Finally Breathing

~ Chapter 19 ~

A/N  Happy new year! If I looked at this two weeks ago when I started the book I definitely didn't think I'd be at nearly 3.5k views and 200 votes by the new year. So thank you all so much and enjoy what I have to come!! 🥂

Sky's POV

"Tobyyy!"

We had arrived in Portland after what was a very traumatic landing experience. The airport was busy, as it was winter break for all the schools, and as soon as we got there we were greeted by some of our very excited teammates. The scream came from Kelley, who ran and jumped onto Tobin as soon as she saw us there.

"Hey squirrel." Tobin laughed, clearly pleased to be back with the national team. The last month had been hard on both of us, I realised, so it was nice to see Tobin so relaxed and carefree again. Some of the other girls were stood by the doors, taking in the heat. It was unusually hot for December, especially in Portland, which made the whole airport stuffy and extremely uncomfortable. Not to mention I was surrounded by a huddle of strangers, even if they were the people I had religiously followed the lives of for my whole life. It was very overwhelming. My hands became sweaty, and my breathing shallow. I needed to get out of here.

I made a quick exit to the airport Starbucks, ordered an ice-cold water, and sat down on the plastic chairs closer to the window. I lay my head back against the cool glass, holding the ice against my flushed cheeks. Planes were rushing past on the runway, as if they were being chased. It was therapeutic sitting there, watching the workers directing the planes, people hurrying about, the click clack of their suitcases on the terminal's tiled floor. I don't know how long it had been since I left, but I fell into an unconcerned daze.

~~

"Hey Sky. Are you okay? The team want to meet you."

It took me a few minutes to realise that someone was trying to talk to me. The first thing I noticed was Tobin's brown hair, being held back by a dark-blue snapback. The worried look followed, along with her hands on mine, controlling the shaking.

"Hey Toby." I gave her a tired smile, sipping my now lukewarm water, the condensation running down the sides of the cup. She took the cup away and put it in the bin next to us, before dragging her chair across the table so that she was next to me. Tobin gestured behind her, to a huddle of women talking excitedly between them.

"Are you ready to meet the team?." I shrugged. "If not it's okay we can sit here for a bit longer."

I contemplated Tobin's statement. On one hand I was tired and got really overwhelmed earlier. But I had to live with this team. I had to train with them, play with them. If I never met them properly, how was I meant to form relationships with them on the pitch?

"Yeah, okay. I'm ready." I sighed. Tobin put her hand on my back and directed me towards the huddle, who must have noticed us approaching as they fell silent almost immediately.

Kelley's POV

"Shh guys the rookies coming." I whispered, cutting in between the conversation about Mal's college washing machine's malfunctions. Don't even ask me how that one started.

We all quietened down as she approached us, Tobin's hand on her shoulder. She was pretty. Her golden-brown hair shone in the sun, with ocean-blue eyes and a tanned, athletic body. I knew that Alex had met her before, as she reached out and pulled Sky into a hug, whispering something into her ear.

I stepped out of the group, taking the reins.

"Hey. Sky right?" She nodded, looking extremely nervous. "I'm Kelley," I continued, "And these are Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger, Mallory Pugh, Christen Press and Megan Rapinoe." We all smiled and waved at her, Tobin and Alex standing behind her like bodyguards. She seemed to pluck up some courage as she began to speak. "Hi, I guess you already know that I'm Sky." She laughed, relaxing a bit. "Sorry I'm really nervous, I've never been to a national camp before and I'm a really big fan of you guys."

We all laughed back at her. I'd been in that position once with Lauren Chenney. God, I was more awkward than Sky was being.

"You'll meet the rest of the team when we get to the hotel. I think we've got a team meeting at 7, so honestly you'll be ambushed by everyone then." Christen said, going over to hug Tobin while Alex said she needed the toilet. Things were a bit hesitant between the two, but I knew exactly what was going on, and as I'd called captain, I was determined to make the Preath ship sail.

"Okay." Sky smiled, as Ash let go of Ali's waist to check the timetable on her phone.

"Wait guys... we've got team bonding tonight too."

We all groaned, her intentions becoming clear. "Hey, I don't know why you guys are worried, it's all gonna be get to know the rookie tonight." Ash smirked, a plan formulating behind those eyes.

"Don't go too hard Miss Ashlyn Harris." Tobin warned, her chill side gone.

Before camp we'd all received a text from Jill telling us to be nice to the rookie. We didn't get the details, but it was clear enough to me. I think Tobin knew more about it than the rest of us, but I'm not one to press a sore subject. It didn't mean don't have fun with the rookie, just to not go too hard on her. Although I think that was out the window as soon as Ash suggested what I think she was suggesting. Truth or dare.

Alex returned a few minutes later, and we all went back to chatting about Mal's college. Except one person, who dragged Sky to the side away from Tobin, who was laughing and catching up with Chris.

Sky's POV

It was okay. The team were nice, Kelley especially. I didn't like the sound of what was going to happen at team bonding tonight, but I was down if it meant I got to know more about the team I was trying to create a connection with after pushing everyone away for so long. I zoned out at the start of the conversation about Mal's washing machine, confused about where it was going.

I felt a soft but guiding hand on my shoulder, directing me towards some metal seats at the side. She sat me down, taking a seat beside me. For a few minutes I looked around frantically, looking for Tobin. While I was getting more used to the world without my parents now, it still reassured me to be in Tobin's eyeline. I just felt safe there.

The woman turned to look at me. She was wearing the same USA tracksuit as I was, black beats headphones slung around her neck. It was Megan Rapinoe, one of the best wingers in American history. However, instead of the soft, celebratory face I was used to seeing on the TV, I was greeted by a hard stare. It was intense.

"You've never been to a national camp before? Not even a youth one?" She asked me. Oh. That's what she wanted me for.

"Um, no. I was called up for a few when I was younger, but I've never actually been to one." At this, her face softened.

"Oh right, sorry. I shouldn't have judged. I guess I was just checking if you were actually, you know, good enough for this. That you weren't only called up because Jill and Tobin felt bad for you."  She shot me an apologetic look. I was about to send back an angry retort, something along the lines of, 'you don't know what happened, don't assume things about other people's lives' before we were approached by a furious looking Tobin, flanked by Christen, Alex and Kelley.

"Pinoe, stop terrorising my daughter." I looked at her, confused. Daughter?

"Sky, the coach is here for the hotel." Kelley said to me, her voice soft. Tobin came over, took my hand, and silently led me towards the coach, labelled 'USWNT'.

Daughter?