A Way Through

Chapter Three

ME

| I will be there in 5

Haisley quickly texted Addison from the stoplight. She looked up, pleading with the glowing red light to turn green. She got out of work a bit later than intended and was going to miss kickoff if she didn’t hurry. Haisley knew Elliot wouldn’t be mad at her, but she wouldn’t forgive herself for missing any part of his game.

ADDY

| pulled u some clothes

| move your tail

The traffic finally turned green, and Haisley hit the gas, racing towards home.

As soon as she put her car in park, Haisley bolted out the door and up the stairs of the front porch. The door was unlocked expectedly, and Addison was sitting on the couch. Haisley tossed her bag down and took the stairs two at a time.

“Five minutes!” she called down to Addison. Haisley crashed into her bedroom and began pulling her cafe uniform off. Addison had luckily pulled her a pair of skinny jeans and a Clover High School Football t-shirt from the closet and left it lying on the bed. She pulled on the casual clothes and snagged her matching green converse from her closet floor; she had these shoes since she was a high school student, and they were worn enough to show it. Grabbing a coordinating zip-up from the hook over her door, Haisley raced back downstairs.

“Come here,” Addison called from the kitchen. Haisley rounded the corner and found her best friend standing there with a sandwich and face paint. “Can’t forget our boy’s number, and someone has to feed you.” Haisley just smiled and nodded as she sat down at the island. After their faces were adequately sporting a #59 and Haisley had downed her sandwich, the girls headed for Addison’s car.

-

“He’s playing so well tonight!” Addison almost yelled to Haisley. The stands were loud with cheering as Clover High just recovered a fumble and took the first down.

“He was really excited for this game!” Haisley smiled. Elliot was on a roll tonight, and he had been right about their new plays.

“Woooo!” Addison yelled. It was only a couple of minutes until half-time, and Clover High was up by three touchdowns.

Someone tapped Haisley on the shoulder, and she turned to see one of the athletic trainers that helped with the team behind her. “Hey, can you come down to the field for a minute?” she asked.

“Uh, sure,” Haisley replied. “What’s going on? Is Elliot okay?”

“Coach asked me to get you,” she said.

Haisley turned to Addison, who gave her a ‘move it’ motion. The girls followed the trainer out of the stands and toward the sidelines, where the team was watching the game continue.

“What’s going on?” Haisley asked as the quarter ended and the team made their way to the sideline.

Addison pointed to the opposing team’s endzone, and Haisley’s eyes followed. “Ladies and Gentleman, before our half-time show can begin tonight, we have a special homecoming. Everyone, please welcome Clover High’s very own Sergeant Finn Roberts!” The crowd filling the stands erupted in applause, and Haisley felt her whole body stiffen.

Haisley saw Elliot as he ran across the field, almost tackling their older brother. The team parted to push her forward as well. She stuttered, not sure what to do. One of the cheerleaders joined Elliot and Finn in the middle of the field, bringing along a red rose with a patriotic bow attached.

“Hais, you gotta go out there. That’s why the coach brought you down,” Addison hissed in her ear, looking around at the team of high schoolers growing more confused by the second. Haisley was still frozen in place. She looked at Elliot, who was motioning for her to join them. Haisley gave Addison a terrified look, conflicting emotions swimming in her amber eyes. Addison hesitantly pushed her forward, and Haisley slowly marched towards Finn and Elliot.

Haisley was utterly shocked. Finn never so much as emailed to tell her he would be coming home. He hadn’t spoken to her in at least eight months now. Her mind was blank as her feet moved across the squishy Astroturf. Haisley didn’t tell Elliot how much animosity still lingered between her and Finn. She never wanted to ruin his image of their heroic older brother.

When she reached the center of the field, Elliot wrapped his arm around Haisley, smiling ear to ear. Finn ignored her completely. Haisley pretended to be happy about Finn’s return and waved to everyone in the crowd as the announcer said some nice things about Finn and his service to their country. Finally, they were able to move off the field and let the half-time show begin.

“I’ll be in the stands the whole second half,” Finn told Elliot before Elliot headed to the locker room with the rest of the team. Elliot looked ecstatic as he jogged away. Finn gave Haisley a dismissive glance before turning and leaving the field. Addison grabbed her hand, shaking Haisley out of her trance.

“Hey, you okay?” Addison asked her.

“Y-yea,” she answered shakily. “I just didn’t know.”

“Let’s go,” Addison said, pulling her towards another gate away from the direction Finn headed. The girls left the field and walked towards the concession area.

“Haisley!” someone called from behind them. Haisley stopped and turned to see the assistant coach running towards her. He stopped when he finally caught up. “Haisley, I am so sorry-” he started.

“Don’t be,” she said quickly.

“I thought by now…” the coach said. Everyone knew Haisley and her brothers. Not much had changed in their small town in the last few years.

“Really, it’s alright,” Haisley said, forcing a smile on her face. “He was probably just expecting to see Elliot only.”

“Finn’s a good kid, Haisley, but so are you,” the coach told her. Haisley held back tears as the former teacher praised her. “He’ll come around once he sees how well you take care of Elliot.” He clapped her on the shoulder, giving her a small smile.

“Thanks,” she said. The coach left Haisley and Addison standing there.

“Do you want to go?” Addison asked her. Haisley shook her head. Even if Addison were looking out for her right now, she wouldn’t leave Elliot like that. She always came to his games, rain or shine.

“No,” she said. “I won’t miss the rest of his game. He will be disappointed if I am not in the stands.”

“You won’t be able to hide this from Elliot if Finn is home, you know?” Addison pointed out. She knew her best friend meant well, but right now, Haisley couldn’t handle it. She desperately needed to get herself under control so she wouldn’t give Elliot any ideas about what was going on between Finn and her.

“Just give me a sec? Okay?” Haisley asked. Addison nodded as Haisley hurried towards the bathroom. She knew her best friend was far from okay but didn’t know what she could even do for her.