Christina POV

"Go Whalers go! L-E-T-S G-O!" I chanted with the other girls, as I clapped my pom-poms together along the sideline of the soccer field. I watched as our Varsity Girls Soccer team played against our rivals Norwich for the last regular season game. The Admiral, Helen, Dylan, Joni, Harry, Aldo, and Ethan were sitting in the bleachers as the game continued. Another familiar face that sat in the stands was Brooke. I stared at her as she was dressed in a pair of light blue skinny jeans, a dark blue shirt and leather jacket. She had on a grey beanie to help keep her warm in the cold October air. Her hair fell freely on her shoulders as he sat there about two rows behind my family as she was watching Phoebe. With the occasional cheer and clapping, she filled the role as "supportive" girlfriend, if that's even what she was to Phoebe.

I contemplated about their relationship often. They would always walk together at school and Brooke was a frequent visitor to our house, when she was allowed. As I would go to the dining room to complete my homework for the evening, I would watch as they would go upstairs to mine and Phoebe's room and disappear until it was time for dinner or for Brooke to leave. Half of the time she had stayed for dinner with us and Phoebe would take her home afterwards. It wasn't hard to guess what they were doing when they disappeared to our room. I didn't feel like walking in on my sister having sex anytime soon, so whenever I needed in the room, I made sure that they could hear that I was coming. Brooke was beautiful, there was no doubt about that. Piercing blue eyes, long blonde hair, tanned face, and skinny build. She had all the guys, and even some of the girls, chasing after her at New London High. She was in Phoebe's friend group. I saw her, Phoebe, Ryan and Phoebe's teammate Peyton often playing their guitars and other instruments on the quad during our free track. Phoebe seemed happy with her. That's all that mattered, right? Phoebe was happy…

The score was tied 1-1 as it approached the 80th minute. Our girls team was clad in a white jersey that was trimmed with dark green with dark green Under Armor underneath to keep them warm, as well as dark green shorts and finally white socks. I watched as one of the girls kicked the ball up to midfield as the game resumed. They ran up the field as a player from Norwich slid and took her out, resulting in a yellow card. Norwich was known for their dirty play. Many players this season had been suspended due to the amount of yellow and red cards they had received.

We started doing another one of our many cheers as we bounced and kicked as I felt sicker with each movement. This morning had been rough to say the least. I was still hung over and felt like I was going to throw up at any moment. I hadn't thrown up yet, even though I thought for sure I would when the Admiral came home early this morning:

"You all are in very big trouble."

The words let the Admirals mouth as he looked at each one of us. I don't think I have ever felt so scared in my life. If looks could kill, we all would be 6 feet under at the moment. The Admiral stood there, hands on his hips, his Coast Guard uniform pressed and perfectly polished. Helen stood behind him, a look of disappointment across her face as she studied us. Ethan and Aldo were holding onto each of her hands as their baby faced looked confused.

"Should I go get the hammer sir?" Ethan asked cutely as us, older kids, giggled quietly.

"No Ethan. There is no hammer." The Admiral sighed as he explained to the youngest boy, who saluted his dad accordingly.

"So this is what we come home to find after visiting your grandparents, who by the way, missed seeing you. You all were so selfish that you'd rather throw a party and trash the house than visit your grandparents. I'm extremely disappointed in all of you." The Admiral told us as we all had our heads down in shame.

"So…who was the mastermind behind the 'party while the parents are away'?" The Admiral asked us as we all looked back up to him and then towards each other. We hadn't really figured out if we got busted who would take the blame. Granted, it was Phoebe and Dylan that had suggested the party and sent out the group message to everyone, but there was no way that we were going to rat them out. We had become a lot closer together throughout this past year. We had each other's backs through thick and thin, whether it be at school or at home, rarely there were fights between us. We were a pact. We were a family.

None of us opened our mouths as Frank looked at us all briefly, shocked that we had remained silent. I watched him carefully as I saw the cogs and wheels in his head turning, deciding the best course of action he should take. He looked back at Helen briefly as she nodded, agreeing with whatever it was he had thought of. I didn't understand how they knew what the other was thinking but somehow, over the past year they seemed to be on the same page, for the most part. Both finally understanding how the other worked and thought, they were a well-oiled, parenting machine, much to the dislike of us.

"Well since no one is going to step up and own up to their mistakes…you are ALL grounded for the next month." He said slowly as everyone looked at each other in disbelief and started to protest at once.

"I have soccer!"

"My band is having a gig-.."

"What about my intern-"

"A whole month?!"

"Sir this isn't fair-"

All of us were shouting out arguments to this form of punishment as the Admiral put his hands up to stop of all.

"Do you want to make it 2 months?!" He shouted over us, as that instantly silenced every argument. I looked at Phoebe as she glared at the Admiral. It was no shock that out of all the North kids, she and my dad did not get along at all. They were constantly at each other's throats; bickering, arguing, and fighting. They had nothing in common and any chance they got, they disagreed. Every little thing was a war between those two. And at the moment it seemed like another fight was about to break out. Phoebe and the Admiral were both hot-headed. They both liked to be the 'leader' and to be right. I think part of the reason that they didn't get along is that with Phoebe being the oldest North child, she felt the he was 'replacing' her real dad. When his death anniversary came in December last year, each of the North kids took turns with the 'talking stick'. But when it was handed to Phoebe from Joni, who gave a heartfelt message about her father and how Frank was the best step-father, Phoebe silently passed the stick onto Dylan. Everyone looked at her puzzled and wondered why the older girl didn't want to say anything about her late dad. But, Dylan took the stick and continued as if nothing was wrong. Dylan and Phoebe had a special brother-sister bond that I didn't understand, no one understood. They were like twins, being able to read each other and how the other felt.

"Thanks for ruining my life." Phoebe told him as she turned around and ran back up the steps to our room. Frank was about to protest, but Helen placed her hand on his back stopping him. He sighed as I noticed a hurt expression flash across his face. He wiped his brow as he looked at his watch and then back to us.

"You have one hour to get this place cleaned up." He told us as he and Helen walked towards their bedroom to discuss what had happened.

So now here are at Phoebe's soccer match. Helen had managed to talk the Admiral into letting Phoebe still play in her games, since she had made a commitment to the team and it was the start of playoff time. So Phoebe and I got changed into our respective uniforms, and we made our way to our high school. The ride there was silent, nobody inside daring to break the silence after this morning.

Phoebe was an amazing athlete. She was in the running for Female Athlete of the Year and she deserved it. Watching her effortlessly dribble up the field and make smooth, crisp passes to her teammates…it was something of an art. I could watch her play all day, that's how good she was. Helen told me she had played soccer her whole life. Her dad had gotten her into it when she was 4 and since then, she's always had a love for it.

Time was running out as the score was still tied. I watched Phoebe as her and this Norwich girl were playing very aggressively towards each other. The other girl would use her elbows to try and throw Phoebe off her balance as Phoebe would retaliate by "accidentally" bumping back into her. The two went back and forth before Phoebe spun around and squared up to the girl face to face. Words were being exchanged as they both were in each other's faces. I knew that if the other girl kept talking, Phoebe would surely put her in her place. Phoebe didn't take crap from anyone but she normally didn't let words get to her, but something the girl said had clearly set her off.

The scene was noticed immediately by everyone and the referee, who ran over to them quickly. He separated the both of them as he pointed fingers at each of them, before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a yellow card, showing it to both players, who began to argue their point to him. He shook his head quickly before play resumed. I watched as the girl said one last thing to Phoebe as they began to run to the other side of the field.

The referee signaled one more minute to go as our team had possession of the ball. Peyton, a friend of Phoebe and Ryan's, had stolen the ball from Norwich's forward. She dribbled the ball up the field before kicking the ball high into the air towards Phoebe, who was our forward. Phoebe took off along the sideline as the girl who had gotten in her face before was running towards the ball as well. Both players jumped up in the air at the same time to head the ball, but as soon as Phoebe was about to hit it with her head, the Norwich girl brought her elbow up and hit Phoebe in the head near her temple. Phoebe fell back down to the ground instantly, as she fell landing on her back first. She laid on the ground rolling on her side, pain written across her face as she wrapped her hands around her head in agony. Parents, our players, and our Coaches were instantly on their feet screaming at the referee and the Norwich girl as tempers flared. I looked to the crowd as the Admiral and Helen were on their feet watching, as Dylan was yelling and pointing. Brooke was stood up as well with her hand on her mouth, eyes full of concern. Helen and the Admiral were starting to make their way down the bleachers, knowing all too well that Phoebe was hurt badly.

My breath got caught in my throat as I watched Phoebe nervously, waiting for her to stand up and be okay, like always. My eyes continued to watch her as she was still on the ground not moving, my mind switched on to auto pilot as I started towards her. I was on the sideline closest to Phoebe, about 20 feet from her, so I reached her before our parents. With everyone else coming on the field, I figured it wouldn't matter if I did as well. As I and the trainer approached them, I watched as the Norwich girl stood over top of Phoebe smirking.

"Are you okay Phoebe?" I asked as I was beside them, along with Phoebe's other teammates. I was about to bend down to Phoebe when the girl spoke.

"Next time stay out of my way, dyke." She spat at Phoebe as I turned towards her.

"What did you say to her?!" I asked angrily as the words that left her mouth instantly lit a fire inside me.

"Oh I'm sorry, what are you? Her girlfriend?" The girl laughed at me as she suddenly shoved me to the ground. I hit the ground hard as everything that happened after was a blur.

I was on the ground surrounded by Phoebe's teammates as Peyton bent down to me, trying to help me up. At the same time I watched as Phoebe instantly was on her feet as the Norwich girl was taken by surprise. My eyes widened as I saw Phoebe swing and punch her across the cheek as she fell to the ground. Peyton looked over her shoulder and then left my side and joined Phoebe's. Phoebe bent over the girl on the ground as she brought her fist up again and swung. I heard her fist connect with the other's girl's face once again and a cry of pain that left the Norwich girl. Peyton grabbed Phoebe from behind and dragged her backwards, pulling her away from the girl on the ground with blood coming out of a cut below her eye. I watched as the referee, both Coaches, and players came on scene and began to separate Phoebe, Peyton, myself and the girl as they tried to control the situation.

Phoebe was being restrained by Peyton who was struggling to hold her back. Phoebe's response was always the 'fight' option in everything. Phoebe was never one to back down from anyone or anything and she certainly was not going to let this girl get her way. "Touch her again and see what happens!" Phoebe shouted as she struggled against Peyton. I gasped as I saw that Phoebe's forehead was split open from where she had been hit and had blood dripping down her face.

I was still lying on the ground as I was helped up from Ashley, a junior on our squad. The Norwich girl was still lying on the ground as she had her face buried in her hands and her teammates surrounding her.

"Phoebe! Calm down!" Peyton shouted at her as she held her still. Phoebe stopped trying to fight Peyton as she sat on the ground. I watched as she put her head between her legs and her hands on her head. Peyton was kneeling down with her as Phoebe was slightly leaning against her.

"Both players are ejected! Get off the field! Make room for the trainer!" The referee shouted as both teams started to disperse and Coaches started to order players to their respective benches. I watched as I saw Helen and the Admiral ran over to us.

"That is ridiculous! She purposely tried to hurt my daughter! I want her kicked off the team-" Helen started to argue with the referee as the Admiral tried to calm her down. Phoebe had gotten her fire from her Mom. Phoebe had the same intense passion that Helen has and both were head-strong and independent and would not take crap from anyone.

Helen ignored the reasoning of the ref as the Admiral took her place, demanding that some form of punishment be brought on the Norwich girl. He was angry, I could tell by his tone and body language, hopefully something could be done about punishing that girl.

My attention was brought back to Phoebe who was lying on the ground. Me and Helen both kneeled down to her as the trainer was by our side with his kit. Phoebe laid still as the trainer started to ask her a series of questions which she began answering. I watched her carefully as the trainer told me to hold a rag on her head to stop the bleeding for him as he searched through his medical kit.

To Be Continued...