USWNT 2.0

18

Lindsey sat next to Emily.

Earlier today, they started this weird hashtag, and it seemed to have taken the Internet. The original tweet was actually from the defender, who just wrote : "The youngsters are ready #NewGeneration". Some people on the USWNT fandom decided to make this hashtag trending, so here it was, just at the sight of the two girls. They were quickly joined by Sam and Moe, who seemed to be excited as well.

Sam chose to sit next to Emily, shamelessly putting her leg on top of hers. Lindsey frowned ; she just looked at Sonnett smiling at her, and her heart gripped itself. She slowly shook her head, and her best friend caught that move. Moe just thought that her bestie didn't like the relationship those two were heading to. But it was way more complicated than that. It always was.

When Mal arrived on the room, out of breath, the brown-haired middy gave her a concerned look.

- I think I just saw something I wasn't supposed to, she said, her face turning white.

All the girls looked at her, confused. The 18 year-old just sighed and took a seat next to the two love birds.

- Well, I wanted to talk to Carli, a-and...

Lindsey encouraged her to continue, but Mal just shook her head.

- Never mind, I probably made it up since I'm tired as fuck, she concluded. I'm going to bed guys, see you at breakfast !

They all waved at her, and the brunette just got back to her and Sam's room. During her walk back, her thoughts were filled with that picture she had seen. When she opened Carli's door, the brunette was turning her back on her. At first, Mal thought she was alone. But then two hands slipped on the hollow of her back, and Hope appeared in front of her. Then, she did what Mal expected the least ; she grabbed Carli's neck and pulled her closer. The two women kissed, and the young girl thought it was the right moment to go.

She hadn't known Carli for long, but they had had an instant connexion. Now, every morning, training together was kind of them routine. That was why she didn't tell the others what she saw ; she wouldn't betray the middy. But now that she knew - and probably was the only one to be aware of that hidden relationship - she just didn't know how to act around Carli anymore. She thought about talking to her the next morning during their special training.

As she was walking to her room, Mal heard a door being opened just behind her. She turned around, just to see a pretty smiling Carli Lloyd. The middy noticed Mal's presence and walked towards her.

- You okay ? she then asked.

Mal nodded. She had to stop staring at her so awkwardly. But now that she knew about her and Hope's relationship, it seemed logical that such strong women and minds would've collided. She didn't know how nobody noticed though.

- Y-yah, Mal shuttered. I'm exhausted.

Carli frowned, but didn't make any comment. She advised the younger one to go and get some rest, and told her that she'd be on the field first thing in the morning tomorrow. Mal thanked her and rushed into her room.

***

The next day, things at training got pretty awkward.

Everybody noticed the unease : Allie was training on her own, sometimes talking to Lindsey, but her face was closed up, and her eyes were cold as ice. Kelley, on the other hand, was trying to act as if nothing happened. She was hanging out with Tobin and Christen, trying not to stare at Alex too angrily. The forward was just peaking at Allie from time to time, but the blonde seemed to be on her ivory tower. So she was just speaking with Ali and Whitney.

As hard she was trying not to, Kelley was staring at Allie. She knew the blonde kinda rejected her and stuff, but she couldn't help looking at how fit and beautiful she was. But also devastated. Yes, she cared about Kelley. Why can't she just admit it then ? the Georgia girl thought to herself. She knew she couldn't hold on to her for too long, but the was attracted to Allie just like a magnet. Even though Kelley was pretty obvious in her glares, not even once the blonde looked up. She was hiding behind her fortress, something she was used to do a lot according to what Tobin said.

Tobin was worried for her friend.

- That's the first time we don't talk for days, she said to her friend, nostalgia filling her voice.

- You should go and talk to her, Christen advised. Kelley would be okay with it, right ?

She looked at the freckled girl, who was lost in her thoughts - and in her observation obviously - and clapped her hands together right in front of her face. Kelley jumped a little and looked at the dark-haired like she was a mad woman.

- Uhn ?

- I was saying that you wouldn't mind if Tobs right here goes talking to Allie, right ? Christen repeated.

- Sure, Kelley let out.

Tobin let out a small sigh of relief, before running towards her friend and Lindsey's direction. When she saw Allie's best friend arrive, Lindsey just glanced at Allie, just like if she was asking if she wanted to see her. The blonde just nodded, and Lindsey joined Mal and Moe on the sideline. Allie just sat on the grass, and Tobin sat next to her.

It was the first time the two girls were strangers to each other. They didn't really had an argument, since the only person Tobin was yelling at was Alex. So when Tobin put her hand on Allie's shoulder, the middy just looked at her.

Tobin sighed out of relief.

- Are you mad at me ? she asked, afraid of the answer Allie might give.

- Of course not. I'm more mad at myself.

The brunette pulled Allie into a hug. When she didn't have the words to console her, Tobin would only hug her until the blonde feels better. So when Allie did feel better, she just broke their embrace and smiled shyly.

She handed Tobin a small note, where Kelley's name was written on the top.

- Can you give that to Kelley please ?

Tobin nodded.

- Everything for you, Harry.

- Don't be a dork, Allie laughed.

- That's impossible, Tobin reminded her.

They both laughed and got up. They spent the rest of the day together, and when Tobin got home, she left the note on Kelley's bed. She was relieved ; she just got her best friend - more like her person, actually - back.

Now let's hope O'Long make up, Tobin thought. She then laughed at herself for finding a ship name for her two friends.