Thank you, Kelley

Chapter 16

Meghan's POV:

Our win against Australia put the whole team in a great mood. We all end up going out to dinner together after the game in order to celebrate. We all appreciated the time to hang out as we all leave tomorrow. Our next camp isn't for another 3 weeks so we all soak up the time together while we can.

Sooner than I want, it is the next morning and everyone is getting ready to leave. We all prop our doors to the hallway open so people can stop by and say goodbye. Emily's flight back to Portland is at 2 pm so we spend the day hanging out in our room with a few others. I desperately don't want to be separated from her and the other girls. This week and a half has been a dream and I feel like by going home I am going to wake up and I really don't want to.

Kelley and Emily tried to convince me to go back and stay with one of them but I declined. I know Greg will come looking for me at some point. I mean who is he going to beat up if I'm not around? They begrudgingly agree to let me go back home. They said they are going to call every day until we get back to camp which I think is a little overkill but I will be happy to have people to talk to.

Kelley is staying here in DC in her apartment for a few nights before going back to Utah. She is forcing me to stay with her tonight and I will make the 10-hour drive back home tomorrow but I am grateful to get to spend another day with her.

Soon it's time to say goodbye to Emily.

"Ok. I have to go now but we are going to talk every night whether you like it or not. Ok? I'm gonna miss you" She pulls me into a hug.

"Yup. I'm gonna miss you too..." I don't know what to say to her. I can't say what I want to, which is 'I love you'. I also want to thank her for being here for me but from the look in her eyes, she seems to have read my mind.

"You're gonna be ok. And if you're not, call one of us ok."

"Ya, thank you again for everything. Goodby Em."

We finally have to pull away from the hug and she leaves the room. I flop back onto the bed. I then hear footsteps and then the bed dips next to me. I am now face to face with Kelley.

"Hi, Kel."

"Hi. You good?"

"Not really. I miss her already and it hasn't even been two minutes." I say telling the truth.

"Ya, but it will be ok. You'll see her in three weeks."

"Mmm," I hum in response. I know it's going to feel like the longest three weeks of my life.

"So when are you going to admit your feelings to her." This statement caught me completely off guard and I can feel myself blushing.

"Ahhh..... I don't know. I'm not really ready for anything yet."

"Ya, that's understandable. You know that she will wait for you though right? I can tell how much she loves you."

"Ya..." I replied again. There are so many thoughts in my head at this point that I can't even think straight. If it comes up I will tell her but I'm not feeling any rush at the moment.

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Kelley and I have a good night at her apartment just hanging out and enjoying each other's company. The next morning we both get up relatively early as I have to make the drive home all in one go this time. Kelley makes some pancakes for breakfast which is very nice of her.

"Thanks for the pancakes mom," I say jokingly.

She frowns at first but then just laughs at me.

"So where is the next camp again?" I question.

"Umm Orlando I think"

"Ohh" disappointment is evident in my voice.

"Why?"

"I was just thinking about how I am going to get there. I'll have to drive it all at once. Maybe I can find a Walmart halfway so that I can sleep in their parking lot." Kelley looks at me in confusion.

"Why are you not just flying?"

"Umm... I can't afford a ticket." I say the embarrassment evident in my voice. Her face softens at this.

"Oh, Meghan. I can pay for your plane ticket. I don't want you driving the whole way to Orlando. I'll get it all set up and text you the details."

"Wait no I can't ask you to do that."

"But you didn't ask so it's ok. I promise it's all good. The NWSL actually pays their best player pretty well." I giggle at her assessment of how good she is.

"Are you sure Kelley."

"Yes!" I can see the determination in her eyes and I know I'm not going to win this so I actually agree.

"Kel?"

"Ya?" she responds from the other side of the kitchen as she cleans up the dishes.

"I've never been on a plane." the anxiousness I feel about this is present in my voice. At this Kelley stops what she is doing and turns around to face me.

"Oh, it's all good. It's not as scary as it sounds. It is definitely a weird feeling the first time you do it but it will be fine. I can talk to Alyssa though. Sometimes before camp, she goes back home and then flies out of Boston. I can see if I can get you guys on the same flight."

"Ya?" I question. "I don't want to be a burden."

"Nah you won't be. I'll get it all figured out!"

With that, it is time for me to get on the road. We say our goodbyes and I thank Kelley for the millionth time for everything she has and is doing for me. Soon I'm on the road. The drive back is slow and boring.