Saving The Day

26

"I love Holland, she's so extraordinary. I didn't see it at the time when she was young, her dad did. He took her the playground when she was just 3 years old, all the older kids were playing soccer; she was curious. When the ball rolled over to her, she picked it up, all the kids expected her to kick it to them. She threw it and it hit a kid in the eye" I laugh at the old memory of my baby girl throwing her first soccer ball. She had this determined face on her when she threw the ball, to me it was just something she would enjoy. I expected her to grow up and become a doctor or something in the trades.

"Afterwards, her dad went to a store and bought her a small soccer ball. He tried to get her to kick it and dribble. She would just pick it up and throw it." I tell the camera. Holland is very private about her life sometimes, so when she asked me to do this for her. I was shocked, but of course I was going to do it. They play a video from 2009 when she first put on the USA jersey.

"Holland has always been a determined person, if someone didn't believe in her; she didn't care. I wish I had that confidence, growing up I needed someone for validation. Holland validated herself, she doesn't play for the haters. She plays for herself, and those who have always believed in her. Your opinion on her doesn't matter to her, it's what she sees in herself." I tell the camera, it's always nice to say things about Holland. She truly is a all around amazing person. Always sticking up for herself and the underdogs, and she's compassionate. I admire that about her, and I'm proud to call her my daughter.

Holland POV

"Alex.. I Uh don't-" she cuts me off and hits my arm

"I'm fucking with you idoit" she tells me laughing "you should have seen your face" she says while laughing. I look at her with a blank expression.

"Oh come on Holly, that was good!" She tells me finally calming her laughter.

"I thought I was going to hurt you by letting you down dude, you know I would hate myself for hurting you" I tell her, she gives me about but leans over and kisses my cheek.

"You could never hurt me Holland" she gives me a genuine grin. "But there is something I wanted to tell you" now giving me a serious look.

"Tobin and I kissed the other night"

I was about to scream when she put her hand on my mouth. "Ta-mmlex" I mumble against her hand. She removes her hand.

"I didn't want to go out because, I knew Christen was going to be there. Tobin and I haven't talked about the kiss, and today.. she barely acknowledged me, instead she was hanging with Chris." Alex tells me sadly. I'm sisterly inxcint kicked in, and I pulled her in for a hug. She wrap her arm around my hip.

"When I see her I'm kick her ass"

"No Holly, I don't want her hurt" Alex responds. I shake my head, I look down to her and I kiss her forehead.

"I'll talk to her, and I'll set her straight.. well not straight straight" I try to add some humor to lighten her up. She playfully hits my forearm, I hear her  suppress a chuckle.

"I love you both you know"

Ashlyn's POV

We're eating at small restaurant. Enjoying each others company. Ali and Tobin sitting next to me. I receive a notification, and everyone else's phones ding too. I slide up on the notification.

"Former Goalkeeper for the US Women's National Team Hope Solo's thoughts on Holland Reed, and how her performance will be in this year's 2019 Women's World Cup"

"This isn't going to be good" Tobin speaks up. I nod and I click on the video.

"Holland is a good goalkeeper, if it was the NWSL. I don't think she truly has it in her to be prepared for such a big stage as the World Cup. I have no doubt, she will crack under pressure. I've trained along side her for years, I know what she's capable of, and I hope for the team that she pulls through. Despite our differences, I think she will make it in the group stage, past that.. well I just hope the Backline is as good as it is. Holland doesn't have it in her."

"Leave it to Hope to be the one to speak up about Holland"  Christen comments looking at her phone, probably watching the video too. I mean who isnt, I'm sure Holland has already seen it.

"Holland can get very physical when things don't go her way, I worry she'll do something out of context because she let in a goal. I'm sure Jill has tried her best to give Holland the experience of being in a high level role but this is Jill we're talking about. Jill and I have a good relationship, but I know she will also just crack under pressure. She heavily relies on others for the coaching, luckily the players on the team are phenomenal. Veterans like Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, and other players with experience."

I click off the video, not wanting to hear anymore. She always has something to say, and it sometimes fuels me.

"She's right about-"

"Don't finish that line Kelly" I comment to her

"I was going to say she's right about our team being good" she defends herself. I apologize to her for the quick outburst. I don't like when people talk bad about my friends, let alone someone who trains along side me. Holland may not have experience in a big stage like the World Cup, but I know with her we'll win.

Holland POV

My phone keeps going off, but I don't really budge. Alex and I are on my bed, and I'm coloring her nails as we watch a movie. Alex's phone goes off, and she quickly gets up and answers it.

"Wait what?" She says to whoever is on the otherside of the phone. She looks to me, and gives me a surprised look. I give her a questiong face back. She hangs up on the phone.

"Hope's talking smack about you on the media. Mostly about you, but also Jill"

Fantastic, thanks Hope for the drama this World Cup needed.