Surprise Meetings
*Victoria’s POV*
I jumped when I felt someone nudge my shoulder. I looked up to see the bus driver peering down at me. “We’re at the bus station here in Rochester.” He said in a gravelly voice, obviously telling me to get off of his bus.
I nodded, giving him a smile in thanks as I grabbed my backpack and duffel bag that held everything from the last 3 weeks that I had spent at the camp. I walked out of the bus, and was met by the familiar site of the streets of Rochester out the windows. I sighed as I sat down to wait for my bus to Buffalo, my home city.
After about 15 minutes the bus to Elma came, and I climbed on, not wanting to wait another 3 hours for a different bus, besides, it was a nice day, and it wasn't a very long walk.
As soon as I settled down onto my seat, my phone buzzed. I flipped it open, and couldn't help but smile at the text I had gotten from Steph. Though I still rolled my eyes at the contact name she had given herself in my phone.
From: BEST BIG SIS EVER: We miss you already kid!! Keep your head up for us! I know we'll see you again soon!
I laughed at the picture she had attached of her and Allie pouting
To: BEST BIG SIS EVER and ALLIECAT AKA THE REAL BEST BIG SIS: I miss you annoying people, and I hope so.
From:ALLIECAT AKA THE REAL BEST BIG SIS: No need to hope, we know you'll get called up, even if you're the youngest, your game slays! Also, text us when you get home.
I rolled my eyes, but smiled I texted her back, telling her I would. The bus ride seemed to go very fast, as I texted the 2 weirdos the whole time. I looked up when the bus stopped, grabbing my bag, preparing myself for the long walk home. I hummed as I walked, looking up now and then to see families smiling and joking with each other, and groups of friends laughing, chasing each other down the streets.
I frowned, not for the first time wishing things could be different. That I could be like that. I shook my head as I crossed the street, trying to get rid of the unshed tears that were obscuring my vision. Suddenly a car horn beeped loudly, and I jumped, blinded by lights in my already bleary eyes.
“Hey!” A voice called out angrily, I sniffled and I looked at the ground where I had dropped my bag, my body starting to shake,, the shock making my sadness and fear worse.
I heard a car door close loudly, and I tensed up as I heard heavy footsteps approach me, “Hey, it’s okay. Are you alright kid?” The oddly familiar voice asked, their tone now soft, a hand moving to awkwardly pat my shoulder, which was probably meant to be comforting.
I shyly looked up, and my eyes probably just about popped out of their sockets, seeing Abby wambach standing there in workout clothes. She must have just come from practice with The Flash.
I just looked at her, not knowing what I do. It’s not like I can talk to her, and telling my idol that I’m a mute and her thinking I’m a freak is the last thing I want to happen. The thought made my eyes water a little more, and Abby rubbed her neck uncomfortably, her eye showing slight panic.
“Hey, it’s okay kid, I’m really sorry for yelling. I was just afraid I was going to hurt you.” Abby said, keeping her tone soft, she looked at my bag, and at my tired eyes, and seemed to get an idea.
“Why don’t I give you a ride home. You don’t look like you’re in the right state of mind to be walking around anyway.” Abby said.
She waited a second for me to voice my approval or disapproval, but when she didn’t get an answer, she just grabbed my bag, and started walking the few feet to her black jeep, which was now pulled up to the curb. She set my bag in the backseat, and then shut the door, turning to look back at me.
“Come on kid, let’s get you home.” She said.
I shrugged, but I knew from the look in her eyes that she wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I timidly walked up to her car and looked up at her. She nodded encouragingly, her blue eyes on mine as I looked at the door handle. I opened it and sat down on the surprisingly comfortable seat and buckled up my seatbelt.
Once Abby saw I was buckled up, she started the car, carefully pulling out onto the street. We drove in silence for a while until Abby quickly turned her head toward me, keeping open eye on the road.
“So where are we headed kid?” She asked, probably thinking it was weird I hadn’t talked yet.
I tried to swallow the panic that was threatening to bubble over as I shakily reached for my phone, knowing that I shouldn’t try to make Abby read the pen and paper I preferred using to communicate while she was driving. Instead I typed my message into the phone, pressing the button to have my phone read the message out loud.
“Sorry, I live on 13th street in Buffalo. If it’s too far I can walk.” The automated voice read out.
I reluctantly looked at Abby, as she nodded, getting into the right lane. Once we were heading in the right direction she trained one of her eyes on me again, I braced myself for anger, disgust, anything, but instead she just looked confused.
“I’m um… sorry, but did you hurt your throat or something?” She asked, clearly trying not to offend me.
I looked at her surprised, a small smile creeping up when i realized she was the 5th person who didn’t judge me, and that for being a tough soccer player, she was really awkward, but nice.
I quickly typed a response. Hoping this wouldn’t change how she treated me, like it usually does when people find out.
“Actually I’m mute. I understand if this means you don’t want me in here anymore, I am a freak after all.”
Abby swerved the car slightly, her eyes looked like they were on fire, I flinched back at the anger in her eyes, waiting for the hurtful words, or even blows that i expected to come, but they never did. Instead she clutched onto the steering wheel, until her knuckles were white, breathing heavily as she ground her teeth, finally after she seemed calm enough, she started talking again.
“Hey kid, don’t ever say that okay. So you don’t talk, that doesn’t make you any less of a person. Don’t let people make you believe that. You seem pretty kickass to me.” She said.
A smile slowly spread across my face at her words, and I was almost sad when I realized we would reach my house in 5 minutes.
“Thanks Abby, that means more than you’ll know coming from you, my name is Victoria by the way.” My app read out, as I realized I never introduced myself.
Abby grinned at my response as she took the left turn toward my street. “Well since you seem to know me already, I’m guessing you’re a soccer fan huh?” She asked.
I nodded shyly, my cheeks turning slightly red.
Abby just laughed and said “Judging from your soccer bag, I’m guessing you play too. What position? She asked.
I just nodded toward her, and her eyes lit up when she figured it out. “You’re a striker too?! Yes!! That just makes you even more awesome!’ She exclaimed as she parked outside my house.
I smiled, but my eyes must have betrayed that I didn't want to leave.
“Hey, don’t get all sad on me now, we’ll meet again when you come to the USWNT so I can train you to take my place? Deal?” She asked.
I just grinned, and she shook my hand to seal the deal.
Before I got out, she insisted on taking a picture, and signing the ball I had tucked away in my bag.
“Remember what I said, and our deal okay?” She said, through her rolled down window as I stood outside the car.
I nodded, and she smiled, waving as she pulled away. I waved back, as I walked to the house in a daze. I sank down on the couch, the house eerily quiet as always, my parents on one of their constant business trips. But in this moment that didn’t bother me like it usually does. All I could think of was the fact that I finally had people who believe in me, and one of them was the person who had inspired me to keep practicing.
I looked down at the ball once more, reading Abby’s note.
Remember our deal, keep your head up, I’ll see you soon kid. Her loopy signature underneath.
I felt a huge grin across my face, and I realized that I’ve smiled more the past few weeks than I have in the last few years. Maybe soccer would be more than just an out for me, maybe it could bring me more,, I thought, for the first time in a long time, filled with hope. \
I set my bag down and took my ball out to the huge backyard, to the old tattered soccer goals that have been out here since I was a kid, that her and I used to play with. I tried to brush thoughts of her away, knowing she wouldn’t want me to dwell on it.
Instead I practiced my shots and worked on my footwork, determined to honor my deal with Abby, even now I was counting down the hours,72, to be exact before i’d get the call that would make or break my deal.