Grumpy boo

Lynn opened the door hoping against hope that her roommate will not be someone too overwhelming for her. When she get the call from Jill, she had her families back then to support and gave her words of encouragement. Here, in this hotel she was alone by herself and that thought alone bring back the nervous jitter to her body. Yes there will be other newbies besides her but she felt that she have more to prove since she was out of commission for a year due to her injury. It was a shocked really to get a call for the national camp in the first place and if she screwed this up she has nobody to blame but herself.

Since she was a young girl, it’s hard for her to get close with anyone else as she prefer to be left alone with her thought. Her parents was so worried about her social life that they registered her in any sports team that they can think of. Nothing stick until at the age of fifteen, she found out that she like the feeling of kicking a soccer ball into the back of the net. However, her social skills doesn’t improve much.

She knew some of her teammates thought that she was a stuck up and standoffish. But it doesn’t deter her to keep playing her best when she was on the field. When she was sidelined with injury in her senior year in college, only a handful of her teammate came over and visit her. They left her alone after they realised that she was better at playing soccer than having a simple conversation. Even though she was expecting it, she can’t help but felt disappointed how fast her teammate can just abandoned her.

When she joined the professional league, she made an effort to open up a little bit more. She was surprised that such a small step can bring a lot of differences in her life. To her surprised, her teammate seems to accept her quirky, introvert and awkward behavior easily. When her Flash teammate know how a simple social activity will drained her as if she was having a double day of practice, they made it a point to cut their meeting short just for her. If she really don’t have the energy to join them, Sam with her OCD nature even detailed down all the minute of the team meeting to make sure she was not being left out.

She know here at national level it was a different ball of game altogether. So she made all her preparations upfront to make sure she was ready. She already memorized all the players’ name, their likes and dislikes based on whatever material she found in the internet. However, with all her preparations, she never expected what happened next.

“Hello?” She greeted when she walked into the room.

Only silence greet her back. She took a big sigh of relief when she realised the room is empty. Okay, her roommate haven’t arrived yet so maybe she can get herself situated first. She was contemplating which side of the bed she wants to choose from when the door suddenly opened behind her.

“Hey…” Tobin greets before walking further into the room to put her luggage on the bed near the window.

“Hey..uh..I guess I’ll take this bed then.” She muttered softly under her breath.

Unknown to her, there was another person standing behind her and heard her soft muttering.

“Hey..Sorry, do you want that bed? Tobin can move my luggage if you want that side.” The voice said softly.

She turned around, her jaws wide agape at the piercing green eyes that stare directly into her soul. She was just standing there remain speechless with her jaws wide opened, star struck. Shit why do they put me in the same room with my idol on the first camp! Oh my god how am I supposed to function like a normal person and not like an eager fan around her? Shit…you need to be cool Lynn! Remain cool! Oh Shit! She’s looking at me funny now. Talk Lynn talk! Her inner voice scream.

“Lynn?” Christen asked again. Her eyes turned to worry when the younger girl just stare at her with her mouth opened.

Oh god, she knows my name! She felt like she wants to jump in glee. Eeeeeekkk. And now it’s getting weird! Talk Lynn talk!

“You are way much hotter up close.” When she saw Christen eyes widen, she know she just said it out loud.

Shitt……Oh god..Please god let the floor opened up and swallowed me whole. She felt a warmth blush started to cover her cheeks.

“Sor..” Before she can apologized, Christen just let out a small chuckles and just shrugged her shoulder.

“Thanks, I guess.”

“Ermm…you’re welcome. Really it’s fine….Wow even her smile is beautiful...” Lynn continued then turned back around shockingly while trying to cover her mouth.

“Wait..sorry. I’m not supposed to say that out loud.” She tried to apologise again.

Christen’s eyes twinkled in amusement.

“Hey..Lynn. Take a deep breath. Don’t be nervous. It’s just me.”

“So you want this side or what?” Tobin spoke up suddenly.

Both players turned to face the midfielder. One with raised eyebrows and another with surprised face at the impatient tone she heard.

“No..no its okay. I know she would prefer the one beside the window.” Lynn replied back sheepishly.

The midfielder’s eyes widen and she took a threatening step toward her.

“How would you know that?”

Shit…Did she read wrongly? “Erm..I think I read it somewhere before.”

Yes she know everything about her idol. She knows Christen like to do yoga and her meditation early in the morning. She also knows how the forward loved her dogs so much that she treats them like her own children. And the best of all is that Christen identified herself as an introvert too. That was the main reason why Christen is her favorite player amongst the rest of the players in the team. It made her feel that maybe as an introvert she too can be successful like her idol, introvert and all.

Before Tobin can asked further, Christen interrupted.

“Tobin, come on. You need to go already, remember? Alex waiting for you downstairs.” Christen reminded her.

The midfielder continues with her stare and Lynn started to fidget with her hand uncomfortably.

“Tobin…” The forward took step forward and offered her hand invitingly.

When Tobin took the offered hand and both made a move towards the door, Lynn took a deep breath of relief. Wow, am I seeing things or did Tobin really look like she was going to punch me? Lynn thought to herself at the same time trying to pretend she was busy rummaging through her backpack so as not to appear like she was eavesdropping on the conversation by the door.

“Thanks for bringing up my luggage.” She heard Christen said.

“No worries. It’s not that heavy.” Tobin replied back softly.

“So…I’ll see you at lunch, okay?”

Lynn didn’t hear any respond but from the corner of her eyes she saw Christen leaned close and leave a small kiss on Tobin’s cheek. Tobin meanwhile let out a soft smile, point to her other cheek and after Christen complied with the silent request, the midfielder then walked out of the room whistling happily. Wow, they really seem to be very close.

Lynn stood back facing Christen when the forward walked back into the room.

“Just to warn you, I’m a morning person. So you need to bear with me in this camp.” Christen started.

Lynn gave a small chuckled.

“Well, I don’t mind. Erm..but don’t think this is weird or something but maybe you will. Of course this is weird. But..erm..I just erm..”

“Okay…okay..I really need you to take a deep breath now. I don’t want you to pass out or anything.” Christen reminded her calmly.

She followed Christen’s instruction. After getting her breath to calm back down, she spoke again.

“Erm..the thing is, the airport seem to misplace my luggage. They said they’ll send it here when they get a hold of it. But…so do you know where I can buy clothes or something? I mean I’ve never been here before so I’m not sure…but if you are not sure too it’s okay. Maybe I can asked the guy at the lobby. Most probably I just need it only for tonight then…” She stopped when Christen put up her hand.

“Wow..that was a not a good first national camp experience. But seriously, don’t worry we can go out later to get you something.”

“So..erm what are we supposed to do today?”

“Well, usually Jill let us chill on the first day. There’ll be a brief meeting tonight on what we gonna do for the rest of the camp. Each of us will be given a schedule. But don’t you worry, roomie. You just stick with me and you’ll be fine.” Christen assured her.

“Thanks.” Lynn replied back gratefully.

The next two hours they spend the time getting to know each other better. She was surprised that Christen can be such a funny person too. It was such a relief to know that from whatever she read about her idol, she was hundred percent much better person in real life. Christen is genuinely nice and kind person through and through. Even though she was a bit star struck at first, now she know that Christen is just a normal person that play because of her passion and love for soccer of which she can really relates. Their conversation however was interrupted when there was a loud grumbled coming from her stomach.

“Well, I think we better feed you. Come on lets go meet the rest of the team.”

She was laughing at another one of Christen attempt at joke when they were walking into the lunch hall. When she accidently snort out loud, Christen infectious laugh rang out beside her.

“Oh God…that joke was really bad. I don’t know why I’m laughing.” Lynn stated.

“Oh but that’s what made it funny you see. I’m really glad that you can get a good laugh even at my bad jokes. The others sometimes just laugh because they don’t want to hurt my feelings.” Christen chuckled softly.

Yes she understand that feeling very well. She sometimes got the same treatment from her friends too. She didn’t know where it came from but she felt a bit protective of Christen after she heard that.

“Eh I’m weird that way. As long as I’m here don’t worry you’ll always have someone to laugh at your bad jokes.” Lynn proclaimed loudly.

Christen smile widen. Their interaction again interrupted this time from someone calling over Lynn’s name excitedly. When she turned around, she saw Sam waving her arms over invitingly. But she was uncertain of her next move. She shouldn’t abandoned her roommate the moment someone called for her attention right? That’s so rude? Am I supposed to stick to my roomie on my first day? Before her thoughts can go rampant again, Christen made the decision for her.

“Go..go on..go mingle with the young’s one table. I’ll be fine at boring senior table there.” Christen pointed to the other table.

She followed the direction of Christen’s pointing finger and felt a slight panic when she saw a glare from a pair of brown eyes directly looking back at her. She blinked and the glare doesn’t change a bit. Shit…is Tobin mad at me or something? She just nodded her head absently when Christen kept on talking beside her but she doesn’t registered anything because the glaring eyes never blinked away at all. When it became too uncomfortable she cleared her throat and turned towards the forward.

“Erm okay, Chris..maybe I should go see what Sam want already. See you later.” She didn’t know whether the forward has finished talking or not but she just want to be out of the way from the glaring brown eyes.

“Okay…see you later roomie!” Christen replied back happily oblivious to her roomie’s internal struggled.

Lynn tried to shrug off the uncomfortable feeling she had. It was lessened a bit when she was suddenly enveloped with a warm hug from Sam after she reaches her friend’s table.

“Hey ya Lynn! I’m glad you are here already! So what do you think? Isn’t this neat? Who’s your roommate? I’m so stoked you are here for camp already!” The tall midfielder exclaimed jumping up and down.

Well nobody can claimed that Sam’s not excited to see her.

“Wow Sam. Take a deep breath there. Maybe you should let the girl breathe first.” Moe reminded her tall friend.

While Moe and Sam joking around with each other, Lynn stole a glance at the other table. She saw Christen already sat down in between Alyssa and Tobin and she seems to have quite an interesting conversation with the keeper from the way her hands was flying around. She smiled when she saw the gestures. Oh it was the same thing she will do when she was excited during her conversation too. She turned back towards the occupants on her table when Moe tapped her on the shoulder.

“Don’t tell me…you’re rooming with Press?”

“Oh god you will be in for a wild ride.” Emily piped up.

“But she really seems nice to me!” She defended her roommate.

She doesn’t think her new teammates were so judgmental but she can be wrong. Her stomach made another grumbled before she can added further.

“Wait Em didn’t mean it that way. Come on let’s get you something to eat first and you can eat while we explain.” Sam invited.

Lynn piled up the food high on her plate. She really was hungry. When she heard Christen laughter rang out she can’t help but glance at the forward’s table again. This time around she noticed that Tobin was leaning comfortably close against Christen which bordering overbearing but the forward doesn’t seem to mind at all. Which was really surprising to her because that was a big NO for an introvert person.

Sam nudged her back towards the table and they were eating silently beside each other before she dare to broach up the subject again.

“Erm about what you guys mentioned about Chris just now? Can someone explain to me?”
Three pair of eyes watched her in surprise before Moe started to speak up.

“Well, first of all, don’t call her that. That was specifically reserved to her close friend only.”

Lynn raised her eyebrows questioningly.

“But why? She doesn’t seem to mind when I called her that in our room just now.”

She tried to recall the forward reaction earlier but she really didn’t think that Christen is uncomfortable when she used that nickname.

“It’s not Press that you should be worried about. It’s the girl beside her.” Emily added.

“Who? You mean Alyssa? I met her in the earlier. She’s was really nice too.”

“Owh you are so naïve...You have a lot to learn, Lynn. Let me give you a hint. When you saw Chris for the first time, who was she with?” Sam asked.

“You mean Tobin?” She still didn’t get what the other three players trying to tell her.

“Yes! Ok that’s one point for you there. Then you see who sat beside Press now?” Sam asked again.

“Tobin?”

“Ding ding ding! Give the girl a medal for getting it right the first time.” Moe said jokingly.

“Wait is that why Tobin was glaring at me just now? Is it because of a Christen’s nickname?”

“Oh god, what did you do? She usually doesn’t give her famous glare until a few days later in the camp. Even Lindsey got it on the third day.” Sam said excited to hear a new gossip.

“I didn’t do anything, I swear!”

“What are we talking about?” Chrystal asked as soon as she joined the table.

“Lynn’s roommate.” Emily answered.

“Oh…what about her?”

“It’s Christen…” Sam whispered softly like it was really a secret.

“Oh…this is gold.” The small defender said. “Is that why Tobin kept glaring at this table?” She continued.

“What?” Lynn quickly turned her head around but the midfielder was busy scrolling through her phone.

The rest of the occupants erupted into laughter after seeing her reactions.

“Relax..she’s just joking. So what’s the update?” Emily asked this time.

“Nothing much. Newbie here, called Press by her nickname.” Moe quoted her fingers when she said that.

“Wow…well, Lynn you need to get greenlight from Tobin first if you want to call her that.” Chrystal started to explain.

“That’s what we are trying to explain to her.”

Lynn just nodded her head even though it was really confusing to her. What’s so special about that name either way? But if that can make her go back onto Tobin’s good side she will do it.

“Okay..I can do that.” She agreed.

“The next step you need to do is not to get too handsy or huggy with Press there. Believe me I’ve made that mistake once and I have sprained ankle the next day.” Moe added as if Lynn never said anything.

“Yeah…Tobin is a bit territorial when it comes to Press.” Sam interjected.

“I noticed earlier. They seem very close. Are they a couple?” She stated.

The table erupted into laughter again.

“No. If you asked them they will say no but let me gives you a clue here, Lynn. They are really and I mean really super damn close. But they do behave like one especially Tobin and we all had a bet on the day when they both actually admitted it. So don’t even think of looking at Press the wrong way or you will feel Tobin’s wrath upon you.” Emily said again.

She gulped hard. Wow it sounds really serious. She was really grateful that they can give her a heads up on this. She really doesn’t want to get into anybody’s bad side before she even got the chance to play in the game. She let it ran through her mind while she finished her lunch. Her thoughts were interrupted however when she heard her name being called again. Oh my god… it’s Chris…no..Press, she corrected herself quickly.

“Hey Lynn! You okay here? Are they giving you a hard time?” Christen fake glare to the rest of the players when she neared the table.

“Yeah..yeah…we are really scared of you, Press! Wooo…” Moe teased back.

Lynn just shook her head. “Nah…don’t worry. They were nice.”

“Well Tobin and I plan to go try out the new coffee shop downtown later. Jill said we can take the team van. So you guys wanna join us? Maybe after we can get your things too.” Christen suggested.

“I’m in! I heard the new cafe sell Macaroon too.” Moe jumped in.

“Well, I’m not gonna refused a good coffee.” Crystal added.

Sam said yes to the invite so Lynn nodded her head too. Emily though just shook her head.

“Nah..I need a nap. You guys can go ahead.”

“Okay I’ll meet you guys at the lobby around 4? Lynn, I’ll be hanging out in Tobin’s room in the meantime.”

“You ready Chris?” Tobin spoke up from behind her.

Lynn quickly averted her eyes from Christen when she heard Tobin’s voice. Better make herself as invisible as possible. Christen looked at her curiously but before she can say anything, Tobin voice rang out again.

“Chris?” This time there was no mistaken the impatient tone in the midfielder’s voice.

She stared at the retreating pair. She watched as Tobin let her arms rest at the forward’s waist part holding part guiding her out of the hall.

“Yeap…good job there, Lynn. Tobin never looked this mad before.” Sam said jokingly.

“Hey..don’t look so worried. Tobin is harmless and if you are really not comfortable you can just tell Press. She know how to handle Tobin if it’s get too much for you. This was not the first time it happened either way.” Emily offered kindly.

Christen POV

Once they reached the midfielder’s room, Christen was lounging on Tobin’s bed scrolling through her messages while the midfielder busy rummaging through her luggage.

“Chris..did you see my jacket?”

“I thought you bring it with you?”

“I meant the black one.”

“Oh then you should ask me caused that’s my jacket. It’s in my luggage. Why?”

“I just want to wear it later.” Tobin just shrugged her shoulder.

“What’s wrong with yours?”

“Huh?”

“You can just wear yours right? We are not going for a fancy dinner or anything. I’m sure the café is fine to let you in even though your jacket doesn’t match the rest of your outfit.” Christen teased.

“If you don’t want to lend it to me you can just said so.” Tobin grumbled under her breath.

Christen raised her eyebrows when she heard that. Uh oh something is wrong.

“I didn’t say that. Why are you in such a bad mood?” Christen asked back quietly.

Tobin ignored the question and continued to rummage through her luggage this time looking for her own jacket.

“Tobin?” Christen persisted.

“Nothing! Nothing is wrong. Everything is peachy. We just arrived here at the camp. What could go wrong?” Tobin rambled on.

“When you rambled like that, I know there’s something wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong!” Tobin insisted with petulant voice.

Christen walked closer, kneeled down beside her and ran her hand through the midfielder’s back soothingly.

“Hey..come on. You know you can tell me anything. I don’t like it when you are like this.”

“I don’t like it too.” Tobin started when she turned to face Christen.

“Okay, that’s a start. Now tell me what’s making you unhappy like this?”

“I don’t like Lynn.” Tobin confessed.

Christen raised her eyebrows. “Erm..I don’t understand..we just met her.”

“Well when you walked into the hall earlier, it doesn’t seem that you just know her. You were like the best of friends, already.”

“She was just laughing at my joke. Apparently she can relate to my bad joke.” Christen smiled when she remembered her earlier conversation with Lynn at the hall.

“I can understand your joke! She’s not the only one!” Tobin defended herself.

“Hey..hey..I’m not saying you are not. I know that sometimes you laugh because you don’t want me to feel bad. But with Lynn, she’s different. We totally clicked.” She explained.

“Well if you say so, it’s settled then.” Tobin just shrugged her shoulder.

Christen sighed and pulled the still pouting face towards her.

“She’s actually very nice. I’m sure you gonna like her too.”

“You know I don’t like to share you with someone else.” Tobin just shook her head at the forward’s suggestion.

Christen eyes widen comically, oh yeah how can she forget about this peculiar behavior from Tobin. At first she felt uncomfortable with how territorial or possessive Tobin seems to be with her but after a while she know that the midfielder doesn’t meant her any harm. Tobin just doesn’t like to share her with someone else and to be honest, she secretly love the attention given by the midfielder. So she let it go and chooses to ignore it whenever her teammate commented about it. While it sure didn’t surprised her that this issue has come up again, what surprised her is that it happened so early in the camp.

“Can you tell me why? You just met her a few hours ago. If you get to know her maybe you’ll feel better.” Christen kept her tone neutral.

“She really like you. I think she have a crush on you.”

“Erm.. I don’t know where you get that idea but she was not…” before she can finished her sentence, Tobin added further.

“I know that look. I have the same look when I first saw you in camp few years ago.” Christen can’t help but felt her heart aflutter when she heard that admission.

“You know you don’t have anything to be worried about right? I’ve told you before. No one else can take me away from this thing we have together. I love that we can cuddled whenever we hang out together without having to question it. Nothing can change that.” Christen assured the midfielder.

“And she called you hot too.” Tobin mumbled out softly.

Christen chuckled softly.

“Well will it help if I said I don’t have any feeling whatsoever for her? This may sound shocking to you but I do tend to like someone that can nutmeg people left and right during her free time. You know anyone that can fit that criteria?” She teased the midfielder.

Tobin grinned widely.

“Yeah..you are right. Maybe I’m being ridiculous right now but I just don’t like it.”

“Well you want me to uninvited her or something? I’ll do that if it’s make you uncomfortable. I want you to be happy.”

“Nah..you like to meet new people. It’s okay. As long as she didn’t do anything out of the line.”

“Wow…Miss Heath I didn’t know that there’s a rule on how my friendship works. What does that mean?”

“Well she can’t kiss you like this.” Tobin replied back cheekily before she leaned and placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

When Tobin leaned back she smiled at the flushed cheek appeared on Christen’s face.

“And…she can’t make out with you like this.” Tobin then proceed to let her hands roamed under the forward’s shirt while she started to nip at Christen’s neck.

Christen just moaned out loud as a reply. Tobin stopped when she heard that her eyes turned black. She pulled the forward up.

“Get on the bed. It’s time I show them who you belong too.” Tobin growled.

“But…Allie..” Christen tried to protest even though her body was throbbing in desire.

“I already told her to leave us alone a few hours. It’s enough time right?” Tobin said before she jumped on the forward.

Needless to say, when they both went down to meet the rest of the girls few hours later, Lynn was shock speechless when Tobin just greet her happily. Christen was wearing a long turtleneck, her face flushed red and Tobin just smirked happily beside her.

“Welp..Lynn I think it’s safe to say that your problem have been averted at the moment.” Chrystal said softly when Lynn just gaped at the pair.