Play Like A Girl

chapter ten

News about me spread pretty quickly. I went to school on Monday and everybody seemed to have heard the news. I didn't mind everybody talking to me, but I was just nervous I was going to show up to the camp and blow any of my chances of anything good happening. But soccer practice was a whole new level of chaos.

"Are you going to be able to finish the season?"

"So what does this mean for next year?"

"What if we go to the play offs?"

"Are you going to be like, famous?"

"Damn! Why can't I be the one going to that camp? I want to get physical with all those girls!"

"Avosh.."

"Okay but how will we win without you?"

"Can everybody just calm down," I chuckled.

I explained to everybody that I would be able to finish off the season with the team. They then asked more questions about things I didn't even know the details to. It seemed they were about as excited for me as I was. This team has come a really long way with me.

•

October 28th came so quickly yet so incredibly slow. My team threw a huge party for me, which was a really nice gesture and a ton of fun.

I showed up to the party two days before I left for Colorado. Everybody from the team was there, even Adam. Also invited was Kyle, Ethan, Josie, Amanda, Richie, Sam, Cam, Addie, Savanna, and Ayla.

The party was very eventful. I said my goodbyes to everybody, my team shared their favorite moments of me, Coach Ross gave this long speech about me, and I even had a talk with Adam.

Long story short, Adam apologized sincerely about everything he's done. He was 100% honest and told me that everything he did was out of pure jealousy. I forgave him and once I told my mom about it, she was angry.

"You shouldn't forgive him. He was awful to you," she spat once I told her. I figured it took real sincerity and regret to do what Adam did. Everybody deserves a second chance.

Saying goodbye to everybody- especially my closest friends- was for some reason difficult. We all had this gut feeling that nothing would ever be the same again.

"Don't forget about us," John and Collin had teased.

"You have no idea how hard I'm hoping I will," I joked back.

"Ha. When you get famous, don't forget that we were basically your first two friends here."

"Give me a break," I rolled my eyes. "I'll only be gone for three weeks!"

"Whatever. But I'm calling it; Conner Wayne, you're about to be a U.S. soccer star."

•

The flight from Detroit to Denver was painful. I thought I'd be able to relax without Andrew bugging me every three minutes, but the loss of him and my moms presence sucked. The second I got through security and turned around to watch them leave the airport made me even more sad and nervous than I thought was possible.

The whole flight there I kept taking deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. These next couple weeks could decide whether I would be blessed with the chance to live out my dream, or not. I plugged in my earbuds and fired up my music and tried to avoid as much conversation with the person next to me as possible.

Once the flight came to its awaited end, I patiently waited for it to be my turn to get off the plane. I gathered all my loose items and shoved them into my carry on as I was rushed out of the airplane. I had never traveled alone before so trying to find my luggage was embarrassingly difficult. Once I was situated with all my stuff, I wandered around until I spotted the red, white, and blue bus in parked just outside of the parking lot.

I was standing there, gawking at the bus, when somebody behind me said something. "Ah, so you must be the new girl. Conner, right?"

I turned around. Izzy Rodriguez. "Was it that obvious?"

She chuckled lightly. "I mean, yeah." I felt my cheeks get warm, a clear sigh of embarrassment. "Come on," she said while walking towards the bus.

She helped load my luggage onto the bus and then introduced me to a few of her teammates. "Alright, guys, this is Conner," she said, opening her arms as if she was putting me on display. "Conner, this is Ashley, Sophia, Kiara, and Brianna."

I looked at the four girls just nonchalantly sitting there, covered head to toe with U.S Soccer gear. Ashley and Sophia sat with each other while Brianna sat one row ahead of them. Kiara sat alone in the row to the right of them with one earbud in, she took the other one out when Izzy and I approached them.

"Well c'mon girl, don't be shy," Brianna said. She scooted over one seat and patted the seat next to her. "I'm excited to see what you can do," she said to me once I sat down. "You must be hot stuff. I'm guessing you're a forward?"

"Yep. How could you tell so fast?"

Brianna chuckled slightly. "Well let's see, you're skinny but lean, definitely not big enough to be a defender. You could be a middie, but judging by your perfectly placed ponytail with very few fly-always, you're a forward. And, you're tall, but not tall enough to be keeper." I looked at her, my face sporting a look of disbelief.

"Are you serious? You picked up on all that in the timespan of what," I checked the time on my phone. "Five minutes?" Brianna looked at me for a minute, then laughed. "What," I said, confused.

"I'm just messing with you, coach told us about you. He's had his eye on you since before we played in the world cup this past summer. You're good."

Is this actually happening right now?
•
Once we everybody was on the bus it felt like we were at the hotel in no time. Before I knew it I was unpacking my bag in my hotel room.

A week or two after I got the call from Gustavsson I received multiple packages in the mail. They had sent me all the U.S Soccer gear I've always dreamed of having. The warmups, the practice uniforms, a huge parka, and even the suitcase you see the National Team dragging around the airport. I was beyond excited for this camp. Hopefully I don't mess it up.

Once I had completed a good portion of unpacking, I texted my family and friends back in Michigan to let them know I made it and was at the hotel.

I couldn't help but tell myself
Better not fuck up

I haven't updated since February lmaoo
I ended having surgery because I tore my acl and I totally forgot this story even existed and I feel legit bad i'll try to update more
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