Faulty Trust || Katie McCabe

06

It was early enough in the morning that the street lamps were still on and the sun hadn't fully risen just yet. The clouds were gloomy like usual as I walked out of my complex and into the chilly air. Wally's car was parked a few meters away, and I quickly made my way to her car, seeking warmth once more. I threw my things into the boot before settling into the back seat and trying not to laugh at a tired Leah dead asleep in the passenger seat.

"Don't you live ten minutes from here? She's already asleep." I questioned Lia, who was trying not to laugh as well. She shrugged before putting the car in gear and driving us to the training centre. It was a quiet drive; not many were on the road yet anyway. Leah slept the entire time, not moving a muscle even when Lia almost ran a red light.

"Let's wake up; we're here." Wally gently shook Leah awake as I collected our things from the boot. Once I'd closed it, I turned to find a grumpy-looking Leah paired with an amused Lia.

"Not a morning person, Lee?" I quipped, causing her to roll her eyes at me and take her bag without a word. "Good luck sitting next to her on the bus," I whispered to Wally.

"I heard that!" Leah yelled without turning around as she continued her walk to the bus. I laughed as Lia and I followed suit, chatting away about the upcoming international break at the end of September. It was the start of the Nation's League, and it was bound to be absolutely brutal. We'd been dealt a group that would be a challenge for sure if we wanted any shot at the Olympics, but we had to make the most of it; more so, Lia was excited about the Euros. They had a chance to be in our home, and neither of us could contain our excitement.

"Hey Em!" Alessia's voice pulled me from Lia and I's conversation. Lia took this as her queue to find herself a seat on the bus, and I turned my attention to Less, who'd rolled up with a coffee in hand. We chatted for a while, offering 'hello's' as the rest of our teammates appeared. Some looked dead tired while others looked to be wide awake; it was quite a funny sight, and both of us cracked jokes until Vic joined us looking like she needed to go back to sleep.

Finally making our way up into the bus, I sat down with Laura, who was chatting with Lia across from her. Leah was passed out on Lia's shoulder just like I'd called earlier, making me chuckle to myself and get a quick glare from Lia. Once again, to my better knowledge, I found myself surrounded by the LW's yet again. I found it rather funny because they seemed to be the people I got along with the best.

While most of the team slept on the bus en route to the airport, Laura and I found ourselves deeply engrossed in a random season of Survivor. Neither of us being able to turn our attention away from it. I glanced up at one point to see Lia's had rested against Leah's as they were both sound asleep. I couldn't help the small smile that formed in my face, though in that instant I felt a weight fall onto my shoulder. That's when I realised Laura had drifted off as well, making me laugh internally.

Groggily, the entire team dragged through the airport and onto our flight. Only a few were genuinely awake and motivated at this time. It was 8am yet everyone seemed tired as ever, which had me grinning to myself because I seemed to be the only true morning person here.

I hummed Sabrina Carpenter's song Decode in my head because I couldn't get it out lately. Maybe it was a sign, or maybe I was just reading into the lyrics too much. Either way, it had quickly become one of my favourite songs, meaning aside.

Laura sat next to me once more on the flight and slumped in her seat, clearly still tired. The acl group were travelling with us even if they weren't playing; I think it was for moral support or something. It was nice though; I think it made them feel less isolated from the team.

When she opened her eyes, I gave her a soft smile, and she struck up a conversation as our flight took off. We talked in soft tones, borderline whispering because the plane was so silent. I'd quickly realised that she made a good travel partner and was an even better person. She was an optimist too; I was the opposite. Which, in retrospect, kind of balanced us out.