Madison's Journey

Part 16: Madison's POV

"Did you have any issues?" Emily asks me when I get back. I shake my head. The second half had already started but the score line was the same. I finished my food and paid attention to the game once again. When the final whistle blew the Thorns had won 3-1. It only takes a few minutes for Chris and Tobin to make their way over to me.

"What did you think of the game?"

"I-it-t was-s r-really-y g-good-d." I stutter out.

"And did you get something to eat?' Chris asks me. I nod my head. "Alright let's get you down here and back to the locker room." I think she can tell I was having a hard time with all of the people and all of the noise. I nod and Tobin once again helps lift me over the barrier. I walk between them back to the locker room and sit on one of the benches as they change back into their street clothes.

When the entire team is back in the room Parsons finally comes in to talk to them all. "Nice game girls. It's still early in the season, but if you keep this up we might just have a chance at winning the season." Everyone cheers when he's done and he takes his leave.

"Well kid let's get back home we have to get packing for our flight tomorrow." They grab their bags and we start heading out.

"Madi wait up!" It's Sonnett. 'What is it with everyone and that nickname?' I stop and wait for her to catch up with us. She hands me her jersey, "This way everyone else can be jealous that I gave you my jersey first." She tells me with a smile.

"Technically I gave her mine first this morning," Tobin says, but Sonnett isn't having it.

"That doesn't count she lives with you." I laugh.

"Th-thanks-s."

"I better see you wear it at the next game," She tells me with a smile, I think that she's joking. I nod anyway telling her that I will.

"Good, I'll see you at camp then." She heads back to the locker room and we continue our walk back to the car. When we get settled I pull out the extra money and the receipt and hand it to Christen.

"Thank you." Christen takes the change and looks at it. "Did you realize that the change is five dollars short?"

"Wh-what-t?" I ask immediately unable to breathe.

"Ya, the change should be $10.48 this is only $5.48." She holds up the five-dollar bill to show me.

"I-I ch-chec-ck-ked-d I-I p-pro-romis-s. I Ch-check-ked." I say hoping to God that they believe me.

"It's ok Madi it's not a big deal. Just pay a little more attention next time ok?" I nod and bring my knees up to my chest. 'She didn't hit me. She's not going to hit me. She didn't yell either it's ok, I'm ok.'

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When we back into the house I immediately run back up to the room and find my backpack. I dig down to the bottom and pull out a ten and a five, 'I think this is right. Please be right.' I run back down the stairs and hand it to Christen, "S-s-sorr-r-ry-y."

"What? No Madi, you don't have to pay me back, it's ok?"

"B-but-t I-I m-mess-sed-d up-p up. F-fift-teen-n." She lets out a sigh.

"Yes you did, but it didn't hurt anyone so there really is no harm done. I'm not going to take your money. You don't have to pay me back for any of it ok?" I shake my head and try to give it to her once again. "You're not going to let me not take it are you?" I shake my head and hold it out to her again. She takes the money, "If you ever need any you just come ask me and you can have it back ok?"

I shake my head, "Y-your-r's-s."

"Go ahead back upstairs and pack your stuff ok? Do you know what you need?" I look at her debating if I should tell her. I decide it's better to tell her the truth so I shake my head. "That's ok I'll go get you a copy, come on."

I follow her upstairs and stand in the doorway of her room as she walks over to her computer. Soon after I hear a sheet of paper printing and Christen walks over to grab it and hands it to me. "This is everything you need. If you don't have something let Tobs or I know ok so we can figure it out."

I nod, "Th-thank-ks." I head back to the room and start trying to decipher the list.

USWNT CAMP MAY 2017 (2 weeks)

-Street clothes (at least 5 sets)

-Soap

-Toothbrush & paste

-Gear from last camp (if applicable)

-Boots

-Shin guards

-Warm-up gear

-Please let us know if you need replacements for any of these items so they can be ready for camp

-Phone, Charger, & Headphones

-I don't want to listen to anyone complain that they forgot it, yes I'm talking to you, O'Hara

-Swim Suit

-Sunglasses

-If you personally need anything else do not forget it because I don't want to listen to you complain!!!!!!!

- Coach Jill Ellis

I try and make my way through the list christen gave me. When the letter blurs too much to even see I just take my school stuff out of my bag and place it on the desk. I then throw some clothes in the bag with my soccer stuff. The rest of the clothes that I think I'll need that don't fit in my bag I place on the dresser.

I head downstairs and into the kitchen. "Hey kid, did you need something?" Tobin asks me. I nod and point under the sink.

"T-trash-sh b-bag-g."

"What for?"

"C-Cloth-thes-s."

"Don't you have a bag?"

"Full."

"You only have one?" I nod. "Ok, come with me." She starts back upstairs and I follow behind her. She walks straight into her room even though Christen is in there with the door closed. I wait outside as to not interrupt what she is doing even more. "Come on in kid, I want you to pick one."

I walk in and meet her over by the closet. She pulls out two suitcases, "Do you think you need the bigger one or the smaller one?" I look between the two before reaching for the smaller one, 'Don't want to take something that they might need.'

"Is there anything else you need? Anything that was on the list that you don't have." I shake my head. "Ok then go ahead and finish packing." I nod and take the suitcase back to the room. I put all of my clothes in and just keep my soccer gear in my backpack.

'Hopefully, I got everything. How much trouble will I be in if I missed something? Not as much as if they find out that can't read that's for sure.' I head back into the closet and curl up for a nap.

A/N: Thanks for reading!! Please comment and let me know what you think. And let me know if there's anything that you might like to see, I'm always looking for new ideas.