It has always been you

Chapter 2

Eventually Ali fell asleep with her head on Ashlyn's shoulder. Ash didn't mind at all. She wasn't much of a hugger or anything but she felt comfortable around Ali. So she let her be.
When the pilot announced they'd be landing soon she carefully woke the brunette next to her. Ali looked like you'd just woken her up in the middle of the night but soon looked more put together. She was extremely excited to see her friends and teammates again. And to introduce Ashlyn to everyone. She already knew they'd get along great.

At the airport was someone with a signs reading "Ashlyn Harris" and "SLI Krieger". They made their way over. "Hi. That's us" Ali smiled.
"Ali. Hi! Good to see you!" The woman greeted her. Ash was confused at first but figured they must already know each other from previous camps.
"Uhm... I'm Ashlyn" she then introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you Ashlyn. I'm Scarlett. I'm part of the crew" the woman introduced herself. Ashlyn just smiled back and soon after they were on their way to the bus.
There were a bunch of people already on the bus when they entered. Some Ash knew, some she didn't.
Hope, Kelley, Meghan, HAO.
Ali sat down in front of Kelley.
"Uhm... Can I... Sit with you?" Ash asked awkwardly. She was okay with meeting Ali on the plane. That was one person. She could deal with that. But a whole team who was already familiar with each other... She was more scared than she expected she'd be.
"Of course" Ali answered with the sweetest smile.
"Hiiiii" Kelley then greeted them from behind, scaring Ashlyn. That immediately made both Ali and Kelley laugh.
"Oh come on" Ash now was laughing too.
"So you're the new goalie right?" Kelley asked.
"Yup" Ash nodded.
"So.. apparently you've already met Kriegs here.... Why so quiet though?" Kelley added. This was starting to feel like and interrogation.
"Don't worry Kelley Ash's cool. I think it's just all the new people. You know how we were with new teams. Especially this one" Ali defended her new friend.
"True. True" Kelley nodded.
"Ohhhh... New girl" Megan came onto the bus loud as always. She sat in the same row as Ali and Ash.
"Hi Megan. I'm Ashlyn" she politely introduced herself.
"Hi Ash. Someone's been doing their homework, huh? But seriously though, I know who you are and you're good" Megan said.
"Thanks" Ash nodded. She was still a little shy but she already felt so much better than just half an hour ago.
"So.. what's your deal?" Megan asked after she got herself comfortable in her seat.
"Uhm... My deal... I don't know" Ash laughed.
"Oh come on. Where you from?" Kelley joined the conversation again.
"Satellite Beach, Florida" Ash said proudly.
"Oh. Florida girl. Like it. You surf?" Kelley immediately asked.
"One of my favorite things besides soccer actually" she smiled.
"You gotta teach us" Megan said.
"Sure. If you're up for it" Ashlyn giggled. Ali next to her laughed too. She loved the water, for sure, but surfing? She wasn't so sure about that. Apparently Ashlyn noticed.
"You not gonna join us?" She laughed but you could tell she was a little disappointed.
"Ash, don't get me wrong" Ali started, putting her hand on Ashlyn's arm. " I absolutely love water. But surfing... I don't know. I feel like I'd just constantly fall off the board" she admitted.
"Well.. practice makes perfect. And that's apparently what I'm here for now" Ash smiled encouragingly.
"Okay, okay. I'll try it" Ali laughed.
"Anyway.. what age did you start playing? That's always a good one" Kelley asked.
"Uhm... 6. And I was on a boy's team till I was like 13. Boy, do they grow up fast at that age" she laughed.
"You were on a boy's team?" Megan asked, now all of a sudden very curious.
"Yeah... Didn't have much of a choice. That or not playing at all" Ash responded.
"Mh... Well I went to Germany after college. It was a that or nothing at all thing too" Ali added. Ash just smiled. They felt so connected. Even though they'd just known each other for a few hours.

For the rest of the bus ride they kept talking, Sydney eventually entering the conversation as well. They kept talking about everything and nothing. Ash felt comfortable with the team. She felt relieved. The club team she was on sucked. They didn't like her very much.

At the hotel they met with Ellis in the Lobby. She told the women who would share a room with whom. Ali was with Kelley and Ashlyn with Megan. Both were very happy about that. Especially Ashlyn since Megan was one of the few people on the team she'd gotten to know a little better.