Brooklyn's POV
Kickoff is in a few short minutes. It's Mexico, so I'm rather confident we'll be fine. The whole team seemed pretty pumped up for the game. I jogged over and smiled at Alex. "Ready for the game Al?" She nodded and took in a deep breath. The starting line up was Alex, Mallory, Lynn, Meghan, Carli, me, Kelley, Abby, Julie, and Taylor. We had Ashlyn in goal. We decided to do a 4-3-3 because we don't need much midfield, we'll be attacking a lot.
This game would hopefully be good. Mexico will be an easy team to start qualifying off with. I took in a deep breath and did a few more stretches as we walked out of the tunnel. I never really liked pictures and you always take one at the beginning. We did the anthems and high fived the other team. Carli and Mexico's captain went and talked to the referees. Quickly after we started with the ball and began the game.
"Ready?" Mallory jogged past me and I nodded. I looked out towards the sides to see the familiar blonde watching. Sadly back home we rarely played together. She was injured, I was injured. She wasn't playing for the team, or one of us were starting on of us weren't, but whenever we did I played like I do with Mallory, Alex, and Christen. I had that connection with her that just made us play better.
It felt good to have her here. We would still go to each other's games even if we couldn't play. I felt my mind snap away from Haley as the ball flew towards my feet. I looked up to see three defenders running past me and I did a samba flick over two and spun around the third. I saw Alex making a run and sent her a great ball in. She passed their back line and went one on one with the goalie before slotting it in the left bottom corner. She smiled at me, but I couldn't return one. It didn't feel right.
I didn't feel like playing. I wanted to just go sit in the stands like I used to and watch everyone else. The whole spirit and love of soccer was just fading away and I couldn't stop it. Something just clicked in my head and I don't know why.
Alex jogged up to me with a confused look. "Hey what's wrong, are you okay?"
"I-I...yea I don't come on we need to get back to our places." I jogged away to the right as she went to the left.
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Halftime came and we were winning 3-0. I already said Mexico was easy yet I took five shots and missed all of them. Something was wrong with me and I didn't want to ruin the game. I walked up to coach Ellis and pulled her to the side.
"Brooklyn is something wrong? You always have your shots on target and go in."
"I think it's best if you pull me out for now...I just think I'm a little off today...not feeling well. I'm sorry." She shook her head. "It's alright, thank you for telling me."
I nodded my head and walked into the locker room with her. Everyone's heads turned to us. She started her usual halftime speech. "Alright it's looking rather well so far. I think we can do with less passing back, more attacking straight through. Umm Mallory out, Christen in, Brooklyn out...Morgan in. That'll be it for now." Alex and Christen's head snapped towards me when they heard coach Ellis was pulling me out for today. I just hope whatever is happening ends soon.
Maybe my goodluck charm was a curse today?
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Alex's POV
Why is she being pulled out she did somewhat bad in the first half, but she still assisted on my goal. I don't understand what's up with her and I looked over to see Christen had the same concern. I knew why Mal was bring pulled she scored and was having a problem with her hamstring, but Brooklyn I don't know.
"Look Coach...I really know this isn't my place to really ask, but why is Brooklyn being pulled out?" Coach Ellis smiled at me and shrugged her shoulders. "Brooklyn asked to be...she wasn't quite playing like herself, she said she wasn't feeling good."
"Oh...okay."
"Well go score more goals Alex, good job out there so far."
I nodded my head and jogged back onto the pitch and I looked back towards Brooklym. Her gaze wasn't locked on the game, but someone in the crowd. I tried to follow it and saw a familiar face. Kara? I didn't know she came to watch the game.
~~~~~~
The final whistle blew and we beat Mexico with a shutout 5-0. It was a good start to qualifying. The game was easy. We play Costa Rica next. I bet I'll start again since I got a brace and an assist. The scorers were Mallory, Christen, Lynn, and me.
As we got back on the bus I stopped at Brooklyn's row. "Hey..."
"We can talk when we get back to the hotel...I don't feel like talking right now." She was acting so odd. After the game they were gonna interview her, but she told coach no, so they did Mallory instead. It's their first game in the qualifying for a senior level World Cup. It was for a few on our team.
I let out a sigh as I sunk down in my seat and unlocked my phone.
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Congrats on your game- Serv💜
Thanks, did someone on my team seem off to you?
Are you referring to Brooklyn...I was surprised to see her leave the game so early.-Serv💜
Yea so did I honestly...
Do you think somethings wrong with her?-Serv💜
I don't know yet, but I don't wanna push her to the point she gets mad like last time. I don't wanna get in trouble again. You know...not playing last time killed me.
I know, give her some space and maybe she come talk to you.-Serv💜
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I locked my phone as Kelley sat next to me. "You okay?" She looked at my frustration and tilted her head. "Yea, good job."
"Yea you too Lex nice two goals you scored there."
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