SOCCER GIRLS -- CH. 2
[Author's Notes: 1) there are underage characters mentioned in this story, but they will neither have, see nor even hear any sexual activity; 2) this is a work of fiction and so certain aspects of this story involving Women's College Soccer programs are not meant to be factually accurate, but are there because they help advance the storyline. I have been told I'm close and that has to be good enough; and 3) this story sis from Katie and Melanie's perspective although some of the events are the same events that occurred during the Soccer Moms stories. Hopefully there has been enough of a time lapse that these sections do not bore anyone, but they are as much a part of Katie and Melanie's story as they are a part of Carol and Jen's story. I am sorry if it seems repetitive but I felt I had to do it.]
Katie and Melanie had settled into the summer routine back on campus. They were taking two classes together in the first summer session and one each in the second. Originally, they had thought this would allow them to take a lighter course load during the soccer season. But with a little effort Melanie realized that she could also graduate early from undergrad, stay on scholarship and begin her graduate school studies. Melanie had decided she wanted to work with autistic children and would need at least a master's degree. Katie was looking to do something education related so she could also coach soccer. While a master's would not be required, she could still take four years to finish undergrad and stay with Melanie.
With their school's high academic standards, Melanie needed top grades if she wanted to get into the Masters' programs. Her already being an undergrad and on the soccer scholarship would help, but it would not be enough on its own. So she had to spend a lot of time on school work to get those top marks.
They also spent time working out with other girls from the team who were around. Fitness, weight training and soccer skills were all things they would work on together as teammates even if it was not officially a "team" function. Then there were the soccer camps. Now that they were full counsellors and team members, they took their positions as role models and mentors seriously and so this also took up a lot of time.
This still left Katie and Melanie some alone time with each other at night. Sometimes it would just be cuddling and holding each other. Other nights it would be crazy wild sex that would leave them more tired and sweaty then when they ran drills with the soccer campers in the afternoon sun. But it was all very enjoyable. They were in love and they did not have a care in the world. Then that day came.
With the difference in the time zones, the soccer camp was getting ready to end for the day when Emma Cooper came out to the fields looking for Katie Rogers. Emma worked in the Athletic Department as one of the staff. She had been tasked to go and find Katie Rogers and tell her the news that her Father had died that afternoon in a plane crash.
When Emma finally found Katie she called her over to the side. When Katie came over she could see in Emma's face that something was very wrong. "Katie, I am so sorry sweetheart but I had to come out to find you because there has been a plane crash and you Dad was on the plane. He didn't survive the crash."
"WHAT? HOW? OH GOD, NO!" Katie's shouts drew a lot of attention. As people looked over, they saw her swoon and Emma had to grab a hold of her to keep her standing. This brought Melanie tearing across the field. As she approached, Katie was crying in Emma's arm.
"Katie? What is it? What's wrong." Melanie asked as she arrived. Katie turned to her but could not form any words. She just threw her arms around Melanie and continue to cry.
At this point Emma looked at Melanie and said "Her father was on a plane that crashed a few hours ago." Melanie looked up into Emma's eyes but all she could do was just shake her head. But that was enough for Melanie to know that Paul Rogers was dead.
When Katie stopped crying and was able to look around, a number of her other college teammates were coming up to her as the news had spread about what had happened. No one ever really knows what to say at a moment like that, but just being there for her was something for which Katie would be very grateful.
Melanie now looked at her and said "You have to go speak to Coach about going home." When Katie felt like she was ready to walk, they went to go see Coach Quincannon. She was in her office and was already aware of the situation when Katie and Melanie appeared at her office door.
"Come in ladies. Katie, I heard the news and I am so sorry for your lose honey."
"Thanks Coach." Katie said almost as a reflex. "Coach, I know we have the camps and everything still to go, but would it be okay if I go home for a week or so?"
"Oh, Katie. Look, go home and don't worry about any of the rest of the camps. I hope that you can come back when team practices start but if you still need time by then, call and let me know."
"Thank you, Coach." was her reply. Katie looked at Melanie and Melanie could tell that Katie really needed her right now.
Melanie turned and said "Coach..."
"Yes, Smith, you can go too." said Coach Quincannon. "If you need anything else or if you need me to speak with any of your teachers, just let me know. And again, take all the time you need." As they walked back out the door Coach Quincannon called out to Melanie "Smith."
When Melanie leaned her head back into the office, the Coach said "Take care of her."
Melanie replied "Of course Coach. Always."
Katie was in a bit of a daze but Melanie took charge for her. She brought her back to their dorm room and said "Call your mom. I will be over at the desk when you need me."
While Katie and her mom spoke, Melanie was on the computer taking care of everything else. She messaged her mom to let her know, but Jen Smith had already heard the news as part of the Blue Lightning network. Next Melanie sent a message to every professor for all of Katie's and her summer classes. She explained the situation and asked if her and Katie could have extensions for any tests or papers they would have due. She sent an e-mail to the rest of her teammates to let them know they would be gone for a bit.
She was sure that Coach Quincannon would do something similar but she wanted to make sure everyone knew that Katie and her knew they were in the team's thoughts and prayers. She had even looked at possible flights back home and had asked one of her teammates if she could give them a ride to the airport.
Katie was sitting on their bed when she spoke with her mom Carol. When Melanie heard the call finish she went right over and sat next to Katie and wrapped her in her arms. Katie just buried her head in Melanie's shoulder and cried for a very long time.
When Katie had cried herself out, Melanie said "Katie I know this is hard but I'm here for you. Now I don't want to sound cold, but we have some practical things that have to get done. And remember that you need to be strong for your mom too. I will get you through this, I promise."
"Thanks Melanie. I love you. You're my rock."
"That's right, baby. If you need to borrow some strength from me to get through this, it's yours." Katie gave Melanie a big hug. When it was done, Melanie again took charge.
"Okay, first I have been looking at flights, I assume you want to go tomorrow first thing if we can?"
"Yes. Oh, my mom's car is still at the airport. She had gone to pick my dad up and someone else ended up coming and drove her home. So we have to go to pick up her keys and we need to drive her car back. I can drop you off at your house and then head home."
