As hard as Cole tried the next morning to get Chelsea to stay home, she was waiting outside the arena with a coffee for them both. Immediately she started complaining about the early hour and how lame everything was, as she not-so-subtly dropped hints that she'd rather be curled up in bed.

"... and it's like, why are you even friends with her? From what I hear, she did my.. friend, Britney really dirty" At some point, she had started ragging on Alex really hard, and Cole was getting up to his last nerve. He'd been keeping his cool for a while now, trying to keep the status quo. He knew he was more or less expected to date Chelsea because all of her friends were involved with the team, but she was quickly crossing lines that he couldn't abide, if she didn't stop soon, he was going to rock the boat.

"Can you stop, please? I'm here to support Alex, and whatever stories you have about her can wait. Lay off her a bit please? We're friends, and nothing is going to change that."
"But Coley listennn"
"No, I'm trying to watch my best friend, ok? Please stop"
Chelsea pouted "I'm sowwyyyy, I'll be good" she kissed him on the cheek and laid her head on his shoulder, rubbing his bicep with one hand as she wrapped the other arm around him in a one-armed hug.

Alex was taking some hits, but she wasn't out yet.

"Come on Al" he cheered under his breath "You got this"