Called Up?
*Victoria’s POV*
I slowly unpacked my bags but I couldn’t help but smile as Mal chattered away, sitting on her bed, looking over at me with a smile on her face.
“So yeah, I got called up from one of the recruiting camps near my area, and I’m assuming you did too?” She asked, looking at me, patience and acceptance present in her eyes, making me feel more at ease than I ever have with anyone as I nodded with a small smile.
“That’s so cool! I was so nervous that I’d be the only young once, but you’re only a little younger than me!” Mal exclaimed as I unpacked my sketchpad, and I pouted playfully at her, making her laugh. I smiled widely at the sound for some reason.
Mal looked at the sketchpad and my case of various graphite pencils, colored pencils,etc. And smiled at me. “Oh do you draw?!” She asked excitedly, her seemingly never ending smile or energy making me smile more than I ever have.
I nodded, pinching my fingers together to indicate a little bit. “That’s really cool!” She grinned, helping me to unpack the rest of my things.
Once we were done we both sat down on our beds, facing each other. I pulled out the notebook I usually use to communicate and a pen.
“So how do you usually communicate with people since..” Mal cut herself off, looking mortified. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to offend you,I was just wondering!!” Mal panicked fumbling over her words.
I smiled reassuringly, and indicated for her to look at the notebook.
“I usually use this, a phone app that reads my texts, or sign language preferably if people know it.” I wrote.
“Wow that’s really cool! Um, would you maybe mind teaching me sign language?” She asked shyly, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. I was surprised, the only people who had asked me to teach them were Allie and Steph,and it was after a week or 2.
I nodded quickly, not able to fight the smile that had been on my face since Mal had first introduced herself to me.
“Thank you so much!! I’m so excited! I think we’ll be great friends!” She beamed, pulling me into a hug. I tensed up for a second, still not used to hugs. But I had never felt more at home.
It had been 2 weeks since camp started, and I loved it. I felt even more at home on the pitch than I ever have before. Like I could finally be myself without worrying how different I was. Maybe it was because I was always up top with Mal or Steph. We won our first 2 games as a team, Mal scoring 3 goals and an assist to me, me scoring 2 goals and an assist to Mal and Steph, and Steph scoring 2 goals with an assist from Allie.
Mal and I were laughing as I taught her the sign language for “Allie Long is a big nerd.” I couldn’t help but beam at the sound of her laugh. For some reason being around Mal always made me smile. The door opened and we were both still laughing as Mal looked up to greet Allie and Steph.
“Took you both long enough! We started our lesson, and the movie without you!” Mal said playfully, gesturing to where She’s The Man was already playing on the small hotel TV.
The smile slowly fell from my face as I saw the normally cheerful Allie and Steph looked nervous, Steph fiddling with her hands, and Allie pacing slightly.
“What’s wrong?” I signed.
“Well, you know how coach wanted to talk to us?” Allie said gently, moving to sit down on my side.
I nodded hesitantly, their guilty looks making me nervous. “Well apparently Jill called coach, and Allie and I….” Steph trailed off.
“We got called up to the senior camp. We have to leave in a week.” Allie finished off.
I felt my eyes start to water. I was really happy for them, but I also didn’t know what I’d do without them. They had become my family.
“I’m happy for you, but what am I going to do without you?” I signed, unable to push back my tears.
Allie and Steph quickly pulled me into a hug, and I noticed that they’re crying to.
“I promise it’s not forever kid. We’ll face-time you all the time. We know you'll join us soon.” Steph said, as Allie was uncharacteristically crying too much to say anything.
Before I could fight back my tears enough to reply there was a knock at the door.
Mal silently went to answer it, squeezing my arm supportively on her way.
“Hello Mal, I was just wondering if I could speak to you and Victoria for a second.” Coach said, stepping in.
The smile on coach’s face slowly fell as she saw the state we were all in.
“Hey girls, why the tears, I thought you’d all be happy to be going to the Senior Team camp together?” Coach asked, her smile quickly returning as we all froze.
“Wait all of us, as in all 4 of us?!” Mal asked.
Coach grinned and nodded. “I’m so proud of you girls! You earned it!” She said, hugging each of us as my tears of sadness soon turned to tears of happiness. I thought to how I fought through all the hurtful comments and dirty plays Jalene and her friends threw my way, of all the people who said I’d never accomplish anything because I’m mute.
Then my thoughts switched to how soccer has given me so many people who actually support me. I couldn’t fight back my grin as I thought of the soccer ball I had safely tucked away in my bag, Abby’s signature and note still on it. I guess I finally fulfilled my promise. I thought as I was pulled into a giant group hug with Steph, Allie and Mal. This next week couldn’t go fast enough.