Celebrity Crush

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I was finishing folding my clothes and putting them into the closet in my new room, my soccer teammate from college, Lizzie, moved here some time ago all the way from Philly to the other side of the country to Portland. Some amateur team contacted her 4 months ago right after our graduation to play with them, and as soon as she mentioned having a spare small room in her apartment I dove in immediately, it was so sudden that I didn't even bother to look for a job first.

As I finish unpacking the few important belongings I brought with me I hear two soft knocks on the door "Come in!" I shouted while I put aside an old guitar of mine.

Lizzie peaked though the entrance of my room with a smile "All set?" she opens the door all the way and enters looking at the room with a little smile. "Since it's Friday I was thinking of going for some beers and chill, I know it's been a long day for you, plus you can meet some of my teammates" Lizzie sits beside me on my bed and wiggles her eyebrows.

I sigh laying on the bed and putting my arm over my eyes covering them "I don't know Lizzie; I was thinking on checking some jobs postings. Also check Gyms to train before i go and do any try outs for your team..." I removed my arm and she was looking at me with a skeptic look "What!?" I say with a high-pitched voice.

"Oh come on Alex, I'm telling you I'll introduce you to some hotties and you say 'no'?, I don't buy that attitude" I roll my eyes with a sigh  "Don't you dare rolling your eyes to me...and for your information I might get you a job"

I sat up immediately "Really?"

Lizzie chuckled and gave me a playful nudge. "Of course! You know me and my extrovert side got some good contacts after 4 months." She winked at me with a smirk.

I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity. A part of me wanted to relax and have some fun after the hectic and sudden move, but another part of me knew I had responsibilities to attend to. I let out a sigh and gave Lizzie a sidelong glance.

"Alright, you got me. If you can hook me up with a job AND a hottie, I'm all in." I say smirking, after all it's just one night of relaxation, plus Lizzie was going to introduce me to some contacts to support myself in the meantime.

Lizzie chuckled and shook her head, her laughter filling the room. "You're quite the handful, aren't you?" she playfully teased. "Fine, I'll see what I can do about a job and a hot date for you, as long as you promise to be on your best behavior."

"You know I always am on my best behavior" Lizzie chuckled at my response, and I grabbed my jacket and hat, she smirked.

 "Oh, I have no doubt about that." She stood up as well and grabbed her keys from the dresser. "All right, let's head out then. We'll grab some beer, meet a few of the team members, and listen to some good music"

Lizzie was my best friend through all college, although she studied politics, we always make our friendship work and I could certainly say no one knows me right now as much as Lizzie does. As we walked out of my room and headed towards the front door, Lizzie glanced back with a smirk. "You know, I can't wait to see you in action tonight. You've always been a charmer, even when we were in college. Maybe you'll finally find someone who can keep up with you."

"Mmm well, i don't know if I'm up to anyone keeping with me, you know I have to focus on my soccer career" I sigh as we begin to walk down the street, The apartment was located in a busy part of Portland near the gay pink zone as they call it here, conveniently.

Lizzie chuckled and nudged me playfully. "Ah, classic Alex. Always focusing on soccer. But come on, love life and career aren't mutually exclusive, you know? And trust me, you've got options with your music skills too. You're quite the multi-talented catch."

As we continued walking through the streets of the pink zone, colorful lights and vibrant nightlife surrounded us. Lizzie's words echoed in my mind, reminding me of the other talent I possessed—my love for music.

"Plus, I remember that song you wrote for the first semester?" Lizzie added, grinning. "What was the name of that song? You wrote it about that singer..."

"Shut it" I say feeling heat on my cheeks "that was a long time ago" 

Lizzie chuckled at my embarrassed reaction and playfully bumped her hip against mine. "Oh come on, don't act shy now. That song was amazing, and you know it. Your first semester and you already were the teachers favorite"

I rolled my eyes, trying to cover up my embarrassment with a smirk. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. It was just a silly songwriting course in college. No big deal."

In between laughs Lizzie and I arrive to a cool little bar in the middle of a block in front of a park. As we enter the bar, the cool atmosphere envelopes us. Soft lighting bounces off the walls, and the thump of pop hits fills the air. People fill the room, some already lightly buzzed with drinks in hand.

Lizzie leads the way, spotting her soccer team friends at a large round booth in the back. They spot us as we approach, and they wave us over with grins on their faces. They were a vibrant bunch, each one with their own unique personalities.

Lizzie introduces me to her teammates, one by one, as they sit in the booth, beers in hand. I exchange greetings and pleasantries before Lizzie speaks up, gesturing towards me.

"Girls, meet Alex. She's my college roommate, and a real catch—in soccer and in music."

One of the girls says in a thick french accent, Sarah, looking between Lizzie and me "please to meet you Alex, she's the one you've been talking about all week? the famous Princeton striker that wants to try out for the team?"

Lizzie chuckles and nudges me playfully "Yep, that's her."

Another girl chimes in, a sly grin on her face. "We've heard a lot about you, Alex. Lizzie says you've got some real skills on and off the field. I know we are not the Portland Thorns but we are decent"

"Oh thank you, I'm actually training for that try out, yes" I say taking a sip of my beer.

Lizzie interrupts "also she's looking for a job, and my friend here" she puts her arm around the shoulders of an older woman "Pam, will tell you all about the job she has for you as a coach assistance on a 3 day soccer camp for teenage girls" Lizzie grins taking her beer.

I smile awkwardly as Pam started to talk about it, it's not a dream job but it's something.

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