USWNT 2.0

27

Come on Lindsey. You need to put your big girl's pants on right now.

She opened her room's door, to find Emily, turning her back on her, packing her things. Training was over, and there was only a few hours left in that camp. She closed the door, and that made her friend jump. Emily turned around quickly, her hand on her heart. She obviously had been scared to death. But when she saw Lindsey, she just didn't think about anything to say. Both of them remembered what happened the day before, at the party. Emily tried her best not to look down, while Lindsey was putting her bag on her bed.

She then slowly turned around.

- Hey.

- Hey.

An awkward silence then took place. This is not how you do it, Horan. Come on. They both talked in the same time, so basically nobody understood the other. They then looked at each other, laughing at how weird everything was.

Emily was the one asking :

- How did you sleep ?

Lindsey looked down at her hands.

- Good. I uhm-well..., she stammered. I wanted to thank you for walking me home last night.

- Anytime, Emily said in a nervous voice. I couldn't leave you here, you were such a mess a-and... Anyway.

She then walked toward the door, but felt a cold hand grabbing her wrist. Her heart missed a few heartbeats, as she looked up at Lindsey, who immediately blushed. She then let go of her arm and took a step back.

- Sonnett..., she slowly articulated.

The blonde just stood still, looking at her, frowning.

- There is one thing I need to do before camp is over...

With that said, Lindsey grabbed Emily's arms and pulled her closer. Their faces were inches away from each other, while their eyes were diving into each other's. Lindsey bit her lips, knowing that she didn't have a choice anymore. Emily put her hand on her forearm, which gave her chills all over.

Lindsey then took a deep breath and held Emily a little bit closer. Their bodies were magnetized to each other, and when Lindsey softly pressed her lips against Emily's, they both knew that kiss meant something. Emily wrapped her arms around her neck, while Lindsey was placing her hands on Emily's back.

When they broke the kiss, they remained still and silent for a while. Lindsey then took several steps back, and nervously bit her lips.

- See you in the a-airport, Sonnett, Lindsey slowly stammered.

She threw an ultimate look at her friend, before walking out of the room. As soon as Emily closed the door, a big smile lightened her face.

***

Carli was speechless.

It was just after lunch. Hope had dragged her outside, in order to show her something. They had a few hours off, and since both of them already packed their things, the keeper decided to settle the date she promised her girlfriend at this very moment. Hope rented a car, so both girls were now sitting on it. Carli had never seen Hope so nervous before. Like, even before an important match or something, the keeper didn't loose her control. But now, she was shaking, and nervously looking at Carli from time to time.

They stopped by the beach, in a very calm spot where nobody was there - obviously people were either working or at school. Hope took Carli's hand in hers, and led her to the calm place she found for them. It was kind of a cliff, below which Hope had put a cover on the sand, and also roses all around. Carli smiled : who knew the keeper was that romantic.

Hope wanted them to dip their feet into the water, so that's exactly what they did. Hope kissed her girlfriend, and all of a sudden, she just looked into her eyes, waiting the right moment to finally say :

- Carli.

She had trouble swallowing her saliva, because Carli was very beautiful when confused. She was just waiting for Hope to talk again.

- Out of all the things I can find in the world - the beauty, the nature, people, and so on - you are by far my favorite. You're the one person that gets me going. And when I'm down, you always are here to help me get up again. I didn't believe in love before I met you so many years ago. I've fought those feelings. For so long. And now, you're finally in front of me, holding my hand. It's... perfect.

She took a deep breath.

- I know it might be too soon, but I had something to ask you.

With that said, she keeled in front of Carli, and take the ring that was waiting in her pocket. Carli's eyes went wide, as the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks just next to them was taking over the atmosphere.

Hope smiled.

- This is only a promise. This is my promise to you.

She looked into Carli's eyes.

- Carli Anne Lloyd, would you do me the honor and become my fiance ?

Carli frowned.

- Y-your fiance ? she asked, letting a small sigh of relief out.

Hope giggled.

- Yes. I've rushed things before, and I don't wanna rush this. But after the Olympics, I really want to marry you. I want you to be mine, and I don't care if nobody know about us. I want to call you my wife.

Carli was having such a strange face. It was between surprise and confusion. So Hope just went on :

- But first things first. Will you be my fiance ?

The Jersey girl was in awe. She didn't even care to respond as she sat on Hope's legs, kissing her like she's never kissed her. Hope noticed that Carli was crying. Who knew that the fierce midfielder would be so weak for someone ? Hope smiled in the kiss, and became emotional as well. This was her dream.

Carli then looked at her in the eyes.

- Put that damn ring on my finger, she ordered, wiping her tears away.

- Whatever you want, princess.

The ring fit perfectly.

- I love you so much, Carli said, trying to control her emotion.

- I love you, fiance, Hope joked.

They kissed once again, and nothing seemed to be ruining this moment.