Attached - Mallory Pugh/USWNT

Chapter 18

April 10th, 2022 8:00 pm

Morgana's POV

We just finished practice and we were all pretty hungry, so we went out to eat. 

Mal and I didn't talk the whole time. Not one word. 

I had made my decision on whether to act upon her feelings and my returned ones. 

I was going to tell Sophia and Ashley as soon as I could get a moment where Mal isn't around. Today was a mess, even at practice. Everyone was tired, and we were pushing through the exhaustion,  which meant some unusual errors. But we were going to be fine.We still had another practice before we had to play England. 

I just wished we had camp all day because when I was playing soccer, I didn't think about anything other than that. I wasn't thinking about having to go back to college, or the night out with Sophia that I wish never happened, or Mal. 

Mal and I sat on the same side of the table, with both Ashleys between us. Sophia sat across from me, Lindsey next to her, Rose next to her and Kelley across from Mal. 

When Kelley asked why Mal and I weren't even talking or anything, I put down my fork and stood up. 

"I'm going to use the bathroom." I said. 

"I'll join you." Sophia put down her fork as well, and followed me away. 

"Did something happen with you two?" Ash Hatch asked the rest of the girls at the table.

"Nothing." Mal replied. 

I whipped around, and I wanted to say something, but I didn't know what. Before I could, Soph grabbed my arm and dragged me towards the bathroom. 

"Let's not blow up in front of an entire restaurant of people." She said once we were in the bathroom. 

"Better not to, right?" I said. 

"Especially with how many people had eyes on us the entire night. And the waves from people, they know us. We are the biggest thing in the media right now. Well, you and Mal are." 

"Not the biggest, but we did go pretty viral." 

"Doesn't matter. Everyone knows your names right now." 

"I decided what I'm going to tell Mal. I'm going to say-" 

Sophia threw her hand over my mouth as she heard a toilet flush. 

"Good catch." I said once she moved it and a girl came out of the stall. 

She walked to the sink and Sophia and I just watched her silently, waiting for her to leave. 

"Uh, there's 2 stalls open, you know." She said. 

"Um." I said. 

"Wait a second. You're that soccer player that's new. The one with the tattoos." 

"That's me." 

"My little sister loves you. She's going to the game on Tuesday. Ans you are the one she subbed in for. How's your head?" 

"It's a lot better, thanks. They think I have a minor concussion, though, so I couldn't practice today and who knows if I can play on Tuesday?" 

"Well feel better." 

"Thanks." 

"Tell your sister I say hi. Heck, take a selfie with us for her." I said. 

"Really?" Asked the girl. 

"Yeah." So we did. 

"She's gonna freak. Thanks!" 

"No problem." Sophia said, and the girl left.