USWNT 3.0

12

"Jenko !" 

The goalkeeper turned around, already rolling her eyes. When she noticed it was Sydney, she softened a little bit. She was expecting to see someone she didn't like - which basically was half of the team, and Syd and the goalkeepers weren't included - and was mentally prepared to find a excuse to go to her room quicker. But seeing her Reign teammate didn't bother her. 

Syd ran in order to be leveled up with her. The blonde was inspecting her gloves, because training was very demanding today. The team was bumped up by the message they've received from their former teammates. And even though Jenko wouldn't admit it, Hope Solo's message was really making her nervous now. She was the starting goalkeeper against Colombia. That meant that she had to prove herself during her first cap. Because the medias would be all over her being the 'next Solo', which she didn't feel like that at all. She didn't want to be compared to the greatest goalkeeper of all time. 

Her older teammate looked at her. 

"How are you feeling ?" 

"Great" the blonde lied with confidence. 

But Syd knew her way too well to know whenever she was lying. She raised her eyebrows at her, but Jenko just ignored her. 

"You had a very good day at training today" Syd went on, annoyed by her friend under-confidence. She knew what the youngster was capable of. She saw her having clean sheets over clean sheets for the Seattle Reign this season. Jenko really was talented. The only problem was that she was not serious enough sometimes. Serious in the way that she doubted about herself a lot. "If you perform like you did today in two days, it's gonna be just fine." 

"Uhn-uhn" Jenko let out, rolling her eyes. 

The keeper hated to talk about her insecurities. She hated talking about herself. So Syd let go of the subject, and the two friends went showering in a total silence. 

°

Moe was feeling nauseous. 

Five minutes have passed. It was now 8:05 PM. Did Cari forget ? Or maybe she doesn't want to go out with me ? Does it sound too much like a date ? Because it certainly ain't one. Right ? Oh gosh, I screwed up ! Why did I ask her to go to the theater ? I know she loves it, and even though I hate it I thought it was a good idea to show her I care. I'm so stupid ! I'm 26 for God's sake, why can't I ask her out properly ? Like, 'Cari, do you want to go to the restaurant ?' or "maybe just the two of us wandering for hours, hand in hand'?

Moe's thought were interrupted by a vision of perfection. Cari was going down the stairs, her high heels clicking against the ground. She had put the red dress Moe offered her. Oh my God, she looks... perfect. The middy's mouth was slightly opened, as she was checking her out. She was right about that dress : she fit Cari's body perfectly. Even though she wasn't the thinnest girl around, Moe thought she was the most beautiful. 

She basically loved everything about Cari. The way she blushed every five seconds, or whenever she was trying not to look too awkward. Her lips were also very attractive, and Moe loved the way she was pressing them together before speaking. Then, her eyes had such a strange color that the middy could be looking into them all day. Moe also loved the fact that she didn't know how valuable she was for people. How many times did she tell her that she was worth it ? That everyone loved her ? 

Cari's eyes met Moe's, and the two girls stood there in silence, intensively looking at each other, before the middy remembered that her mouth was still opened. She closed it, and tried to hide her embarrassment and said :

"You look..." Is there even a word that can describe how perfect she is ? Moe wondered, trying to find the right word. "Woah." 

That made Cari giggle and - Moe was very happy with that - blush. She looked down, and murmured : "You look woah too".

"So, the-uhm, car is here." Moe said, leading the way. They got into the car taxi paid by US soccer, and were silent all the way to the theater. 

The building was already filled with people. Moe had to grab Cari's hand in order not to loose her in the crowd. It was actually Moe's mom who gave her the tickets for this show, since she couldn't attend it today. She booked VIP seats in a balcony. The two girls found them right away : they were on a mini-balcony with only twenty people or something. They were on the very right, with an amazing view. The piece played was 'Mamma Mia', which basically was Cari's favorite movie ever. 

The two of them sat down, and nervously waited for the play to begin. But there still was fifteen minutes to go. 

"I'm happy you came" Moe said, trying to hide her nervousness. 

"I was quite surprised you asked me to be honest" Cari said. She was proud of herself for formulating a whole sentence in front of Moe. 

That made the middy frown. "Why ?" 

"I-uhm-well" the defender tried to say. "I don't know. I thought you'd ask like Lindsey o-or, one of your best friends." 

"You're one of my best friends, Car" Moe reminded her. She then took her hand in her, surprised by her own forwardness. "Besides, there's nobody I'd rather be here with. It's been forever since we last did something just the two of us." 

That statement made Cari laugh. She didn't even realize Moe's gesture until she felt her cold fingers slipping in hers. "Last time, we tried to do a Carpool Karaoke just the two of us." Cari said, smiling. 

"We drove around a parking for three hours, and a cop had to tell us to go away" Moe said, remembering every detail of that afternoon. "That was epic." 

Cari didn't answer. She had her eyes locked on their hands, trying to hide her blush. Moe frowned. When did I fall for her that much ? And why the fuck is she so perfect ? She can't be feeling the same, right ? Moe was snapped out of her trance when Cari put her hands away. A little boy had approached them, and he wanted a picture with the two players. His mother took the picture and stayed to congratulate the girls, wishing them good luck for the upcoming games. Moe was very happy, because even though the last four years were a roller coaster for the team, the fandom seemed to have grown a lot. 

The play was very good. But what Moe enjoyed the most was seeing Cari relax. The brunette knew every song by heart and was singing along. Moe did the same, and both girls were having a very good time. From time to time during the drive back to the hotel, Moe would observe Cari from the corner of her eyes, while the defender was looking outside. 

When they finally arrived to their respective rooms, Moe pulled Cari into a tight hug. "Thank you, that was amazing." The defender only answered in pecking Moe's cheek. When she realized what she just did, she awkwardly said "bye" and rushed into her room. Moe stood in the doorway for a minute, frowning, before going to bed as well. 

This night, she dreamed about Cari.