USWNT: A New Era

Chapter 27: Moving in

The sun peeked through the window, illuminating the chaos of boxes and half-assembled furniture scattered across my living room. It was moving day, and the air buzzed with a mix of excitement and nervous energy. Sakina stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed, a hesitant look on her face.

"I don't know, Y/N," she said, her brow furrowing slightly. "Are you sure this is a good idea? What if it changes everything?"

I could sense her skepticism, and I approached her, leaning against the nearest stack of boxes. "Sakina, we've talked about this. Living together means we can support each other more, especially with everything you're going through right now. Plus, it'll be fun!"

"Fun?" she echoed, a teasing smile breaking through her uncertainty. "You think lugging my entire life into your apartment is fun?"

"Hey, I'll gladly do the heavy lifting if it means I get to be around you more," I replied, my tone playful. I couldn't help but admire her as she crossed her arms, the sunlight catching the golden tones in her hair. "You just have to promise to keep those killer looks around."

She rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Fine, but don't expect me to help with any heavy furniture."

I chuckled and started to lift a particularly heavy box. "No problem, I'll just do all the work while you supervise," I said, flashing her a cheeky grin.

As the day progressed, we began to unpack and arrange her belongings. I made a big show of trying to fit her old soccer trophies on the shelf, attempting to impress her with my nonexistent decorating skills. "What do you think? Maybe they should go here... or should I put them somewhere more obvious, like above the TV?" I mused aloud.

"Above the TV? So we can watch a game and be reminded of your glory days?" she teased, playfully nudging me aside as she took a trophy from my hands. "How about we put them in the corner, you know, so they don't overshadow your achievements?"

"Please," I laughed, "I'm just here for moral support. Those trophies are all you."

Sakina stepped away from the box of trophies and walked toward my trophy room, her eyes widening as she took in the sight. "Wow, I forgot I was dating the greatest women's football player on the planet," she said, a playful smirk on her lips as she admired the collection.

The walls were lined with gleaming trophies—two World Cup trophies, one Euros, two Olympic golds, one Olympic silver—"I hate that one," I quipped, crossing my arms dramatically. "I didn't win it." The room was also adorned with six Ballon d'Ors and eight Champions League trophies.

"I mean, this is impressive," Sakina said, stepping closer to inspect the awards. "You've had quite the career, huh?"

I shrugged, a grin spreading across my face. "Just a few trophies here and there. But it's nothing compared to what you've accomplished. You have an incredible record too, you know." [if she doesnt leave PSG now 💀]

"Yeah, well, my time in the spotlight is coming to an end," she replied softly, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice. "It's your turn to shine now as a coach, superstar."

We stood together in the trophy room, the weight of our respective careers hanging in the air. It felt surreal to think about how far we'd both come and what the future might hold.

As we unpacked the last of her belongings, the playful banter continued, and the tension began to ease between us. Between the laughs and lightheartedness, I could see her worries starting to fade.

At one point, as I was bent over trying to lift a particularly stubborn piece of furniture, I caught her staring. "What?" I said, glancing back over my shoulder, only to find her biting her lip, a hint of a smile dancing in her eyes.

"Nothing," she said quickly, but I could see the light flush on her cheeks. "Just admiring the view."

"Glad to know I'm the highlight of your day," I replied with a wink, straightening up and pretending to flex my muscles. "I could be your moving day eye candy."

"Oh, is that what you think?" she shot back, trying to sound unimpressed but failing miserably. "I'm just here for the heavy lifting, remember?"

"Right, right. Just a casual day of moving, no big deal," I laughed, enjoying the playful energy that filled the room.

As we settled into a groove, the boxes started to disappear, and we began to carve out a space that felt like home. Sakina's laughter filled the air as we playfully bickered about where to put her framed photos and which couch cushions looked best.

With every laugh, every teasing comment, the day transformed into something more than just moving in—it was a celebration of our new beginning.

At the end of the day, after we'd finished unpacking the last of her belongings, I plopped down on the couch, exhaustion washing over me. Sakina joined me, curling up against my side. "Okay, I guess this isn't so bad," she admitted, her voice softening. "I'm glad I decided to do this."

"Me too," I said, wrapping an arm around her. "This is just the start, and I promise I'll help you adjust to this new life. We'll figure it all out together."

As I felt her relax against me, I knew that despite her initial hesitations, we were both ready to take this step forward. It was a leap into the unknown, but with Sakina by my side, I felt like we could tackle anything.