CHASING GOLD: World Cup

Chapter 28

Friday
Team USA had the day off. The girly girls, meaning Alex, Kelley, Ali, Allie, Mal, Theo, Rose, Pressy, Lindsey, Abby, Kristie, Crystal, JJ, Becky, and Sam, all wanted to go shopping. The tomboys, meaning Tobin, Ash, Hope, Andy, and Emily, did not. Carli, Pinoe, and Kling didn't want to go anywhere so they opted to stay at the hotel. The big group got into several different cars and made their way to the mall. When they got there, they started walking around immediately. Andy walked next to her moms.

"Babe! Look!" Kelley yelled to Hope. She pointed at a shop that had a squirrel in the window. The group laughed at Kelley. Kelley then looked around and noticed a jewelry shop. She walked over to Alex. "Sorry Tobs but can I borrow your girlfriend for a second?"

Tobin laughed. "Sure Squirrel." Kelley gave her a non-threatening glare which made Tobin laugh even more.

Kelley pulled Alex away from Tobin. "Alex. I found a jewelry store." Alex looked at where Kelley was pointing and she smiled.

"Ok. But how are we going to distract Tobin and Hope?" Alex asked. Kelley looked around the mall for a second. Her eyes landed on a store and she turned back to Alex with a smile. She pointed to it. Alex looked and nodded in agreement. The two walked up to their girlfriends who were talking with Ash, Andy and Emily.

"Dudes. I need food. We've got to find some. That's the only way I'm getting through this day." Emily said. The little group of tomboys all agreed. They noticed Alex and Kelley walking up to them.

"Hey babe." Tobin said to Alex. "Everything ok?" Alex smiled and nodded. She looked around the group.

"We have a surprise for the five of you." Alex said. She pointed behind Emily and the group turned around. All of their eyes widened in shock. Tobin turned around to look at Alex.

"You found a skate shop?" Tobin asked, smiling. Alex smiled back. "Damn I really want to kiss you right now but we're in public." Tobin whined.

"Later Toby. For now, you guys should go over there so you aren't bored." Alex said. "You know we'll just be looking at clothes for a while." Tobin nodded.

"And we can meet up for lunch." Kelley said. She noticed the rest of the team standing around, trying to figure out what to do. "So have fun boys." Kelley said, which made the five tomboys roll their eyes but smile. The five walked towards the store and Alex and Kelley made a beeline for the team.

"Ok ladies. Listen up. Kelley and I are going to go to the jewelry store. Who all wants to go?" Alex semi yelled. The whole team raised their hands which made Kelley and Alex chuckle. "Ok. I guess we're all going."

"Wait. Where's Hope, Tobin, Ash, Emily and Andy?" Theo asked. The rest of the team nodded when they didn't see the five.

"They found a skate shop." Kelley said.

"Ah. Makes sense." Theo said, making the team laugh. The big group headed to the jewelry shop.

"So Al. What are you planning on looking for?" Ali asked. Kelley nodded in excitement next to her.

"Well. Tobin and I always said that she would probably be the one to propose if we ever got married. But I want to get her an engagement ring too so people know that she's mine. Also I like the idea of proposing to chill, laid back, tomboy Tobin." Alex explained. Ali chuckled. "Problem is, I don't want it to be girly. You know? I want it to be like Tobin." Ali and Kelley nodded in understanding. Alex began looking at the rings in the cases.

"Puis je vous aider?" (Can I help you?) A woman asked Alex. Alex nodded and smiled.

"Oui. Je cherche une bague à proposer à ma copine." (Yes. I'm looking for a ring to propose to my girlfriend.) Alex said. The woman nodded.

"Qu'est-ce qu'elle aime?" (What does she like?) The woman asked.

"Elle est très masculine. Elle voudrait quelque chose de simple." (She is very masculine. She would like something simple.) Alex said. The woman nodded and had Alex follow her over to a cabinet. Alex saw one out of the corner of her eye and knew it was the right one. It was a simple silver band with an octagon cut clear diamond.

Alex pointed to it. "Celui-ci est parfait." (This one is perfect.) Alex said smiling. The woman nodded.

"Quelle taille?" (What size?) The woman asked.

"Sept." (Seven.) Alex said. The woman smiled and went to find a seven. Alex turned around with a bright smile on her face only to find the while team staring at her in shock. "What?" She asked.

"Since when do you speak French fluently?" Kelley asked. Alex shrugged.

"When I was over here with Lyon it kind of stuck I guess." Alex explained. Just then the woman came back and showed Alex the ring. It was in a blue velvet box with silver trim.

"Oui. C'est parfait. Je vais le prendre." (Yes. It's perfect. I'll take it.) Alex said to the woman. The woman smiled and led Alex over to the counter to complete the transaction.

*****

"Tobs. Look at this one!" Ash yelled excitedly. Tobin walked over to Ash who had her eyes on a long board that was a turquoise/teal with a white wave design.

"That's pretty sick Ash." Tobin said. Emily walked over to them and agreed.

"Hey mom?" Andy said from the other side of the store. Tobin turned and looked at her daughter. Andy waved her over so Tobin walked over to her daughter.

"What's up kiddo?" Tobin asked. Tobin saw the board Andy was staring at. The board was the same style of the one Ash was looking at but this one had no design. It was just wood. The card describing the board said: Planche personnalisée. "What's it say kiddo?" Tobin asked seeing the description in French.

"It says 'custom board'." Andy said. "You can get whatever you want on it or buy it as it is." Andy was in awe of the simple piece of wood. Tobin smiled.

"What would you put on it?" Tobin asked.

"Probably something like the USA soccer logo, maybe even the PTFC logo and then Morgan-Heath on it." Andy said and Tobin smiled. Tobin reached up and grabbed the board off the wall. "Mom?" Andy asked in confusion as Tobin walked to the counter.

"Bonjour. Vous souhaitez acheter cette planche?" (Hello. Do you want to buy this board?) The man behind the counter asked. Andy looked at her mom.

"He's asking if you want to buy it." Tobin turned to the man and nodded, yes. "Wait mom." Andy said. Tobin turned to look at her daughter. Andy was at a loss for words. Tobin understood the numbers on the paper where the board was displayed and gave the man the money. She thanked him and Tobin began walking to their little group. Ash had bought the board she was looking at and now the three were waiting for the mother-daughter duo. "Mom." Andy said. Tobin turned and looked at her daughter. "Are you serious?" Andy asked. Tobin smiled brightly.

"Of course kiddo." She said pulling her daughter into a side hug. "Anything for my little girl." Andy buried her face into Tobin's neck and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you mom." Andy whispered, tearing up. "You have no idea what this means to me." Tobin wiped the tears away. She outstretched her arms to Andy, the board in her hands. Andy gently grabbed the board and held it by her side.

Andy thought three words as the small group found the big group and began walking to them for lunch.

Best. Day. Ever.