USWNT 2.0

10

There was an open practice today in Providence Park, Portland. Since the city was basically the city of soccer, hundreds of fans were sitting on the bleachers. It was a very hot day, but nothing stopped the fans and the journalists.

Kelley and Christen still hadn't returned. Jill was asked a lot of questions about this, especially on the whole Julie/Christen dynamic. Like, if Christen not being there had something to do with Julie's presence, or like why didn't they tell the world sooner, how would it affect the team, and so on. The head coach handled the questions very well, and was helped with Carli, who was assuring that the relationship wouldn't be an issue.

When the journalist spotted Julie running near the side line, he waved at her. She knew that she didn't have a choice but go talk to him, since lots of fans were looking at her now. She sighed, hoping that this guy wouldn't ask too many questions. The thing was that Christen wasn't answering her texts, and she was both worried and sad about the whole situation. Of course she knew she messed up by running away, but she was determined to do whatever she had to do in order to get Christen back.

The guy just smiled at her.

- I'm with Julie Johnston, defender of the women's national soccer team. So, Julie, how are you feeling with the Olympics now just around the corner ?

She took a deep breath.

- Obviously very excited to be on the roster. It is a huge honor for me to be playing for my country, and side by side with all those amazing women. I will try my best and work everyday so we will bring home what America deserves ; a gold medal.

She heard some fans cheering behind the journalist and smiled at them. The man seemed to be pretty nice.

- I know you must be exhausted talking about your relationship with Christen Press, so I am going to set the table for you. This past week, you've become one of the leading inspiration for your LGBT people, especially girls trying to figure their sexuality out. Your couple was exposed to the general public very fast. How do you feel about that ?

Julie immediately saw Christen's face in her head. She took her time to formulate the proper answer, knowing that both her fans and teammates were holding their breaths. Then, she decided to just tell the truth.

- I've always been scared about my personal life being exposed. But now that I see all the good it had done, and how everyone responded - especially the fans and my dear teammates - I don't feel too scared about it anymore. I know my feelings for Christen are real, and won't fade away. It may sound cheesy to say, but she's the person I've been looking for my whole life. It just took me some time to accept I was in love with my best friend. But I am. And I know we'll go and get that goddamn medal hand in hand.

More cheers were coming from everywhere. Her teammates were smiling wildly, as the reporter asked her one more question :

- So, we can now say that Christen Press and yourself are a couple ?

Julie looked straight at the camera.

- Yes, we are.

***

Alex was sitting on Allie's bed, trying to comfort her friend.

Of course she made up the whole "Kelley and Hinkle are dating" thing. They actually weren't dating. She was pretty upset, because she probably was the last person to find out that Allie liked the freckled girl. She was her best friend, her confident, her ride or die, and she kept that away from her. Alex wasn't a very bad person, she was just over-possessive. So when she found out that Allie still wasn't going to talk to her about that - and had told Tobin - she just didn't think. She dropped a bomb, and she knew there will be consequences.

Tobin was walking back and forth in front of her. Usually chill and composed, the brunette was just loosing it. Her hate for Kelley just increased and reached its deadliest point. Allie was like a sister to her, and she had to protect her at all costs. So whenever she was getting hurt by someone, Tobin would jump on any fight to defend her. She would probably hate her more than Allie will, actually.

Ash and Lindsey, who also were there for Allie, were standing in front of them. Allie was trying her best to hold her tears back.

- I was so stupid to believe that we had a future together..., she murmured.

- Oh, hon, don't cry, Alex said in a sweet voice.

She softly tapped her hand on Allie's back in order to comfort her. Tobin was still walking, holding back her anger.

- I can't believe it, Lindsey said. There must be a misunderstanding. Kelley is not the kind of girl to play with someone's feelings.

- Well, people aren't always what they seem to be, right ? Alex said.

- I agree with Linds, Ash said.

She then lowered her voice.

- Plus, she really seemed to love Allie, she added.

They heard a knock on the door. Tobin was the one to open the door brutally. On the other side of it was standing Christen, who just jumped at how violent that opening was. She was Allie's roommate during the whole Portland camp. When she saw the general ambiance, she was about to go out.

But Allie lifted her head.

- You can stay, she said.

The dark-haired entered the room and closed the door behind her, whereas Lindsey and Ash went out of the room, sending a last "courage kiss" to Allie.

- Pressy ? Alex called.

- Uhn ?

- Have you seen Julie's interview ?

- What interview ?

The three friends exchanged a look, before Alex finally said :

- Well, you should go watch it. Like, right now.

Christen seemed surprised, but didn't discuss more. She just turned her laptop on and searched for that famous interview. She had no trouble in finding it, since it was hitting the headlines in the virtual press. She put her earphones on, and while the Three Amigas were going out of the room, she pressed play.

A tear was running down her cheek.