WOSO Imagines

Chance Encounter (Caitlin Foord)

Growing up around football gets you used to freak injuries during games, but it doesn't condition you to not worry whenever it happens to someone you care about. For that reason, I swore off dating athletes, specifically footballers, but when my sister invited me to a family day at a Matilda's camp, everything changed.

"I didn't think you'd actually come," Mackenzie says, hugging me.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because I've been inviting you to these for years and you've never come."

"I've come to games. Does that not count for something?"

She laughs. "Of course it does, Vic. I just have been wanting you to meet my friends for so long."

"I know, and I'm sorry I haven't been around much."

After graduating from Uni, I moved to Canada for a marketing job. It kept me pretty busy, so, as much as it made me feel like a bad sister, I hadn't been around for most of Mac's senior career; missing out on traveling to big tournaments with our parents and getting to know her teammates and friends both at the club and country level made me feel so guilty. Finally, I had taken a job back home and could finally be around to cheer on my sister.

"Well, you're here now and that's all that matters. Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone."

All the Matildas are super friendly, and I have lovely chats with a few of them. It seems they've already heard quite a bit about me, which is slightly embarrassing given that Mac's known them for ten years now and I've never been seen.

"And these are my best mates. Caitlin, Lani, meet my sister, Victoria Arnold. Vic, meet Caitlin Foord and Alanna Kennedy."

"It's nice to meet you in person," Alanna says, shaking my hand. "We've heard a lot about you."

"The pleasure is all mine. It's nice of you to take pity on Mac. She's very bad at making friends," I tease.

"Oi!"

I turn my attention to Caitlin. Our eyes lock. Oh, shit. I'm a sucker for blue eyes. They're entrancing and my heart starts to beat a fraction faster. "Hi," I say softly. "I'm Vic."

"Caitlin." She offers me her hand and I take it, not wanting to let go.

"Oh, no," Mackenzie groans.

I drop Caitlin's hand, turning to look at my sister in confusion.

"You like her."

I smack her arm as my cheeks heat up. "Mackenzie!"

"It's true! You're usually a chatterbox with new people and you've gone silent. That only happens when you have a crush."

"Shut up," I hiss, blush deepening.

Caitlin smiles at me and I get lost in her eyes again.

"Yep. You are crushing hard."

"Aw, they're so cute," Alanna coos, reaching over to pinch her friend's cheek.

"Will you two stop?" Caitlin says swatting Alanna's hand away. "You're making Vic uncomfortable."

"Oh, she's fine," Mackenzie says.

"If you keep being mean, I'm telling Mum." I stick my tongue out at her.

"How old are we, Vic?"

"You're 29, I'm 28. Been hit in the head a bit too much, Mac?"

"Ha ha, you are just so funny."

"Ah, sibling bickering. Feels just like home," Alanna jokes.

"You have siblings?" I ask.