this is me trying

Chapter 4 - It's a Me Problem

After a few weeks of being with City, it was time for the first international break of the season. We were in the middle of our World Cup qualifiers and were set to verse Armenia and Kosovo in the break. It would be the first time, since the summer, that I would get to see my best friends, and be with the team I had been a part of since I was 18.

Often, when I'm in camp, I feel more settled than anywhere else. When I'm with Ingrid, and Guro, and the rest of the team. When I am playing for my country, and supporting the place that I've always called home. Something about that always settles me. Always calms me.

I would fly to Oslo, from Manchester, and there we would have our camp, and play the first game against Armenia. We knew both games wouldn't be overly difficult. Neither Armenia nor Kosovo were too strong, but we still had to try our best, and give everything to the games as the World Cup was on the line. It's something we have all dreamt about. We were all striving for it. The World Cup.

When I arrived in Oslo, and stepped out into the Norwegian air, I felt suddenly more at peace than I had felt in the last few weeks. I was enjoying Manchester, but Norway made me feel a way that no other place ever could. It was home.

Before I could even walk through the doors at the hotel, Ingrid came running out to me.

"Hallo!" she squealed, grabbing me and hugging me tight. I don't like hugs. I never have. But, I always let her give me one hug after a long period of us being apart. It is our rule, and we both agreed to it. Ingrid is a good hugger too, which helps the situation. She knows how tight to squeeze, and when to stop. She never pushes either and that's what works between us. I know her boundaries and she knows mine.

"Hej," I replied, smiling at my best friend. "Is Guro here?"

"Inside," Ingrid replied. She grabbed my suitcase, taking it up to our room. Ingrid is the only person I have ever roomed with and the only person I can ever room with. It's what we have done since we both arrived at camp. We can't change that now. Not now and not ever. I don't think I could even fathom rooming with anyone else.

"So," Ingrid said, as she sat on her bed, and I sat on mine. "Tell me everything. How is Manchester?"

"It's good," I replied.

"Just good?"

"It's pretty good. Still getting used to it and everything."

"I can understand that. Have you got any friends?"

"A few." I saw a smile appear on Ingrid's face as I said this.

"Good," Ingrid smiled, and before she could continue, we had a knock on the door. Ingrid went over to open the door, and Guro came rushing in.

"Ev!" Guro screamed, jumping on my bed and hugging me. Similarly with Ingrid, Guro is someone else who I let give me one, singular hug. Guro's hugs, however, are different to Ingrid's. They are shorter, but have more energy to them. It's as if I can feel her blood pulse through her body when she hugs. I can feel her energy. Her excitement.

"Hej," I said, loudly too, matching Guro's energy.

"I've missed you!" she exclaimed.

"Missed you too," I replied. Since being at City, we haven't versed Chelsea yet, and so Guro and I have not crossed paths yet in the world of WSL, although we are bound to soon, when Chelsea come up to Manchester to play against us in the league.

"Tell me all about it. How's Manchester? Have you made any friends?" Guro asked.

"Just been through all that," Ingrid groaned.

"Well, now its mine turn to ask." I laughed at both of them.

"Yes, I have friends."

"Like...?" Guro asked.