The Known (On Hold)

69

Charlotte spends the next few days absorbing the news of her call up while sorting out the details of how she is going to balance her schoolwork while being away for an undetermined amount of time. Thankfully, she doesn't have to look any further than her Stanford teammate, Tierna Davidson, for some guidance.

When finally the day comes for them to catch their flight out for camp, Charlotte is a complete ball of nerves, and Mal does her best to calm her and keep her going.

"Babe, we need to keep moving, or else we are going to miss our ride to the airport."

Charlotte does a final check around and then zips up her suitcase before ensuring that she has everything she needs in her carryon. She pulls her suitcase out to the door and hears Mal yell from the kitchen, "Did you remember to pack your glasses?"

"Damn it." She hears laughing as she heads back into the bedroom to retrieve the case with her glasses inside and adds them to her bag.

Mal wraps her arms around her, and they kiss before separating and smiling at each other, "You ready to go?"

Charlotte smiles and nods before sliding her bag on her back and grabbing the handle of her rolling suitcase, "Let's go."

They are met out in front of the building by Tierna and AJ as the Stanford keeper is nominated to be the groups' chauffeur for the trip to the airport. It also gives her time to say goodbye to her girlfriend as well before she leaves.

Arriving in the early afternoon at Orlando International Airport, they are all hoping to be able to grab something to eat as it's past lunchtime. They disembark and await their bags' arrival on the belt before being met by a rep from the US Federation.

"Are we heading to the hotel now?"

"There are a couple of  other players arriving soon; why don't you drop your bags and grab a coffee or something while you wait."

Charlotte hears that and nods, "Let's go; I'm starving!"

"When aren't you hungry, Charlie?"

"After I've just eaten, that's when, T, and I kinda didn't eat much breakfast; now, what's good to eat here?"

They check out the options before deciding to grab sandwiches and some drinks, hoping that there will be a better spread when they arrive at the hotel.

Finishing up the food, they make their way back over to where the rep is waiting and see two very familiar faces standing there as well.

Charlotte stands off to the side, slightly in awe of being in the same presence of Alex Morgan and Allie Long.

"You okay, Charlie?" Charlotte turns to look at Tierna and nods, "Yeah, thanks."

"Babe? You good?" Charlotte nods, "Yeah."

"Do you want me to introduce you officially?"

Charlotte laughs, "I think I can manage that much, but thanks for the offer."

Charlotte approaches the players, "Hey, I'm Charlotte Gordon, but you can call me Charlie or C.J."

"Stanford, right?"

Charlotte smiles and nods, and Alex gives her a serious look, "The same Stanford that beat my Bruins?"

"Umm, yeah, sorry about that."

Alex starts laughing, "Don't worry about it, just meant I had to listen to Kelley go on about how Stanford was so much better than UCLA."

"Well, we are," Charlotte responds, making them all laugh.