Never Let Me Go

I lived

Today was the day everyone had been dreading.

It was the first game they would all play since cheneys death.

And no one ever thought they'd be ready for this.

It was against the aussies, who knew of the passing. They knew how hard it was on the team, as some of the girls had also played with lauren during club season.

Many of them went to the funeral, to pay respects and be there for their friends.

No one knew except Jill and Dawn, but the australians had a bit of a surprise for the US women when they would go onto the field for warmups.

*****

After morgan and tobin's talk, moe seemed to be training harder, giving her all, and playing some of the best soccer of her life. To say tobin was proud was an understatement. She took note of the change and embraced the new morgan, a morgan that shouted strength and passion from her roots. Tobin wouldnt have it any other way, and the rest of the team could agree.

There were still times when morgan needed guidance, so she went to tobin to ask, knowing she was her rock from then on.

And every time, tobin would be right there, step by step helping her through what she needed.

Kling was also alittle on the excited end that morgan was herself again, she was missing their late night runs to get macaroons and sneaking them back into their hotel room.

*****

The team got all their gear packed together and headed onto the bus, getting ready to go to the stadium for pre game warmups.

As always, bus buddies were intact, never fading from the tradition all the girls have come accustomed to. Arod had began a new one by sitting with HAO, who did not deny it one bit and was glad to have her close friend back again. Everyone was glad to see the two bestfriends had become close to their oldselves.

They arrived at the stadium, putting their bags in the lockers and gearing up. Socks, shin guards, cleats, prewrap, everything they needed, they had. With extras just incase. Especially prewrap, because everyone knew babyhorse would have a baby tantrum if her pink prewrap ran out. And a pissed off Alex Morgan is not what everyone would like to see.

They all walked out onto the pitch in group, warming up with passing and stretching. They began different drills and ran through their setups they had before it was time to go back into the locker room.

There, everyone began their pregame rituals.

Tobin was doing hers as she began to pullout tape and a sharpie. She wrapped it a couple times around her right wrist before grabbing the sharpie and drawing a note onto the white tape.

She tossed the roll and marker to arod who was next to her. Arod looked confused until she looked at tobins wrist.

Cheney #12

Arod smiled sadly at her bestfriend, who returned it and encouraged her to do the same.

As arod finished up, she passed the roll down the row of teammates, each one doing the same, all knowing they were playing for Cheney today.

*****

As it neared game time, the aussies put tarps over their surprise on the field, making sure fans nor officials saw what they did.

******

It was time for lineups and as both teams walked out to midfield, people began to grab ahold of the tarps ends.

Soon they were lifted. And all around the stadium was lit up in red and blue lettering.

We stand together as one. Lauren Holiday forever in our hearts. Gone but never forgotten.

The united states players turn around in the stadium in awe. Tears streaming down their cheeks.

All around, posters are held up, signs are read, banners are waved, all to remember one of their own. One of the fallen.

Two nations banded together over one player. Over one person.

In good times, in bad, those who band together, stay together. Helping one another in the worst of times. You are not alone.

The lineups are read as the captains go to the officials. De vanna and polkinghorne shake hands with rampone.

"We support you guys through this, just know that even though we're enemies on the pitch, we'd do anything for your team and its players. We're sorry for your loss, but hope you continue to make her proud by winning this all. Good luck." De Vanna said while going back to her bench, polkinghorne giving a nod while following her fellow capt.

*****

The game begins, both teams starting out strong on both sides. Hope making amazing saves while the midfield puts it some amazing crosses.

The aussies fight back with as much strength and power as they can manage but the americans are the ones coming out victorious with a 3-1 win.

The gals shake hands and gather at midfield before turning to the big screen to see laurens rememberance video come up.

They hold hands, joining together as one. Coming together to celebrate the game for lauren. They all knew that she was with them on the pitch during that game, in their hearts. Each and every gal knew that their fellow midfielder had been right by their side helping them through the game, guiding them around. Keeping an eye on everyone. Like a guardian angel.

The video was long, emotional, and overwhelming. It was too much for some who had turned to a shoulder to cry on. While others took in the memories of a great career and life. From her time in highschool to UCLA to her first callup on the senior team. Every memory of laurens life had been put into that video, not as to remind her teammates of what they lost, but to remind them that she had gone out having accomplished more than what most people can say.

Cheney went out doing what she loved, with the people she loved. Soccer was her life for so many years and it had brought her more joy than she could imagine. The trophies, the memories, the people. They all knew that cheney had lived the life everyone would have wanted.

And they couldnt have been happier that they were a part of it.

She had lived.

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A/n- sorry its been so long, i have been sick and christmas was here! Hope you all had a good christmas and heres this new chapter. Hope you guys enjoy it!