Chapter 30
I sat in the airport along with the rest of the players. Our flight was delayed multiple times due to some rain or thunderstorms. It was past midnight and our coach didn't want to miss an opportunity to get another flight. Most of the players were spread out on the benches.
I grabbed my laptop and started some of my summer homework, when my Spencer's face popped up in the right hand corner of my screen.
"Hey beautiful, so are you excited for the big game?" Spencer asked starring back with her beautiful Carlin smile.
"Well, hello! I am excited, except for the fact that our flight has been delayed multiple times."
"Oh, I'm sure your keeping yourself busy."
"Well I have an excellent view," I joked turning my computer around so that Spencer could see my teammates passed out on the bench.
"That's some view," she laughed.
"So how are you Spencer? How's 'training'?"
"It's okay, but I can't wait to leave. Carmen's enjoying this way to much." She turned her computer to the right to show Carmen passed out in an armchair.
"Well I hope they aren't working you too hard."
"No of course not, but I have to say I've developed a nice six pack."
"Oh, I'm looking forward to see that."
"Maybe if you're lucky you'll also get to touch them," she whispered. I couldn't help but laugh.
"I miss you Spence."
"I miss you too Ashley. I'll try and catch as much of the game as I can." There was a beeping coming from the computer.
"Oh," Spencer grimaced. "My time's almost up."
"Oh."
"I'll call you as soon as I can."
"30 days."
"30 days."
Spencer's face vanished from the screen and I was left starring at my blank work document. I couldn't wait to see Spencer. I missed being able to touch her, kiss her, hold her hand, everything about Spencer I missed.
It was already three in the morning and I had only written a few paragraphs. I tired to focus on constructing a valid thesis, but thoughts of Spencer invaded my mind every minute.
By the time the sun rose, we were on an airplane bound for England. I felt the airplane jerk beneath my seat as we landed. I shook my head to try and shake the grogginess from my eyes and head.
"I don't know how you slept?" Lucy, one of my teammates, asked. I looked around for a moment to get reoriented with my surroundings.
"Well, I don't know how you slept on those waiting benches," I teased. I strained my neck from side to side trying to get the soreness out.
"Good afternoon, and welcome to Heathrow International. We hoped you enjoyed your flight, and we look forward to flying with you again," a voice over the intercom said.
Lucy and I quickly grabbed our bags from the overhead compartment and exited the plane. I took an hour for us to get everyone and everything together. By the time were had grabbed our luggage from the baggage claim the sun was set. We grabbed a quick dinner at the hotel before retiring to our rooms. I was lucky and got Lucy as a roommate. Lucy was probably one of the coolest people I've ever met.
I grabbed my phone and sent my parents a quick email saying that we had made it to England safely. I wanted them to come but neither of them could get time off, and Sid was too young to fly by himself.
"You should get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us," Lucy said trying off her light and climbing into bed.
"A very long day," I said resting my head on my pillow.
It didn't take me long to fall asleep, but felt like I had just closed my eyes when I heard the alarm ringing. Sunlight poured into the room, and the light momentarily blinded us.
"I feel like I have a hangover," Lucy said rubbing her eyes.
"I feel like I got hit by a bus," I groaned.
It took both of us a while for both of us to actually get out of bed. Neither of us bothered to shower since we were going to sweating the entire day. I threw on a pair of running shorts and a tank top before grabbing my bag and stick and heading downstairs. We joined the rest of the team for a team breakfast. Everyone was in the same condition…sleep deprived.
By nine o'clock we were on the field doing warm-ups. The day went as followed, warm-ups, skills, scrimmage, core, lunch, skills, scrimmage, stretching, and relaxation. That was the schedule for the next three days. It wasn't terrible, but the first day was brutal. All we wanted to do was sleep. Some of the player didn't even bother to eat lunch and took the time to nap.
In the evenings, Lucy and I decided to wonder around the city and look at all the different attractions. On our last day we ended up on the London Bridge looking out over the water.
"Can't believe it all starts tomorrow?" Lucy said quietly.
"It feels a little unreal to be honest."
"So has Spencer called?"
"No, she's probably busy training or something, but we'll see each other soon."
"I bet she's cheering you on right now."
The passed few days our team spent moving up the brackets, until there were two teams left, US and Australia. I was excited that we had made it this far, but all I wanted was to be with Spencer.
The sun hadn't even risen when we left the hotel this morning. By the time we got the field the sun was just starting to peak over the stadium. The game didn't start until noon, but our coach wanted us there five hours before. We took our time stretching and warming up, before starting drills. We stopped to grab lunch at ten o'clock, before running over multiple game plans.
Around 10:30 the people started to arrive at the stadium. The Australia team used the field while we were having out lunch and breakout meeting. Around 11 o'clock we changed into our uniforms.
"I just want to say that it has been an honor working with you! You are all extremely talented young ladies and have a bright future ahead of you. But today, today we're going to go out on the field and show the world what we're made of! Today may be a victory or a loss, but not matter what you have come all this way, achieved all this. That's all that matters, not some status above your name, but what this experience has done for you." Coach screamed trying to get us pumped up. "Now let get out there and shock the world!"
Spencer's POV
"Spencer, if they catch us, we're gonna be in so much trouble," Carmen whispered.
"Carmen, relax, there is no one here. I've been scouting the pass out. The guards don't patrol this area. We're fine. I just want to see a few minutes," I hissed back checking my watch. It was almost eight in the morning, which means its about two in London.
The computer room was empty and there wasn't a guard in sight. We didn't have to report until 10 o'clock. I quickly logged into the computer and found a live link for the World Cup. I felt a smile creep onto my lips when I saw Ashley's picture being displayed on the screen.
"And USA's Ashley Davies scores, with an assist from Lucy Chapman. Ladies and gentleman I don't think I have even seen such a great dynamic duo before. Davies and Chapman have taken the US to the top of the ladder; scoring four of USA's points. There's only a couple of minutes left in the game, will they be able to break the tie with Australia."
I watched as Ashley joined the huddle, trying to figure out their game plan. The broke quickly and formed on the field. The ref blow the whistle and the ball was taken by the Australians.
"Oh and the Australians take possession of the ball, will America be able to get the ball back in time…wait a minute…US HAS THE BALL! Davies intercepted the ball, and is moving quickly up the field."
"Damn Ash," I heard Carmen whisper behind me.
"Chapman in possession of the ball moving up field and oh, that had got to hurt!" the reporter said as Chapman was body slammed by and Aussie player.
Ashley's POV
"Chapman! Hey," I shouted trying to get Lucy to look at me. I watched as the Aussie player ran directly into Lucy sending her to the ground.
"God this feels worse than a hangover," she moaned removing her facemask. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Are you okay? Does anything hurt?"
"I just got the wind knocked out of me," she said trying to take deep breaths.
"Does your head hurt? What day is it? Do you remember what just happened?"
"Relax Ash, I don't have a concussion," she said trying to sit up.
"Alright let's get you up," I said taking Lucy's arm and pulling her up.
Coach took Lucy into the locker rooms to get her checkout, while the rest of the team took a time out.
"Okay we're down on player, so here's what we're going to do. Get the ball to Davies and stick closer to her, small passes, tight containment, I know it sounds crazy but do what you can not to let the Aussies get the ball," Rachel, our team captain said.
We took our places on the field. I glanced up at the clock, 2:07, as along as the Aussies don't get the ball, we'll be fine. I focused my attention on Rachel waiting for her to pass me the ball. I heard the whistle blow, before I saw Rachel turn and throw the ball. It landed in my pocket and I took off down the field with my teammates on either side of me. Every time an Aussie got close we were throw the ball to another teammate on the opposite side.
We quickly made our way up the field before they caught up to us. They swarmed around the goal making a goal shot nearly impossible.
"RACHEL OUTSIDE LEFT!" I shouted before breaking from the group and running in the opposite direction of the goal.
Spencer's POV
"…and Davies is running in the opposite direction of the goal. There are only seconds left in the game and the US is running away. Davies is making a roundabout heading towards outside right. The shot is nearly impossible but Davies is a talented player. Hold on…Seattle's Rachel Henderson is now possession of the ball…GOAL! GOAL FOR THE US! USA WINS THE WORLD CUP. Henderson, a senior at UNC, scores the winning goal for the US with an excellent assist from Davies, a freshman at UNC…"