Finally Breathing

~ Chapter 12 ~

A/N
Enjoy, and have a good Christmas Eve to everyone who celebrates it 🤍

Coach Nicholl's POV

"Alright ladies, gather round." I called, gaining the team's attention as they finished getting pictures and signatures from their idols, huge smiles on their faces as they experienced this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Sky had just walked out of the school and arrived back on the soccer pitch with Jill and Tobin, a nasty looking bruise on her temple and cheek. However, surprisingly, a huge smile was spreading over her face. Jill must have worked her magic on her, because it was the happiest that I had ever seen Sky since her brother's death. I was relieved, guessing what had happened in the classroom had changed everything. I exchanged grateful looks with Jill as she joined her team, huddled against the harsh November winds.

My team had congregated in front of the National team, exchanging pictures and chatting excitedly. "I hope you worked hard and enjoyed today's session because its back to fitness tomorrow." I said turning to them, relishing the looks on their faces as they groaned. The USWNT team players behind me laughed, the looks on their faces priceless. They all knew what fitness meant: the beep test. The dreaded, and usually hated beep test. Although from what I remembered, one person secretly enjoyed smashing the school record every time she ran it.

"You're going to need your trainers." Alex joked, laughing along with her teammates until Jill gave her a hard stare. Maybe my squad weren't the only ones that were going to be made to run tomorrow. I smiled as Sky stepped out from behind me, joining the team with a bounce in her step.

"Ladies, welcome the new member of the Varsity squad."

The team erupted, cheers coming from all of the seniors as they ran over to Sky, engulfing her in hugs and praise. While the Juniors and Sophomores had no clue what real talent lay behind Sky's feet, they had seen her in practice that day, and appreciated her addition to the team as they clapped and whooped along with the others. I smiled again, noticing the difference that her appearance had made to them all. It was about time that girl was back on the field where she belonged.

Sky's POV

"Hey Tobin, wait up!" I called as practice was dismissed for the day. Her teammates had all been squashed into Jill's car, since I didn't want any of them to know yet. If I was going to go to camp, I wanted to do it on my own terms, without the pity of the team edging me on.

"Hey double L!" Tobin replied, looking behind her as I ran. "Ready to go?" She asked, a small smile playing about her lips as she used the nickname that she made for me the very first day we met.

"Still on that one huh. Yes, I'm ready to go." I said, laughing at her. "And also, where am I meant to get my clothes and things from? They're all still at my parents' house." I said, a frown coming over me as I remembered.

"Um I don't know Sky, for now I just want to keep you safe." Tobin said. "You can sleep in some of my old college things for tonight. Is there any way that we can get in to your old house to get them at any point? Like, if they left the house?"

My brow furrowed as I thought about what she said. "Maybe. I'm not really sure what they do during the day, but they're usually passed out by 9pm on a weekday."

"Okay." Tobin nodded. "I'll speak to Jill, see what she says about it tomorrow. For now, let's go home"

I smiled. Maybe telling someone about it all wasn't the worst thing in the world.

~~

"Bailey!" I screamed as the border terrier bounced towards me. He was so cute, and I'd missed his soft fur between my fingers.