GK and Defenders:
Emma Harris-USA
Ali Krieger-USA
Lucy Bronze-Great Britain
Becky Sauerbrunn-USA
Crystal Dunn-USA
Midfielders:
Julie Johnston-USA
Daniëlle van de Donk-Netherlands
Jessie Fleming-Canada
Forwards:
Christine Sinclair-Canada
Vivianne Miedema-Netherlands
Christen Press-USA
"They actually did pretty well." I say.
"ALL RISE." A bailiff says then everyone stands.
"Be seated." The judge says then everyone sits down.
Once everyone is sat the trial starts so I zone out
"We call Emma Harris to the stand." US Soccer's lawyer says.
"About motherfuckin' time." I say then I kiss Jessie before Shadow and I walk up to the stand.
Once Shadow and I are on the stand I raise my right hand.
"Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" The bailiff asks.
"I do." I say.
"You may be seated." The judge says so Shadow and I sit down.
"Ms. Harris." The US Soccer federation lawyer says. "Did you make money will you were a student at UCLA?"
"My Salary from US Soccer was set aside into an account that was run by my cousin." I say.
"So if you didn't have any money from US Soccer, how did you afford to pay for college and pay for a house?"
"OBJECTION." Our lawyer shouts. "Lack of relevancy."
"Sustained." The judge says.
"I mean I'll answer the question if you want me to." I say.
"Your answer?" The US Soccer federation lawyer asks.
"You really wanna know how I made my non-football money?" I ask as Shadow licks my hand.
"I think we all do." The US Soccer federation lawyer says then the entire courtroom gets quiet.
"At the age of five I walked in on my mother pretending to be murdered by my father because she knew that if she didn't disappear then he would kill me like he killed my older brother Axel." I say. "From the age of 5 to 16 I was racially abused by my own father every damn day just because I was half black. When I was 15 and 16 I was raped every day by my high school coach because he knew nobody would believe me if I told. When I was 18 I got called up to the US Women's National team and won the 2015 World Cup. A few weeks after that I was kidnapped in Greece and subjected to daily torture until one day I escaped. Between August of 2016 and June of 2017 I became an alcoholic because the manager your federation chose to hire drove me to drink."
I take a deep breath then continue.
"My mom left me her entire estate which was worth hundreds of millions of dollars so that I could support myself and get away from my father when I was 16. In 2017 I was awarded 30 million dollars by the Greek government in a settlement for my kidnapping by a high profile Greek Citizen. In 2019 my father gave me 35 million dollars and 6 apartment buildings around the world so that I wouldn't ruined his life but I ruined it anyway. And for the last four to six years I have written many songs and done hundred of photoshoot's that have earned me money." I say.
I take a deep breath then look right at the US Soccer federation lawyer.
"That's how I earned my money." I say then I lean back in my chair.
"Then why do you need this equal pay?"
"I'm fighting for my teammates who won back to back World Cups, but weren't paid like they won two World Cups." I say. "I'm fighting for every little girl in the country who wants to be a professional footballer. I'm fighting so little girls and women all across this country know that they are valued in society...I'm fighting so my daughter grow's up in a better world than I grew up in."
"No further questions." The US Soccer federation lawyer says then he sits down.
"No Questions your honor." Our lawyer says then Shadow and I leave the stand and head back to my seat.
Once back at our seat, Shadow lays down then I sit down in-between Ash and Jessie.
"Dickhead." I mumble then I cuddle with my cousin.
"You did great." Ash whispers as I feel Jessie's hand rub my back.
Thought out the rest of the trial I stay cuddled up to my cousin.
Once the trial ends I follow my teammates out of the room then we all head down the street to a restaurant where we have a private room.
"What happened?" I ask as I sit down on one of the couches with my fiancée.
"We won." Christen says with a smile. "But they'll probably appeal it so it'll go to the US Courts of Appeals."
"Do we have to testify again?" I ask.
"Only if it goes to the Supreme Court." Becky says.
"Did I say the right things?" I ask.
"Emma I'm pretty sure you're the main reason we won." Pinoe says.
"Really?" I question as I pick up a menu.
Everyone nods so I shrug then look at the menu with Jessie.
"I'm so proud of you." Jessie whispers then she kisses my cheek.
"Thanks." I mumble then my girl and I look over the menu.
Once we know what we want, Jessie and I order our food on the little tablets on the table
"Should we tell the team?" I ask.
Jessie nods so I look at my national team teammates.
"Uh oh." Ash says gaining everyone's attention. "That's not a good look."
"What's wrong?" Sam asks.
"Nothing bad." I say then I feel Jessie intertwine our hands.
"What's going on?" Alex asks.
"Jessie and I are selling our house in LA." I say. "We feel that since we own Real Miami that it makes more sense for us to have our home there instead of on the other side of the country."
"Aww." Christen says.
"What are you doing with your house?" Ali asks.
"This is why were telling you guys first." I say. "If any of you would like to view it and potentially buy it then we would be more than happy to give you a tour of our house when we're in Los Angeles in a few days."
"Are you buying a house in Miami?" Ash asks.
"We're looking at all our options." I say.
"Are you two going to play in the NWSL?" Tobin asks.
"We've thought about coming back in the future, but right now we're both very happy in London." Jessie says.
"We also don't know how owning a team will affect us signing with a team." I say.
"Could you not just play for Real Miami?" Lindsey asks.
"We've asked the commissioner of the NWSL what we could do, but she hasn't gotten back to us." Jessie says.
"Well whatever you do we'll be behind you 100 percent." Christen says making Jessie and I smile.
"But for now I need food" Ash says.
"Alright Ash." Ali say as everyone chuckles. "Let's order you some food."
YOU ARE READING
Serendipity
FanfictionIn Emma's 21 years of living she has been to hell and back. She relies on a handful of people to keep her going. When one of them breaks her who will be there to pick up the pieces?
