Chapter 1
She gazed out the window on her flight, taking in the sight of her old town below. She was moving across the country, to play for the team she's always dreamed to play for, the USWNT. She knew coming from college would be a big change, and she was still so nervous for such a new thing. “I am Christen Press, I can do anything..” She whispered to herself repeatedly, hoping to calm her nerves. Nothing worked. She decided to focus on other things.
Her music, her phone, her multiple bracelets on her wrist. She continued to scan her eyes almost everywhere, until her eyes landed on the girl next to her. For the first time, she couldn't look away. The way the girl was so sucked into whatever she was reading was adorable to Christen, and she couldn't help but stare. The other girl noticed this, and offered a slight smile to Christen, and Christen blushed in return. The two girls sat in an awkward silence before Christen spoke up.
“So, where are you headed?”
Ugh dumb Christen! You're on the same flight!
She started blushing furiously and the girl giggled and shook her head.
“Well, wherever you're headed. And I'm assuming that's Portland?” She asked, a smirk on her face.
Christen laughed, and asked if the girl had family there.
“ No, I play for the national team actually. You?”
Christen smiled. “ Me too!”
Tobin laughed. “ Seriously? That's awesome! I love that team.”
Christen proceeded to tell a girl that she came straight from Stanford. They talked about their soccer lives, and colleges when Christen realized something. She didn't know the girls game.
“ By the way, I'm Christen.”
She stuck out her hand for the girl to shake, but the girl declined and pulled her in for a hug instead.
“It’s Tobin. Tobin Heath. and I'm a hugger." Christen laughed. But inside her heart swelled, and her insides got all warm. Christen sat there in the hug and sighed dreamily. She realized what she was doing and blushed, quickly pulling away.
Tobin cleared her throat and continued, “So, what dorm are you in this camp?”
“6B. You?”
Tobin smiled a smile that could light up Portland. “No way! Me too! Now I’m hoping my last wish comes true.”
Other wish? Christen wondered.
“What’s that?” She asked.
“Are you a morning person?” Christen nodded in response.
“Great. Because tomorrow I’m going to show you all around Portland.”
Christen grinned and her body tingled where Tobin had touched her. Her heart beat rapidly, and she wanted to be as close to Tobin as she could get. She inched closer, and rested her arm on the arm rest, and Tobin noticed. As Christen fell asleep, Tobin slipped her arm around Christen and whispered, "I'm so glad you're here."
But little did Tobin know, Christen heard her.