Mini Ertz///USWNT/NWSL

Suit Up, Kiddo

We got home from LA really late, and I spent the whole next day with Mace and Zach outside. 

After a while it was just Mace and I, and we decided to go out to eat. His sister Marley drive us, and she brought her friend as well. 

We did all sit together, and I didn't get to sit across from Mace, which sucked because I didn't have an excuse to be staring at him the whole time. 

I don't know if I made it clear how good looking he was. I mean, he is the rarest form of guy. Good looking and kind. He didn't have a big ego or anything, and he cared about me and everyone else so much. 

His sister is really pretty too, and they both looked slightly similar to Tatumn. I think it's the freckles, but I have no idea. 

After lunch, he took my check for me, which was so nice of him. Then we went home and they all came over to swim in the pool. 

Marley's friend Kiera was also going to be on our soccer team, and we became friends really easily. 

But talking about the season starting made me sad, because I realized I wouldn't be spending as much time with the Red Stars anymore. I wouldn't be practicing with the team, I wouldn't be going out for coffee and lunch with Tatumn or Mal or Ella anymore. It also meant that school was going to start, and that really sucked. I had to make all new friends and everything. 

But it's still really early in the summer, so it's okay. 

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I did end up going to a few practices with my club team, and I was always the center of attention. I'm the kid who is related to Julie Ertz and has a southern accent. That makes me a celebrity. The accent alone does really. 

I was invited to a few team parties, but I had games with the Red Stars most days, home or away. 

I started signing more autographs as my name became more known, not as many as Julie but that's fine. She always has a cramp on her hand. 

Sitting on the bench is literally magical. The collective excitement when we score or Alyssa saves something ridiculous is just the best feeling. I never wanted my time with the girls to end. 

Mace came to a home game in his Ertz jersey Julie game him. He came with Marley and Kiera and a few other girls from the club team. 

I waved to him during warm ups, the only time I'll see the field tonight. I gave him a thumbs up when he cheered for me, and a thumbs down when he made fun of me for tripping over my own feet. 

The field was soaked from rain earlier, so we were slipping and sliding left and right. 

Danny Colaprico slipped and twisted her ankle so badly that she was out of the game completely. And then Sarah Lubbert did the same thing. 

Coach Petrucelli called over Julie and I about 30 minutes before the game was going to start. 

"2 midfield injuries in warmu ps isn't good." He said. 

"No it's not." Julie said. 

"The point of me calling you two over is because we have to activate you off the practice squad." 

"Me?" I asked. 

"Yes you, Britt." 

"Doesn't mean I'm going to play, does it?" I asked. 

"Not necessarily....but you gotta be ready for anything." 

He walked away to change the starting XI, because both injured players were on it. And he added me to the subs. 

Julie gave me a huge hug. 

"I'm so proud of you!" She said. 

"It's just because there's not enough subs without me. I'm not even gonna play." I said. 

"You definitely are." 

"No I'm definitely not." 

"You are. Our midfield subs can't run the whole game. No shot." 

I looked out at the field, realizing I was going to be playing on it with these girls soon. 

"They all told my themselves. Not even they think they can play a whole game. Especially against a tough team like the Wave." 

I stayed quiet, realizing I was going to debut tonight. 

My dream. 

They all started going back to the locker room to change before Julie and I could get out to warm ups again. 

Coach came in before we put on our jerseys to tell everyone I was activated and the others were hurt. 

Mal and Tatumn gave me hugs, Ella gave me a high five, and Sarah Griffith and I did our handshake we made up on the bench one day. 

I finally got to put on that Johnston 88 jersey I had wanted to wear so badly in previous weeks. 

Friday, July 8th, I suited up with the Red Stars for the first time.