The Wait Is Over

Hollywood Studios Cup Day 1 Pre-Game

After talking last night about how they might feel about one another, Danielle and Arin have left the hotel for a breakfast "date".

Danielle: We've been besties for a few years, so there should be no awkwardness to us having breakfast together, yet I am feeling a little bit nervous.

Arin: Why, Danielle?

Danielle: Maybe because I feel like the stakes are a bit higher this morning.

Arin takes Danielle's hand. "We'll be friends regardless of how we end up feeling about each other."

Danielle: What happens if one of us falls for the other, but it doesn't happen in reverse?

Arin: If that should happen, we will deal with it. I care about you a lot, and I don't want to hurt you if I can avoid it.

Danielle: I am closer to you than anyone else in my life, and that includes my parents. When I think of you, I picture us in our apartment following practice, sitting on the couch watching TV and curled up with each other. There's nothing sexual about it, just the comfort of sharing space and time with you.

Arin squeezes Danny's hand before responding. "That description gives me chills, in a good way."

Danielle: Good. Maybe we can try it out when we get back to the hotel. I don't think Jen is going to be around. She was supposed to meet up with VDB and Sofia to watch the ManU-Man City match.

Arin: Speaking of those two, is anything going on there?

Danielle: I don't know. They would look cute together if they were to hook up. I have enough on my plate worrying about if we're going to end up taking that step.

Arin: I guess we ought to head back and see how that description of yours plays out.

Arin and Danielle leave the coffee shop and walk back to the hotel, hand-in-hand with their fingers interlocked.

***

Adam is down in the lobby grabbing breakfast and is approached by Lisa Cole.

Lisa: Adam, do you have a few minutes?

Adam: Sure. Let's go somewhere more private.

The two of them walk outside the hotel and find a space off to the side.

Lisa: I'm Lisa Cole, head coach of the Chicago Red Stars. It looks like a problem is developing in our locker room and I want to know how I can head it off before it becomes a bigger one and affects our play on the field.

Adam: What's the issue?

Lisa: It seems like half of my team is hooking up with each other.  We have one long-time couple on the squad, which was reunited this spring after playing for separate teams for the better part of six years. Beyond that, it looks like our players are trying to pair up because they think that, since Steph and Kristie are a couple and playing together, I will be accepting of them doing so.

Adam: And I take it that that is not the case.

Lisa: Actually, I probably wouldn't mind it if they weren't being so obvious about scoping one another out. If it happens in the course of regular life, away from the field, there is little I or anyone can do to stop that. People feel how they feel, and standing in the way of that creates more drama than necessary.

Adam: You wouldn't attempt to break up pairings like I know some coaches are wont to do?

Lisa: GOD NO! I want my players to remember that this is their job, though, and just as it wouldn't be acceptable to mack on each other in an office setting, it's not acceptable when we're on the clock.