Like Real People Do - Jill Roord

That's My Girl

Jill's POV

The first half of Hunter's match was underway. Well it was actually Spain and Switzerland's match but in my mind, it was all centered around Hunter. Over the past few weeks, a lot of my world had become centered around Hunter and though it was confusing, I enjoyed having that sense of meaning added to each day. 

Both sides seemed organized though Spain would always shine through. They just played a style of football which was so precise and almost artistic that Switzerland found it difficult to even touch the ball. 

Alexia passed to Hunter, the two Putellas sisters working side by side was something you'd dream about because they were two of the most talented players I'd ever seen. Hunter moved the ball back into midfield, seeing as she'd been blocked, into the feet of Aitana. Most people watched Aitana, wondering where she'd pass next or if the Swiss team might finally sweep the ball from Spain's feet. But I watched Hunter, I saw her running into a perfect space; she just saw opportunities everyone else was blind to. 

Automatically, I rose to my feet, cheering on Hunter as she received a volley from Alexia. I held my breath as I saw her body turn and shoot, the ball rocketed into the top-left corner; it was a beautiful goal. 

Everyone in the stands, threw their arms up in the air, chanting and yelling Hunter's name. For a second, I stopped cheering, just looking around me and seeing how loved Hunter was in Spain. Yes, the fans adored her back at Arsenal but here she was treated like royalty, I wondered how she could ever bare to leave. 

I watched as Hunter and her team celebrated, Mapi picking her up and twirling her around made me chuckle. Then Hunter looked in my direction, her smile widening as she saw my excitement for her goal and she pointed towards me, winking. I laughed, shaking my head at the brunette as she ran back into her position.
I think Hunter was always rather confident in herself but on the pitch she was a whole other being. When her studs touched the grass, she became a god and everyone knew it. Most people's egos made them good but stopped them from being great, though I think Hunter's took her to a level only true legends could reach. Hunter was born with a natural talent, skills like hers' couldn't be taught nor practiced; she was just born for this. 

During the entirety of the match thus far, I could feel myself beaming with pride as I watched Hunter in her element. Seeing the fierce fire in her soul lit something within mine, it was as if we were somehow connected. Everyone around me must have thought I was half mad because their eyes would all be on the opposite side of the pitch, yet mine were always on Hunter; I couldn't bare to pull them away.

Ona stood by the flag, waiting to take a corner. I knew Hunter would be eyeing up that ball and her height was a massive advantage compare to most of the shorter players. Ona threw the ball in, but not to where I'd expected, instead she threw it ever so slightly further out at Alexia's head who headed it towards the crowd. I saw someone jump up, firing the ball into the goal and then I recognized their smile. 

It was that smile I loved and the heart I'd warmed to. 

I jumped up again, screaming with all the Spanish fans, feeling as if this might not be a one off experience, perhaps I had to get used to wearing this shirt. Not that it would be a bad thing. But I was so proud seeing Hunter shine, especially when I'd seen her light dulled by everyone back at Arsenal only a few days ago. Now she was soaring with her national team and I hoped they were all watching, realizing the player and the person they'd taken for granted. 

Hunter looked in my direction again, seeming so happy to share these moments with me, she was like a little excited puppy. She held two fingers up, "Two goals!" she mouthed.

I chuckled, "Amazing!" I yelled, hoping she could hear my voice over the sea of chanting. 

Hunter then looked around to the fans and I could see this sense of fulfillment as she tapped the badge on her chest, the badge of her home country. 

The half time whistle blew shortly afterwards; Spain were leading 2 - 0 and both goals had been scored by Hunter.

As the players walked inside, Hunter quickly ran over to me, I'm surprised she even had the energy after she'd left her entire heart on the pitch.

"Two goals!" Hunter held her arms up in the air cheering, waving at some of the fans.

My eyes lit up to see her so alive, "You're amazing out there!"

"You chose a good game to watch," Hunter sighed, resting her hands on her head as she tried to catch her breath back.

I nodded towards the tunnel, "Very kind of you for coming over but go and get some water, there's still a second half to play."

Hunter chuckled, "If you say so Jilly, wouldn't want an injury. Would we?"

I rolled my eyes, "Shush. You know what I'm going to say."

"You'll jinx it," we both said in unison, making us laugh before Hunter bid me farewell and jogged in the direction of the tunnel, high fiving all the fans on her way. She tried to clap every single persons hand which made me chuckle, Hunter just went about things in such a peculiar manner but I loved it. I don't think I could ever grow bored of someone so enchanting. 

The second half was almost starting, I watched with a smile on my face as Hunter walked back out of the tunnel with a certain skip in her step, head held high and a look of concentration on her face.

My mind wanted to say 'that's my girl' for some odd reason, but I didn't know if I enjoyed that falling feeling until my jaw dropped and heart sunk. It was as if everyone wanted Hunter but I didn't want to sign myself up to that fight, nor I didn't want to enter into the heartbreak. So why did that smile break through onto my face when Hunter turned her head to look at me?
We were just friends.

Friends, I nodded,

I tilted my head, something more?

No, I shook my head. Just friends.

Definitely just friends. 

The whistle blew and the match begun, neither side had changed many of their tactics so it felt like they'd picked up exactly where they'd ended off. Even if my thoughts were a little confused right now, a game of football was the perfect thing to distract me, though that plan didn't exactly work out when I'd find my eyes constantly drawn to Spain's star center forward. 

Not long into the second half, the crowd jumped up again after Alexia had scored a lovely goal. Hunter had run right over to her sister, jumping into her arms as the pair laughed. It was a beautiful sight; two sisters somehow living out their dreams together, hand in hand.
I'd never seen siblings closer than Hunter and Alexia. Whenever Hunter spoke of her older sister, it was with such pride and love. And I could see how much Alexia cared for Hunter. They'd forever have each other and that was a beautiful fact.

I could see the Swiss team grow increasingly frustrated with their failure to hold any sense of possession. As a footballer, it was something I understood well but it usually meant the game was about to turn messy.  

There was another spark in the air, that same eagerness flooding into Hunter's eyes as she received an amazing ball from Leila. She was dribbling the ball past ever defender, pivoting to the side and even nutmegging one; Hunter seemed unbeatable. 

Suddenly, as she neared the box I saw a defender quickly approach her, harshly wiping her ankles from underneath her. I gasped as Hunter crashed to the ground, already clutching her ankle in pain.

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author's note

do you guys enjoy the cute chapters when they are written in Hunter or Jill's POV more?

How is everyone enjoying these recent interaction?