20-year-old Madison Lewis is the newest player on the Lionesses team, and she's showing a lot of quality but she never liked another young player, Ella Toone. Where will this lead her?
I looked up from my phone as Madison pulled us into a tattoo studio.
"Why are we here?" I asked.
"Because I want a puppy," She replied sarcastically.
"Alright. Are you getting another tattoo?"
"After everything these past couple of weeks, I think so,"
"Do you have any idea what you're getting?"
"Yep," She replied taking the strapping off her wrist.
"Don't get anything dumb," I said getting out of the car.
"I'm not,"
She went to the desk after telling me to sit down. They immediately took her back, and I looked at the other people in the waiting room. She motioned for me to stay so I did.
"Ella?" I heard a voice from my right.
"Jacqueline?" I asked standing up and giving her a hug. "How are you?"
"I'm good! It's been a while since you last called," She said.
I looked at my school best friend, the only one who knew everything about me during school and the only one who knew about my crush on Madison.
"I'm sorry about that. Life has been crazy. After I dropped out of college, I started at City almost straight away. I haven't had much time to process anything since like January either," I said. " I do owe you a call though."
"It's fine! Sooo I see you connected with her finally. She dragged you into a random tattoo studio,"
"I have no idea what she's doing, to be honest,"
"I watched every game of your tournament. I'm really proud of you." She said. "And when I saw that she was there too and how close you seemed on the pitch and stuff, it made me smile,"
"Yeah. A lot happened at this camp. So what are you doing here?"
"My boyfriend is in the back right now. I have no idea what he's getting but I have a good feeling it's going to be something he regrets,"
"I'm afraid of what Madi's getting to. She was being really secretive. So how long are you in town for?"
"I'm leaving tonight. It feels so great to be home. Only 2 more weeks of Uni," She sighed. "But I'll come down to one of your games. And then we can hang out."
"Yeah, of course," I said.
We chatted for a little whole longer, and then her boyfriend came out.
"Ready to go, babe?" He asked before pausing and looking at me. " So this is the famous Ella Toone?"
"Yes, it is. Our school days and adventures are unmatched." Jacqueline said.
"I've heard a lot about you. I'm Theo," He said sticking his hand out for a handshake.
"Hi, Theo. Clearly, you know me," I say shaking his hand.
"I am also a very big fan,"
That drew some eyes our way from the rest of the waiting room and I think it finally clicked for a few people who I was.
"Thanks," I said. " You should come to a game with Jacqueline. I'll get you both some tickets."
"Awesome!"
"What'd you get?" Jacqueline asked him.
He rolled up his sleeve and revealed a quote.
"Wow," She said.
"I like it," I said.
"Me too,"
A couple of seconds later, Madison walked out.
"Jacqueline Miller?" She said looking at Jacqueline.
"Madison Lewis!" They hugged.
"How are you?"
"I'm doing well, you?"
"I'm great,"
"Hi Madi," I said.
"Hi Ella,"
"Can I see?"
"Yeah," She pulled back her left sleeve and twisted her palm up, there was a gold heart on her wrist. Then she flipped her band around, and below the knuckles of her pointer and middle fingers, there was a 2 and a 1, so when together they make a 21.
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(The heart tattoo)
"I like it," I said.
"Nothing too big. Just subtle and meaningful," She smiled.
------
I drove us back to Madison's.
"Was it really smart to go get a tattoo on my sprained wrist? Probably not, because I can't wrap it for a couple hours. Also when I wrap it again, no one can see it! But you can see the 21. I love that number," She said before putting on the radio.
She turned on the country station. The song playing was Wilder Days by Morgan Wade.
I heard her softly humming along, and the lyrics hit me.
"Hand in my hair and you said, "I looked pretty" You're so devious, rolled in from the windy City"
I got chills, and looked over at Madison.
"Tell me what you're wanting me to do and you tell me every single secret on your mind Come on, baby, we got nothing but time."
I took a deep breath and turned down the music. "Madison, we got nothing but time,"
"Huh?"
"I wanna leave reality for a bit. Just a couple day. We got nothing but time. Will you spend you time with me?" I asked.
"Yes," She said without hesitating. "Yes I will Ella,"
"When we pulled up to her house, we went to her room and packed up.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"I don't know," I said.
She threw a bunch of clothes into her suitcase, about half of them being mine.
"Well where were you thing?"
"Uh,"
"Hurry up,"
"A beach...in California," I said picking up my things.
"Great. We'll go there," She said, looking at her phone.
"How soon?"
"If we leave for the airport in the next 10 minutes we will make it to the airport probably on time,"
"Sounds great,"
"I'll get my mom to drive us,"
"Won't she ask why?"
"Meeting some friends. I don't care. Let's just go,"
