Finally Breathing

~ Chapter 10 ~

Sky's POV

I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be back on the pitch again. The smell of the turf, the feeling of elation after a sweet strike, and most of all the comradery within the team. I felt at home again, welcomed back into open arms.

I looked up at Jill Ellis. She was saying something to Coach Nicholls, gesturing towards the pitch as she spoke. Her passion for the sport was evident, fire and heart in her eyes as she spoke. The way she managed the team was something to be admired. Since she had come into the USWNT coaching staff, the whole team had come alight with talent and success, something that I definitely couldn't do with my awkward attitude and tendency to push people away. It was for their own safety, but still, I wasn't a world cup champion.

"Alright girls, time for the scrimmage. Allie, Ash, you pick the captains." Alex said, looking around at us stood in a huddle in the middle of the field, frozen breath swirling around in the icy November air.

"Tegan." Ash said, calling her captain. Of course, I mean they are a part of the keeper's union. She banged her gloves together, strolling to the front of the group with confidence. We returned our attention back to Allie, waiting for her to call her captain so that we could begin the game.

"Sky."

 I started in amazement.

I'm a trialist, why should I be captain?

I caught Allie winking at Tobin as I walked nervously to stand next to Tegan. Weird. Tegan slung her arm around my neck, beaming while we waited for the go ahead to pick teams. Maybe they want to test my leadership. Or maybe... no. we weren't going to go there.

"Okay girls pick your teams. Rock paper scissors for who starts. Reveal on shoot." Alex called. I won, and we began to shout names across the pitch.

"Casey."

"Mils." Casey turned to me as she walked to my side, laughter in her eyes as Tegan called her pick.

"Lily."

"Charlotte."

And we went on.

Once we had chosen our teams, we were given a set of pennies to put on. Ours were bright yellow and Tegan's bright pink. We looked like highlighters. I guess they were new, and although we looked ridiculous, at least they didn't stink of the previous wearer's sweat.

We ran over to opposite sides of the 7-a-side field, taking positions as we set for kick-off. I gathered my team around me. "I know this isn't a real game, but I want you all to put everything into it. Appreciate every moment you get on that field to shine, because you will never know when it could be your last." I gave a sweeping look around the circle of girls. I missed this, all of us together, anticipating the shrill sound of the whistle, hugging and cheering when we put ourselves ahead. My team was my personality, something that had been stripped away in those last few years. "Okay, hands in." I whispered, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye. "ESB on three. One, Two, Three..."

"ESB!" we screamed. I smiled. Everything was as it was meant to be, and this was my moment to shine.

~~

We won 7-2, and I scored four of those. I acted like it was no big deal, walking over to Tegan and Emilia alongside Casey, laughing about the last half an hour. I had not only megged Tegan, but even managed to turn Jill Ellis' head when I rainbow flicked the ball over Jess' head before bicycle kicking it into the top-left corner of the goal. That was a sweet moment.

"Sky Kelley. Fancy seeing you here." I turned my head, following the taunting voice.

"Oh. Hello Jess."