Training Hub

Chapter 14

Roord kicked off for purple. She made a short pass to Cuthbert after seeing that none of the attackers was available. Cuthbert tried to ping it to Miedema but her pass was intercepted by Sonnett who pelted it to Engen and then to Nobbs and  Wälti who tried to pass back to Nobbs but was tackled by Cuthbert. She passed it up to Miedema who sent a through ball for Kerr to shoot into goal. All the girls ran up to Sam cheering as the crowd screamed. It was one all. There were 25 minutes left on the clock. 

After a few missed balls and a couple of saves from Endler, white pushed through a goal with Harder after a talented dribble. It was two-one to white. Mapi looked around as they walked back into their starting formations, the team looked tired and unmotivated. Nine minutes left on the clock. Cuthbert kicked off to Roord who spotted Foord making a run. She passed a running ball and WHOOSH! The score was even. Six minutes left on the clock. Harder dribbled past Williamson and rocketed the ball into the palms of Endler who breathed a sigh of relief. Three minutes left. Tiane rolled the ball to the feet of Eriksson who drove it up along the left wing and eventually passed it to Sam Mewis. Mewis turned to shoot it up near the 18-yard line. Roord sprinted to beat O'Hara eventually beating her and shooting the ball at the goal. The crowd screamed so loud it almost sounded like it was at full capacity. One minute left. Three to two; purple. When the final whistle blew, all the purple players cheered in triumph running to hug each other after their first win. 

Williamson approached a sad-looking shorty "Guess who won?" She smiled mockingly teasing Jordan.

"You."

"Hmm. What's that? Can you say it a bit louder for me?" Leah bit her lip hiding the smile that was about to burst. 

"You," Jordan grumbled, louder. 

They separated to approach the screaming fans who all wanted autographs and selfies with the players, especially Leah. 

The player of the match was awarded to Roord who was given a golden trophy during an interview. 

Jess practically collapsed into her seat on the bus trip back to the facility. The game was exhausting and even though they lost, she felt that they had played pretty equally to the other team. It was only midday but she desperately wanted a nap. Too bad, she wasn't going to be able to as she had to shower, pack her bags and get ready for their flight in the afternoon to Tokyo. She tried to focus on her phone but her eyes slowly drifted off until her eyelids fell shut. The first thing Jess felt was a tight stabbing pain in her shoulder. She turned her head, rubbing her eyes to see Millie poking her as players shuffled off the bus. 

"Come on Jess. Let's go. Remember your passport." Millie laughed as she remembered the one time Jess forgot her passport after reminding the entire team about it. 

"Stop it," Jess replied gruffly still trying to wake herself up. 

Mapi opened the door of her room to a mess. A complete mess. Clothes were laid out everywhere. Shoes lay scattered on the floor. Her roommate's bed was covered in clothes, toiletries and makeup. 

"Can't you clean this up?" Mapi waved her hands around the room. 

"Can't you see that I'm trying?" Ingrid half-yelled back. She shouldn't have yelled even if it was a half-scream. She was just agitated trying to pack her suitcases up. 

"Just clean it up, princesa." Mapi lay on her neatly made bed.

"Stop calling me that." Ingrid hated it. She hated that nickname. She knew it Mapi called her it because she thought that she was a 'spoilt brat', her words. 

"Princesa, why would I do that?" Mapi jumped up from her bed and rolled her already packed suitcases to the door. 

Viv emerged from her shower warm and in a set of clean clothes. After packing away her toiletries, she made one last check around to make sure she had brought everything. She pulled her suitcases out into the hallway meeting up with Caitlin and Lia. 

"Here, I'll take it," Caitlin grabbed the backpack off Lia's shoulders before she wheeled her two suitcases into the elevator, keeping her hand on the door to wait for everyone. 

The elevator doors were about to close fully when they heard an exasperated "WAIT!" coming from the hallway. Immediately, Caitlin stopped the elevator doors from closing and allowed the puffed-out Kelley O'Hara and Emily Sonnett to join them. An awkward silence filled the space. The elevator doors finally beeped open emancipating everyone from the small talk.  

Players gradually shuffled down in small groups stuffing their luggage underneath the large coach outside.  Once everyone had boarded the bus, they set off for the airport. Lucy watched the outside through her dark-tinted window. They passed by colourful streets filled with restaurants, street performers and people. A familiar buzz was in the air. She felt it all the time when they travelled to a new place with the team. It was the sense of adventure and getting to do it with the people she loved. She glanced at Keira. Things were better than before but she desperately wanted to go back to the way they were. Back to times when Keira slept on her shoulders. Back to when she kissed Keira's head and smelt the fruity shampoo in her hair that she stole from Leah.

Sam Mewis argued with her sister. "What is wrong with you Kristie? Just try it. A large hot French vanilla with whole milk."

"You're saying like I don't already know your coffee order."

"Can't you just order it this once?"

"Not happening, I'm sticking to my usual."

"What? A medium iced, dark roast with almond milk." 

"Yes Sam, I know my own order."

Kelley O'Hara swivelled around from the seat in front. "What are we arguing about now?"

Kristie replied in her Boston accent as if they argued on a daily basis and they did, "Coffee orders."

They all pulled out their luggage and followed the coaches through security, the Starbucks for their treasured drinks and then toward their gate at the very end of the airport. After only a few minutes of waiting, the girls were able to board their private charter. 

"Wohoo, the perks of flying private," exclaimed Jordan.

"I bet I could fly that plane. I'm good at everything," Lucy announced as they climbed up the metal stairs lugging their carry-ons.

Leah snorted from behind at Lucy's humbleness. 

The girls buckled their seatbelts and after a few moments, they were leaping off the tarmac and into the sky.