Sawyer POV - DAY BEFORE USA V ENGLAND 2027 WC SEMI-FINAL
"Sawyer, you're leading the race for the golden boot, how does it feel?"
I sigh and squeeze my fidget, "It feels uh, unreal. I'm still in college, I'm not even 20. I'm pretty lucky."
Bree gives me a thumbs up and I pet Maverick.
"Sawyer, can you comment on your outburst in a previous press conference?" A reporter asks.
"Uh- we're not talking-" Heif starts to say.
I hold up my hand because Makena helped me write a way to talk about this.
I let out a breath, "Hold on. My girlfriend helped me with this part. I've never fully told my story to the world. My momma kinda did once on my aunt's podcast, but now you'll hear it from me."
I grab my phone and put an AirPod in.
I listen to the voice and smile.
"Okay. You all just saw me put my AirPod in. That's because I have dyslexia, I can't read really well, it's still hard for me and I have a lot of accommodations, text to speech being one of them. The reason I have this accommodation on top of so many others is because of my adoptive family. You all know my momma, she's famous, especially on this stage."
I hit pause and take a deep breath.
I hit play, "When I was four, something horrible happened to me. I lost my parents, my biological parents, in a car accident in which I survived. There was no extended family and I ended up in foster care. I had a good group home and I never got moved, I think I because my social worker had a soft spot for me."
I smile, "I always struggled. I had nightmares, I still have them. Especially this time of year because the anniversary of them dying is in a few days. I miss my biological parents in an unbearable way. I can't even explain it and you'd only understand if you've been in my situation. Beyond that, I struggled because I have ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and anxiety, which makes me neurodivergent. I never felt understood and I always thought there was something wrong with me and that was why I would never be adopted."
I smile, "But then I met Alex, Serv, and Charlie. They saved me, keep saving me from crumbling in on myself when I'm overwhelmed. They save me when I can't handle my emotions, and they save me when I can't remember to save myself, which is often."
Everyone laughs.
"That press conference infuriated me because I've been adopted, I was adopted five years ago, that's not new. But I'm protective of who everyone in my life is. My mom will always be my mom and momma, well she will always be my momma. I have my family and my bonus family, and they both have contributed to who I am today."
I grab the necklace around my neck, "I want every kid who feels different or who is sitting in a group home or foster home to know that anything is possible. Don't give up, because something and someone is out there for everyone. Thank you."
I pocket my phone and stand up, walking off the stage with Mav.
Bree holds her hand up, "Makena helped you with that?"
I nod, slap her hand, and hand her the earbud then hit play.
She smiles, "She recorded because-"
"She knew her voice would keep me calm and she was right." I say.
"Kid, you are the luckiest, do you know that?"
I nod, "Yeah, I'm aware. Sometimes I forget how lucky I am."
We walk out and I get pulled into a hug by some of my teammates, which makes me smile.
"That was awesome, buddy." Sonny says.
