The following morning, Monica awoke with a groan, her head throbbing slightly from the previous night's revelry. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, causing her to squint as she reached out for her phone on the nightstand. Her fingers clumsily grasped the device, and she winced as the screen lit up. Surely she didn't drink that much especially cause she drove home, then again everyone tells her she can be a bit of a lightweight.
With a sigh, Monica unlocked her phone and opened her camera roll, expecting to find the usual pictures from the night before. However, what greeted her was a delightful surprise.
Her camera roll was flooded with photos—selfies, group shots, and candid moments of pure joy, all featuring the Matildas team. It didn't take long for Monica to realize what had happened: she had left her phone with the Matildas girls for safekeeping, and they had taken full advantage of the opportunity.
Monica scrolled through the pictures, each one a testament to the fun they had shared. There were shots of them dancing, raising their glasses in a toast, and striking goofy poses. In one particularly hilarious photo, Sam had managed to don a pair of oversized yellow sunglasses and a green feathered boa, looking like a diva in her own right. Alanna and Macca had taken videos of them dancing in the mirror in the bathroom, 0.5 photos of Kyra and Charli, Maz and Cortnee & Courtney filmed themselves dancing to Cate's Brother. Chids and Clare W had taken group photos where no one was looking pulling funny faces. Polks, Steph and Lyds had blew kisses toward the camera.
Monica couldn't help but laugh as she swiped through the images. It was clear that the Matildas had taken full advantage of the moment to capture their wild night together. Her hangover seemed to dissipate as she relived the memories through photos and videos. She was quick to send them to a group chat Ellie had created the night before.
Tillies + their biggest supporter 💚💛
Monaaa
*insert images*
Thank you for the amazing night and the unforgettable photos. You sure know how to have a good time. Can't wait for the next game!
Maz
Hope you liked our dancing Moni 😘
Sammy
Don't we look good? 😂
Macca
what hotties 🔥
Monica laughed as the replies filed in instantly, what a team.
Monica sat at her grand piano, her fingers gracefully dancing across the ivory keys, lost in the enchanting melody she was weaving. The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in her cozy living room. Music was her refuge, a place where she could lose herself entirely.
Just as her fingers hit a particularly poignant note, there was a sharp knock at her door, breaking her concentration. Monica's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She wasn't expecting any visitors this early. Her curiosity piqued, she stood up from the piano bench and made her way to the door.
When she opened it, she was greeted by a courier holding a package, neatly wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine. Monica's skepticism grew as she took the package from the courier.
"Are you Monica?" the courier asked.
Monica nodded, her curiosity growing. "Yes, that's me."
The courier handed her the package with a friendly smile and a nod before turning to leave. Monica watched him walk away before closing the door. She examined the package in her hands, her fingers tracing the edges of the neatly tied twine.
With cautious anticipation, she carefully unwrapped the package, revealing its contents. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she pulled out an Matildas home jersey, the number 20 on the front and back, Kerr written on the shoulders. There was also a plane ticket to Brisbane and a game ticket to Suncorp Stadium for the upcoming Matildas vs Nigeria game.
Monica's heart raced, and her skepticism gave way to pure excitement. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Setting aside the jersey, she examined the plane ticket and game ticket. The date matched the upcoming game, and her flight was scheduled for 2 days from now. It was all so carefully planned. As she finished her read over she found a note in the bottom of the packaging.
Dear Mona,
We couldn't let you miss the next game, especially after the fantastic night we had in Sydney. Everything is already booked for you. Your flight to Brisbane is scheduled for the day before the game, and you'll be staying at the team hotel with us.
Someone special will meet you at the airport gate when you land. We can't wait to see you there.
Cheers, Sammy
Monica read the note several times, each word sinking in, and a smile spreading across her face. Butterflies fluttered in her core, a blush danced on her cheeks. Monica thought back to her conversation with Ellie before they left the bar the other night. Maybe her best friend was right, Mona was quick to shake these thoughts, she didn't want to ruin what she has with Sam and the rest for the Matildas.
She took a photo of her gifts so she could thank Sam.
Mona 𝄞
*insert image*
❤️
Sammy ✮
❤️
The day of Monica's departure to Brisbane had arrived, and she found herself in a mad rush to pack her bags. Despite the excitement that had been building up since receiving the unexpected package, she had underestimated just how much she needed to prepare for her trip.
The clock on the wall seemed to taunt her as she scrambled around her bedroom, tossing clothes, toiletries and all the essentials. She couldn't believe she had procrastinated until the last minute. With a final shove, she managed to zip up her suitcase, but it was bulging at the seams. She sighed with relief and wheeled it out of her room to head to the airport. The uber sat on the street waiting for her.
The drive was only a half hour trip but it felt like time stopped to Monica, the rush she was in was catching up to her rapidly. She quickly thanked the driver when they arrived before getting her suitcase from out of the car boot. The craziness of the airport had seemingly increased, of course it did, only when she had somewhere to be. Thankfully the media hadn't caught wind of her trip meaning no one was there yelling and screaming her name desperate to get a photo, she simply pulled her hood over her head and continued on.
Monica was first to board with the flight only being with 10 other people. The plane's engines roared to life, and soon they were taxiing down the runway. Monica's heart raced with a mixture of anticipation and nerves. The sight of the plane going into the air was something Monica could gaze at forever.
The flight seemed to go really fast now that there was no pressure on her shoulders. The hour and a half seemed like half the time. Monica gazed out at the cityscape below, the city where she would soon be joining the team. As the plane touched down at Brisbane Airport, Monica could barely contain her excitement any longer.
As she switched her phone back on she received a text from an unknown number.
Unknown
I'm waiting for you outside the gate, be quick so we don't attract a crowd.
That must be the "someone special" Sam told her about in the note. When she reached the gate, Monica's eyes scanned the crowd for the mysterious "special someone." She was expecting someone she had never met before, but what she saw took her breath away.
Sam Kerr stood there, a radiant smile on her face, wearing her Matildas jersey with "Kerr 20" emblazoned on the back. She looked every bit the charismatic soccer captain that Monica had come to admire. People from meters away were staring in their direction, no paparazzi though.
Monica froze for a moment, stunned by the sight of Sam. Then, a joyful realization washed over her, and she rushed forward, her suitcase forgotten, and enveloped Sam in a tight hug.
"Sam! You're the special someone?" Monica exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment and delight.
Sam laughed warmly, her arms wrapped around Monica. "Surprise! I wanted to be the one to welcome you to Brisbane."
"You are the best Sammy."
"Why thank you Miss Reyes." Sam held out her hand to Monica which she gladly took. The two exited Brisbane airport hand in hand laughing at stories Monica had from when her and Ellie were in high school.
Word count: 1536
This is a little filler chapter in between games and celebrations but I think it's really cute. Updates are going to become a little less frequent from now because HSC starts soon and even though I have accepted early entry to Uni of Aus I still need the atar to seal my entry 😭
-Jade 🌊