(A/N) Hey guys, it's time for the latest update in Grifball: Running Rampant! Also, I know I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but in case you've forgotten, applications for Agent Texas are still open, as well as our RvB Fic Nominations! Again, if you're interested, you know where to find us!

Anyway, enjoy the chapter. :)

Chapter Thirty-Five – Sleepover

Kiara Thomas

Written by Minaethiel

"I know that we'll have a ball

If we get down and go out and just lose it all

I feel stressed out, I wanna let it go

Let's go way out spaced out and losing all control"

–Black Eyed Peas, I Gotta Feeling

It was quite possibly one of the most turbulent weeks in Rampancy yet, and that was saying something considering the blowout Alex had with Jackson. However that seemed miniscule on the scale I kept. Rampancy had almost lost Alex, and now we actually had lost a player: Will. Coach's announcement had completely blind-sided me. Will hadn't even told me he was thinking of transferring, let alone actually told me he was going through with it. I didn't know whether to feel angry that he didn't trust me enough to tell me where his thoughts were, or sad that he was gone. Granted, he was still going to be in the league, but we wouldn't get to joke during practice anymore, and I wouldn't be able to just go and ask him for advice. He had graciously helped me with the agent situation a couple months back, but I couldn't ask for that kind of help anymore. At least that's how I saw it; he would probably be too busy with Maverick now.

I suppose I shouldn't have really been feeling so badly about him. I still had Ellen and Arika, and I was beginning to warm up to Sophie and Jamie too, but it felt weird just hanging with only the women of the team. Will was kind of like a link to the original team; now I didn't really know how to act around Alex and Jackson. Neither man had taken Will's departure very well, either. Jason was still an unknown to me, really; I hadn't gotten much of a chance to talk to him. Besides, it seemed like he'd warm up to Sophie and Jamie more since they were all in the same boat of being new to the pro leagues.

Damn it, Kiara! Stop worrying about what you can't change and just focus on what's happening now!

Sighing, I lifted my hand and knocked on Arika's door, hoisting my duffle bag on my shoulder as I did so. I forgot who had suggested it, but one of us had thought that it was a brilliant idea for all of the women to get together for a sleepover. I was always excited at the prospect of spending time with my friends, and I was looking forward to getting to know Sophie and Jamie better. We hadn't had much time to talk.

Arika opened the door with her familiar laid-back smile and gave me a hug.

"Kiara! It's about time you got here. We were beginning to wonder if you'd ran into trouble or something on the way here."

I gave her a small smile. "No, not at all. I guess I was just thinking so much that I began walking at a snail's pace."

Arika shot me a sympathetic look and beckoned me inside. I didn't have to guess why she was being sympathetic. It was no secret that Will and I had been- maybe still was? - close friends. Half the team probably thought we were dating, but that was simply preposterous. He never asked me out, and seemed more brotherly than anything. Granted, the ice cream shop outing had been suspicious at first, but he quickly had cleared it up about it just being friendly. Walking into what I believed was Arika's living room, I could see that Jamie and Ellen were already there. Ellen raised a martini glass in greeting, and Jamie waved at me enthusiastically. I shyly waved back, still out of my element with our newest additions. Ellen laughed and waved me over to a spot next to her as she lounged on the couch.

"Lighten up a little, Kiara! We're all friends here!

Giggling slightly, I took a seat and looked around. All three of the present women were already in pajamas. Not surprising. We'd already agreed to ordering pizza for dinner, and splitting the tab between us. I grinned slyly at Ellen.

"So, how are you and Alex getting along lately, Ellen? Or Ellie I should say?"

She took a sip from her drink and gave me a sharp look, but looked away just as quickly.

"Don't know what you're talking about, Kiara. We're just hanging out, you know, like friends tend to do."

"Oh, Ellen! But you two just seem so..." I fought to find a word, "comfy together."

"We're about as much of a couple as you and Will are," she retorted amusedly.

Immediately I felt my face go scarlet as the heat rose to my cheeks.

"Will and I are just friends. Good friends. There's nothing going on."

Ellen laughed, turning the sly grin I had given her earlier back on me.

"But you two seem so... comfy together," she teased, sending her into another fit of laughter as my blush apparently deepened.

"Just friends," I reiterated as calmly as my voice would allow. Besides, I was pretty sure Will saw me as a little sister anyway.

Arika picked that moment to walk back in and smirked at all of us, the remote to her TV waving wildly in her hand.

"Tonight is a night for old movies! First up on the list is going to be Pirates of the Caribbean. Any arguments will be snuffed immediately," she said, smiling. "Any additional requests, please see management. Snacks are in the kitchen on the table and dinner will be served soon."

At this, Jamie laughed and leaned back into her bean bag. "Professional tank AND in-flight hostess? Someone seems to be multi-talented here."

I giggled slightly and grabbed my bag before heading to the bathroom. My favorite PJs had been the first thing I had packed. Black flannel pants with deer on them, and a matching red shirt with a larger deer on it. Soft, comfortable, and warm; the best three traits to have in a set of pajamas. The doorbell rang as I exited Arika's bathroom, and I was unsurprised to see Sophie had arrived. A small smile tugged at my lips. Rampancy was now mostly women. I couldn't help but wonder if Jackson had realized the fact yet, and inwardly giggled at seeing his face if Coach decided one day to send an all-women team to the field for a day. The captain would NOT be happy, I predicted with amusement. I gave a small wave to Sophie as she she took a lazy position on the couch, and she smiled.

"Sorry I got hung up, ladies. A bunch of reporters stopped me on the way over asking how I felt about being the number two runner since Will left for Maverick."

Almost involuntarily, Ellen, Arika, and I swapped sad glances. Sophie was excited for her new rise in status, but the three of us couldn't help thinking that the loss of Will was no cause for celebration. However, I was the first to shake off my mood. Tonight was supposed to be fun; I'd thought enough about Will and everyone else on the way over here.

"Well congratulations, Sophie. You'll do Rampancy proud, I just know it!" I said, my voice filled with genuine encouragement.

The younger woman gave a half-smile.

"Thanks, Kiara. I'll try not to show up Alex too much, Ellen," the brown-haired runner added jokingly to the blushing defender.

Ellen huffed in response and took another sip of her martini, grumbling something inaudible about teammates and dating. Smiling a bit bigger, I focused on Sophie and Jamie as Arika put the movie in.

"So, how are you two settling in to Rampancy?"

Granted, both women had been with us for a few weeks now, but it never hurt to check up once in a while. You never know if something might've been bothering them, or maybe they had questions. I felt obligated to help them out, since they were newer and all. Jamie and Sophie looked to each other, and I could see a silent question pass between them. I wasn't surprised when Jamie was the first to respond.

"Well, since Jackson has toned it down it's been cool. The training can get a bit tiring at times, but if it's making us better players, I'm all for it."

Sophie nodded in agreement. "Personally, I think Jackson only acts that way to play hard to get. I bet he'd stop if you kicked him from his podium, Arika," Sophie remarked casually before turning her attention to the movie screen. Arika tilted her head in thought.

"There's no way I'd be a candidate to take his job as captain so soon. He's more skilled than I am, plus he's been on Rampancy for much longer. Besides, Alex is probably next up for the captainship."

The subject was promptly dropped as the movie started, for which I was thankful. Jackson had been easier to get along with lately. Maybe he was finally resigned to us women being on the team. Perhaps he thought we were finally up to par with him and Alex. However all of these thoughts vanished as I shifted my attention to the movie. I didn't really have an appreciation for older movies. Newer ones were much more... interactive and exciting than just ones on a flat screen. By the end though, I came to enjoy the old style. I couldn't help but smile slightly as I imagined Will comparing himself to the William in the movie. He'd probably go as a pirate for Halloween just for the laughs, complete with an old sword and a funny hat.

Pizza arrived soon after that, and as we enjoyed it, Arika welcomed us to have a few drinks. Ellen had already indulged herself, and she was already much more chatty and excited by her third drink. I was hesitant to indulge at first, but with everyone else having the fun they were I wasn't too concerned about the consequences, plus it sounded really good to just let loose for the night. By the time I was halfway through my second drink I started regretting my decision, but then again, who cared? We were all here to have fun and get to know each other! Being a bit tipsy wasn't going to affect the amount of fun we were having. In fact, for all I knew it could increase it! Jamie looked surprised as I opted for a third drink.

"I'm all for having fun, but don't you think three is pushing it, Kiara?"

Waving her away, I tried to smile reassuringly.

"There's nothing wrong with having a few drinks at a sleepover. We're here to have fun, right?" To emphasize this I raised my drink to Ellen and Arika, who raised theirs in turn, giggling over some story Sophie was telling. Jamie seemed uncertain as she sipped from her own drink.

"Is this really to have fun, or is it because you miss Will?"

I scoffed, despite the redness flaring on my cheeks yet again.

"Not at all! Besides, Will and I can still be friends. This is purely for fun!"

Jamie looked like she seriously doubted this, but didn't question me further as Sophie called out for a game of truth or dare, a dangerously amused glint in her eyes. We all gathered in a circle quickly, the idea of a potentially hilarious game boosting our moods further. I plopped down next to Sophie, who quickly went over the basic rules.

"Ok ladies, you refuse a dare, you're a wimp. You refuse a truth, and you're a wimp. Complete your question or dare, and you get a pat on the back. Any questions? No? Then let's get started." Without missing a beat, she pointed at Ellen. "Truth or dare?"

Ellen thought it over for a moment.

"Truth," she said finally, a lazy, but confident, smile on her face.

Sophie smiled and leaned back before asking coyly, "What are your feelings towards our mutual friend, Alex Cross?"

Ellen's face fell to a nervous half-smile and her drink suddenly became the most fascinating thing in the room.

"He's a good friend," she began, her eyes flicking distractedly from side to side. "That's it, just friends." Her nervous tone contradicted her statement, and the rest of us burst out laughing before Arika leaned back on the couch dramatically.

"Ellen! When are you going to stop torturing the poor guy and go out with him?! With everything that's happened he could use something good in his life."

Ellen herself looked highly uncomfortable discussing her feelings towards the first position runner. Nevertheless, she huffed in defiance.

"He's a teammate! Can you imagine what Anderson will say?"

"Will?" We all practically screeched in excitement.

"Would," Ellen clarified stubbornly.

"Come on, Ellen! Just go for it! If you like him, who cares what other people say?! Besides, I'll bet," I began sagely, waving a finger in the air for emphasis, "that most the press thinks half of Rampancy is an item by now."

Ellen crossed her arms after setting her drink on the table, throwing me a triumphant smirk.

"Well if you're so confident about that... why aren't you actively pursuing Will?"

"Hey!" I exclaimed in protest. "It's not my turn! You can't ask truth questions to someone who isn't in the hot seat!"

"Ok then. Kiara, truth or dare?"

Well, shit. That's just playing dirty.

However now everyone I could see was curious as to if I would wiggle out of the question by choosing dare. Remembering Sophie's declaration of being a wimp, I drew my mouth into a hard line.

"Truth. And I already know what you're going to ask so I'll answer. No, Will and I are not a couple, and we're more like siblings than anything. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?" I questioned, a dare to dispute me dancing in my voice. The others looked at each other, surprised at my display of ferocity before letting an awkward silence fall. I deflated and looked around at the quizzical and confused faces of the women on my team.

"Sorry," I said quietly, "I didn't mean to be so..." I struggled to find a word.

Their faces softened.

"It's ok to miss him, you know," Arika said matter-of-factly. "We'll all miss having him around to crack jokes at Coach's expense."

"Or Jackson's," Jamie added with a grin.

I smiled slightly, calming down a bit and definitely regretting drinking enough for my temper to snap so easily, especially at my friends.

"Sorry," I said again, an embarrassed flush creeping up my face.

"Whatever, Kiara!"Sophie said with an amused eye roll. "Quit being sorry and pick someone! It's your turn!"

"Oh!" I exclaimed, fiddling with a strand of hair nervously. "Um... Arika, truth or dare?"

"Dare," she said with a confident cross of her arms and a well-practiced smirk.

"Ok, um..." I thought for a minute, biting my lip in thought. I had never been good at coming up with dares or anything of the sort. "I dare you to... Prank call Jackson!"

Sophie and Ellen exchanged amazed glances, and Jamie started laughing. Arika grinned at me before pulling out her phone, setting the phone to speaker.

"No problem."

I couldn't believe she was actually going to do it. Prank call... Jackson. Our team captain. The guy who was actually lightening up a bit. The captain would could probably cow even the toughest reporter with his glare. I put my hand to my mouth, hardly able to believe what I had just set in motion. As the phone rang, the room was gripped in a rigor mortis of silence. Each of us staring at each other, gazes flitting between anticipation, amusement, and maybe a hint of nervousness. At once, we all drew in a sharp breath as a familiar voice answered the phone, somewhat annoyed. I could almost picture the pained look on Jackson's face. He probably thought it was the press asking about Will. God knows we all had been subjected to that.

"Hello?"

Arika gave us the most devilish grin I'd ever seen, and then she began speaking in one of the most well-practiced East Indian accents I'd ever heard.

"Hello, I am new to this city and would like to request directions to the nearest establishment that sells chicken balls. Can you help me?"

For a second the line was quiet. All of us were trying to stifle our laughter as the silence became elongated, when finally, Jackson replied.

"...What?"

Arika began again with, "I am asking for directions to purchase chicken balls at this time. Can you help me?"

Abruptly, the line went dead. For a second, all was quiet, and then we all burst out laughing. Jamie practically had tears coming out of her eyes.

"Arika," Ellen said through choking laughter, "that was amazing!"

It took us another two minutes to calm down, after each of us tried and failed to mimic Arika's accent. Grinning, I turned to Rampancy's primary tank.

"I take back my doubts; prank calling Jackson was the best idea I've ever had."

The other woman chuckled and smiled at me.

"It was fun. You should try it sometime. I'd help you prank call anyone you want," she said with a wink.

I giggled and looked around.

"Who's your target, Arika?"

The other woman looked around with a triumphant smile before settling on Jamie, who was sitting in the beanbag.

"Jamie. Truth or dare?"

"Dare, of course!"

"Ok, your funeral," Arika said with a laugh. "I dare you to drink a concoction one of the other girls makes from the stuff in my kitchen. And I do mean anything in my kitchen," she adds to all of us seated. I grinned at Ellen and Sophie.

"I'm thinking we team up for this. Arika, do you have a blender?"

"Of course! First cabinet on the left."

Grinning, I stood up and waved Sophie and Ellen with me as I strode to Arika's kitchen. Grinning around, I retrieved the blender and set it on the counter before assessing what Arika had. Cereal was visible, as was various pastas. Her cabinet revealed a few packaged foods and canned goods, and Sophie pulled out a can of black beans.

"These will do nicely," she said with a wicked grin at the rest of us.

"We'll need something to make it easier to blend. I'm thinking milk and chocolate ice cream," Ellen giggled as she finished talking.

"Oh, and let's add in some ketchup too!" I practically jumped up and down in excitement.

Ellen opened Arika's refrigerator and took out a can of tuna.

"Throw this in there!"

Within minutes our creation was complete, and the glass was full. The smell was absolutely noxious; kind of like what the Rampancy center smelled like after a particularly rough day of training. Nevertheless, as we presented the drink to Jamie, she smirked confidently even as her eyebrows raised curiously.

"Watch and learn, ladies; you're about to get a lesson in gag reflex control."

Amazingly, Jamie took down the drink in under two minutes without issue. She looked absolutely disgusted, but she downed the drink nonetheless. Slamming the empty glass on the table, she held up her arms in celebration.

"And that, folks, is how Jamie Evans does dares!"

All of us burst out laughing again, hands clapping in delight. Jamie smiled and looked at us with a raised eyebrow.

"So exactly what was in that anyway?"

Sophie smirked. "Black beans, chocolate ice cream, milk, a can of tuna ,and ketchup. I thought the MEN smelled bad after practice, but damn, that drink made me really appreciate how there are worse smells out there."

Tilting my head curiously I turned my attention to Sophie.

"They don't smell THAT bad after training! Besides, I'm sure we don't smell like a basket of roses either," she adds with a giggle.

Sophie shrugged as if to concede the point and switched her look to Jamie.

"So? Who's your poison, Jamie?"

"That would be you, Sophie! Truth or dare?"

"Dare," the back up runner said with a toss of her curly hair.

Jamie grinned evily and leaned towards her.

"Sophie... I dare you... to kiss Ellen over there. Full on make-out style. And I get to take a picture."

Sophie raises her eyebrows and flicks her eyes to Ellen. The defender looked understandably surprised, and she looked slightly apprehensive. The second runner smirked and nodded.

"Ok, don't forget; if you back down from a dare, you're a wimp, right, Ellen?"

Ellen's face looked mildly nervous, but it hardened into a determined look as we looked at her.

"Fine," she sighed in response, "let's get this over with."

Sophie walked over to Ellen as Jamie readied the camera on her phone. Arika and I exchanged wide-eyed glances, surprised at the tenacity and determination of the two women involved. Jamie was snickering like a madwoman, particularly when Ellen waved a hand at Sophie to just get on with it. Sophie obliged, leaning in and drawing Ellen into a kiss as Jamie snapped a few photos and whistled encouragingly. Both women immediately looked even more embarrassed and pulled away, glaring at the other woman.

"What? You did the dare, congratulations! Neither of you are wimps," she added teasingly.

"Wimps? I'll show you a wimp!" Ellen exclaimed as she grabbed her pillow and clubbed Jamie with it just as she put her phone away. The other woman yelped in surprise and lunged for her own weapon. Before we knew it, all of us had been drawn into the battle royal. I lunged to tackle Arika, but was blindsided as Sophie hit me on the side of my head. For the first time that day, I found myself truly getting caught up in the fun of just hanging with all of the women. For the first time since I heard Will was leaving, I allowed myself to truly smile.