USWNT group chat
ShesDUNNit : guys, we're stuck in New York because of some dude that smoked in our plane's toilets (us = Cari, SMew & KMew)
Ohaio : on our way to the hotel
Ohaio : the weather in Colorado sucks
TheGreatHoran : eh ! Colorado is great.
MalPal : yeah, like she said. If anyone disagree, come fight us
Kel Bell : those kids have grown so much, and even learned sarcasm
Kel Bell : I feel like a proud mama
TobyTheMan : Georgia/Portland squad landed in Colorado !
TobyTheMan : Sonnett is so happy to see the rain again
PookieThong : more like she's trying to do a dance to implore the sun to come back. She's ridiculous
Kel Bell : she's a great dancer. She's just got her own style.
SydTheKid : lol
SydTheKid : Jenko just yelled at a guy that criticized women's soccer
SydTheKid : I can't stop laughing
SydTheKid : she just like really told him he should use his dick to hit the ball because he'd be way more talented this way.
ShesDUNNit : yas queen
Panic Petunia : aha
AshSanch : guys
AshSanch : we're lost
ShesDUNNit : who is 'we'?
TobyTheMan : Orlando girls, who else ?
PookieThong : why am I not surprised
AshSanch : that's not funny
AshSanch : we just got off the bus too early
AshSanch : help
°
After Mark Parsons introduction speech, the girls gathered in the conference room, to watch the FIFA ceremony, where they'd learn who their opponents would be in the group stage. Everyone was nervous.
The girls already were feeling some tensions. Even though those month had been beneficial for the whole Tobin-Kelley-Allie drama - now that Tobin had flown to Georgia and spent her holiday with her friends, she got to talk with the freckled girl, and they both were able to find a common agreement and be friends again - it wasn't the same for others. For instance, Lindsey wasn't even looking at Sonnett anymore, while the defender was trying not to insist too much. She knew something had to change, otherwise it wouldn't be okay. Then, Moe had been avoiding Cari ever since they got back here. When the rooms were released*, Moe was really relieved. If Parsons had put her into the same room than Cari, she would've just kill herself. But for the others, the energy and positivism were here.
Tobin sat in between Kealia and Allie, and waited for the announcers to say the names of the teams that would be competing in the same groups. As usual, there were four groups (A, B, C, D) and the two best team of each group would go into the elimination games. In other words, they needed to reach the stage where they lost the Olympics.
The announcer grabbed the first bowl, and said : "Group A : Australia". Kelley felt her throat go sore. Holy fuck, I don't think it'll end well. Sam Kerr is going to kill me, and I mean they're a hell of a team... "Group B : Brazil" the guy went on, after sorting out he second ball. The girls welcomed the news with apprehension. "Group C : Spain." Oh, there's still a chance we can beat them, so I'll pray for group C. "Group D : Canada." Oh no, not Canada. Please, Lord, have mercy, not them again. The dude began the second turn. "Group A : Germany". Holy fuck, what the fuck is this group ? "Group B : France." the guy went on, as the girls were feeling less and less happy about what they were hearing. "Group C : Switzerland." Kelley swallowed her saliva really hardly. Damn. "Group D : Japan."
Okay, so there's like 80 % chances that we get screwed up. Fuck my life. Of course some of the girls secretly wanted to end up in group C, even though Switzerland was a tough opponent. The room became silent again. The announcer took another ball out of the box. "Group A : Austria." There were whispers. "Group B... England". I swear if we get into this group... Tobin noticed Kelley's nervousness, since she was glued to Allie's hand. "Group C : Iceland." Again with the whispers. "Group D : China PR".
This World Cup is going to be savage... Like, the other team shouldn't have to improve that much ! Kelley thought, biting her lips. She knew everybody - especially Allie, who had her eyes locked on the screen - was thinking like her. The team couldn't handle a new defeat in an early stage. "Group A : Zimbabwe" Damn it. As usual, the last draw was not on the same order. "Group C : New Zealand." The room got restless. They were in either Group B with France, England and Brazil.... nor in Group D with Canada, Japan and China... That's fucked up. Kelley was praying to be in Group D. At least they stood a chance against China.
The announcer looked at the note. "Group B..." Not Group B, not Group B ! The tension was growing. "USA". Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Kelley and Allie exchanged a concerned look, as the other girls were just trying to laugh out of this situation.
"Well" Abby said, trying to smile. "It's like 'Group of Death 2.0, ameliorated version" she joked, and that made everyone nervously laugh. "Eh, guys, this isn't the end of the road ! You shouldn't be afraid ! We still believe. That's what we do. So now stop looking so concerned and just go to training !"
The girls cheered and did as they were told.
As they were all heading to the locker room, Mal spotted Jenko. She seemed to be very tired, and her eyes were a little bit red. But the goalkeeper totally ignored her, even though they spent the month texting each other.
"What the fuck ?" Mal hissed, talking the slightly younger girl aside, where they could talk without anyone hearing them. "Did you smoke pot again ?"
Jenko rolled her eyes. "I hate Christmas. So yeah, I smoked again."
Mal's eyes went wide, as she felt the anger growing inside of her. But she knew getting mad wouldn't help. The blonde was shamelessly looking at her, while the brunette was simply observing the signs everyone could see.
She then shook her head.
"Why didn't you tell me ?" she then asked, crossing her arms on her chest.
"What ? You would've come all the way to Seattle to take me somewhere where there is unicorns everywhere or some shit ?" Jenko sarcastically said, not giving a damn about Mal's cold glare. Is she even worried ?
Mal frowned. "No. I would've offered you to come in Colorado" she then seriously said. "You know the World Cup is important to this team. Hundreds of girls would kill to have your spot, and you just don't care and throw away this honor. I just don't get it."
The keeper smiled. "Me who thought that you were the only person not judging me for who I am, I obviously was wrong." She then turned around.
Before she could exit the room for good, Mal's voice reached her ears.
"I don't think pot is a part of you" the forward said, setting her jaw. "You're so much more than this, and deserve better than self-destruction."
Jenko froze, but instead of saying something nice, she just said : "Leave me alone."
With that said, she got out of the room, leaving a speechless Mal behind. How didn't I notice this ? We've talked for one full month ! She immediately felt guilty for worrying that much for a girl that didn't give a shit about herself.
She just couldn't help it.
_______________________________________________________
*Roommates for the Colorado camp :
Michelle - Jenko
Julie - Christen
Kelley - Sonnett
Lindsey - Cari
Moe - Mal
Steph - SMew
KMew - Syd
Ashley - Lena
Allie - Tobin
Saskia - Maura
Kealia - Crystal
Alyssa