Falling for you | Sam Kerr

Chapter 10: Back together, break together

The song for this chapter is "You're on your own kid" by Taylor Swift ⚽️🎵🤍

IVY
They were together and happy, and those words meant more than anything in the world.

After their (rather public) reunion and celebration, Sam and Ivy had finally sat down, talking out everything- the bad, the ugly, and the pure stupid. Somehow, and god Ivy had no idea how, Sam had forgiven her, and the Kerrdez spark slowly lit up once more (Much to Gorry's contentment).

In fact, almost everything had gone back to a dream:
- The team was talking to her once more, apologising for their cold shoulders and harsh words in the past few months
- Sam and Helen had graciously accepted Ivy back into their apartment, and as a token of gratitude, Ivy had baked her first successful cookie batch since the breakup
- Her soccer performance had ameliorated exponentially, and she was now being considered for the starting 11 in the Olympic qualifiers match.
- And, of course, the cherry on top: she had the love of her life back.

For once, everything seemed perfect.

*small time skip to Olympic qualifiers match 2*

SAM
The first match had gone incredibly well.
Ivy, back to peak performance, managed to score 2 goals, rivalled only by Sam's consecutive 3 goals in the same half.  It seemed that as their relationship improved, the goals did too. That would be crucial for their next competitor in the Olympic qualifiers- France.

Not a day went past where they weren't together. They had 3 months of separation to make up for, and Sam was determined to fill that quota. Most days were some cute little hangout or romantic date. For example, recently, they had visited a new bakery, and gone to help out at the animal shelter.
Today, though, was purely soccer.

The animal shelter date had been a stupid idea on Sam's part considering by the end, she had to talk Ivy out of adopting 15 dogs, 8 cats, and the occasional Guinea pig. Sam doubted Helen would much appreciate a new sibling, and the Olympic schedule was simply too hectic for another pet- much to Valdez' disappointment. Sam hoped the engagement ring hidden in Maccas apartment would be enough to rectify that disappointment....

Attention turned back to the game as the Matilda's finished warming up in their kits. The stadium had begun to fill, as had the butterflies fluttering in Sam's stomach. She didn't usually get nervous, but this was Olympic qualifiers... Sam had a nation's hope on her shoulders, and she was determined to make them proud, with Dezzy by her side.

The match started, a blur of adrenaline and movement as the ball passed dizzyingly between players. France had improved since their last competition, and it was showing.

By halftime, the score remained set at 0-0.

The one weakness the Matilda's had?
Getting nervous if they weren't ahead by halftime. Nerves led to mistakes, and they couldn't afford mistakes. Sam had never really been one for motivational speeches, but the one she delivered in that moment would have fit perfectly in a Ted talk- it was improved furthermore by Ivy's small smile of pride in her direction. Those smiles would be Sam's for a lifetime, she thought to herself contentedly.

But now, it was time to qualify. After what felt like both forever and no time at all, the second half commenced. It was going relatively in the Matilda's favour, a couple successful passes and formations having already been put into place.

Raso had just made a great run, having passed it to Ivy who-

Crumpled.

Sam had watched alongside the nation in horror, as Ivy's leg appeared to collapse out from her, like some shredded paper doll. She let out a small cry of pain as she thudded to the ground, and Sam pelted up the pitch, praying for the best whilst preparing for the truth.

Sam knew what caused such a visceral reaction, had even undergone surgery for it herself.

Valdez had torn her ACL.

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This marks the end of 10th chapter with 695 words.
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