As I walked into the hotel room, the clock on my phone read 9:50 PM. I had just made it back in time. The hotel was quiet, a stark contrast to the excitement and intimacy of the evening I had just shared with Emily. I pushed the door open gently, stepping inside and letting it close softly behind me.
Leah was sitting on her bed, reading a book. She looked up as I entered, her expression curious. "Hey, Maddie," she said, closing her book and setting it aside. "Where were you?"
I felt a mix of emotions—relief at making it back on time, and a bit of defensiveness at her question. "I went to see Emily," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. "We had some time together since her sister was out."
Leah nodded slowly, her eyes thoughtful. "I see. Well, I'm glad you made it back before curfew. We've got an early start tomorrow."
I nodded, dropping my bag by my bed and starting to change into my pajamas. "Yeah, I know. Don't worry, I'm ready."
She watched me for a moment, then leaned back against her pillows. "Look, Maddie, about everything that happened yesterday... I just want to make sure we're good. I know I can come off a bit harsh sometimes, but I really do care about the team, and you."
I paused, pulling on my pajama top and considering her words. "We're good, Leah. I get it. It's just... I have my own way of dealing with things. And sometimes, it's hard to hear criticism when I'm already pushing myself so hard."
Leah nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I understand. We're all under a lot of pressure, but we've got to stick together. If you ever need to talk or anything, I'm here."
"Thanks, Leah," I said, appreciating her attempt to bridge the gap between us. "I'll keep that in mind."
With that, we both settled into our beds, the silence of the room comforting after the long day. As I closed my eyes, I thought of Emily, her support and love giving me the strength I needed to face the challenges ahead.
Tomorrow would be another day of hard work and focus, but tonight, I allowed myself to rest, feeling a little more at peace with Leah and a lot more connected to the person who mattered most.
A few days later, the air was thick with anticipation as we prepared for our second group stage game against Ireland. Playing in my hometown should have been a moment of pride, especially with Katie on the opposing team, but the pressure was immense. From the moment the game started, I could hear the Ireland fans shouting horrible things at me. I did my best to block them out, focusing on the game and my teammates.
The first half was intense, with both teams fighting hard. Every time I touched the ball, the jeers grew louder, more personal. Katie and I exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between us. We both knew the stakes were high.
As the second half began, the chants became more aggressive, more targeted. I could feel the anger building inside me, but I kept pushing it down. Then, it happened. I had the ball for a throw-in when I heard it clearly: "You dyke! Why don't you just die?"
The words hit me like a sledgehammer. I froze, my blood boiling with rage. I couldn't let this go.
I turned towards the stands, my voice shaking with fury. "What did you say? Say it again! Say it to my face!"
I started walking towards the stands, my vision blurred with anger. "Come on, say it again, I dare you!" I shouted, my voice echoing in the stunned silence. "Say it to my face!"
The crowd began to laugh, their mocking tones only fueling the fire inside me. My teammates quickly surrounded me, trying to pull me back, their voices a mix of concern and urgency.
