Defender. “
“Okay and what exactly did you do?”
A day later they had caught up the younger canadian and figured out a plan. Kelley and Moe had one job and it was to find a way to get the forward and defender to the same place. Jessie and Mal were on preparation duties.
“So, you know if i had chosen to not help you, it would have affected your team dynamic, therefore helping mine out. I hope you see i am giving you the upper hand here, Mallory. “
“I hope you see that you're allowed to use abbreviations..”
“Fair enough. So, want to tell me why you decide to get yourself mixed up in someone else’s love life?”
“It's Christen, she's like… a big sister to me and JJ deserves her. I mean, she is an actual cinnamon roll.”
“She tackled me during our last game, and grabbed my shirt might i add.” The canadian pointed out.
“Okay yeah but that's cuz you don't know her, JJ is sincere and sweet and such a thoughtful person and she has been through so much and i feel like.. like i ruined my big sister's chance of happiness..” Mal felt herself tear up. Jessie sighed and dropped the blanket. She walked to the slightly taller girls side and lifted her chin.
“You were making an effort to help. Your intentions were honest, and while yes, the plans semi derailed, you are fixing your mistakes. That is all she will care about. “ Mallory chuckles.
“It is about not aboot, you maple syrup smelling leprechaun.” Jessie smirked.
“Shut it, Pugh. We have a date to set.” She smiled and they laid the blanket and put a basket over it filled with food.
Soon four o’clock came around and it was getting windy when both girls arrived. They shared a cold look and jessie shook her head.
“I should go, this looks like a team moment.” Mal smiled and hugged the girl, yes she knew the girl liked her personal space, yes she knew the girl didn't do hugs unless it was during a goal celebration but did she care? Not one bit. Jessie left them.
“Christen, Julie… we have something to say and we are going to start by apologizing. It wasn't our life but we still meddled, we are so sorry. Julie, truth is Christen didn't need the dress. I came up with that idea incase she said thank you for the flower. CP, it was us who left the flower. We wanted you to think it was JJ so you could admit your feelings. Truth is neither of you organized the scavenger hunt. We did, Chris, JJ didn't leave you. Kling gave her the wrong paper and sent her to another address. JJ, it wasn't a joke, Kling had written down the address to take Moe but she got confused and she gave it to you. Christen would never do that to you. We are so sorry guys … i get it, you’ll be mad but please know that..” Mal lowered her head in shame, she looked up to find JJ and Chris smirking, she frowned. “Guys?” JJ and Chris shared a laugh.
“Oh you should have seen your faces! I can't believe you guys meddled in with us! Kelley!” The defender raised her hands in surrender.
“Wait you guys don't hate each other ?”
“No! We could never. I mean sure, i almost got into a very awkward situation when i almost went off on a girl for hitting on JJ but your friend over there saved me from the embarrassment and made me realize that maybe all the feelings i had for JJ weren't just friendship. After the scavenger hunt incident i went to confront JJ , yesterday, and then i found Jessie. She told me to give you a chance to explain and saved me from the embarrassment of going all off on the girl. Later, i talked to JJ and we sort of pieced it together..” she reached for the blondes defender hand and intertwined their hands.
“Mal, things could have ended so bad. You can't meddle in others life. I get it , we were stupid to not see it but still, had your friend not intervened JJ or i could have gotten hurt.” Press kissed the younger girl's cheek and scowed at the others. “You should have known better. Now leave, i have a beautiful date to enjoy.” The other left as quickly as possible while Mal caught up to Jessie.
“So, my friend tells me i owe you big time ..”Jessie chuckles and shook her head.
“It is getting quite chilly, Mallory. It would be best if i we headed back.” Mal nodded as they walked in silence. It was comforting, for someone like Mallory who wasn't use to not talking it was unfamiliar but soothing. For Jessie in the other hand, it was just how she had always been. Quiet off the field, she didn't dislike it, but she did enjoy the other girls bubbly personality.
“Will you ever call me Mal?” Jessie tilted her head and looked at the other girls soft features.
“Does it bother you i do not?” Mal rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Then, i guess you have your answer, do you not Casper the friendly forward ?” She said and traced the ghost scar on the girl's forehead as she softly chuckles.
“Hope would like you… So would Tobin.. “ Mal smiled as they continued walking.
“If this is your way of inviting me to your national team, i would politely have to decline.”
“What? No. I mean we’d be lucky to have you but you're baby Canada.”
“That make you baby USA, does it not?” Mallory shrugged and nodded. “Will we ever be more than rivals?”
“That depends..” Jessie turned to the other girl.
“On what exactly?”
“If… when my team wins, they’ll be no big party i can invite you to but if we do or even if we don't, when this is over i would like to ask you out… like on a date? I mean you don't have to accept obviously, you don't have to feel bad. Oh god ,i just complete weirded you out did i? I am sorry-”
“You should be, i fear you might talk my ear off. I’ll go on a date with you Pugh, only if you stop rambling.” Mal smiled.
A couple of minutes went by as their hand brushed together.
“... so just for the record if i were to ask you, you’d say yes right?” Jessie chuckles.
“As friends? Totally..” Mallory's face fell.
“Oh...y-yyeah totally..” this caused Jessie to let out a soft laugh.
“I am kidding, gosh you are gullible, when time comes i will happily agree to go out with you..” she smiled and kissed the girl's cheek as she left her in her room.
So maybe she didn't totally dislike the Canadian player.