Last Day
*Victoria’s POV*
I ran down the field, and out of the corner of my eye I could see Mal streaking into the penalty box on the right side. I ran forward, making it look like I was going to shoot. I then sent the cross in to Mal, lofting it towards the right post.
As soon as the ball left my foot I felt someone tackle me from behind, their spikes landing on my ankle. I hissed in pain as I writhed slightly on the ground. I looked up to whoever did this, and wasn’t very surprised to see a smirking Hinkle looking down at me. This wasn’t new, but ever since she heard that I was called up and she wasn’t she’s been trying to make my life hell.
“You really think You’ll make it on the senior team mute?! They’ll regret picking you and come crawling to me! You’re a worthless mute and that’s all you’ll ever be!” Jalene screamed. She advanced toward me, her hand out, and I tried to scoot away. But I knew I wouldn't get away I'm time. She landed one slap, and I closed my eyes tightly for the next, tears pooling in my eyes.
However the next hit never came. I heard a grunting and shouting and I looked up to see that Mal had tackled Jalene and was screaming at her, her fists clenched and shaking. Steph and Allie were quickly approaching, Coach on their heels.
“What is your freaking problem?? She is a better person and player than you'll ever be!” Mal screamed in jalene’s face. Mal’s face was even more red than the pinny she wore for our scrimmage.
“I swear if you ever even look at her the freaking wrong way again it won’t end well for you!” She screamed, and that’s when coach and Staph pulled her away. That was the first time I ever saw Jalene speechless.
Allie gently helped me sit up as the trainer looked over my ankle. I winced as he probed it, and he sighed.
“It looks like a weak sprain, if you rest it and ice it, you should be back to normal in about 2 weeks at most, and I can give you a brace that should help move it along even more.” He said.
I nodded, sadness overcoming me. That meant no soccer!!
“Hey it’s okay!” Allie reassured me with a sad smile. “The trainers will work with you and by the time we get to the senior camp you should be almost as good as new. You just have to take it easy okay superstar?” She nudged my shoulder playfully.
I cracked a small smile as Mal, Coach and Steph joined us, Mal still red. The anger quickly drained from her face as she saw the trainers putting a brace and an ice wrap on my ankle.
“What happened?! Is she going to be okay?!” Mal asked, looking like she was about to have a mental breakdown. If the situation wasn’t serious, and she wasn't being so sweet and adorable right now, I’d laugh at how quickly she went from being so pissed that she was about to knock Hinkle into next year to looking so worried and panicked that she was going to have a breakdown.
I shakily stood up since the trainer had just finished putting my brace on, and I limped slightly towards Mal.
Mal quickly closed the distance as I crushed her into a close hug, trying to convey to her how much her standing up for me, and caring so much even though she’s only known me for like a week,meant to me.
It wasn’t until she pulled away and gently wiped my eyes that I realized I was crying.
“What’s wrong Pika?” She asked, getting a watery smile out of me. We were both obsessed with Pokemon Go, and the movies and she started calling me Pika since she said the red in my cheeks and how cute I was reminded her of Pikachu.
“Nothing Mew,” I signed, my nickname for her fit since it was close to her last name, plus Mew was super adorable just like her. “It’s just you’ve known me for a week and you already care so much and I don’t know what I did to deserve you. You mean so much to me.”
Mal smiled, tears in her eyes, a few dripping down her face as she gently put her hands on my now downcast face, gently guiding my eyes back to hers. I felt my body heat up for some reason, but I shook the feeling off.
“Don’t you ever think you deserve anything better than the best. You are one of the best people I’ve ever been blessed enough to meet, and I promise I’m always going to be there for you. Forever okay?” She said, never taking her strong gaze off mine.
I nodded and she smiled at me, letting me go, and grabbing my hand instead as we walked toward the locker room. I looked over to see Steph and Allie smirking at us from the bench as they talked to coach, I looked at them in confusion, but then just shrugged. They were weirdos anyway.
I looked longingly at the field where the team was doing a scrimmage for what was Steph, Mal, Allie and I’s last day with this team as I was doing strengthening stretches for my ankle. All I wanted to do was play, but all they let me do all week was some light passes and crosses.
“Hey don’t worry Swift, We just want you to be in the best shape when you get to the Senior Team. you’re healing so well!” Jen, the head trainer, who has been so sweet to me all week, said to me, putting an encouraging arm around my shoulder. She got a small smile out of me by using my last name. She’s used it ever since she found out my favorite singer is Taylor Swift.
I smiled at her and signed thank you, I was able to teach her a few signs over our week together.
“No need to thank me kid. Just don’t forget about me when you’re up there breaking records with Alex Morgan, Hope Solo, Tobin Heath, Carli Lloyd, Abby Wambaaaaach.” She dragged out.
I grinned at the name, she seemed to know that I really loved Abby but the only people who know why she means so much to me are Allie and Steph. Not even Mal knows yet. Sometimes I wonder if she even remembers me but everytime I think about her I just get this feeling like she's meant to be in my life. She was in my life for maybe an hour and she made me feel more safe, accepted and protected than my parents ever have.
I was broken out of my reverie when a voice shouted in my ear.
“Let’s get this show on the road!!” They screamed. I jumped to see it was Steph who had screamed in my ear, a smirk on her face, that quickly dropped as both Allie and Mal smacked the back of her head, making her pout.
“Hey!!” Steph whined.
“Don’t hey us, You abused my baby!!” Mal said, running over and hugging me close!” I got that weird feeling again, and felt myself turn red.” I swear I saw Allie, Jen, and Steph smirk at us but when I looked again they weren’t anymore.
“Well, ladies,” Coach said, walking up to us. “It was a pleasure working with you the past few weeks. I wish you the best of luck and know the four of you all have great careers ahead of you.” We all smiled and hugged her. She offered to drive us the short way to the airport. We boarded the short flight and as excited as we all were, we were also nervous. As soon as we touched down in LA it got pretty quiet. We all grabbed our carry-ons and slowly made our way of the flight. My hands shook slightly, and I felt a hand grab mine. I looked over and smiled slightly to see Mal gave me a reassuring smile.
We waited a few minuted until we all spotted our small suitcases and I grabbed my beat-up suitcase, super grateful it was purple and not black, making it a little easier to spot.
We looked around an arrival hall until we saw a sign that had the US soccer logo on it. As we got closer, I recognized the hair. “JILL!!” I signed.
“Victoria! I told you I’d see you again Soon!” She signed and winked at me, dropping the sign to give me a hug.
She then looked at the rest of our group. “It’s so good to see all of you ladies again. We’re all so glad to have you. The team is so excited to meet you! We better get going! If we don’t get back soon so they can meet you I’m going to have a riot on my hands!” She laughed.
She quickly turned around and lead us toward the parking lot. Allie, Mal and Steph quickly followed her. I took a deep breath and followed suit knowing that this team would change my life forever.
I just hope it would be for the better.