We Believe

Chapter 3: the WNT

Tobin's POV

I walk down the campus to my building as fast as I can.
I can't wait to pack my soccer bag and, since I will come home late, I'm also free for the two first classes tomorrow!
I am so excited. And also scary. Courious. Wondering who I'll meet. Wondering if my past will catch up to me.

I pack my bag with my cleats, jersey, shinguards and other stuff that I need.
Since the bus will bring me back home in the night, I also pack up some sandwiches.

Pia said that I have to be ready at 4, but it's 3:30 and I'm already sitting on my bag next to the street.

Who will I meet?
What is going to happen?
Will I succeed?

I don't know..

I start listening to music, since I can always get my mind off when I do so.

'Carolyna' by Melanie C starts playing and I can feel my heart melt.

This song means everything to me, it's everything I'm about.

Just when I fully got into the song, my phone rings.

It's Jade.

"Hey Jade. What's up?", I ask.

"Heyyy Tobin! I just wanted to wish you the best for tonight. You can do this; I know it! I promise!", she says excited.

"Aw thank you Jade! Yeah I will just be myself and everything will be fine I guess!", I reply. She always manages to cheer me up!

"I'll wait for you tonight okay? So don't get scared when I'm in your room when you come back!", she laughs.

"Okay if you want to!", I laugh. "I'll tell you everythi- oh I gotta go- they're coming! See ya!", I say quickly and hang up as I see the dark blue WNT bus driving down the street.

I quickly grab my bag and put my phone away.

Here they are.

I'm on the doorstep to the soccerworld and all I need to do is to get on this bus..

The bus stops just in front of me and the door opens.
I hesitate at first, but then I get in.

"Hello young lady.", the driver says.
"What's your name?"

"T-Tobin Heath.", I say.

"Tobin! The youngster. Come on in! Your seat is number 44", he says and smiles.

I walk up two stairs and see the whole bus in front of me.

There are sitting around 10 people; Pia and Dawn in the front.

"Hello Tobin! Pleasure to see you!" "Hi!", they say.

Abby Wambach and Christie Rampone behind them.

"Hello Tobin. Nice to meet you.", they smile.

Another row behind are Hope Solo and Carli Lloyd.

"Welcome to the team, Tobin.", say say friendly.

Heather O'Reilly sits behind them, next to her a free seat with number '44'.

"Hi Tobin. This is your seat and I'm Heather. We're bus buddys today!", she says smiling.

"Hello Heather. What an honor to meet you. To meet all of you!", I say so that everybody hears me.

I put my bag next to my seat as just as I want to sit down, I see them.

Sitting behind me.

My old friends.

Amy Rodriguez and Lauren Holiday.

"No way..", I whisper.

"Tobyyyyy!", they say with huge smiles.

"We missed you so so much! Where have you been?", Amy asks and pulls me into a big hug.

"I- I-", I mumble and Lauren pulls me into an even bigger hug.

"Please sit down during the drive, ladies!", the driver shouts from the front.

"You guys know each other?", Heather asks as we sit down again.

"Y-yes we were best friends back then.", I mumble, still in total shock.

"Christen actually told us about your plans and your descision.", Lauren explains.

"I'm so, so endlessly sorry.", I say. "I just needed to move on. And see where it brought me!", I say.

"It's okay, Tobs. We understand you. After all you've been through.. plus we're reunited now!", Amy smiles.

"The new kids reunited. Sounds good to me", says Heather.

"The new kids.. that's a good name for your trio!", Carli says from the front.

"Yep, totally agree!", the three of us say and immedialty start laughing.

"Let's just forget about the past, Tobs. Real life starts today.", she says and Amy and I nodd.

"New kids forever, huh?", Amy says. And we start laughing line idiots again.

"We'll talk later, okay?", I say, rubbing my neck. "My neck hurts from turning around to see you guys."

I turn around again and Heather starts asking me a bunch of question; where I come from, what position I play, how I imagine the practice..

We get along pretty well and I also ask her a lot of questions and how I still can't believe that I'm acutally talking to Heather O'Reilly, one of my biggest idols!

"Oh Tobin. You'll get used to alm this pretty soon. Just enjoy the journey. It's so exciting.", she smiles.

"I will!", I answer.

We arrive at the field and get off the bus. Two other busses arrive with players from other cities like Becky Sauerbrunn, Shannon Boxx, Lori Chalupny, Rachel Buehler and many more. Pia and Dawn introduce us to each other and then practice starts.

I'm focused and ready. Almost everything that I try works out for me. The free kicks, the tricks, the shots, the games. Amy, Lauren and I soon get the 'unstoppable offense trio' and Pia is very happy with how our first practice goes.

When practice is over and we all showered, Pia officially calls Amy, Lauren and me up.

We finally made it!!!!

I'm so honored and shockend and excited and everything at the same time.

Dawn hands us a lot of poers for the camp coming up in two weeks and then it's over.

My first practice with the us women's national team.

I still can't believe it.

We get back on the bus and drive towars my collgege.

Heather and I start talking again about the practice and how proud she is that I made it.

"And you're not the only new kid here. Lauren and Amy are here, and they will call up a few more the next months.", she explains when I ask if there will be others in my age.

"Oh really? Do you know who?", I ask, wondering if there will be other old friends of mine.

"I'm not allowed to tell you,", she whispers. "But I can name you a few that are 'under watch' if you promise to not tell them or anybody else."

"I promise!", I whisper back.

"Okay.", she says and whispers in my ear.

"There are-"

AN: next chapter soon!!!