Mini Ertz///USWNT/NWSL

New Kid

Britt's POV

After watching Mace and Zach throw the ball around for a while from my window (I hope they didn't see me) and then I went to go practice soccer in the backyard with all of the stuff Julie had set out. I also stuck my feet in the big pool because I hadn't unpacked my bathing suits yet. 

I was texting Bailey and Nicole sitting on the edge of the pool when Julie came running out the back door. 

"I think you're gonna like this!" She said in a happy sing-song voice, holding out her phone. 

"What am I gonna like?" I mirrored her tone, smiling as I took the phone from her. 

"They need a midfielder." She said as I read her phone. It was the details of a tryout for a team in the area. 

"Is this the team Mace's sister plays for?" I asked. 

"How'd you know that?" 

"I met him earlier today. Then him and Zach came out here while I was playing soccer to tell me about it, and Mace called his sister to get the information for later. So this must be it." 

"Yeah. I get that it's a year above you, but I'm sure you'd adjust just fine. Especially because the Red Stars management agreed to let you come practice with us this summer!" She said happily. 

"Are you serious?" I asked. 

"Completely." She laughed, and I gave her a hug. 

"This is literally so awesome. I can't believe it!!" 

She brought me inside and gave me a note. 

"I'm actually a part of the Chicago Red Stars training squad. I can't believe it." I said. 

"Well not officially until tomorrow. You have to meet with the front office and stuff. But I know everything will go smoothly for you tomorrow. And then you can go tryout for the other team, and that starts in September. It says you can opt out of the every day summer training if you train somewhere else. Which I assume you'll do." 

"Yes I will. Thank you Julie!" 

We talked about soccer for the rest of the night, while we ate dinner and everything. I had to get myself ready for my first day of practice tomorrow. And I couldn't wait. 

----------

We got to the field early so I could go talk to coaches and managers and whatever. So that meant I was up and getting ready at 7. Which isn't ideal for a summer day, but whatever. 

Before I went outside, I got dressed in my training gear, a black Nike shirt that had the Red Stars logo on the right top corner, and my initials were on the left. BJ. Brittney Johnston. 

I met the team, and everyone was super nice. I already knew everyone's names, or most of them at least. I almost died when Mallory Pugh said hello to me, and then she came up to me during warm ups and started talking to me. Just having a casual conversation with me. 

We did a bit of conditioning, then passing, then shooting, then a bit more running. Then we did more passing. 

Then we did shooting to end off the soccer part of practice, and I was exhausted. I was still able to get 2 of 5 shots past the keepers, so I was happy. One went over the net, and 2 were saved. 

"So you were an absolute unstoppable force with your team, weren't you."  Said Tatumn Milazzo, a defender. 

"I mean, kinda." I laughed. 

"She definitely was." Said a forward Ella Stevens. 

"No need to be modest here. We're all professionals." 

"Fine. Yes, sometimes I was doing too well. My coach had to pull me, and bench me for 20 minutes." I said, taking off my cleats to finish stretching. 

"You know why that is?" Tatumn smiled. "That one. right there." 

She was pointing to Julie, who was chatting with Alyssa Naeher. 

"Best defensive midfielder in the world they say." Said Ella. "And you're related to her. You LIVE with her." 

"It hasn't even been 2 days." I said. 

"But you've got the genes." 

"Okay sure." 

"How do you know she didn't work really super hard?" Asked Tatumn. 

"Look at the kid. She's all athlete." Ella said. 

"She's a likable character too." Said Amanda Kowalski, walking over and joining the conversation. 

"Thanks." I said. 

"She is. She's charming." Tatumn agreed. 

"These punks bothering you?" Asked Mallory, walking over and throwing her arm over my shoulder. I can't believe she did that. 

"Nah. Tate's practically my best friend now." I laughed. 

"She forced her to say that!" Ella said. 

"That's a lie!" Tatumn said. 

"No it's not!" 

"Yes it is!" 

"Who's right?" Mal asked. 

"Tatumn never said that." I laughed. 

"She's just jealous that I'm best friends with the new girl." 

"Yep. Totally." Said Ella sarcastically. 

"So I see you're making friends?" Julie walked over. 

"Yep. Not her though." I pointed at Ella, laughing. 

"Hey!" 

"I'm kidding!" 

"Maybe I don't agree that you're a likable kid. Man."

"Ella I'm joking! You're one of my favorites!" 

"Well who's your real favorite?" She asked. 

"It's me." Mallory whispered in my right eat. 

"It has to be me." Whispered Tatumn into my left ear. 

"I'm gonna have to go with Julie." I laughed. 

"Good choice. Not the right choice, but I'm gonna have to agree." Mallory said. 

"Pretty obvious choice." Laughed Julie.