Depth

5

Cairo's POV

Today is our first Tournament of Nations game and it's against Japan. I'm a sub again which sucks, but I understand since I haven't played a minute since my debut. Right now we are siting in the locker room. I've already done my seal walk and now I'm making my blue and white intertwined pre-wrap headband.

"Hey Cairo?" Mal asks after the team gets quiet so whatever she is about to ask is going to be heard by the whole team.

"Yes?" I say while tying my headband and slipping it on.

"Why do you wear those two colors in your headband?"

"Thats a long story for a different day." I say then put my head phones on and sit back in my locker until Alex taps my leg letting me know Jill is talking. Since my number is 12 I sit in-between Mal and Alex. After Jill's pregame speech the rest of the subs and I go to the bench and after the anthems we sit and watch the game.

Alex decided to just ball out and she had a hat trick with her goals coming in the 18th, 26th, and 56th minute. I'm glad I don't play in defense. Pinoe scored in the 66th minute and I came on after her goal for Alex who got a standing ovation. 4 minutes later a Japanese player attempts to pass to a teammate, but the pass isn't very good so Tobin makes a break to get the ball before the Japanese player and as she does I take off running knowing she'll get to the ball first.

"TOBS TOBS TOBS" I yell.

Tobin notices my run so she crosses it into space. The Japanese keeper mistakenly saunters out to get the ball not thinking I was onside, but unfortunately for her I was onside and I touch the ball around the keeper, who started running for the ball, leaving the net open so I basically just pass the ball into the net making it 5-1. Man I need to get use to this many people cheering because fuck they are loud. After I scored I turn and walk back to our half and wait for the whistle. 6 minutes later Japan scored to make it 5-2. Well that's ironic. Nothing else really happened the rest of the game. I thought I had another goal, but apparently I was offside.

After the whistle blew for full time I shook hands with some players around me then walked to the tunnel where I was met by Jill.

"Nice job today Cairo." She says while handing me water

"Thanks." I say after taking a drink.

"I just wanted to let you know you're starting the next game."

"Wow. Thank you so much. I won't let you down." I say and Jill nods and walks away. What the hell if my life now?

After my conversation with Jill I walk to the locker room and sit in my locker and take a few moments to cool down and get my breathing back to normal. After 5 minutes of sitting I start to get changed when a ball with the teams signatures is handed to me from Mal. I sign it then hand it to Alex since it looks like I'm the last one to sign it.

"I believe this belongs to you." I say to Alex who takes the ball from my outstretched hand.

"I believe so. Nice goal Cairo."

"Thanks. Nice hat trick. I need to start eating whatever you eat." The team laughs.

As I go to put my stuff in my bag to take to the bus I notice Mal looking at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"You okay Mal?" I ask the young forward.

"You're an odd person you know." She says and the team gets quiet again for some reason.

"How so?"

"Well for one you are very secretive with anything that has to do with your past."

"If you knew what I've been through you'd be secretive as well, but continue."