Madison's Journey

Part 15: Christen's POV

When we make it to the stadium Tobin and I lead Madi into the locker room. "It's going to get loud in there so just let one of us know if you need to step out ok?" She nods her head but I can tell that she is still hesitant to go in. I gently reach my hand around her shoulder feeling her flinch slightly at the action and guide her into the room.

We are the last to arrive so the locker room is already blasting with music when we arrive. Tobin walks over and pauses the music causing everyone to turn to us with shouts of annoyance.

"What do you think you're doing?" Sonnett asks us.

"Wow, no need to be so aggressive. We just wanted to introduce you all to someone." Tobin explains. "This is Madison. She is staying with Chris and me for the foreseeable future," She pauses looking down at Madi, "and she will be joining us in Texas as a member of the camp roster." Madi shrinks back behind me as Tobin draws attention to her.

There is silence for a second before AD comes up to us. "Nice to see you again Madi, I can't wait to get to camp and see what you can do."

She gives her a small nod, "Th-thank-ks-s."

"What!?" Sonnett yells, "You knew and you didn't tell us?"

"Relax, I only found out yesterday. Maybe if you were awesome like me you would have been invited." AD shoots back.

"Actually," I speak up, "She was invited. Sonny said that she was busy."

"I was! But that would have been so much better than what I had to do yesterday."

"Can you turn the music back on? We're trying to get ready for the game." Long asks and I can feel Madi freeze from where she is standing behind me. Tobin nods and turns it back on a little quieter. We head over to our lockers and start changing into our jerseys and throwing on our warm-up gear over.

Madison's POV

Sinclair makes her way over to us, "So you're going to be competition soon?" I look up at her in shock. I nod my head. Sinclair smiles, "Well then I am also looking forward to seeing what you can do. Between Jessie and Pugh, I've already seen good things from the kids so I have no doubt that you'll be able to do the same." With that she walks out of the locker room, 'Sinclair just talked to me. The Christine Sinclair just talked to me and told me that she's excited to see my play. She compared me to The Jessie Flemming and Mallory Pugh. What in the actual hell.'

"Preath I'm stealing your kid!" Next thing I know I am being lifted off of the ground and being run out of the room.

"WHAT! Sonny no don't!" The two older players yell, but it's too late Sonnett has me out of the room and in the tunnel. I struggle to get out of her hold and to control my breathing. 'She's not going to hurt me. There are too many people around for her to do that.' She sets me down right before the tunnel ends.

"Come on kid we're going to do some passing together." I look around my unfamiliar surroundings and am able to calm down slightly when I see Christen and Tobin appear behind me.

"Sonny!" She looks up at the older players, "Don't do that again." Christen warns her.

"What? I was just bringing her out to the field. I want to warm up with her." She defends her actions.

"Did you even ask her if she wanted to?"

"Well, I just thought that if she didn't want to she would tell me when we got here. She seems pretty ok with it though." And I am. I want to be able to play with as many professionals as possible before camp if it means that I won't make a fool of myself.

"Mads, do you want to warm up with Sonny? You can say no, you don't have to if you don't want to." I take a deep breath calming myself down even more before responding.

"Y-yes. I-I want-t t-to."

"Alright, then go have fun," Christen tells me. "But Sonnett if you ever do anything like that again you will be sorry."

"Ooh, Mama bear Chris is coming out. So sacred. Come on Madi we have warm-ups to do." With that, she takes off onto the field and I am right on her heels.

Sonnett grabs a ball and throws it over to me. I quickly settle it at my feet before passing it back. It lands directly at her feet for a one-touch pass back to me. Tyler Lussi runs over and calls for a pass to her. I give her what she wants and within a few minutes, half of the team has joined in our passing circle.

"Alright, ladies it's time to do some actual warm-ups," Coach Parsons. "Looking good kid, keep it up and there just may be a spot on the team with your name on it in a few years. If you want it that is."

I smile at him, "I can't wait till that day, now if you excuse me."

I nod, 'A spot on the team? Stay in Portland? Find a family?' I shake my head, 'No I can't think like that. Anything can happen between now and then.'

Tobin runs up to me. "Alright, kid let's get you settled in your seat ok?" I follow her over to the sideline next to the bench. "That's your seat right there." She points to an open spot directly behind the bench. "That's AD's partner Emily she'll be with you the entire time if you need anything ok?" I nod. "Can I pick you up?" I give her a confused look. "I just want to help you get over the barrier." She tells me with a laugh. I nod and allow her to lift me over the barrier. "And you have the money that Chris gave you earlier for food right?"

"Y-yes."

"Good, I'll see you after the game."

"B-bye." I walk over and take a seat next to Emily.

"Hello Madison, my name's Emily, it's nice to meet you. You were looking good out there."

"Th-than-ks. It-t's-s nic-ce to to m-meet-t y-you t-to." I settle into my seat and wait for the game to start. Both Tobin and Christen are in the starting lineup. At half time they are winning 2-1 over the pride.

Tobin runs over to check in on me at the beginning of the half before joining the rest of her team in the locker room.

Emily and I did not talk for the entirety of the first half. I stand up and turn to her, "I-I'm g-g-going-g t-to to g-get-t s-somet-th-thing-g t-to eat-t."

"Ok, do you want me to go with you?" I shake my head. "Alright, just be careful ok?" I nod and start-up to the top of the stadium. I stick my hand into my pocket and hold onto the money the entire time. I make my into line at one of the concessions. Looking at the board I can tell that they have pizza so when I get to the front of the line I order a slice of pizza and a bottle of water.

"That will be $9.52. Would you like your receipt?"

I hand over one of the twenties, "Y-yes pl-please." The lady hands me my change and receipt before gesturing me to stand off to the side while they get my things together. I look down to see if they gave me the right amount of change. 'I mean it looks right.' When they finally appear at the window I grab them and make my way back down to my seat.

A/N: Let me know what you think I'm always looking for new ideas, and I want to know what you guys want to read.