'Til It's Done (Ellie Carpenter/ (Fem) You)

-Chapter 1: The Call Up-

(A/N: I just had to make a book for my girl, number 21 and the whole team. <3
Also, posting 2 chapters for this book first cause I just have them ready while I'm writing others.)

November 2022 (Idk the true dates, so bear with me)

I'm sitting in the room that my best friend Alycia and I share for the training camp we're on with our club, the Sydney FC. I'm on my bed, hidden under the covers while I scroll through my instagram page, seeing post after post from the Matildas. "I'm so glad training is over in a week." Alycia says, flopping down on her own bed. "Yeah, after the two games we have." I add, liking a post and moving on.

Alycia Lewis is my childhood best friend and football club teammate, roommate and basically my sister from another mother. We've been playing together since we were 8 and have always played together since. We went to the same schools and now got into the same club. We're basically a package deal. It's been a hectic season, but we've managed to stay on top of the list and hopefully, we're gonna win this thing. "My legs are killing me." She mutters, slipping under the covers and burying herself up to her neck under the blanket. "Oh, to be a football player." I say, grimacing at my own sore legs. Alycia grabs the TV remote and switches the TV on, turning to a sports news channel as we settle in for the night.

"Head coach, Tony Gustavsson has been seen going to clubs in search of players to call up for the Australia National Team, the Matildas. This is likely due to the need for a break season for many senior players, along with the need for more players for the Cup of Nations and more importantly, the Australian World Cup. Now, the question is, does Gustavsson have any specific players in mind, or is he just observing clubs?"

"Oh god, I hope that's true." Alycia mutters, sighing wistfully. The two of us have always dreamed of being selected to play for Australia. It was essentially our number one goal, other than making it to other top clubs in the world. I let out a long sigh as I stumbled across a post on my screen, causing Alycia to glance my way. "I know that sigh. You saw another Carpenter post, didn't you?" She asks. Ever since Ellie Carpenter's ACL injury early this year, every post I see of her makes me worry for her return to the Matildas. She might miss the World Cup. "She'll be fine. She's a strong one...plus, if the news is true, and Gustavsson is searching for players, then maybe it's finally your chance to meet Ellie." She says, lifting my mood.

With an early day tomorrow and a game in the evening, Alycia and I go to sleep, and I'm left wondering what would happen if I got called up for the Tillies...?

___________________________

May 2022

I'm decked out in Carpenter merch, the Lyon jersey and all, and on the screen is the finals of Barcelona vs Lyon in the Women's Champions League. The match had just started and we are currently 12 minutes in. Alycia returns next to me with a bowl of popcorn, wearing a Van De Donk Jersey. In fact, Alycia has the biggest crush on like, 2 different players at the same time. For the past 2 years, it has been Danielle Van De Donk and Hayley Raso.

She definitely sees Ellie Carpenter as one of her favourites too, but she also knows that Ellie is my favourite and wouldn't dare fight me.

We watch as the ball goes to the Lyon defence right to Ellie's direction. "C'mon Ellie." I mutter, watching as she chases and fights the Barcelona player for the ball. She almost gets the ball off them when suddenly, she tumbles to the ground and immediately grips her knee. I stand wide eyed as I watch the TV. "No, what happened?" I question, my eyes not leaving the screen. Both Alycia and I watch in silence as Ellie gets examined, stands and walks around as the medics try to figure out if any injury has occurred. I had a bad feeling in my gut as I watched Ellie sprint back onto the field, seemingly ok as she adjusts her shin pads and socks. "She's fine." Alycia breathed out, looking at me and repeating "She's fine" when she noticed my expression. But I didn't believe her. And I was right to.