I'd do it again if it meant I got to see you

Chapter 2: meeting the rest of the team

After the training session ended, Emily found herself surrounded by Sam and her friendly teammates. They decided to grab some post-training snacks and chat, and Emily was thrilled to be a part of the group.

As they settled at a nearby cafe, Emily couldn't help but sit next to Charlie. Her heart raced, and her shyness around her crush intensified. Emily discreetly stole glances at Charlie, who was engaged in conversation with the others, her bright eyes animated as she talked about the game.

Sam noticed Emily's quietness and leaned in to whisper, "You okay, Em?"

Emily nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just...I've always admired Charlie's skills, you know?"

Sam grinned knowingly, her voice low. "I think someone has a little crush."

Emily blushed deeply, her cheeks turning a shade of pink that was hard to miss. "Shh, Sam! Don't say that so loudly!"

Sam chuckled, patting Emily's shoulder. "Relax, it's cute. Besides, I think Charlie might like you too."

Emily's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"

Sam nodded. "I can tell by the way she looks at you. She's a great judge of character."

Feeling both encouraged and anxious, Emily decided to muster up some courage. She turned to Charlie and said, "Hey, Charlie, I really enjoyed watching your moves out there today. You make it look so effortless."

Charlie turned her gaze to Emily, her eyes softening. "Thanks, Emily. That means a lot coming from you. I've heard you're pretty talented yourself."

Emily felt her heart skip a beat. "Oh, I'm not even close to your level. But I do enjoy playing with my college team."

Charlie smiled warmly. "Well, talent is one thing, but passion and dedication count for a lot in this sport."

Their conversation flowed smoothly as Emily and Charlie discussed soccer, shared training experiences, and even talked about their favorite soccer players and teams. Emily's initial shyness began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of connection and excitement.

As the evening wore on, Emily realized that spending time with Sam and her teammates, especially Charlie, was turning into a memorable experience. She was getting to know Charlie on a deeper level, and her crush was growing stronger by the minute.

When it was time to leave, Charlie turned to Emily and said, "It was really nice getting to know you, Emily. I hope we can hang out again sometime."

Emily's heart soared, and she replied with a warm smile, "I'd love that, Charlie. Thanks for making me feel so welcome."

As Emily walked away from the cafe with her sister, she couldn't stop thinking about the day's unexpected turn of events. Little did she know that this newfound connection with Charlie would lead to more exciting and heartwarming moments in the days to come.