Chapter 33
//Erin walked around the corner to the living room and looked at Ella’s hoodie.
She didn’t say anything for a moment and Ella got nervous as she watched her girlfriend who looked like she was deep in thought.
“Erin?...”//
“Three hundred and fifty three…” She spoke just above a whisper.
“What are you talking about?”
“Three hundred and fifty three miles. That’s how far you’ll be from me, and I’ll take that any day over the two thousand seven hundred and fifty six miles that it could have been.”
Realization hit the striker and Ella’s hands flew to her mouth. “Stanford?”
“Stanford.” Erin crossed the room to her girlfriend and picked her up spinning her around in a bone crushing hug.
“I love you so much Ella, what changed your mind though? I thought for sure you had decided on Penn State? Not that I’m complaining obviously.”
“Honestly? The night before I needed to make the call, I was praying, and searching for some type of sign I guess and I just got this gut feeling that for some reason UCLA was where I needed to go, and I guess now I know why.” Ella smiled leaning in to place a kiss on the keeper’s lips.
“But more importantly did you seriously figure out the exact distance between all of the schools?”
Erin finally set down her girlfriend and shrugged her shoulders. “I needed to know how much gas I’d be spending money on over the next four years driving to see you.”
“I can’t believe of all the schools in all the states across the country that we could have chosen, we both chose one in California.”
“I was gonna say something super cheesy about fate and all that but I’m gonna spare you that today and just say I love you so much and I can’t wait to start this new journey with you Ella.”
“I love you too Erin, so, so much.”
------------------
“Ella are you ready? We are going to be late.” Erin loved her girlfriend but she was never one to be quick to get ready.
“I’ll be down in a minute!”
“Which really means ten minutes.” Erin mumbled, causing her mom to roll her eyes.
“You won’t be annoyed when you see how gorgeous she looks in that dress.”
“I still can’t believe you guys wouldn’t let me see her in the dress, this isn’t our wedding you know.” Erin’s lips turned up in a smile as she pictured Ella in a wedding dress.
“I think it’s cute! And I just know your reaction will be priceless because that’s just the kind of mushy person you are. Just keep the comments appropriate while I am in the room taking pictures.”
“Mom!”
The keeper was shaking her head when she heard Ella start to walk down the stairs. Just as her mom predicted Erin’s jaw dropped as she took in Ella in her dress.
The dress was bright red, and the soft fabric flowed down the strikers toned body perfectly. It had a deep v cut in the front and dipped even lower in the back leaving almost her entire back exposed.
When she finally gained control of her body, Erin met her girlfriend halfway to walk her down the stairs because as coordinated of an athlete as she was, heels were not the strikers friend.
“You look so gorgeous Ella.” The keeper whispered in her ear as she connected their arms.
“You don’t look too bad yourself, I love the bowtie.” Ella blushed. Erin was wearing fitted black pants, with a dark grey button down, and a bright red bowtie with intricate grey designs on it that matched Ella’s dress perfectly.
“Oh my goodness you two look amazing!” Erin’s mom gushed, tears forming in her eyes. “My little girl is all grown up!”
“Okay okay take it easy mom, you can cry after you get some pictures, we are running late already.”
“Erin Katrina be nice to your mother.” Ella swatted the keeper’s shoulder. “After all, she is the one who picked out this dress so you should be thankful for her that I look this good tonight.”
“Alright, I’m sorry mom, thank you for making my gorgeous girlfriend look so amazing tonight. Better?” The keeper winked at Ella, wrapping her arms around her.
“You’re such a little shit.”
“I know but you looveee me.”
“Alright calm down Romeo and smile for the camera.” Erin’s mom shook her head at her daughters antics and bean taking dozens of photos of the two girls.
The couple let Erin’s mom take far too many pictures before they finally left for the dance.
“I’m going to post this one now, it’s my favourite already.” Ella smiled as she opened her Instagram to post the photo of her and Erin. In the photo the couple are facing each other, Erin had her arms wrapped around the striker’s waist; her hands slipping down a little low for her mom’s approval; while Ella’s head is flung back laughing with her hands strung around Erin’s neck, while the keeper is just admiring the smaller girl with a love struck smile on her face.
“I love it, and I love you.”
“I love you too babe.”
-----------
It was nearing the end of the night when Erin made her way over to Ella who was talking to Kealia, as she heard the music to one of her favourite songs start.
“May I have this dance?” Erin asked cheekily, reaching her hand out for Ella.
“I suppose you may.” Ella replied with a smirk, taking Erin’s hand and leading her into the crowd on the dancefloor.
Kealia just shook her head smiling as her two friends walked into the crowd. She grabbed her phone out of her purse, ready to take pictures of the couple that she knew they would appreciate later.
The couple began swaying together as A Day With You began to play.
I board a plane and fly to you
I take a train if I had to
I'd ride a bus for hours
Just to get back to your love
To get back to your love
I'd hop in the car and drive to you
Don't care how far as long as I get to you
I'd even crawl on my knees
Just to get back to your love
To get back to your love
“You look so beautiful tonight Ella.” The keeper whispered, lips grazing over Ella’s ear as she gently ran her hands down the striker’s exposed back until she reached her waist.
A shiver ran down the striker’s spine at the touch. “Thank you baby, you look amazing too.” Ella looked into Erin’s eyes as she played with a few baby hairs at the base of her neck that had fallen astray from the keeper’s low bun.
Erin started singing along softly in Ella’s ear.
And I know it gets hard distance is the worst part
And I hate that your far from me now
I would travel the world
Just to see you smile girl
And I would swim across the ocean
To feel one touch of your skin
And you may call me a fool
But there's nothing I won't do
To spend a day with you
A day with you
Before Erin could start along with the next verse Ella pulled on the keeper’s neck and connected their lips.
Everyday it gets harder
To see your face afar from the helicopter
Don't care what it costs cause it will be worth it
When you're in my arms
In my arms
Their lips stayed connected until both girl’s lungs were begging for air.
And I know it gets hard distance is the worst part
And I hate that your far from me now
I would travel the world
Just to see you smile girl
And I would swim across the ocean
To feel one touch of your skin
And you may call me a fool
But there's nothing I won't do
To spend a day with you
A day with you
I know it gets dark
And we both get lonely
They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder
I can't help but wonder
If you still got love for me girl
I would travel the world
Just to see you smile girl
And I would swim across the ocean
To feel one touch of your skin
And you may call me a fool
But there's nothing I won't do
There's nothing I won't do
There's nothing I won't do
To spend a day with you
A day with you
Ohhh a day with you
Ahaaa a day with you
---------------
After dancing the night away, together and with their friends, both girls collapsed in bed after a very long night.
“I’m so tired.” Ella puffed out, as she grabbed her phone only to be bombarded by notifications from earlier. Many of Ella’s US teammates as well as some of Erin’s Canadian teammates had commented on the photo of the two girls.
@akriger11: AWE Looking good babes:*
@stephlabbe1: loving that canada red on you Ella;)
@meganrapinoe: I am genuinely concerned / offended by this comment^ but either way, make good choices kids!!
@kelleyohara: cutest. couple. ever.!!!
@christierampone: I don’t think any of you understand how old I feel right now
@joseebelanger: tellement belles les filles!
@ashlynharris24: @erinmcleod1 dude where did you get your bowtie?
@sydneyleroux: hot damn!
@christierampone: seriously, I’m ancient you guys don’t even want to know what I wore to my prom
@karinaleblanc: BABY CANADA DONE GROWN UP ON US
@christenpress: Does anyone else feel obligated to call Ella baby USA now?^
@christierampone: but anyway, this is cute, you two look great
@sophieschmidt13: looking fresh ladies
@cmoscato4: atta girl McStud!
All these comments did not go unnoticed by fans who closely follow every move National team members make on social media, which gained Ella as well as Erin hundreds of new followers when people made the connection that they were both new members of their respective National teams.
“We’ve got some crazy teammates.” Ella shook her head laughing as she read through other comments left by fans on her photo’s. “And apparently some crazy fans now too.”
A lot of the young fans had commented on the photo as well as other photo’s the couple had posted with each other. “OMG they are so cute” “I think I’m in love” “I ship this so hard” “Couple goals”
After looking through all the instagram notifications, Ella opened a string of texts she had gotten from Kealia with pictures from throughout the night.
One caught the striker’s eye from their last dance. The couple had just pulled away from a kiss, their foreheads still pressed together, and Ella was looking up at Erin’s through her eyelashes with a look that held more love than she knew to be possible. Erin’s eye’s were still closed, lips parted slightly; with one hand caressing Ella’s cheek.
Ella bit her lip admiring the photo, thinking about how lucky she was to have met the love of her life so young.
“Whatcha lookin at babe?” Erin asked as she rolled over on to her stomach to face Ella.
“Just this picture K took of us.” Ella turned the screen towards Erin so she could see,
“I love it, send it to me? I wanna make it my background.”
“Okay.” Ella smiled, leaning in for a kiss.
-----------------
Ella had just finished packing when she heard her phone go off.
“Are you excited rooms???” Ali squealed over facetime before the striker could even get in a hello.
“Excited for what?” Ella asked seriously, causing the defender’s jaw to drop.
“I’m joking Als! Are you kidding? I don’t think I’ve slept in the last week I can’t stop thinking about it. Do you think we’ll get to room together?”
“I hope so; you complain the least of anyone when I gush about Ash.” Ali winked, getting a laugh out of the younger girl.
“That’s just because you don’t complain when I won’t stop talking about Erin.”
“Exactly! We’ve got a good thing going! Hopefully the roommate gods are in our favor.”
Erin walked into the room as Ella was about to respond when Ali shouted out.
“Enemy! Ella how dare you converse with the competition this close to the world cup! I’m disappointed in you rooms.” Ali pursed her lips, shaking her head at her teammate.
Ella laughed shaking her head. “Oh I’m sorry Ali, please let me just grab my things and I’ll go sleep in the streets since apparently living with a Canadian is illegal.”
“Okay okay fine, I’ll make an exception just this once.”
“Gee thanks.” Ella shook her head.
“Hey I’m just looking out for you room’s wouldn’t want your cute little American brain to be corrupted by a Canadian.”
“Hey now, I resent that statement, no corruption going on here. At least not until we get married and I make her an official Canadian.” Erin smirked
“Woah woah woah, back up there honey I-”
“Sorry Ali, Ella’s gotta go pack bye.”
“What I’m done packi-”
“Byeee.” The keeper repeated before clicking end on the facetime call over Ella’s shoulder.”
“Erin Katrina that was rude, and I’m done packing unlike someone I know.”
“I know.” Erin smirked, pulling Ella into a heated kiss which she deepened immediately, dipping her tongue into the striker’s mouth.
Ella leaned back on their bed, throwing her phone aside and pulling the keeper on top of her.
After a few minutes of greedy kisses and wandering hands, Ella pulled away slightly, but that just encouraged Erin to kiss a path down her neck.
“Mm Erin what’s this all about, I mean I’m not complaining but-
“We leave in three days and even though we are going to the same place we aren’t exactly going to see each other much, if at all.”
“Good point.” Ella got out before Erin’s lips were on hers again, and that was the last word spoken between the two for a while.