USWNT 2.0

12

Kelley arrived later on this evening. It was about 1 AM when she finally crossed the door of hers and Whitney's room. She was kinda relieved to be rooming with such a calm and chill person as the blonde defender was. When she came in, she realized Whit wasn't asleep. She was on her phone, texting someone.

When she heard the sound of the door closing, she finally looked up.

- Welcome back among us ! Whit said in a friendly tone. You need help ?

Kelley thought for about a second, before saying :

- You know what ? I'll deal with that later. I have to find Allie. Do you know where she is ?

- Yep, room 23 in the end of the corridor, Whit indicated.

She thanked her, before rushing in the corridor. She knocked on the famous door, feeling a little bit nervous ; she left without any explanation, and she was hoping Allie wasn't too mad at her. She readjusted her hair, in order to look good for once. When the door quietly opened, Kelley was surprised to see a sleepy Christen.

As soon as she saw us, something changed in her facial expression. Kelley felt uncomfortable, as she was asking :

- Is Allie here ?

Christen didn't think long before saying to Kelley's face :

- Leave her alone, you bitch.

Kelley's jaw dropped. As Christen was going to close the door, she put her hand on it in order to let it opened.

- Christen ? What's going on ? Kelley carefully asked.

She knew Allie was on the other side of that door. And even though the girl wasn't very keen on showing her feelings or thoughts, she would at least have come to greet her, and even take her aside so they could really talk. But Allie wasn't there, and an angry Christen was looking at her with all the hate in the world.

And the two girls weren't that close anyway.

- You should ask your girlfriend, Christen sharply said.

- My... what ? I don't-, Kelley tried to say, but Christen didn't leave her the time to finish her sentence.

- Go lie somewhere else. Bye.

With that said, she closed the door and locked it. Kelley was speechless. Her girlfriend ? She didn't even have a girlfriend, since Allie and her were... let's say, undefined. She was confused right now.

***

Mal woke up earlier than she usually did today. Trying her best not to wake Sam up, she put on some sport clothes and sneaked out of the room. She ran straight at the soccer field, where she knew Jill would've left some balls.

But she wasn't the only one to have had the idea of an early training : Carli Lloyd was throwing shots right in the back of the net. Mal thought about going back to the hotel and find something else to do, but it was too late ; Carli was waving at her. The Jersey girl probably was the person Mal feared the most on the team. She was impressive, courageous, fierce... She was the perfect model to look up to, and Mal was afraid that she might tell something stupid and Carli would just be annoyed.

When she wasn't very far from her, Carli passed her a ball. Mal juggled for a moment, before kicking the ball right on the net.

- I didn't know you were a morning person, Carli said.

- Yah uhm-well, Mal stammered.

Carli gave her a weird look.

- Are you okay ?

- F-fine, Mal assured her. I'm just nervous about tomorrow's game.

- You shouldn't be ! Carli exclaimed. You're doing very well, no wonder you'll do just fine, I can already tell.

Mal blushed a little. Receiving compliments was something she wasn't used to. Of course her parents were complimenting all the time, but being complimented by the queen of soccer herself was in another level.

- T-thanks.

They took several shots alternately, until Carli finally broke the lasting silence.

- So, I've heard that you had trouble integrating the team ?

Mal's eyes went wide. She didn't know what to say next ; what if Carli thought she was just behaving like a stupid kid ?

- I-it's just that..., she began, but struggled to find her words.

- Mal, relax, I'm here to help you, Carli said. You can talk to me.

The younger one seemed to hesitate for a second. She sat down and the grass, and Carli followed her lead. The girl seemed to be lost. Completely in constant hesitation about whether she was allowed to speak her thoughts or not. In order to connect with her a little more, Carli put her hand in hers. Mal jumped out of surprise, before looking down at the physical contact. Mal had never had great bonding with her family. Actually, they didn't care about her that much, so she was just going with the flow.

Since Carli really seemed to care, Mal decided to open up about her concern :

- Sometimes, I wonder if I really do belong here with you guys..., she said sadly. I mean, you are all strong and obviously experienced, while I, on the other hand, am not even playing pro... And with all the drama going on....

- Mal, breathe for me okay ?

She took a deep breath, getting herself ready for Carli's upcoming speech.

- This team is like a big family. Even though we fight with each other often, even if we aren't professional all the time, and even if we seem to be distant from each other sometimes... Even with all those things going on, at the end of the day, we will look at each other and say that we love each other. That's a family's here for ; they fight with you, but when you're in trouble, they all gather for you.

She took a deep breath.

- And you get to meet some of you best friends... And maybe even the love of your life, who knows ? I mean, look at JJ and Pressy... Nobody will juge you here. I can swear on my life that those girls will always back you up, no matter what.

Mal seemed astonished.

- Just wait and see, Carli said. You deserve your spot on the team, Mal, just like everyone else here.

- Thank you Carli...

She hesitated one second.

- Can you give me a hug please ? she shyly asked, blushing.

The middy wasn't thrilled with the idea at first - only Hope and Moe had access to her hugs - but she realized she really liked Mal, and that the girl really needed a hug right now.

- Come here kiddo, she let out.

Mal buried her head on Carli's chest for a while, before pulling away from the older girl embrace. They then smiled at each other, because Carli took a ball and began to exercise again. Mal, happy to finally had been able to open up to someone, joined her, and the two girls almost missed out breakfast because they were having so much fun.

When Hope came to warn them about the dead-line for breakfast, she was just blown away at how a excellent mother Carli would be. And that gave her some ideas, that she had to push away. At least for now.