Force of Nature

Chapter 1

Soccer is a sport that requires many things from people. It requires passion, devotion, determination, skills, and an understanding of the sport as a whole. Ali Krieger knew that and every practice and game she would attend, each of those things were present. She always gave 110% whilst playing and never once gave up, even when she tore her ACL, she continued to kick ass. Ali grew up her whole life playing soccer and preparing to do something great one day, but there was one thing she never prepared for as a young girl.

She never once prepared to fall in love. Sure she had thought of boys and whatnot before, but this was different. Ali didn't fall in love with some random boy, hell it wasn't even a boy. She fell in love with the one and only Ashlyn Harris. She's been head over heels since the first time she saw Ashlyn's goofy side smile and her gorgeous tattoos. It was an odd feeling to fall in love with your best friend.

From the beginning of their friendship, there was always something present between the two. Everyone could see the sparks, sometimes their teammates would pick on them for it but each time Ali would just blow them off as jokes. They were always close and touchy; they found comfort in each other's presence. Ali had thought all of those things had just been platonic but it all changed when the 2015 Women's World Cup started.

Now she sits in her hotel room, daydreaming of the blond goalie who has invaded her thoughts. They have just started training for the World Cup and it would be a few days before their first game. Ali wasn't sure how to deal with her feelings towards Ashlyn. A part of her told her to tell the other girl and the other part of her told her to keep her feeling concealed. It was confusing; she didn't know which side to listen to.

It's like every time Ali sees Ashlyn she gets this overwhelming urge to kiss the girl. She wonders if Ashlyn has noticed her odd behavior; she sure hopes not, she doesn't want to come off as a weirdo. It was strange feeling this way towards her best friend and she hoped to God that Ashlyn could possibly feel the same way.

"Ali!" A voice yelled outside of the hotel door, snapping Ali out of her daydream. She stood quickly and opened the door to reveal a smiling Ashlyn.

She couldn't help but smile wide and open her arms, inviting the other girl to a hug. For a girl who doesn't hug much, Ali sure as hell loves hugging Ashlyn. There was just something about that girl that's so damn intoxicating. Ali can't even count how many times she has been caught just staring at Ashlyn from across the field or at team dinners. She can admit that it is quite embarrassing for teammates to notice and make jokes about it.

"I've missed you." Ali mumbled into Ashlyn's shoulder as they continued to hug.

"I missed you too Ali and as much as I would love to continue our reunion, we have to get down to our team breakfast before Jill comes searching for us." Ashlyn said as she broke away from Ali, giving her one of her infamous Harris charm smiles.

Ashlyn turned on her heel quick, grabbing Ali's hand in the process as they made their way to their team. Ali couldn't help but feel a blush rise up her neck as she realized how perfectly her hand fit with Ashlyn's. God, she was in too deep and there is absolutely no turning back. Their hands slipped apart as they turned the corner and saw the rest of their teammates taking seats and eating.

Ashlyn went and sat next to Kelley as Ali took a seat next to Megan and Becky. Megan gave her a look and Ali just rolled her eyes before grabbing some food and digging in. Halfway through her meal, Megan elbowed her in the side.

"So have you told her or no?" She asked in a hushed tone

"For one, I have absolutely no clue what you're talking about," lie, "and even if I did have something to tell anyone, I wouldn't have time we literally just got here."

"Ali, let's be honest, we all know you have the hots for Harris." Megan said with a quick wink

Ali felt a blush creep up her neck and she rubbed the back of her neck before letting out a frustrated groan. "I have no clue what you're getting at Pinoe."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, just keep on lying to yourself Kriegs." Megan said before turning back to her food.

Ali rolled her eyes and turned back to her plate, her appetite seemingly disappeared. Of course Pinoe had caught onto Ali's obvious staring; it wasn't really hard to miss. Yet this made Ali worry, if Megan could catch onto it so easily who else has caught on? The thought itself made her stomach churn and she quickly dismissed herself from the table, saying she needed to go back up to her room. No one thought to question her excuse except for Megan and Ashlyn of course. But before Megan could go and apologize, Ashlyn was already out of her seat following Ali.

Ali felt anxious as she entered the elevator, not only did she hate being in an elevator (especially alone) but she also hated the feeling that was now swirling in her stomach. She knew she was in deep when it came to her feelings for Ashlyn yet she couldn't find it in herself to be okay with it. She felt bad, guilty almost, about not being able to come to terms with how she felt with Ashlyn. It wasn't that she was embarrassed, she was just afraid of the other girl not reciprocating feelings.

Just as the door of the elevator was about to close a foot was quick to stop it. Of course it was no other than Ashlyn Harris and Ali swore the world was against her at that moment.

"You're not okay." Ashlyn stated and raised an eyebrow at Ali.

Ali knew there was no point in denying it when it was obvious that Ashlyn already knew. "Yup."

"Are you going to tell me what happened? I saw Pinoe lean over to you and say something, did she say something wrong? I swear to-"

"Ash," Ali interrupted with a small laugh, "no Pinoe didn't do anything wrong. I've just got a lot going on up here." Ali said with a tap to her head.

Ashlyn's shoulders dropped and she let out a sigh. Ali wanted nothing more to just blurt out her secret right then and there but she was so fearful of a bad outcome. Just as she was about to say something, Ashlyn turned to her looking like a puppy. "A penny for your thoughts?" Ashlyn asked in the cutest voice ever.

Ali giggled and gave Ashlyn a small push. "I don't think you're quite ready for the crazy that goes on in my head."

Ashlyn gave her that infamous Harris smirk. "I'll spend the rest of my life proving I am ready for whatever crazy you have to throw at me."

They fell into a comfortable silence after that comment and waited patiently for the elevator to stop. Once it did, Ali made her way to her room with Ashlyn following quietly behind her. "Oh so you just invite yourself to my room without asking." Ali asked with a small smile on her face. Ashlyn winked and grabbed Ali's keycard from her hand, "Yup."

Ali couldn't help but smile as Ashlyn held her hotel door open for her. That girl would be the death of her. Despite feeling totally nervous because of the blonde girl, Ali also felt totally calm around her as well. It was a whiplash of emotions around Ashlyn and Ali wasn't sure if she absolutely loved it or if it scared the absolute shit out of her. But, whatever it was, Ali knew she wouldn't give it up for the world.

Ashlyn Harris was a force of nature. She was gorgeous, her tattoos were to die for, and god those abs. Ali didn't know how she'd handle it all but she knew she'd do her best. As Ashlyn lay back on Ali's hotel bed, for some reason Ali got a feeling in her stomach. This is going to be one hell of a soccer camp, she thought to herself.

Author's note: hi guys...not sure how you'll like this but literally, Krashlyn is OTP. Please comment and let me know if I should continue or not.