Only Friends

Chapter 41 - Euros

We arrived back in England the following day, ready to recharge and relax for the next two months. Kristie also arrived that morning from Houston, to start preparation for Arsenal. She was let out of her contract with the Dash early, when it was obvious they wouldn't win the league. Everyone knew Portland had the win in the bag, there was no denying it.

Kristie and I had planned to spend some time at Steph's beach house in Newport, but we were both too invested in the Euros to fly to the US during the month of July, so we pushed it back until August, meaning that Jill could possibly come too.

Kristie wouldn't officially move over until late August, just before the season started, as she is not organised enough to bring all her things over earlier. We always laugh how unorganised Kristie is. Sam Mewis, her sister, and I always tease her on her lack of organisation skills. I used to spend a lot of time with Sam Mewis, before I moved to London. I sort of became the third Mewis sister, and their parents loved me, always treating like one of their own. They knew I had no parents with me in the US so they took me under their wing, allowing me to spend the holidays with them and birthdays.

"Who is excited for the game tomorrow?" I asked, as Kristie, Sam and myself were sitting around Sam's dinner table, after ordering some take out. Jill was in camp, with Holland, preparing for their game.
"Very! Who are Holland playing again?" Sam asked, sipping some of her beer.
"Iceland, I think. They should win their group," I said, thinking about the teams. The Netherlands were in group A, with Iceland, Russia and Norway. I would presume that to be fairly confirmed that they would make it to the quarters.
"Yeah, but never be too confident," Kristie answered.

As I woke up the next morning, I pulled on my number 6 Roord Jersey. After leaving the Houston Dash, I never thought I'd wear orange again, but here we are. I gave Kristie and Sam both some pieces of orange to wear to show their support - Sam a jacket and Kristie a hair ribbon. When the Dutch fans fill the stadiums, seas of orange are displayed, and I wanted to be a part of that sea, to show my support to Jill.

We arrived at the ground, and there was a decent crowd. As it isn't a match with the home side, England, it was never going to be packed, but there were at least 25,000 fans filling the seats.

Jill had got us amazing seats, right near the front and close to the middle of the sideline. Viv had also got Lisa a ticket, and she was seated right next to us.
As Jill walked out, with Viv and Daan on either side of her, she saw me and gave me a quick smile. Butterflies filled my stomach, making me tingle with happiness.

The game against Iceland played out the way I thought it would, with the Dutch team winning convincingly, 4-0. Jill scored twice, and so did Viv. I always cheered the loudest when Jill scored.
"Indi has a loud scream," Kristie said to Sam after Jill's first goal, "I think my eardrum has burst."
"You never cheer that loud when I score," Sam said to Kristie, sarcastically. Kristie laughed, and leant to give Sam a quick kiss.
At the end of the game, Jill came up to me and smiled at both Sam and Kristie.
"Enjoyed the game?" She asked us.
"I was expecting a hat trick," Sam replied.
"Me too," she answered, both laughing.
"Wait for me, okay?" She asked me, before turning away and hurrying back towards her team.

As I waited for Jill after her match, I told Sam and Kristie to go home without me.
"I can make my own way back guys, no stress." They both nodded their heads, and walked away holding hands. Sam and Kristie have turned into the epitome of stable. Their unconditional love is evident, and can't be faulted. No one can deny that they are perfect.  I had seen both Sam in her previous relationship with Nikki, and Kristie with Rachel, and I know, from my own eyes, that Sam and Kristie are meant to be.

Jill snuck me into the locker room after the match. None of the Dutch girls minded as they all know me fairly well. I had been in this locker room enough for them to know me.
"Good game girls," I said, talking to Viv and Jackie who were changing out of their sweaty clothes.
"Well, it's a start," Viv replied. Viv is always modest and never does any celebration nor shows any excitement. It is all part of her charm.
"Well, I thought you played amazingly." I patted her back, and went to sit next to Jill, who was drinking water, obviously tired after 90 minutes.
I gave her a side hug, putting my lips to her cheek, softly.
"You played great," I said to her. She looked at me, and gave me a quick kiss back, before going to the showers to change.