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

-Chapter 22: One Time Loss-

The rest of that day resulted in us doing after game care. Also known as, standing in an ice bath. The media team film as I get into an ice bath, squealing at the coldness as I get in as I shut my eyes. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god." I chant, taking a deep breath as I let my legs get used to the cold. "Room for another?"

Ellie's voice says, making me open my eyes to see her approaching with a grin. Facing away from the cameras, her eyes scanned up and down my body as I had lifted my shirt up so it wouldn't get wet, thus revealing my stomach and sports bra. I give her a look before nodding. "Be my guest." I shiver. She gets in slowly, holding her own shirt up as well as the camera trains on us.

I laugh as she squeals slightly, settling into the ice bath as a staff member asks if we want more ice. Ellie nods, resulting in more ice being added into our bath as I curse silently. She turns around, facing me and smiling. "Too cold for you?" She asks. I glare at her, smirking. "I can take it."

Once the camera turns away to face another ice bath, I feel warm hands snake around my waist, a big contrast to the freezing cold of the water. "How's your leg?" She asks sweetly, lifting one hand to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

"It stung a little when it came into contact with the water. But I think the cold has numbed the cuts and scrapes." I reply, smiling at her. "I'll help you bandage it when we get back." She says before releasing me from her hold as the cameras return to us.

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The next week consisted of recovery, more training, gym sessions, ice baths and a day off. We fly to Queensland due to the game being in Suncorp Stadium. The flight was short, so we chatted and chilled for the whole duration of it.The night before our next game against Nigeria, the team arranges the tables so that they're all connected.

With our usual pre-game dinner, Spaghetti, we all sit and chat until Tony gets our attention. "The first game was a close one. Thanks to Steph's amazing penalty, we won. This game, we should focus on attacking. Get those goals in." He says. Sam stands, grinning at all of us. "Either way, we are one step closer to the gold in our home country. Let's make tonight a memorable one." She says, lifting her drink as we all do the same.

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The next day, we headed off to the stadium early after breakfast because we also had a pre-match interview to do. Well, I do. I got chosen to do the pre-match since it's so early on and I'm the new player who got put on the starting 11...twice.

"For today's starting 11, we'll have Macca as goalie, same starting defenders as last game. So Steph, Alannah, Hunt and Ellie. The same forwards and midfielders, except could we have EVE on left front and Caitlin on right front?" He says. We take note, nodding and planning for the game ahead. Tony wants more attack? Then that's what we're gonna do.

After a bit more tactics and a short gym session, I follow Tony and the media team to a separate room. I hear the chatter of reporters on the other side of a makeshift stage. "It's just going to be simple questions. Just be yourself." One of the media advisors says. I nod, smiling as Tony and I get introduced. I walk onto stage, a water bottle in hand as I take my seat in front of a mic. "Welcome to today's pre-match interview. Today, we have Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson and player Y/N Y/L/N."

After a bit more information, the first question gets thrown our way. "Tony, Y/N, what are your feelings going into the second game of the World Cup?" Someone asks. Tony gestures to me, making me smile as I nod. "Well, I think the spirits are high amongst the team.

The last win with a stadium filled with the home crowd really makes it mean more. I think the meaning makes a win all the much sweeter and that the team's been running on that high since the game." I say. Tony answers the same question as I take a sip of my water, watching the crowd. "Alright, for Y/N, how does it feel being on the Matildas for your first World Cup?"