The morning light filters through the curtains, gently waking me from a restless sleep. I sit up, rubbing my eyes, and glance over at Leah's bed. It's empty. She must have gone for a run or something, I think, grateful for the moment of solitude.
I grab my phone and dial Emily's number, feeling a sense of comfort at the thought of seeing her face. She answers almost immediately, her bright smile filling the screen.
"Hey, you," she says, her voice warm and cheerful.
"Hey, Em," I reply, feeling some of the tension from yesterday start to melt away. "I needed to see you. It's been a rough night."
Emily's smile fades slightly, concern filling her eyes. "What happened?"
I sigh, leaning back against the headboard. "Leah and I ended up rooming together last night. There was some mix-up or something. Anyway, she confronted me about losing my temper on the field, and I kind of snapped at her. It's just... frustrating."
Emily nods, listening intently. "I get it, Maddie. That sounds tough. But try not to let it get to you too much. Focus on what you did right out there. You were amazing."
I smile, feeling a bit better. "Thanks, Em. You always know what to say."
We talk for a while about the match and my feelings, Emily offering her usual mix of support and understanding. The conversation gradually shifts to lighter topics, and soon we're flirting and joking like we always do.
"I miss you," I say, my voice dropping to a softer, more intimate tone. "Can't wait to see you again."
"I miss you too," Emily replies, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "And when you get back, I have a surprise for you."
"Oh really?" I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of surprise?"
She giggles, leaning closer to the camera. "You'll just have to wait and see. But let's just say it involves a very special outfit."
I laugh, feeling a warmth spread through me. "You're killing me, Em. Now I'm even more impatient to get back."
Our playful banter continues, the world outside fading as I lose myself in our conversation. I'm so absorbed that I don't even hear the door open behind me.
"Morning, Maddie," Leah's voice suddenly cuts through, startling me.
I whip around to see her standing there, a towel slung over her shoulder, clearly back from a run. My face flushes with embarrassment at being caught off guard.
"Uh, morning, Leah," I stammer, quickly glancing back at Emily's amused face on the screen.
Emily chuckles softly. "I'll let you two get on with your day. Talk to you later, Maddie. Love you."
"Love you too," I say, feeling a bit flustered. I end the call and look up at Leah, who's watching me with a curious expression.
"Everything okay?" she asks, tilting her head slightly.
"Yeah, just... catching up with Emily," I reply, trying to sound casual. "How was your run?"
Leah smiles faintly. "It was good. Cleared my head a bit. Listen, about yesterday... I didn't mean to come off so harsh. I just... I care about the team, you know?"
I nod, taking a deep breath. "I know, Leah. I'm sorry I snapped at you. It's just been a lot to handle."
She walks over and sits on the edge of her bed. "Let's try to move past it, okay? We've got more matches ahead, and we need to stay focused."
"Agreed," I say, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "Let's just keep our eyes on the goal."
Leah nods, and for the first time in a while, there's a sense of mutual understanding between us. It's not perfect, but it's a start. And with Emily's support and Leah's newfound respect, I feel ready to take on whatever comes next.
