FROM FRANCE TO USA

Houston

"So Houston ? You're playing Houston today ?" Jessie asked me while I was about to walk in the locker room.

"Huh...yes, that's why I needed you here today, to support me you know ?" I could see her rolling her eyes, so I sent her a kiss and pushed the door of the locker room.

—————

I was finally ready, mom kissed me on my forehead before leaving the locker room and I followed right behind her. I then lined up in the tunnel with the team. I was focus on my thoughts, till the other team lined up besides us as well, I briefly looked to my right, to see Kristie standing there smiling, her gaze turned at me, and met mine for a couple of seconds.

Oh god it's been a long time....

We made our way towards the field and put ourselves in position. I took the right wing like always and waited for the referee to whistle. After a few seconds, the whistle blew. The game was pretty tied, I made few crosses, but none of them were decisive.

The 60th minute came, and Kristie got fouled. The referee didn't whistle and she wasn't getting up either. Since I was not far from her, I slowly ran towards her and put a hand on her shoulder. I asked her if she was ok, while keeping an eye on the ball.

"My leg..." she groaned. As I saw her in pain, I tried to call out the referee but she was too focused on the principal action to see Kristie laying on the field. Finally, after a few minutes, one of Kristie's teammates saw her and put the ball in touch. I kneeled besides her, and pulled her over a little so she'd lie on her back.

"Hey, it's gonna be ok." I tried to reassure her.

"No, it's not, I felt my knee cracked." She said sobbing, and I felt a bit helpless here. She seemed in a lot of pain, and did something that surprised me, She took my hand in hers and squeezed it. I'm not gonna lie, it hurt a little but it was nothing compared to what she was enduring. After a few minutes, Rachel and the med team came by her side and I took that as my cue to leave.

"Rachel's there, it's gonna be fine, you're a warrior ok ?" I said and was about to let go off of her but she didn't let me.

"Thank you, Madi." She said and I saw tears streaming down her cheeks, so I gently rubbed her cheek with my free hand and smiled at her before  going towards the bench. There I took a sip from my water  and looked at the stands. I saw Jessie smiling at me, I smiled back and waved, then threw the bottle on the floor, before heading back on the field.

The game started again, Houston had the ball and did a good job at keeping it, but at one moment one of her players made a wrong move that permitted mom to take back the ball in the opposing camp, I stood out and ran into the penalty area, where I called for the ball, mom saw me and threw the ball at me. I looked at the ball and hit it with my weakest foot, before she hit the ground, then I looked at it going straight in the left top corner of the goal.

GOAAAAAAL !

I ran towards the corner post and slide on my knee, all the team came and jumped on me. I was so happy to have scored the goal, that had delivered the team from loosing !

—————

"It's time to put some music !!!" I shouted in the locker room as I put some music and started dancing on the bench. I quickly was joining by Julie and the others. I, then, took my phone out and started filming, the team was going crazy and it was making me laugh. I put some videos on my IG story, and started receiving messages from fans who were saying that we were the best team ever. And I mean, I couldn't disagree with that, I love this team with all my heart.

After we all calmed ourselves down and changed, I got out of the locker room and met Rachel on the way out.

"Hey, Rachel !" I called her and she turned towards me.

"Hey, Madison, how are you ?" She said.

"Uhm, fine and you ?"

"I'm a little stressed out for Kristie you know, but otherwise I'm fine." She said and I scratched the back of my head nervously.

"Yeah, that's why I wanted to talk to you, is she all right ?" I asked.

"Hum, no, last news they thought that she had torn her ACL, so..."

"Pretty bad..."

"Yep..."

We stood there awkwardly for a moment before I broke the silence.

"Uhm, okay, so... I'm gonna go but, I know we're not exactly friends, and I could totally understand if you don't want to do that, but could you just let me know how she's doing ?" I said a little scared of her answer. I mean I didn't know how she would react, I literally had feelings for her girl.

"Yeah, for sure." She said and I let out a breath that I didn't know I was containing. This girl was too kind, if I were her I don't think i would've accepted.

"Cool, Thank You , see ya." I said and waved at her.

As I was walking, Jessie joined me.

"So ? Worried about Kristie ?" She asked.

"Kinda, I mean she fell right in front of me, so it'll be rude of me to not ask how she is." I said with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah right. When are you gonna get over her exactly ?"

"Why ? Are you jealous ?"

"No, it's just that-" I stopped and looked at her.

"I am over her ! I really am. I just care about her, and I don't want anything bad happening to her. Trust me, there was a time when I wouldn't even look at her, cause it hurt so much. But now, I don't care, I'm good with my life and all I want for her is to be happy." I said and she slightly smiled.

"You're a good person Madison."

"Ohh, I know that, but thanks." I said smiling back and putting an arm around her shoulders.
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We were waiting for my mom in the parking lot and she was taking more time than usual, which was unusual. She's always the one waiting for me usually.
I started to worry and made my way towards the stadium when I saw her coming out of it with Julie by her side, she seemed sad... was she crying ?

"Hey, mom are you okay ?"

"Yes, don't worry, I just need to talk to you about something when we get home." She said with a trembling voice and I nodded, not wanting to add more to her pain.