[DISCONTINUED] SuperNova | USWNT

15 - First Impressions

After everyone introduced themselves, we talked for a little while, getting to know each other better. Well, them getting to know me. I told them the bare minimum, not wanting to go into detail about my problems back home. Family and money were touchy subjects and I didn't quite trust them enough to even discuss these things yet. But, they were all super friendly and they did a great job of making me feel welcomed. I could tell we were all going to be good friends eventually.

As it got later, the four girls left, giving me and Mal the room to start unpacking. After I finished, I sat down at the desk in the corner of the room. There, in front of me, was a brand new laptop. Noticing how nice it was, I, again, couldn't help but feel guilty. I was never good at accepting gifts, and this was no cheap one, but I knew it was only temporary. I knew that, soon enough, I would be returning it to its rightful owner. Accepting this made me feel a little less uncomfortable about using it without earning it myself.

After flipping the screen up and logging on, I opened a web-browser and downloaded the Skype app. Riley told me her username beforehand so I would be able to call her phone and talk to my sister. I plugged in my old headphones, that I've managed to keep for several years, and started the Skype video call.

The call lasted about half an hour and it basically consisted of my best friend and my sister telling me how much they missed me. They'd occasionally let me talk, but since I didn't have much to tell them yet, I let them do most of the talking. Eventually, Riley reluctantly hung up, sending a final 'goodbye' and 'good luck' after I told them I had a team meeting to go to.

I sighed and leaned back into my chair after closing the laptop. Mal was laying on her bed, typing away on her phone. I stared at her for a second, debating if now was a good time to ask her a question or if I should just let it go. She must've felt my eyes on her because she looked over with her eyebrows raised. "Are you gonna ask whatever it is you want to know, or are you gonna just stare at me all day?" Even though my stare was completely innocent, I couldn't stop the blush that spread across my cheeks.

"Sorry, I uh..." I paused for a moment to try and form the right words. "What are they like... the other players, I mean." I asked and she contemplated her answer for a moment, her hand holding her chin in thought. I wasn't gonna lie, it was pretty adorable. She looked so young.

"I was in your shoes just a few months ago and I was nervous at first too, but, overall, everyone is super nice." As she was talking, I moved to sit in my bed across from her, making sure to pay close attention to the information she was giving me. "Everyone has their own personalities, obviously. Like Kelley O'Hara, she seems intimidating when you first meet her, but she is the most childish person I know. She loves hanging around the younger players. And Carli Lloyd, I expected her to be stuck-up or arrogant, because you know, her being a legend and all, but anyway, she's so chill and friendly. Well, not as chill as Tobin Heath, of course. And Christen Press, she's pretty cool. Super nice too." I was trying to keep up, but the only name she said that sounded even vaguely familiar was Tobin Heath, and that's only because my sister is obsessed with her.

Mal eventually stopped talking and looked over at me. She knew something was up and asked, "Do you know who any of those people are?" Her head was tilted a little to one side and her eyes were wide open, like I was the craziest person for not knowing the members of the USWNT.

"Uh, I think I know who Tobin Heath is, but the rest... not so much." I answered honestly. My lack of knowledge seemed to have shocked her so much that she jumped out of her bed to stand right in front of me.

"Wait, so you don't know any of the players, besides Tobin Heath?" She questioned me again and I shook my head with a shrug. "Do you even watch TV?" I was just about to make up a lie when we heard a knock on the hotel room door.

Mal immediately went to open it. I heard a few greetings being exchanged between Mal and her friends. Then, out of nowhere, an unfamiliar voice asked, "Where's the rookie? Is she in there?" There was a pause and I could faintly hear my roommate mumble a 'yeah'. The voice then seemed to raise an octave out of excitement. "I want to see her!" She said and before I could even process her response, a small girl with brown hair and beautiful features came bounding into the room. Her over abundance of energy and her bubbly aura immediately reminded me of my best friend, Riley.

"Hi?" I offered as she just stood there, her eyes examining my entire body and then finally landing on my face. She seemed to have a permanent smile on her face. "I'm Casey... and you are?" I attempted to engage in conversation with her as she continued to stare me down.

She turned her head towards the few other girls that had now gathered in the room and began talking openly about me, like I wasn't standing two feet away from her. "Wow, well-mannered. I like it. Plus, she's tall and attractive... Alex might have a run for her money." I was confused and blushing at this point. Why is she acting as if I'm not in the room. And, who's Alex? "Although, she seems a little impatient. And, she could use a little help with her wardrobe. I'm not going for the whole 'skater' vibe. So outdated." I look down at my clothes, feeling a little self conscious. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see how well she can play, then we will know what we're dealing with." She concluded, like I was some sort of circus animal that needed judging. The rest of the girls were just nodding their heads or humming in agreement after every comment.

"What?" I didn't even know how to react at this point, I was just frozen with confusion and embarrassment. Was she really this judge mental? I hope the rest of the players aren't like her, I'm not sure I could handle the bluntness. Then, all of the sudden, the girl in front of me burst into laughter. My confusion grew as the girls behind her joined in.

"I was totally joking, dude." She walked up to me and held out her hand. "I'm Kelley O'Hara, the official prankster of the group. This is just something I do to the new kids, make them feel uncomfortable and all." So this is the Kelley that Mal was telling me about. She sure wasn't exaggerating when she called her childish. I placed my hand in hers, beginning to shake, but ended up being pulled in for a hug. "Sorry about that, I didn't mean any of it." She said seriously and I just laughed it off. Then, lowering her voice, she whispered, "Besides the part about you being attractive." She leaned out of the hug, giving a subtle wink and a smirk, making me blush once more, this time for a different reason. This girl exuded confidence and it was kind of intimidating.

"Casey, this is the Kelley O'Hara. You know, the one I told you about earlier?" Mal reminded me and Kelley quickly butted in.

"Aw, you told her about your favorite person? I'm honored." She gushed at Mal, ruffling her hair. Mal just pushed her away, making Kelley turn back to me. "All good things, I hope?" She asked, showing her smile again.

"Well, she did say you could be intimidating at first. Which, I totally understand now." This caused Kelley to look over at Mal and chuckle. "Although, I'd say your first impression isn't the best. Unless you plan on having all the new girls hate you." I was only slightly joking, because, honestly I was starting to get the sense that she was a jerk when she started judging my wardrobe out loud.

Lindsey started laughing and said, "That's pretty accurate. I thought Kelley was a bitch for the longest time." Everyone else started laughing at her brutal honesty, besides Kelley.

"Same." Rose and Sam agreed simultaneously.

"I mean, most of the new girls will just walk out." Sonnett admitted. "Although, you remember how Crystal reacted?" I could see the other girls faces start to grow in amusement.

"Yeah. She backhanded me across the face." Kelley chuckled for a moment and then a flash of realization came across her, turning her smile into a frown. "Damn, am I really that bad?" She asked and the girls around the room all nodded.

"Like, 'Regina George level' bad." Rose added and I laughed at her reference, along with Mal.

"Man, now I gotta think of a different way to prank the rookies." Kelley concluded and I wanted to laugh again. Why doesn't she just say 'Hi' and introduce herself? It would be much less work. But, I guess she is the teams 'official prankster'.

Before anyone could start up another conversation, there was a tap on the door and a voice yelling. "Team meeting!" And, so we all exited the room and started our way to the elevator. Kelley was mumbling something about scaring the recruits when they enter their hotel rooms and I was suddenly glad I only had to deal with uncomfortable criticism.

This was gonna be an interesting week.