Thank you, Kelley

Chapter 20

Meghan's POV:

The next few days are pretty uneventful but good. We spend a lot of time bonding, training, lifting, and some meetings about strategy for our game at the end of the 2 weeks of camp. We are playing Chile. I am really excited and I hope Jill will let me play again.

I wake up wrapped in Emily's arms like I have every day at this camp since my midnight panic attack. I really appreciate it and I haven't had another nightmare which is good.

I look at her beautiful face as she continues to sleep. The golden morning light shines through the shades and perfectly highlights her face. I just enjoy the moment. Laying there I realize that today is actually my birthday. I turn 17 today. Only one more year until I can move out and live my own life. I haven't told anybody on the team though.

Not that I am trying to hide it or anything just nobody really asked. And I'm not just gonna go around saying 'hey did you know it's my birthday?' cause that's just self-centered. I don't mind too much either. After my parents passed away Greg never let me celebrate it. I don't want to make a big deal out of it.

Soon Emily wakes up.

"Good Morning" I whisper to her.

"Hi" she responds, sleep still evident in her voice. We realize we have to get up soon to go down to breakfast. We have training this morning but then we have the rest of the afternoon off. We make our way down to the conference room that we have been using to eat in. Emily and I head over to a table with Kelley, Pinoe, Ash, Ali, and Alex. I put my sweatshirt down on the chair and leave my phone on the table. Emily and I then walk over and grab our food before starting back towards the table.

"Yo Meghan your phone keeps ringing," Pinoe says to me from across the room. It's probably Sophie calling to tell me Happy Birthday. She was the only one who would remember when we were back home. She was so sad when she found out I would be at camp on my birthday. I make my way over to the table but I'm not quick enough and Pinoe answers my phone.

"Wait no Pinoe," I say trying to stop her.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BITCH!'' Everyone at the table can hear Sophie yell through the phone. At this point, I am at the table and pull the phone out of Pinoes hand.

"Hi, Soph. Thank you" I say looking at the stunned and slightly sad faces in front of me. "Ya, I miss you too. Hey, I actually have to go right now. I promise I will call you later though and we can talk for a while ok?" I say to my phone. "Ok talk to you later. Bye." I hang up and sit down at the table of people still staring at me.

"It's your birthday?" Pinoe is the first one to speak.

"Yup" I replied.

The table responds with several happy birthday wishes.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Emily looks hurt that I didn't tell her.

"Nobody really asked..." I say quietly. "But I don't really care. I don't usually celebrate too much." I say. At this Kelley pulls me into a hug from the seat next to me. She knows exactly why I don't celebrate much. "Happy Birthday kid," she whispers to me through our hug.

Suddenly Pinoe and Ash get very excited.

"We are going out to celebrate tonight! We have the night off so we can go out."

"You know I'm only turning 17 right? I still can't drink." I say with a laugh knowing what they mean by wanting to go out and celebrate.

"Oh right," Ash says, a little defeated. Which causes her to receive a slap from Ali.

"We could go out to dinner though if you want Meghan." Ali gave a better suggestion.

"Ya that sounds good" I smile at Ali showing my appreciation for her better plan.