A Perfect End to a Lovely Day

Part 1

Michele grinned as the whistle blew. The game at Toyota Park just finished, their first without their World Cup stars and they had won! Much to her delight, she had also just played her first professional game in the states and recorded a shut-out. Things couldn't get much better than this. She jogged out of her own 18-yard box and hugged each of her defenders. One got a longer hug than all the others. Arin Gilliland, another rookie and a fast friend of hers was the special one. Michele wrapped her arms around Arin tightly, so proud of her.

"Congrats Arin! That assist was sick!"

"Thanks Michele. You had some pretty spectacular saves for your first shut-out as well."

"Aww you're sweet. You all helped me keep my shut-out."

The goalkeeper reluctantly let Arin go, hitting down the bubbling feelings with a two-by-four. She liked Arin, really liked her, butterflies in the stomach feelings but she knew better. Arin is a teammate and this is her shot to prove she should be Chicago's starting keeper. So she would settle for being friends with Arin.

They are both all smiles as they walked with the defense, meeting up with the rest of the Red Stars and exchanging hugs and grins. They proceeded to shake hands with the Breakers, trying to offer some comfort to the upset team. Their season was going as poorly as the Red Stars was going well. The team made their way to the center circle to stretch out while Rory talked. Unintentionally, Michele and Arin stretched out next to each other. Sofia and Danny watched their roommate make the quiet keeper smile. Arin finished first and grabbed a Sharpie to go sign autographs for the fans waiting. Once Michele finished, she grabbed one from the bucket and went to the other end of the field, signing a few autographs for the die-hard fans.

Michele tucked the sharpie behind her ear and went back to the locker room. She smiled upon seeing Arin talking to fans from Kentucky. She's sweet like that. She stepped into the glamorous locker rooms at Toyota Park and enjoyed the professional atmosphere they provided. The goalkeeper tossed her things at her locker and grabbed her towel. She went to the shower stall and blasted the hot water. Only once the steam was rising did Michele strip and step under the hot stream of water.

Meanwhile, Arin finished talking to the fans and went to the locker room herself. She grinned when Sofia fell in step beside her.

"What's up Sofia? Miss player-of-the-match you."

"Oh, not much. Just watching you fawn over a goalkeeper. Again."

"What? I was not!" A blush crept over Arin's cheek.

"Spectacular saves? Eyes watching her walk again? Please. Just admit it." Sofia playfully bumped Arin's hip with her own in the tunnel.

"... fine. I have a crush. So what?" Arin mumbled.

"So?!?!" Sofia practically yelled. "So, you flirt with her, ask her out, do something!"

"I don't want to screw up Sofia." Arin stopped just outside the locker room and turned to face her teammate.

"You won't. I have been talking to Sam who, as you know lives with Michele, and she told Sam last week that she has a crush on you. Granted she was tipsy, but that doesn't make it any less valid."

"Wait...what? Sam told you all of that? You're certain?" Arin's brown eyes lit up with hope radiating from them. Sofia found it adorable.

"Absolutely. Sam said once she gets to know you she is pretty outgoing. Apparently, they went to a Blackhawks game last week." Sofia leaned in and whispered to Arin.

"No way! Now I have to..." Arin trailed off before running into the locker room. She flew to her locker and grabbed her shower things. She had to take a quick shower.