USWNT 2.0

13

- Christen, you need to calm down, Julie carefully said. I didn't understand a single word of what you just said.

The black-haired had just appeared in JJ's and Hao's room. She was speaking for about thirty seconds in Spanish, what usually meant she was either nervous, nor angry. Julie was hoping option one was happening right now.

She just took a deep breath, and switched language.

- How could you just leave me like that ? I thought you were done with me ! You should've at least called or something ! I pictured the worst-case scenarios in my head all day and all night, do you have any idea about how fucking exhausting it is ? I thought you regretted being with me, a-and that you...

- Christen, Julie tried to interrupt her.

- I told my mom you were gone. Geez, did you think I wouldn't be worried ? I'm your goddamn girlfriend, Jules ! You have to speak to me, otherwise I just freak out and I am lost when you're not here ! Why did you...

- Christen, she said a little bit louder this time.

The dark-haired stopped talking. She was just looking into Julie's blue eyes, and felt lost in them. You're mad at her, remember ? Don't get distracted, she thought, mentally slapping herself.

But Julie spoke first :

- I went to Phoenix to see Melanie, she calmly explained. I usually do that when I am freaking out about something important to me.

- O-Oh.

- She just showed me all that I was missing ; the beauty of our relationship, its impact on young people who now sees us as role models... It's freaking terrifying, Christen. And I need you to freak out about it with me, because that's our thing now. We're a thing.

Christen remained silent. Seeing Julie so serious and passionate about a subject other than soccer was a first. And she was oh so happy to be that subject.

- I love you, okay ? Julie practically yelled.

- O-okay, that's fine with me, Christen innocently said.

She grabbed Julie's waist and pulled her closer. They were fully invested on the kiss, so they didn't hear Becky coming in.

- Guys, she said.

They plit and faced the defender. She didn't seem upset or anything. It was quite the opposite actually. She was smiling at the pair. Everybody on the team knew Julie was Becky's favorite. She made her, after all. And Julie wouldn't be the amazing defender she was now if Becky hadn't taken her under her wing. So seeing her girl reunited with her very own girl again made her happy.

- The surprise is ready, so you'd better come. Right now.

The Brunn then just took Julie's arm and didn't let her go. Christen laughed and followed the two defenders, happy to be with Julie again.

***

The surprise was quite huge, actually.

The first idea that came out in the special group chat they created to find Moe's birthday gift was from Pinoe. She proposed to put Lindsey in a big gift wrap or in a giant cake, and then to pretend like everything was normal until Moe would discover her best friend hiding by herself. But some party-pooper such as Carli and Hope just said no. So Kling came up with an even better idea.

When Moe entered the room, her jaw just dropped. Her 21 teammates were all gathered in front of her, looking at her with excitement. Just in front of her, using all the space of the table, was an huge stuffed unicorn, the one that was on "Despicable Me", which basically was Moe's favorite movie ever. The youngster stopped for a moment, before rushing to her huge new stuffed animal. She took it in her arms, and smiled wildly.

Julie giggled, and some other girls burst into laughter.

- THANK YOU SO MUCH ! OH MY GOD I LOVE IT ! Moe exclaimed in an excited tone.

- It was all Kling's idea, Christen conceded.

Pinoe then explained the original idea with all the Lindsey thing, and Moe just laughed out loud.

- I can picture Lindsey buried in a huge birthday cake very well, actually, the brunette then said.

As she was laughing once again, Lindsey threw both girls a death glare. Moe went to hug her, and literally jumped in her arms. Then, Moe went into her room in order to put her toy on her bed. Lindsey, Emily and Mal went with her, while some other girls finally went to bed. Julie and Christen were hand in hand, talking to each other, when the blonde felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, and saw Crystal. She exchanged a look with Christen, who nodded : they needed some time alone. So Christen decided to join Tobin and Kling in a very animated discussion about soccer.

Julie threw an ultimate look at her girlfriend, before following Crystal outside. They've been friends for a long time now, but they never fought before. She knew the dark-haired was mad at her, and she had every rights to be.

- Crys, I'm sorry..., she let out.

- I know you are, you cinnamon roll, Crystal answered. I just don't get it ; do you think I would've judge you ? Me ?

The defender looked at her feet.

- I-I just assumed... I freaked out, she said. Not just with telling you, but with telling anyone. I am so sorry, because I know you're not judgmental, and that you'd have backed me up. I was just too scared.

- J, I get it girl, I really do. You will always be my fave blonde, even though I was really mad when I saw that pic...

- I promise not keeping anything from you again, Julie interrupted her. You're my best friend, and I need you right here with me.... Are you okay with this ?

- With you dating Christen ? Of course I am. As long as she makes you happy.

- She does, the defender assured.

Crystal smiled, before pulling Julie into a tight hug. They were reunited at last, and the forward seemed to have forgotten her anger towards her friends. Who could hate such a cinnamon roll after all ?