Born To Be A Star, Raised To Be A Legend - A Riley Andersen Story

Chapter 13: The Magic vs Filler Era

Already in the press conference room, Riley was holding her first gold medal in front of more than 50 journalists. The young girl was still clearly emotional about her unprecedented victory against a great Spanish team.

Riley achieved golden glory in a climactic finale that she could now put in her diary that she kept in her home in New Jersey. It had been months of fighting and training up until that moment, and now, she could finally rest.

Journalist: Riley, first of all, congratulations on the achievement you dreamed of since the time you started training in Field Hockey. How does it feel to be an Olympic champion?

She was still crying with joy, and to answer the question, she had to sweat her nose.

Riley: I still have no words, it's the most special achievement of my life so far and definitely the moment I'm most emotional. You know? I was born in Minnesota and I give this medal to my hometown that always supported me and sent positive energy to all the matches together with the people from NJ and San Francisco.

Journalist: You (Riley) are now the second youngest medalist in US history, has it sunk in for you, Riley?

Riley: Man, it's definitely something I never thought I'd achieve when I was 11. Being able to be part of my country's history is something I've definitely always wanted to have, but so soon? I have to thank a scout who believed in me when I was still in San Francisco, thank my teammates in New Jersey and especially my mentor, Valentina Ortiz.

Coincidentally, Valentina was watching Riley's press conference and, as a way of reciprocating the affection shown by Riley, Valentina's mind says.

Valentina's Mind: I love you so much, Riley.

Returning to Riley in Paris, the young tennager's mind returns the message.

Riley's Mind: I know.

Before the third question, Ashley entered the room where Riley was to give the young newcomer to the team a hug. They were like very close sisters, as Ashy always made a point of saying that Riley was the best she had ever seen.

Ashley: I'm after her but I would like to say that she will not accept autographs (she said jokingly)

She then leaves the room quickly, as Riley's press conference was not over yet and there were still some questions to be answered. So, the journalist, instead of asking a question, decides to give Riley a piece of paper to show her something.

Journalist: Riley, I have a paper for you here and I'd like you to give your opinion.

Riley then picks up the paper, and when he realizes, it was a paper with all the nicknames Riley had received from the Firehawks to the Olympic gold in Paris.

"The Chosen One"
"Night Killer"
"Magic"
"Crophopper"
"Born of the Stars"
"The Goddess of Hockey."
"Empress of Paris"
"The Fastest Girl in the World"
"GOAT"
"Pride of San Francisco"
"Queen of Minnesota"

She is then surprised by all the nicknames she had received up until then and, in a way, how well-known Riley was already becoming on the global stage, not only in hockey, but in world sport. It was a form of globalization that had not been equaled since the days of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the 90's.

Riley then looks at the nickname "Crophopper" and tells the journalist who gave it to her.

Riley: I like that one (Riley said while pointing to the nickname)

The nickname that Riley hadn't seen in years belonged to a protagonist of a movie that Riley loved when she was little: Dusty Crophopper and the movie Planes was part of her childhood and Riley never hid the fact that she was his number 1 fan.