USWNT 1.0

15

Ash was standing right in front of Ali. 

The brunette was searching for a leggins for about an hour now. She was able to loose her clothes even if the room was half empty and very tiny. She looked terrified to have lost it, because it belonged to her brother and he would probably kill her, because she didn't ask before taking it. Ash had her arms crossed, and couldn't help but laugh. Ali was angry, so she told her friend to help her instead of making fun or her. So the blonde went to help, searching every drawer and dresser that were on the room. Ashlyn finally put a hand on it and showed it to Ali, who immediately felt relieved. She ran across the room, jumping in the goalkeeper's arms. 

Ashlyn was surprised by this climax, expecting her friend to only give her a small "thank you" before putting the leggins on. But she was wrong, obviously. Ali wrapped her arms on her neck, attracting Ash to her. They hugged for several seconds, and it seemed like neither of them wanted to let go. Ash, who was feeling a little bit uncomfortable, pulled away slowly. 

Ali just realized what she's done. So much excitement for a leggins was weird, she knew it. She looked at the blonde, a shy smile on her lips.

- Sorry, I know you don't hug a lot of people, Ali said then.  

She was slightly blushing, and Ash wanted to kiss her very bad. But she didn't, telling herself that it wouldn't be a good idea after all. 

- Don't worry, she finally said after an awkward silence. You always can have a hug. 

It made Ali blush a little more - who knew it was possible tho - so Ash felt uncomfortable again. The brunette couldn't stand it anymore.

- Why are we so awkward ? she said, angry at herself. I mean, we used to laugh about everything, hugging each other all the time without us caring about anything, talk late at night when one of us couldn't fall asleep... What happened ? 

- I kissed you, Ash said, ashamed. I ruined it all. 

- I kissed you back, remember ? Ali answered.

She has talked before knowing what she was saying. Ash nodded, her eyes falling on the floor. Ali felt the urge to go on. 

- I kissed you back because you made me feel something I've never felt before, she went on, without looking at the blonde. I freaked out, okay ? 

Ashlyn stayed silent. Even if everyone was seeing her as a tough girl, who wasn't sensitive or anything, always standing for herself, she knew deep inside that Ali was a game changer. Speaking of which, the brunette took a step forward. Ash felt chills all over her body, especially on the back of her neck. She saw Ali decomposing from the inside. 

The defender didn't dare to touch her friend. 

- I don't want our friendship to change, but I have this weird impression that we can't be friends anymore, she said sadly. 

- What ? Ash exclaimed, surprised. Why ? 

Ali took a deep breath. 

- Because every time I see you, I want to call you mine. 

Ash's eyes went wide. She was too chocked to answer anything. She followed Ali with her eyes as she was exiting the room after letting a small sigh get out of her mouth. 

***

Lindsey was running as fast as she could. Physical training got her in excitement ; she liked to feel her body work harder than ever. Her strength was growing more and more every day, and her run was very fast now. 

Just next to her, Moe and Kling were chatting together about soccer, as always, while Tobin was lifting some weight. Jill just called a team meeting. It was now two weeks since Kelley's sister passed away, and it was the Georgia girl birthday. In this occasion, Lindsey, along with some of her teammates, settled a surprise for the brunette. They were heading to the club later this evening, partying until dawn. Alcohol, music and a lot of fun ; that was the program. But Lindsey couldn't help but think about the friendships that have just been ripped apart. Carli and Hope haven't spoke to each other for two weeks, and have been mad longer than that. Everytime they were on the same room, one of the two was exiting it the next second. It was more or less the same with Ashlyn and Ali. Ali was the one that was avoiding her best friend, and nobody knew why. Since they always have had an ambiguous relationship, nobody dared to ask anything. 

On the other hand, some friendship were getting stronger and stronger. Lindsey was very happy to have discovered Julie on a brand new light ; she and the defender have spent a lot of time together, since Jill made them team up on several activities. Moe and Kling were always by her side, and Allie was beginning to be her friend too. 

The whole team, minus the goalkeepers, who were having a special training away from them today, sat down, waiting for their head coach to finally show up. Pinoe, who was on of the main reasons why Kelley was smiling again, said in a joyful voice : 

- Guys, I think we're becoming a real team, like, y'all know, a family. We are fighting, we are struggling with our individual problems, but when we're together, we are... boum ! 

She illustrated her words with her hands. Everybody laughed, even Carli and Becky, who were so serious all the time. 

Pinoe saw her smiled and continued :

- Carli, Ali, you are my sisters, and I can tell you on behalf of everybody, that we're here for you, even when some others aren't. 

There was some anger in the blonde voice, and everyone noticed that she was mad at two of the three goalkeepers on the team. 

- Thanks, Pinoe, Ali said, while Carli was shaking her head.  

They all stopped talking, as Jill was entering the room, her serious face on.