Golden Girl

16

Lucy POV

it was the last training session before international break and the Arsenal training facility was buzzing with the usual lunchtime chatter. The players gathered around the large dining table, plates piled high with food, their laughter and conversations filling the room. I was right in the middle of it all, sharing stories and jokes with Leah and the rest of the team, when my phone rang.

The ringtone was loud and startling, cutting through the clamor of the dining area. I glanced down at the screen and saw an unknown number flashing. My heart skipped a beat as a sudden sense of anticipation and anxiety gripped me. I excused myself quickly, making my way out of the room with what I hoped was a casual demeanor. Leah's gaze followed me, her brow furrowing in concern, but I didn't have time to explain.

I stepped into a quieter hallway, the clamor of the dining room fading behind me. With a deep breath, I answered the call, trying to steady my nerves.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this Lucy?" The voice on the other end was authoritative, yet friendly.

"Yes, this is Lucy."

"This is Emma Hayes, the new USWNT manager. I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."

My heart raced. Emma Hayes—the name was enough to make my pulse quicken. I'd followed her career closely, and the chance to speak with her was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

"No, not at all," I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "How can I help you?"

"I'm calling to inform you that you've been selected for the upcoming USWNT camp," she said, her voice carrying a note of excitement. "Congratulations! We're thrilled to have you join us."

I felt a rush of emotions—elation, relief, and a bit of disbelief. "Thank you so much, Coach Hayes. I'm honored and excited."

"We're excited to have you," she said warmly. "You'll be receiving official details soon, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. The announcement is going live soon, so you can let your family and loved ones know. We'll be posting it publicly as we speak."

"Thank you again," I said, my mind already racing with thoughts of what this opportunity meant for my career and my future. "I really appreciate the call."

"Of course. We'll see you soon," Coach Hayes said before hanging up.

I stood there for a moment, the weight of the news settling over me. The call had been brief, but it had been enough to make everything feel real. I took a deep breath and headed back to the dining room, trying to maintain my composure.

As I re-entered the room, the conversation continued unabated. I slid back into my seat next to Leah, who immediately looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. I offered a reassuring smile, hoping it masked the whirlwind of emotions I was feeling.

"So, everything okay?" Leah asked, her eyes searching mine.

"Yeah, all good," I replied, casually picking up my fork. "Just had a quick call about some upcoming things."

Leah nodded, though I could tell she was still slightly worried. I could sense her need to ask more, but the moment was slipping by, and she didn't want to push too hard in front of the team.

After lunch, as players began to drift off, I knew I had to share the news with Leah. The excitement I'd felt earlier was now mingled with a tinge of nervousness about her reaction. I grabbed Leah's hand and led her to an empty room just off the main hallway—a quiet space where we could talk without interruptions.

"What's going on?" Leah asked once the door was closed, her eyes searching mine for answers.

I took a deep breath, my excitement bubbling to the surface. "I got the call-up for the USWNT camp. Emma Hayes just informed me. I'm going back to the States for the camp."