Summertime 2000

JJ: 16 (going on 17)

Emily: 22

Friday afternoon. Around 1 p.m. JJ's house.

Friday afternoon JJ packed the last of her clothes. She had an away soccer game all the way in Sacramento California. Her, her parents, grandparents, and Elijah are flying down there tonight. And the game will be tomorrow afternoon. That will leave Sunday morning and afternoon for a little sight seeing.

"Jen, you ready babe?" Her mom asks, sticking her head in the door.

"Yes, ma'am. I just need to pack my tennis shoes."

"Well, hurry up. We need to leave for the airport in ten minutes." Sandy leaves and goes downstairs just as the phone is ringing.

"Hello?"

"Sandy, it's Emily. I was just calling to double check what time to be at the game tomorrow." Sandy smiles when she hears the voice on the other end. It's Emily and she had called earlier in the week after just called. She said she had arrived back in the U.S., California to be more specific late Tuesday night, and had wanted to surprise JJ.

"JJ's game starts at 4 o'clock sharp, and she starts practice/warming up at 3:45 p.m. When will you be there?"

"I will be there before the game starts. Probably around the time JJ starts practicing. I don't want her to see me though. I want to wait until after the game. And then surprise her."

"Okay then, I'll just not tell her your there. And then mention going to the car or something and calling you. You can surprise her there."

"That sounds good. I need to go. But I will see you tomorrow?"

"Yes. Good bye Emily." Sandy hung up the phone just as JJ is walking down the stairs. Thankfully it seems that the younger girl did not hear her conversation.

"Mom, we need to go over to Bella's house and pick her up. Her parents aren't flying in until tomorrow morning."

"Okay. Let's load up and head that way." JJ and her family leave and make their way to Isabella's house. Then they go to the airport.

Airport. Delayed flight 1 hour. 2:30 p.m.

"Jay, what time do we need to start practice tomorrow?" Isabella asks her friend as they sit at their gate and wait for the plane to arrive.

"I don't know. Mom, what time will we land?"

"Well, let's see. Our flight was at 1:30, it's been delayed and we are gone going to board at 2:35. It'll take about thirty minutes to take off, so we will be in the air at about 3:05 p.m. Which means he flight will take around five hours and 40 minutes. That means we'll land in San Diego at 8:45 p.m. tonight. We can check into our hotel tonight and get some sleep."

"How is 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, Iz?"

"Sounds good. We can send a mass text thing when we land." Bella replies.

"Yeah."

Then their gate was called and everyone began boarding the airplane. It takes almost 15 minutes to get everyone situated, and the emergency exits and rules laid out before the plane begins down the run way.

JJhas the window seat with Bella in the middle and Crystal, their other teammate who they met at the gate, on the end. JJ's parents and brother sit across from them. And her grandparents in front of her.

At the Sam Diego airport.

When they land everyone is tired and ready for some food and sleep.

At the hotel.

Since the soccer coach called ahead and reserved the rooms for the team, all they had to do was check in.

JJ was staying in a room with Bella, Crystal, Stephanie, and Ashley.

"Mom, Ash texted and said she's in room 208. Can I just go on up?"

"Yes, you may. Just be back down here in fifteen minutes. We can eat dinner in the hotel restaurant."

JJ nods before her and Bella head to the elevator and to their room. The girls get situated, hanging their uniforms in the closet with the others before freshening up and heading back to the hotel lobby.

The next day. Game time.

After practicing this morning at 9, JJ and the girls went to the beach to cool off. They stayed there for a few hours before going back to the hotel and resting up for the game.

Now it's about five minutes before the game and JJ is giving her team a pep talk.

The referee blows the whistle and the game begins. Emily walks in the gate and searches the bleachers for JJ's family. Once she finds them she goes and sits down to watch.

(Sorry, it's late and I'm going to skip writing out the game. I have to be up early tomorrow, otherwise I would look up what an actual game is like.)

End of game.

The game ends with JJ scoring the winning goal. Everyone is happy, and after congratulating the other team, she makes her way to her family. Emily had gotten up a few minutes prior and watched her score from the gate before turning. And going to the parking lot.

"Oh, baby! That was great! I'm so proud if you, sweetheart!"

"Come on, kiddo. Let's go for some celebratory ice cream." JJ's grandpa suggests.

When everyone arrives to their cars in the parking lot, JJ notices a tall woman with long dark brown hair resting against her parents' car.

"Hey, who is that?" She asks.

The stranger turns around and JJ squeals in excitement as she recognizes the person.

"Oh, my God! Emily! What are you doing here?!" She jumps into the older woman's arms and gives her a tight hug.

"Oh, Bug. I was here to see you play. I'm so proud of you for winning!"

"Wait, what? You were here for the game?!" JJ's eyes sparkle with excitement and happiness.

"Yes, I was. My parents are working in the U.S. again, and I live here in Cali. I wanted to surprise you."

"Wait. You live in the U.S.? How come you didn't tell me?" She sounds just a tad bit hurt and Emily hates it.

"I've been here since Tuesday night. I wanted to tell you and I was. Wednesday. But then you mentioned you had a game Saturday in San Diego and I wanted to surprise you."

"Oh. Well, what are you doing now? Can we hang out? Please, please, please?"

"Yes, I am free for the rest of the afternoon. We can do anything you want to do. It's all up to you."

"Can we go to the beach? And look for shells and crabs and just lay in the sun?"

"You need to ask your mom first, but yes if that's what you want, then we can do it."

JJ turns to Sandy who is already in the car and looks at her with pleading eyes.

"I know we were going our for a celebratory dinner and ice cream, but can I go with Emily? Please, please, please?"

Sandy, happy to see the sparkle back in her daughter's eyes, nods her head. "Of course you can go. Be see you two. And Emily? It was so nice seeing you in person again."

"It was nice seeing you too, Sandy. Come on, Bug. Let's go get some ice cream and head to the beach.

JJ spends the next twenty four hours with Emily. They go sight seeing, get tans on the beach, and most importantly, JJ gets to see her best friend again.

When it's time to leave JJ loads up her bags in her parents' car but rides with Emily to the airport.

"I'm so glad I got to see this weekend, Bug."

"Me too, Emmy. I'm so happy you came to my game. That meant a lot to me. Thank you."

"Anytime, baby. I promise to try my best to call you more often, okay?"

"Why can't you just come see me? Since you're living in the U.S. now."

"How about I make you a deal? Okay? The very next time we see each other face to face will be for good. I'll stay and you never have to say goodby again. Is that a deal?"

"Yes, yes it's a deal." JJ's gate gets called and she gives Emily once last hug beige disappearing into the crowd to go to the gate.

So I know some of you will probably wonder why Emily can't see her more often. It's because she lives all the way in Cali and JJ lives in Pennsylvania. The driving back and forth would cost too much money.

Review please!