The Captain's Armband

4. Cocktail Party

Why didn't I bring more clothes? Why did I only pack comfy clothes and PJ's? I can't believe my past self. I take a deep breath. Can't blame my past self either, how was she supposed to know I would want to impress the captain? I put some combinations of clothes onto the bed, not much choice. I'll go with my ripped jeans and a black slim fit t-shirt. I have to spice it up a bit with accessories, glad I thought of packing them. I have a hard time finding my bracelet. I'm sure I packed it! My whole suitcase is spread out on the floor when Keira walks in. She immediately starts laughing.
"What happened here?" She looks around the room.
"Well, I can't find my bracelet, I know is sounds silly, all this mess for just a bracelet.. I just need it to finish my outfit." I say to justify the mess I made.
"Ok, maybe I can help you. What does it look like?"
"It's a buddha to buddha bracelet, just like my rings." I show Keira my hand.
"Isn't it the one lying right there?" She points towards my nightstand.
This can't be true. How did I not see it?
"How did it get there?"
Keira shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know. Maybe you put it there and forgot?"
"I guess so."
That's the only logical reason to be fair. Must be the nerves letting me forget things. I walk over to the nightstand and ask Keira to help me put the bracelet on. I walk over to the bathroom to get my hair products. I start scrunching my hair, let it curl up a bit.
"You look good Dani. I like your hair when you wear it down."
"Thanks Keira, you look good yourself too, love your outfit."
She takes a bow, thanking me for the compliment.
"I'm going to look for the other girls, have fun tonight, see you in the morning."
I tell her to have fun and enjoy her time with her girlfriend before she walks out the door.

It's almost 8 as I take a final look in the mirror, this will do. I clean most of the mess I made when I hear a knock on the door.
"It's open!"
I hear the door open. I look up and see Leah standing there. She puts her hands on top of the doorpost, leaning forward.
"Fuck." I can hear her say under her breath. She looks at me from head to toe, scanning my entire body. "You look stunning."
"Thank you. I didn't bring much clothes, this is the best I could do. You on the other hand, you look fantastic." She is wearing a black jeans with an oversized white blouse, underneath a top.
"Thanks Rookie." She hasn't moved yet, still standing tall at the doorpost, looking at me.
I can feel myself getting a bit shy. The way she is standing there, all sexy and confident with this longing look in her eyes. She taps the top of the doorpost, like she is taking us both out of the moment. "Let's go." She reaches out her hand for me to grab. I can feel my palms getting sweaty, shit. I don't want her to hold my sweaty hand. I can feel myself panicking so instead of grabbing her hand I just slap it. My god Dani, what are you doing. Calm your nerves. I can see she didn't expect me to slap her hand, she looks a little confused but still has this beautiful smile on her face.

We enter the room, I can hear Loreen - Euphoria coming from the speaker.
Leah explains to me that they always play this song before matches.
"Euphoriaaaa!!" Al the girls start singing and dancing.
I think I would never get sick of this image, this group having fun together is a whole mood.
Beth and Lotte are standing behind a portable bar, which they borrowed from the kitchen staff, waving with bottles of liquor, singing from the top of their longs. Toone and Alessia are dancing together in front of the bar. Fran and Lauren are sitting on beanbags, also singing, holding their drinks in the air. Some of the other girls are moving around furniture to create a little dancefloor.
"LEKKERDING!" Beth screams from across the room. "I've got the perfect cocktail for you, get over here." I give Leah a smile and walk over to the bar.
"What you've got for me?"
"It's a Mead Special, I bet you'd like it, after all I know exactly what Dutchies like." She winks at me.
"Yeah, all Dutch people like exactly the same things. Makes sense." I say mocking her.
Lotte starts laughing out loud. She tells me she is half Dutch as well. We talk for a while about having two nationalities and the difference between the Netherlands and England.
I feel a hand rubbing my back. I look to the side, it's Leah. She gives me a soft smile.
"I like what you girls have done to the place." She compliments Beth and Lotte.
The girls chat while Leah is getting her drink.
"Did you like what I gave you?" Beth is looking at me.
"I have to give it to you; the cocktail is pretty good."
"Wait till you can taste the rest of me."
Did she really just say that? Before I can answer I hear Leah shouting.
"BETH!! What is wrong with you."
Beth starts laughing. "What do you mean? I was talking about the other cocktails I will make for Dani tonight."
"God, we need to get you a girlfriend."
We all laugh at Leah's response.


I look around the room and see Lauren walking in my direction.
"Hi mate, glad you came!" She puts her arm around my shoulder. "What do you want to drink?"
"Easy there, I just finished my first drink."
Everyone who heard my response started to laugh. I'm not sure what's so funny.
"English people can drink. You need to catch up with us." Lauren explained to me.
Beth already made a new cocktail, she is giving it to me. "Enjoy Dani."
"It's a pretty cheap deal, 20 quid for an evening of drinking." Lauren toast my glass.
"Oh sorry I didn't know. Where can I pay?" I feel a little embarrassed.
"It's already been taken care off." Leah gives me a smile.
"Oh, I will pay you back. Thank you."
"I asked you to come with me so you're not going to pay anything."
"Oh? Special treatment from the captain?" Beth interferes.
"No, special treatment from Leah. Got nothing to do with me being captain."
"Well, thank you Leah, I appreciate it." I give her a smile.
"Pleasure is all mine. Cheers."
I look at her. When she smiles her eyes speak. She is gorgeous.
I realise I'm staring at her, I can't help it, can't get my eyes off of her. I need some distraction.