CHASING GOLD: World Cup

Chapter 13

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. PLEASE WELCOME YOUR HAWKS!" The crowd applauded as Theo, Andy and their team took the field. "AND PLEASE ALSO WELCOME THE UNITED STATES WOMENS NATIONAL TEAM!" The crowd erupted as the WNT came out, waving at the crowd in the stands. The national team took their spots on the bench with the Hawks. Theo and Andy linked arms and jumped onto the field together and the Hawks took the field. Alex gave Tobin a look when she saw Theo and Andy do the 'New Kids jump'. Soon after, the whistle blew for the start of the game.

At around the 17th minute, Andy raced down the field with the ball. She saw Theo and Grace making their runs and lofted the ball up. It was headed away by a defender and Theo got it and dribbled out of the box. Andy made a run inside and Theo passed her the ball. Andy planted her leg and took the shot, the ball sailing passed the keepers outstretched hands and into the back of the net. Andy jumped into Theo's outstretched arms, celebrating. Andy then decided to run to the sidelines to hug her mom. "Nice shot kid!" Tobin yelled as Andy jumped into her arms. "I'm so proud of you!"

"Training really paid off." Andy said, smiling at her mom, knowing the amount of work they put in at practice for something like that to happen.

The game started up again and soon it was halftime with a score of 1-0 Hawks. Halftime went by fast and soon the teams were back out on the field and playing again.

Around the 57th minute, Andy was chasing after another midfielder with the ball. She stole it and passed to the center to her teammate, Dani. Andy was about to juke out two opponents in front of her when the players collided. Andy felt a sharp pain and felt her knee twist. She grabbed her knee immediately when she hit the turf. "Andy!" She heard her mom yell. Theo ran up to her best friend crumbled on the ground.

"Andy! You ok?" Theo asked. Andy shook her head no. Theo waved for the trainers to come out onto the field. "Can her mom come out here?" Theo asked one of the trainers. The trainer nodded. Theo motioned to Tobin who was waiting patiently. Tobin grabbed Alex's hand and the two ran over to Andy. They got to Andy and Tobin grabbed her daughters hand. Alex kneeled beside Tobin, her hand resting on Tobin's back.

Andy was crying and Tobin tried to wipe her tears away. "You're ok baby girl." Tobin said through her own tears.

"It hurts mom." Andy said through her tears.

"Andy what happened exactly?" The trainer asked.

"Um. I was trying to juke out the two players and when I turned, my leg got stuck and turned outwards." Andy said, her hands on her head.

"A similar thing happened to me. Remember Toby?" Alex said to Tobin, who nodded, remembering when Alex got her leg stuck between two players, resulting in an ACL tear.

"I think you've torn your ACL Andy." The trainer said and turned to signal someone on the sidelines.

The next few minutes to Andy, were a blur. She felt herself being picked up by the trainer and her mom. The opponents and teammates came over and made sure she was ok. Alex and Tobin helped Andy to the side lines as the trainer grabbed her bags. The trainer checked her over for any other injuries that might have occurred and found none. The trainer decided in her best opinion that Andy did in fact tear her ACL. The trainer was then interrupted as the paramedics arrived. Then Andy was in a ambulance with Tobin and Alex on her way to the hospital. The next thing Andy knew, was that she was out of surgery and in a room waiting for the doctor.

*****

Andy woke up, the lights brightly shining in her eyes. She heard movement from beside her and saw Tobin and Alex cuddled up with each other. She smiled. "Hey mom." She said weakly, her voice raspy. Tobin opened her eyes and saw her daughter.

"Andy." Tobin said. Alex jolted awake at the mention of Andy's name. "Baby girl. How are you feeling?" Tobin asked.

Andy shrugged. "I'm ok." The three talked for a little until the doctor came in.

"Hello Andy. How are you feeling?" The doctor asked. "I assume you are the moms?" The doctor said towards Tobin and Alex.

"Yeah." Tobin said before Andy or Alex could answer. Alex and Andy shared a look and a smile.

"Ok. Well. Andy you did tear your ACL. We did the surgery and you will need about 9 to 12 months for a full recovery. After 6 months, you should be able to begin returning to soccer but very, very lightly. After 9 to 12 months, you should be able to return fully." The doctor explained. "Any questions?" When no one answered, the doctor said goodbye and said he would send a nurse in to give them the release papers.

"Hey Alex?" Andy asked. "You tore your ACL right?" Andy asked. Alex nodded. "Would you help with my recovery? You too mom but just Alex mainly since you went through it?" Alex smiled and nodded again.

"Of course." Alex said.

"I consider you like my second mom if that's ok?" Andy said sheepishly. Alex smiled and looked at Tobin. Tobin smiled back.

"My two girls." Tobin said putting an arm around Alex and a hand in Andy's hand. Tobin had multiple meanings for what she just said. Andy was her daughter. Her baby girl. But Alex, she's be in love with Alex for years. She loved Alex as a best friend but she also loved her more than that. She wanted to desperately tell Alex but she was worried she'd lose her. She knew how Alex looked at her but she always just brushed it off as friends. Andy could see her mother thinking.

"Mom?" Andy said. Tobin looked up at her daughter. "Alex?" Alex looked up at Andy too. Alex and Tobin shared a look. "Please for the love of god tell each other how you feel." Andy said. Tobin and Alex both blushed and looked down.

"Ok." Tobin said finally. "Is it ok if I take her on a walk baby girl?" Tobin asked her daughter. Andy nodded vigorously, a bright smile on her face. "Ok don't give yourself whiplash." Tobin said chuckling. Andy rolled her eyes but smiled. Tobin led Alex out of the room. The two walked out of the hospital and sat on a bench outside.

"Shit." Tobin said chuckling becoming nervous. "Alex..."