Sam Kerr x The Management Agent

Chapter 17 | The start to finals

Camila's POV:

In preparations for the grand-final, I secured a key interview opportunity: the main post-match broadcasted interview for one selected player on the winning team. The reporter often asks about the player's success, team success and any other individual questions that might be relevant to football. Sam was very impressed at the news, especially since the chosen player was usually the captain.

_____ Game Day _____

Sam's POV:

I don't think I've ever been this nervous for a grand final in my life – which says a lot considering how nerve-wrecking they usually are. As I step off the team bus and make my way to the changeroom, Drake blasts in my ears to drown out my nervous thoughts.

Due to the high status of this game, agents are allowed to console players in the lead up to the warm-up, however, must return to the family stand to watch the game.

Half time rolls around, and I can't stop thinking back to the shot I missed. My mind stuck on the idea that if we lose this game, it could be my fault. It was time to pick up my game, but I couldn't settle the little shake that rippled through my fingers, or my breathes that were shorter than usual despite having just ran for 45 minutes straight. It was getting to me. The girls jump up and down, left and right, warming back up before getting ready to run back out onto the field to play the second half. I hang back for a few seconds, being last to run out onto the pitch as I relax my breathing a little. I press my eyelids together trying to focus my breathes as they start to become more normal.

Running out onto the pitch, the Chelsea girls huddle together, arms too tired to wrap around each other as we simply stand next to one another. Coach Emma and skipper Eriksson give some words of wisdom, being down by one goal and all. My eyes scan over the family stand for any face that looks remotely familiar, my eyes finding one. My smile finds itself again in reaction to seeing her cheer me on in the stands [see chapter cover photo for reference]. That woman made everything seem okay. Already looking at me, I can tell she sees that my mind is over the place as she halts her cheers and sends a warm smile my way, giving a small nod that says 'you've got this' my way. That's really all it takes to get my nerves to settle? Who would believe it. A sudden wave of energy overcomes me, and I see some of the other girls feel the same way. For them it was probably from Eriksson's hype-up words that I could hear faintly in the background despite her yelling. But for me, it was from someone totally different – someone who had all my focus for that brief moment.

The huddle breaks and we take our positions on the field, standing still for a few seconds until the umpire signals for the kick-off.

It was a quick start, Arsenal taking control of the ball and leading towards their end. However, Millie, the gun defender that she is, defends nicely, stealing the ball out from underneath the rival player's foot. She sends it off to Cuthbert who shoots it to Reiten as she weaves in between players, creeping closer towards the goal. With players blocking her direct line, Rieten passes it off to me from the left side of the field. The ball being airborne, I know exactly the play to make, not second guessing myself for a second – My intuition was usually always right. It wasn't going to be an easy shot though, having to use my left foot to get away with this shot. As I rotate my body into position, my left foot makes contact with the ball, volleying it towards the goal. It's like the whole game was in slow-motion as I waited in anticipation. My eyes follow the ball as it flies past the Goalie's fingertips, brushing them on the way past and landing in the back of the net. Unbelievable. The game moves back into x1 speed as the roars fill the stadium. My teammates rushing up to me and smashing into my body as I remain still, not fully comprehending the goal I just made. As it all catches up with me, I begin to celebrate. I couldn't help it – I had to do my backflip celly in this moment. As I land, my eyes go straight for the family stands finding that one person as I kiss my knuckles balled into a fist and point towards the stands at her. She's cheering, cheering for me. My head was fully back in the game.

______________________

Author's Notes:

And so, the finals are done – Chelsea are reigning champions of their league. There's much to celebrate is there not?...I'd prepare for it if I were you.

- 802 words -

Next Chapter: -- Me or Her? --

I HAVE to release another chapter because I know much we want to see these two back !! I promise it'll be worth the wait