Born and Raised BARCA ~ Madridista

Chapter 2: First Meetings and Practice

Chapter 2: First Meeting and Practice

Once all of the guys were out and ready, coach Mourinho came out to get practice started. Everyone gathered around him, and he pulled me up next to him. “Everyone, this is Shay Fell. She is going to be practicing with Real Madrid for the summer. She is probably better than a couple of you so no teasing or bulling her.” he introduced me. “Now warm up!”

The team divided into two lines and started some routine stretches, I followed and focused on making sure no one realized I had an ankle injury, because they wouldn't let me play if they knew I was injured. While were were warming up, I watched the guys and learned their names from the conversations going on. A couple asked how I had gotten permission to practice with the team, and I told them the truth, that Coach Mou as they call him asked me if I wanted to and it was an offer I couldn't refuse. Ronaldo, otherwise know as Cris to the team was right in front of me, so I didn't make the connection that he was who I ran in to until after warm ups when we were waiting to see what we would do next. One of the guys, I didn't see who, asked, “What's your biggest skill?”

“First touch, because my juggling is so good.” I replied.

“Well if your juggling is so good what is your record?” asked Christiano, who I am sure didn't recognize me, turning to get my reply.

“2,250” I replied looking to see if he would recognize my voice. It appeared he did, because I could see a light of recognition in his eyes.

“Damn she's got even you beat Chris,” Pepe teased.

“So what. It means nothing if she can't put it to good use,” he replied teasingly, letting me know he did indeed recognize me. 'How embarrassing!' I thought. 'I only just met the team and someone already knows how big of a klutz I am.'

~To Be Continued

A/N: I will post the rest of this chapter hopefully this weekend.

I was trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I ran into the Cristiano Ronaldo, and didn't recognize him. How could I not recognize one of the most famous soccer players in the world? Anyway Coach Mou soon came out and starts us on some drills. We finished the technical side of training around 10 and then had some wights in the gym. Apparently they alternate cardio and weights; today was obviously weight day. Overall for the morning practice it was pretty great, but I still had matches to get through. After we finished weights, I got introduced to all the guys by the captain Iker. He was the goalkeeper. My favorites on the team were Pepe, Marcelo, Sergio, Messut and Cris. Iker was a bit like an older brother of the team, and thus felt like the brother I always wanted. Technically the whole team felt like the family I wished I had.

~Time Skip~

It was about 5:30pm and I was kind of tired. It was only yesterday that I arrived in Spain, and I practiced hard this morning, so I had a right to be tired. On the other hand I still had matches today in 30 minuets. Luckily we are just around the corner from the practice pitch. I decided to jog there this evening as a warm-up, and was there in about 5 minuets. Due to not being caught with my injury earlier I was more comfortable, and had started to relax. That was my first mistake. My second was not changing into soccer socks at the house. I was in the process of putting my sock on my injured ankle when Iker arrived. He immediately noticed the taping on my ankle and was worried. “Did that happen at practice earlier?” he inquired.

“What... oh my ankle... no, I just stepped wrong on the stairs when I got home. It doesn't hurt or anything, so don't tell the others okay?” I stealthily lied.

“If you're sure it's not bothering you,” he hesitated. “I guess I won't tell, but if I see that it is causing you problems I will bring it up.”

I was so relieved I hugged him. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

“Remember if I see it is bothering you...”

“I know, I know,” I interrupted him. It was so cute how elderly brother like he was being. “It won't cause me any problems.”

The words had just left my mouth as I finished pulling my sock on, when Pepe and Sergio walked in. Iker gave me a meaningful look and walked out of the locker room.

I decided to see if he wanted me to take shots until the matches started, and also left the locker room.

When I stepped onto the field, Iker gave me a warning glance, and pointedly stared at my ankle. I just nodded and called out to see if he wanted shots. He said sure, and so I got set up. My favorite shot is a curling shot that bends into the side netting, but I had recently been working on a knuckle ball similar to Ronaldo's. Unlike Ronaldo, I have a totally different stance I take. I stand with one foot in front of the other, while staring at the ball. I dont look at the goal, because it would give away my target, plis theres no need. I already know where I am placing it. If all goes to plan it should look like its going upper 90 in Ikers left side, but nearly half way there it shoud take a weird dive and curve and end up bouncing on or near the line and then into the side netting.  Slowly I lift my head while closing my eyes and pause. Like a viper, my eyes flash open and I take the 2 and a half steps to the ball and strike it. It left my food slightly off where it needed to, and so when it bounced about a foot infront of the goaline into the post it rebounded outwards instead of into the goal. As it rolled away, I sighed. I still havent perfected it yet. When I looked up Iker had  dumbfounded expression. "Chica," he called, "dont you ever teach the guys that, they score on me engouh as is." After hearing that, I found myself on the ground rolling and laughing harder than ever. I agreed, and said I wouldnt, after all, he is keeping my secret.

Shortly after a couple other guys came on the field, and we all started passing and talking. When Coach Moushowed up, he split us into teams. I was on Sergi's team with Pepe, di Maria, Lopez, Varane, and some others, while Cris, 'ker and Ozil were teamed up. It seemed a bit skewed to me, but I kept my trap shut because it meant I got another chance to score on Iker. I took the role of a classic #10, and play made for most of the game. It was almost time to end, and Mou said next goal wins, so when the ball came to me I decided to deviate from pattern. I recieved the pass from Sergi and turned. Upon seeing some space between 'zil and Cris, I did my favorite trick. I steped over the ball with my left foot, and then tapped it with my heel trough the now open legs of Cris. Upon recieving it on the other side, I was quickly preasured by Ozil. I pulled another trick out of my bag and pulled the ball back, which caused him to take a step forward. As he did this, I did another heel tap between his legs. As I went to recieve that behind him I was me with a ruthless slide tackle from Coentrao. I somehow managed to hurdle over him, and all that was left was to shoot. The ball was still in the air, and I swung with my injered leg momentarily forgetting its injury. As I swung, I saw Cris from the corner of my eye sliding in to meet the shot. Iker saw it too, and his face went from game like fierceness to horrified as he realized what was about to happen. Thats when I felt it... a mind consuming pain accompanied by a sickening pop. 

Then it went black...

A/N: So the chapter is finally done. Its Christmas break, and I decided I would update at least 2 more times between now and the end of it which is on Jan 4. I will also be starting a new story based on a dream I had today while watching a replay of the Club World Cup semifinals before the final. Anyway. Thanks for the many reads so far. This is the first story I have ever written, and the fact that it has over 200 almost 300 views amazes me. Thanks guys!