The Roommate
*Victoria’s POV*
The last of the week seemed to fly by and before I knew it I was on a plane to my first camp with the USWNT U20 team. I tried to settle into my seat for the flight, but I couldn’t help but fidget. I was equally nervous and excited. Being on the pitch was the only time I finally felt normal, I wasn’t just “the mute girl”.
As soon as we were in the air, I pulled out my faded copy of Harry Potter, but I was fidgeting so much, and it was so hard to focus on anything with my thoughts going a mile a minute. After reading the same sentence for the hundredth time, I sighed and closed my book.
All I could think about was what could go wrong. What if the coaches and other players thought I wasn’t worth the trouble. What if everyone was right and I wasn’t good enough. I took a deep breath and pulled out my phone, once again looking at the texts from Allie and Steph that I had gotten really early this morning. The really goofy pictures that they had sent me early this morning as they boaded their flight to join me at camp. I guess that was the one thing keeping me sane, that at least I’d have them with me.
After finally managing to calm myself down the plane was already descending. I grabbed my faded duffelbag and slowly followed the masses off of the plane. I walked to the baggage claim and grabbed my small suitcase, marked with a luggage tag with soccer balls and Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings quotes on it.
I warily walked into the arrivals area, and I tried to fight through the crowd and the incredible noise to find whoever I was supposed to meet up with for the USWNT. I was about to give up when I heard a familiar voice shout “THERE SHE IS!!” Before I could even fully turn around I was attacked my 2 sets of arms. I whipped around to see Steph and Allie grinning at me. I grinned for the first time in what felt like forever, and I dropped my bag in my haste to hug them back.
“Aww someone missed us!” Allie teased me as she picked up my bag.
“I mean can you blame her?!” Steph asked, striking a ridiculous pose. I shook my head and grinned at her antics as I playfully pushed her.
“So are you ready to finally be on the USWNT?!?!” Allie asked with a big, proud grin, nudging me in the ribs.
I pouted and pointedly rubbed my ribs, making them both laugh as they lead me toward the front of the arrivals hall. My hands started to shake slightly as I saw a group of about 20 girls gathered around a few adults holding the USWNT logo with-20 written underneath it. Allie and Steph didn’t say anything, but I know they noticed because they both threw their arms around my shoulders to where are group was waiting, everyone else’s bags seemingly loaded.
A woman is a Team United States jacket looked toward us, a grin stretching
across her face as she saw Allie and Steph with me in tow.
“Awesome girls! You found her! It’s really nice to officially meet you Victoria, we’re excited to have you on this team! I’m Michelle French, I’ll be your head coach.” She grinned, putting her hand out for me to shake.
I shook her hand, still in awe that I was even here. Since I was the last one here, one of the assistant coaches grabbed my bags from Allie as Michelle herded the rest of us on the team bus, telling us that we’d do our introductions back at the hotel. I was grateful for that, wondering how well this meeting would go for me.
Steph and Allie must have picked up on my nerves because Allie rubbed my back soothingly as we walked to the back of the bus, claiming the bigger seat so that we could all sit together.
“Hey kid.” Steph said, making me glare at her and smack her arm.
“You’re not THAT much older than me.” I signed mock-angrily, making both Steph and Allie laugh.
“Oh calm down, you’re still one of the youngest, so that’s your nickname. Deal with it! Anyway, I have a joke for you.”
I stuck my tongue out at her as Allie rolled her eyes at our childishness. I then motioned for Steph to tell her joke, knowing it was probably going to be really bad and cheesy.
“What did the fish say when it hit the wall?!” Steph asked, her eyes comically wide as she eyed Allie and I to see if either of us knew the answer. When both Allie and I shook our heads, Steph grinned really wide. “Dam!!” She shouted, bursting out into hysterical laughter, causing many of our new team members to look at us weirdly.
Allie and I both rolled our eyes and shook our heads at Steph, but I couldn’t help but smile. Sure she was a major dork, but she was our major dork. Steph continued telling really bad jokes as we drove. After what seemed like forever the bus finally came to a stop t the hotel.
“Okay ladies listen up!” Coach yelled, and Allie smacked Steph to get her to stop doing her whale impression, or whatever the heck it is she was doing.
Once it was finally silent, Coach addressed us all. “Okay once we get off, everyone grab their bags and meet in convention room C, there we will do introductions and get roommate assignments.” Coach said.
Everyone showed their acknowledgment, and then everyone slowly started filing off of the bus. Once we finally got off of the stuffy vehicle, Allie, Steph and I had to weave through the sea of people to try to find our bags. We finally found our bags that were abandoned near the bus in a heap. I brushed the dirt off of my duffel bag and threw it over my shoulder. Steph and Allie did the same, and we followed the herd into the hotel and into the conference room.
We thankfully found 3 vacant chairs next to each other, and we settled in, waiting for coach to start our first official meeting as a team.
“Okay ladies, first I’d like to congratulate you all on making it to the U-20 Branch of the Women’s NAtional Team. You all are extremely talented athletes and we expect you to go far. However This camp will be a lot of work, but hopefully a lot of fun too. Since we are a team, we tolerate no bullying or mistreatment. Just please get along okay?” Coach said, we all nodded and she smiled.
“Okay then, well why don’t we all introduce ourselves, and then I’ll hand out room assignments so you can all get settled before dinner.” Coach said.
We all nodded, and the girl to Coach’s left started, saying her name was Jalene. Just from how she looked at everyone, I could tell she wasn’t going to be the nicest. She reminded me too much of Kayla.
After the first few people went I kind of zoned out, wanting this to be over already. I was brought out of it by Steph elbowing me in the side.
“This is Victoria everyone. She’s 16 and she’s awesome!” Steph said as I shyly waved.
Mostly everyone smiled at me, but Jalene and a few of the girls near her looked at me skeptically.
“Well why can’t she speak for herself? What is she dumb?!” Jalene asked in a bitchy tone.
Steph started to get up, getting ready to shout. Allie held her back, but I could tell she was gritting her teeth to hold her tongue too. Seeing them being so protective over me made the situation just a little bit better.
“Excuse me Hinkle, but I do clearly remember saying rude behavior is not tolerated. Victoria is a valued member of this team, and if I hear another word about her not talking, that person will get 50 laps just like Ms.Hinkle here.”
“Seriously?!” Jalene, whose last name I guess was Hinkle, whined receiving a glare from coach.
“Well,if that’s it, there’s a list of roommates posted on the wall by the door, and assistant coach Jess will hand you your keys by the elevator.” Coach said.
Coach patted my shoulder to show support as she left the room, and the room got really loud as everyone swarmed the sheet to see who their roommate is. I hung back, not wanting to get trampled. Steph and Allie stayed back with me, the both of them pulling me into a hug.
“Hey are you okay?” Allie asked worriedly. I just nodded, and Steph grumbled, looking pissed off.
“I swear that little Bi..” She cut off when Allie shot her a glare.
“What if she’s my roommate?!” I signed, my eyes widening in panic. I was used to dealing with people treating me like crap, but i needed some respite.
“Hey calm down kid, if she is, we’ll find a way to switch. If you’re not with one of us, and your roommate is a jerk, we’ll talk to coach and see if we can get you switched to room with one of our fabulous selves.” Steph said.
I shook my head at her last statement, but felt myself smiling slightly, just as she intended. By that point the room was now empty, the pack now gone from the roommate sheet.
I scanned the sheet until I reached the bottom.
Allie Long - Stephanie Mccaffery
Victoria Swift- Mallory Pugh
I deflated a little when I saw that I wasn’t with Steph or Allie. Oh well, anyone is better than Jalene I guess.
“Hey kiddo, it’s okay, Mallory is actually pretty nice. We played against her a few times. I’m sure you’ll be okay.” Allie said.
I nodded, and we grabbed our room keys, and headed to the 4th floor. Thankfully my room, 413, was right next to Steph and Allie’s room, 415.
“Good luck kiddo, we’ll see you at dinner.” Allie said, pulling me into a hug, and Steph followed suit.
I took a deep breath, looking down at the keycard, and up at the door in front of me. Please like me please like me, or at least pretend to and be nice. I repeated in my head like a mantra. I took one last deep breath before I finally put the card in the lock, knowing I’d have to do it now or I’d chicken out.
I pulled open the door and was met with a small girl with pretty brown hair dancing around the room as she put away her stuff.
She must have heard the door open because she turned around, her cheeks slightly red. “Sorry about that. And sorry about Jalene, she’s a jerk. I hope we can get along. My name is Mallory Pugh and I’ll be your roommate.” Mallory grinned, opening her arms for a hug, her eyes showing something that I still wasn’t entirely used to; acceptance.
I couldn’t help but smile as she hugged me. Maybe this camp wouldn’t be so bad after all.