-next morning-

Julie's POV

"She said what?" I ask standing in line for breakfast in front of Christen. I get two pancakes and reach for the berries. As I go to scoop some Mama comes up behind us and almost scares me to death.

"Hey bug." she says kissing my temple and taking a strawberry from the bowl. "You need some eggs or meat on there too," she states referring to my plate, " you've got to have some protein."

"Yes ma'am."

"Thank you love." smiles Mama pecking my cheek. "I'm going to go sit with Mom. I love you."

"Love you too." I wait for to walk away before rolling my eyes dramatically making CP laugh. "She gets on my last nerve sometimes."

"She's just looking out for you Jules." says Chris getting bacon. "Here take this," she puts two pieces on my plate, "I know you aren't going to eat those eggs. They look like they came from the hospital down the street. Gross." I giggle and follow her to a table. "Good morning Morgan!"

"Morning Press." she mumbles with her eyes glued to her phone. "How are-"

"Put that up." instructs A-Rod as she walks by to get coffee. "You're at the table." Morgan groans but obeys, partly because her butt is still sore and partly because she likes Amy enough to listen.

"Where did you go this morning?" I ask sitting across from her. "You were already gone when I woke up."

"I went on a run." she says stealing one of my blueberries. "Why does Christen look like she's going to be sick?"

"Huh?" I wonder turning to look her. "Pressy what's wrong? What were you saying about Mal earlier?"

"Is Mal-Pal alright?"

"Um, well, no." sighs Christen looking down. "Last night when we were going to bed, she was sleeping with me, she started crying."

"Do you know why?" I ask shifting my weight to my left so I can face my right where she's sitting. "Pressy don't start crying too. I'm sure Mal's fine."

"Then why couldn't she tell me what was wrong?"

"What do you mean?" inquires Morgan.

"When I asked her what was wrong she told me she couldn't tell me." explains Chris wiping her face like she always does when she's nervous.

"Where is she now?" I ask looking around. I finally spot the eighteen year old sitting at a table in the corner with the newbies, including Hinkle. Mallory's not supposed to talk to Jaelene because she's not very nice. "Chris do you know who she's with?" She turns around and narrows her eyes at the group. She gets up and heads in their direction before I can stop her. I quickly follow in tow behind her to make sure she doesn't do anything dumb.

"Hey guys." greets Christen as she stops in front of their table. "Mal may I talk to you for a second?"

"I'm b-busy." she declines unusually quiet. I notice her eyes dart up at Hinkle from under her eyelashes before switching back to the table.

"Excuse me?" questions Morgan stepping forward almost making me jump out of my skin. I thought she stayed at the table. "Christen needs to talk to you. C'mon."

"She said she's busy." sasses Jaelene angling her shoulders so she's blocking Mallory from our view. "We're trying to eat so leave us alone." I see Moe about to jump on her so I grab her hand so she can't. Christen is just too angry to say anything so I do.

"We're sorry we bothered you." I guide the other two back to our table and sigh as I sit down. What the heck is going on with Mal and Hinkle?

"I'm going to kill that girl." grumbles Morgan with fire in her eyes. Press keeps her head facing downward and doesn't say anything. She's too lost in thought. "Who does she think she is talking to me like that? She's not even on this team yet and she's acting like a vet!"

"She's a jerk." I say trying to burn a hole through the back of her head with my eyes. I wish I had Mom's glare because it would be very useful right now.

"No she's a bitch." corrects Moe crossing her arms and leaning back in her seat.

"Morgan Paige come here!" calls Tobin from two tables away. Judging by the look on her face she heard what she said. Moe groans, but gets up and slumps over to her. I glance at Christen concerned. She just got turned down by Mallory, her baby, and that evil Jaelene girl has something to do with it.

"Hey girls." says Mom standing beside us. She's still very congested, but she's sounding a bit better. She should still be in bed, but Mom is stubborn and no one is going to tell her differently. If you value your life you don't question her choices. "CP are you alright?"

"Mom, Hinkle is messing with Mallory." I say hoping she can help.

"We don't know that Hope." sniffles Chris cutting her eyes at me before meeting Mommy's. "She's just sitting with her and-"

"I thought she didn't like her because she's a bitch?" interjects Mom. "I mean that girl is more of a bitch than me and that's saying something."

"Mom." I scold staring up at her.

"What?"

"That's not a nice word."

She leans down and kisses the top of my head, "Don't tell Jerr or your Mama please. It's our secret." I roll my eyes but nod. "Come upstairs with me." I excuse myself from the table and follow her up to her and Mama's room. "I wanted to remind you to take it easy at practice today. I know you're eager to go back full force, but you're going to get sick again if you don't settle down out there."

"Yes ma'am I know." I sigh looking down. Mom hands me a cup of medicine and I groan before swallowing it. "Mom I think Hinkle is bullying Mal into being her friend."

"Baby that's a very big accusation against her. I know she's not nice and she does some very mean things, but saying she's bullying her is very serious." says Mom guiding me to a chair and sitting me down. I feel her pull out my ponytail holder and start to run her fingers through my hair. "What makes you think she's a bully JB?"

I squirm some as she starts to work out a knot, "The way she was - Mommy ouch- when Chris asked Mal to talk she said she was busy but- Mom stop it-"

"I'm sorry princess." apologizes Mom getting my detangler and comb from the bathroom. When she comes back she asks, "Was Mallory busy?"

"Well she was eating breakfast but- ow ow ow Mom!- she was being really quiet and wouldn't look at any of us. She just nervously looked and Jaelene and then back down. Mom she never does that."

"Yeah that is a little strange." mumbles Mom preoccupied by trying to part my hair so she can do french braid pigtails. I'll just take them out on the bus because I'm not training in them. "Lean down please." I obey and look down at my lap so she can finish parting it. Once she gets done and tells me it's okay I look back up.

"Jaelene also got sort of mad that we were trying to talk to her." I tell her trying to keep my head still while she starts to tug to make the braid tight as she starts on my right one.

"Today when you guys are on the field, watch her and if you see Hinkle do anything mean go tell Mama or Cap and they will handle it." instructs Mom pulling my hair. "Sorry babe." We let a comfortable silence fall over us as she continues to work downward and then start on the other one.

"Hey Mommy?"

"Yeah baby?"

"When is Papa going to come see you?" I wonder curiously.

"I thought you didn't like Papa?" she asks finishing up my hair. "Would you like me to call Jerramy and ask him to come visit?"

"You haven't seen him in while Mom." I mumble playing with my hands. Mom comes around and squats down in front of me. "Don't you miss him?"

"Yes princess of course I miss him, but I know you don't like when he's here." she says taking my hands in hers and rubbing circles over the backs of them with her thumbs. "I'll only ask him to come if you're going to be okay with him being here. I can wait until camp is over if you're not." I keep my eyes down as I think. Mommy hasn't seen him in weeks and I know she wants to because I heard her on the phone last night and I saw their texts. 

"You should call him." 

"Ok baby. I'll do it while you're at practice." Mom kisses my forehead and stands back up. "It's time to go get on the bus. You have your sunscreen right?"

"Yes Mom. I'll put it on when I get there." I say getting up too. She nods and gives me a hug before walking me to the door. 

"I love you JB. Do good today and behave please." she tells me kissing my head again.

"I will Mommy. Love you."

-After Practice- 

Once we get dismissed from the field I go to the locker room to get my jacket that I left before heading to the bus. As I get closer to the door I hear screaming coming from inside. I quietly slip in and tip-toe to the back where the sound is coming from. Once I get closer I recognize Jaelene's voice. "Why didn't you let me clear it you fucking idiot! Gosh you can never do anything right!" 

"I-I was just doing what I was supposed to!" Is that Mal? 

"You're such a selfish bitch-" 

"Hey!" I yell jumping out from behind the wall. "Leave her alone!" Hinkle looks at me and laughs.

"Oh look who it is! Little JJ to the rescue! Where's your Mama baby?" she teases still holding tight to Mallory's arm. Mal's eyes fill with tears as she twist it behind her back and she kicks her in the back of the leg making her stumble forward.

I quickly lunge at her and reply "She's-"

"She's right here!" booms Mama appearing in the doorway with Press and Aunt Ali behind her. Jaelene immediately lets go of Mallory and backs away from the group. Mal jumps into Christen's arms and starts to sob. "Jules go with Ali and get Coach Ellis for me please."

"Yes ma'am." I say letting Aunt Ali pull me in for a hug and guide me and Press and Mal out the door. 

"Go get her on the bus Chris. I'll get the coaches." says Ali. "JJ you come with me so you can tell them what you saw, okay?"

"Okay." I nod. I kiss Mallory on the forehead and then follow Al to the pitch to get Coach. We find her by the water cooler and Ali explains to her what's going on and I tell her my story. 

"I'll take care of it." she growls not looking at all happy. "Tell Mallory I am very sorry it happened and make sure Press knows it'll never happen again."

"Yes ma'am, I'll tell them." agrees Ali taking my hand. "C'mon Jules let's go." We walk to the bus together and climb on. I spot Christen sitting next to Cap with Mallory in her lap crying into her chest. Everyone else is sitting quietly glancing every once in awhile at the trio. Moe tries to say something, but Christie shakes her head no at her and tells for her to sit back in her seat. Aunt Ali keeps hold of my hand and takes me to her seat next to Ashlyn. She sits me on her lap and puts her arms protectively around my waist. A few minutes later Mama and Coach Jill get on, but no Hinkle. Mama stops to say something to Christie before coming back to where I am. Aunt Ali hesitantly lets me get up and go with her to the back. I silently sit down beside her and rest my head on her shoulder. She puts her arm around my shoulder and kisses my temple. 

"She didn't hurt you did she?"

"Uh uh."

"Okay that's good."

"Mama where did she go?"

"She's not going to be coming back."

"Ever?"

"Ever." nods Mama. "Coach cut her in the locker room."

"Because of Mal?" I ask.

"Yeah because of Mal." answers Mama. "It's a good thing you got there when you did Julie B. Hinkle could have really hurt her if you didn't step in."

"Mama you're the one who stopped her." I say looking her in the eyes. "She just laughed at me when I tried."

"If you didn't go in there love bug I wouldn't have either." states Mama poking my tummy. "You're the real hero." 

I giggle softly and cuddle into her, "Thanks Mama. I love you."

"I love you too princess." she whispers kissing my temple and holding me tightly. "Always."