In Those Two Weeks

Chapter 4: The Reaction

"Flight 294 to Ottawa is now boarding. All first class passengers are first to board, please make your way done now." This was my queue to board with me teammates, and so I turned, hugged my family, whispered the "I love you's" then made my way to the line. Mom told me that they would come to the match, but other than that I wouldn't see them until the fall.

I handed my ticket to the attendant, then turned back to my family one more time to wave good-bye. My mom had been crying, and my dad attempted to soothe her while Charlie dabbed his eyes. I haven't been away from them longer than a month, and even then I would FaceTime them.

"Come on then, Lennon. The pilot will leave without you." Sydney wrapped her arm around my neck and pushed me forward down through the tunnel. "So tell me. Are you excited to see Mark, and all his hotness?"

I chuckled and responded, "Oh stop. His parents are just being nice. It's not like they think anything of it."

"Len, they are letting you stay with them during our training! Come on that's your opportunity to move in on Mark McGoddis." We laughed and placed our things on the overhead.

"Really? McGoddis? I don't even know, apparently they have a house near Ottawa, his mom said something about ski trips." I stated honestly to her, and another teammate Alex joined in with her.

"Oh yes, I've heard of this McGoddis. Apparently you've been long time friends, and yet you're too much of a chicken to make a move?" Alex smirks and sits between Syd and I.

"Oh gosh, just what I need is for more to find out. How exactly did you find out?" I questioned and turned my phone onto airplane mode.

"Oh you know, Sydney may just be the biggest gossiper ever." Alex joked and Sydney jabbed her side.

"Hey! I'm just trying to make you Mrs. McGoddis. Don't hate the player hate the game." Sydney sarcastically defended which made us all laugh.

"And anyways, we haven't been friends forever. More like acquaintances with friendly mothers."

"Well whatever you call it, soon enough the title will change to girlfriend anyways." Sydney retorted, and I just rolled my eyes with smile. How funny would that be? Me, Mark's girlfriend?

But that didn't matter at that moment, because all that did matter was that I was able to sleep through this flight then situate myself for training later on tonight.

A few hours later I am awaken to painful jabs to the side of my stomach, "Lennon get up, the plane landed, and we need to go."

My body is sore all over from the uncomfortable airplane chair, and I groan as I wake up. I slowly open my eyes to find Sydney's butt directly in front of me.

"Ugh, Sydney. The least you could do is get your flat butt out of my face." I jokingly groan at her. She laughs and respond my putting her butt closer, of which I smack hard away from me. I then stood from my seat and stretch my arms, crack my back, then scoot past Syd. I begin to collect my things, as my Coach clears his throat, calling attention to all the girls.

"Alright Ladies, listen up. The other coaches and I decided that we would give you a break tonight, and let you all get settled in." A group of relaxed sighs escape, which queues my Coach to continue, "But don't forget, strength and conditioning at 5 tomorrow, then follows footwork at 8, then we will finish off with scrimmaging and position practice at 12. We will be done each day at 2 p.m. And from there you will go and introduce yourselves to Team Canada. The rest of the schedule is in the itinerary we gave you. You're dismissed."

I sigh when I hear the intense schedule set out for us each day, which lead me to believe that this won't be a vacation after all. I guess this is what I get for committing my life to soccer.