The Gladiator

Ooh, That's Gonna Sting

"First training! You excited?" Your roommate sung way too energetically for eight in the morning.

"No," you grumbled, rubbing your eyes. "How the fuck are you so awake?"

Alanna snickered. "It's seven in the morning, and I didn't just fly from the US to Tokyo."

"Good point," you yawned as the two of you entered the breakfast room. "I'm so not ready for this."

She smiled sympathetically. "Tony wouldn't have called you up unless you're amazing, I wouldn't worry about it."

"Hey, newbie!" Caitlin Foord bounded up to you, throwing her arms around the two of you. "Wanna come sit with us?"

"Sure," you blinked, taking your plate and absent-mindedly following the Forward to her's, Mackenzie Arnold's, Mary Fowler's, and Kyra Cooney-Cross' table, your roommate in tow. "Mornin', guys."

"Hey," Mary waved. "How's it going?"

"It's goin', alright," you chuckled, pulling out an empty chair. "How about you?"

"Good, thanks. Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself? A quick intro during a meeting doesn't do anyone justice."

You racked your tired brain for any interesting information about you. "Um, let's see... I've played for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL for three years, ever since my debut. I'm an only child, I like playing video games and I'm absolutely garbage at everything that's not Football."

Your eyes briefly met Kyra Cooney-Cross' before her eyes flicked back down to her plate.

"I'm sure that's not true," Mackenzie said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "Caitlin here is talentless, but she's not completely dogwater at everything."

"Hey!" The Gunner complained, chucking a plastic spoon in the Keeper's direction. "Don't lie!"

Kyra's eyes drifted back up to yours, this time accompanied with a shy smile. "Sorry about them, they're always like this."

You shook your head, returning the expression. "It's alright, it's not like I'm the only one that has to deal with this."

Alanna snickered. "You're a witty one, I like it." (A/N: Another joke-filled book since you all thought I was funny as shit in the last one 😁.)

You shrugged nonchalantly. "Witty is my middle name. You'll learn why soon enough."

Steph Catley groaned as she passed by. "Please, we don't need another one of you little shits."

You shared a mischevious look with the four established troublemakers. "I think you do."

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"Scrimmage!" Tony called. "Sam, Steph, your picks!"

Sam gestured for you to follow. "C'mon, Y/L/N! I have total faith that you're gonna wreck Steph's team."

You jogged over, an awkward smile on your face. "Thanks, but-"

"Ah-ah-ah. No buts," your captain cut you off. "Steph, pick."

After a bit of arguing, teams were decided, Sam's being Lydia, Mary, Kyra, you, and Sam, with the others being on Steph's team or on the bench.

"Let's go, girls!" Tony shouted, clapping his hands together as you kicked off.

Instinctively, you sprinted forwards, instantly getting up in Ellie's face.

Mary darted around Emily, passing you a ball that was just barely missed Courtney's outstretched foot.

Your gaze never wavered from Ellie's as you began tapping the ball between your feet.

She blinked in surprise, immediately chasing after you as you rainbow flicked it over head.

"C'mon, now," you grunted, megging Steph who had been running behind you in an attempt to clear the ball from the 18-yard box. "Ooh, that's gonna sting."

As you turned on your heel, you quickly took the shot, the unmistakable swoosh of the net following two seconds later.

"Goooood, Y/N!" Tony grinned. "That's what we like to see!"

Steph glared at you. "That's what we like to see in a game against someone that isn't me."

You shrugged, a not-so-sorry smile on your face. "If you're going to do something, be the best. Always. No exceptions." (Woahhh this is familiar.)

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"Hey," Kyra mumbled, the two of you falling into step. "Good practice today. That was a really good goal you scored earlier."

"Thanks," you responded, glancing around the parking lot. "Just a regular day on the job."

Her eyes briefly met yours before she averted her gaze. "You'll make it far in this team. I can tell."

Before you could reply, she scurried onto the bus and slid into a seat next to Charli.

Weird.

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New PR because my friends forced me to run like 3 miles so we could "legally rob houses" aka Trick-or-Treat to the fullest. I can't feel my feet.

Hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading!