Chapter 23
Camp started back up for both Erin and Ella and both girls were physically and mentally exhausted when it came to the last whole week of camp.
Ella threw herself onto her bed, face first and would have fallen asleep immediately if it hadn’t been for her phone ringing, signalling a skype call from Erin.
“Hey babe.” Ella tried to put a smile on her face, but she could barely keep her eyes open.
“Is now a good time El? You look like you were just about to fall asleep.”
The forward smiled sheepishly, she didn’t want to make Erin feel bad, because yes; she had been about to sleep but she would never pass up time talking to Erin.
“It’s fine really, it was just a long day.”
“For me too, but I really think that-”
Erin was cut off when Sophie walked into their room. “Hey Erin I brought you some more ice, and here take one of my pillows to put under your leg.”
“Erin are you hurt? What happened?” Ella immediately began panicking when she heard Sophie.
The keeper bit her lip, looking away from the screen. “I’m fine really babe, it’s no big deal, and Sophie stop giving me that look.”
“Erin.” Ella spoke seriously.
The keeper let out a sigh. “I hurt my knee yesterday in training, but it’s not that bad I promise, I’m going to be fine.”
“A knee the size of a bowling ball isn’t my definition of fine…” Sophie chimed in quietly from her bed across the room.
Erin glared at her roommate and chucked her extra pillow in the midfielders direction.
“Erin why didn’t you tell me!”
“I’m sorry baby I just didn’t want you to worry, It is pretty swollen, but it’s already feeling better than it did yesterday, it’s just a sprain, no serious damage.”
“Are you sure?” The forward pried, trying to see if Erin was hiding the extent of her injury.
“Promise, I got it checked out right when it happened and the physical therapist said I should be perfectly good to resume full training in a couple days.”
Ella let out a frustrated breath and smiled worriedly. “Please tell me if you get hurt babe, I know you didn’t want me to worry but that’s kind of my job as your girlfriend, and you know you would be the same.”
“I know, you’re right and I’m sorry babe, I promise I’ll tell you right away from now on if something happens.”
“Good, now you should get some rest babe, and I’m not just saying that because I am half asleep, rest up and feel better so you can get back out there!”
“Okay, you too baby, I’ll talk to you soon okay?”
“Okay, I love you.”
“Love you more.”
When Erin hung up she looked over to find Sophie still staring at her with her eyebrows raised.
“What?”
“Nothing, I’m just glad you went to Jersey to visit her instead of vise versa because I’m not sure I would have been able to handle almost two days of all that mushy couple stuff.”
“Oh come on we aren’t that bad.”
“Seriously, she was mad at you and it still ended all cute and ‘I love you’ the poor girl can’t even be mad for half a second without caving and going all heart eyes on ya.”
Erin smiled sheepishly, because she knew Sophie was right. Even when her and the forward had a disagreement neither could stay mad for more than a couple minutes.
“I can’t help it that we’re so cute.”
“Yeah yeah, listen to your girl and have a nap kid. Gotta get you rested up for this last week.”
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When Ella woke up the next day, the first thing she did was open her bedside table drawer and pull out one of the letter’s Erin had written.
“Open when it’s your birthday”
~Happy birthday Ella<3
I love you and miss you tons, I wish I could be there to celebrate this special day but just know that I am sending you all the love in the world today. I hope you have a great day, although I know you’ll probably spend most of it training.
Okay so now is when I get all sappy, so you’ve been warned…
...Ella I am so thankful that seventeen years ago today you were brought into this world, because I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t found you. You changed everything for me, you made me really believe in love and what it means to be loved. You are the strongest, most genuine person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I will always be grateful for having the honour of being your girlfriend. I look forward to many more birthdays and other holidays with you.
When I'm not with you, I just shut my eyes and, like magic, everything I adore about you, pops into my head, making me feel like you're with me. So, even though I can't be with you on your special day, just shut your eyes and right beside you will be me. Happy birthday my beautiful girl, I love you to the moon and back.~
Ella didn’t even bother trying to hide her watery eyes when Ali walked out of the bathroom.
“Again? Man That girl must have a way with words because I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve walked in on you teary eyed with that dopey smile on your face after reading one of those letters. Happy birthday by the way!”
“Thanks Al.”
“Usually I’d want to sit and gossip about the cuteness of your relationship but I’m afraid you’ve gotta get ready for training birthday girl.” Ali smiled, walking over to pack up her training bag.
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Erin wasn’t cleared for any contact drills yet, but she was still able to participate in some things during training.
The keeper was sitting off during one drill when John walked over to her.
“Hey kid, got a minute?”
“Of course.” Erin smiled.
“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t trying to rush back into training because you’re afraid that missing sessions is going to jeopardize your chance of the starting spot. I know that’s probably been running through your mind, but just know that we’ve been really impressed with what we’ve seen of you these last couple weeks, and going easy for this last week isn’t going to change our minds about making you our number one.”
Erin stared back at her coach with wide eyes for a moment before being able to form a response. “Re-really?” She managed to stutter out, getting a laugh out of John.
“Absolutely, you’ve earned your place on this team, and I knew the moment that I brought you into this camp that I had found my new number one, now rest up, we’re going to need you one hundred percent for the next camp this winter.”
“Thanks coach, I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself kid, you’re at your best when you’re relaxed.” John smiled and walked away, leaving the young keeper speechless with a huge smile on the sideline.
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“Hey babe, happy birthday!” Erin almost shouted when she answered the forward’s call.
“Thanks baby, and I loved your letter by the way.”
“I’m glad, how’s your day been?”
“Pretty good, we had a pretty tough day at training, but it went well, how about yours? How’s your knee doing?”
“It’s better than yesterday, not quite as swollen, and I was able to do a few light non-contact drills today. John talked to me during training though…” Erin smiled thinking back to the conversation with her coach.
“What’d he say?” Ella asked immediately.
“He told me not to worry about rushing back into training and that me sitting out a bit won’t affect their decision of making me the number one.”
“Babe that’s awesome! He pretty much told you that you’re going to be starting! I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks El, I love you.”
“Love you too babe, I have to get going though, got a team meeting in five.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to you later beautiful.”
“Bye babe.”
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The last week of camp flew by for both girls and Ella found herself waiting to meet with the coaches who would tell her if she had made the cut for the last camp before the world cup next year.
“Ella you’re up.” Carli said with a smile and pat on the back as she walked out of the coaches room.”
The forward nervously stood up and walked into the room, closing the door behind her; she took a seat across from Pia and a few of the other members of the coaching staff and let out a shaky breath… This was it.