Chapter Text
The day had come. Her first official practice as a Seattle Reign FC Player. And to say she was nervous was an understatement. After being drafted as the 4th overall pick, she was excited to play for one of the best teams in the States. After being picked up by fellow defender Rachel Corsie, Carson made her way out of the car and into the stadium that she would now call home.
“Just head into the locker room. Walk down the hall, second door on the left.” The center back explained. Carson nodded, and grabbed her back from the back seat, and started to make her way into the stadium. Several other girls were also making their ways in. She ran into another draftee Summer Green, who had the same nervous look on her face.
“Hey, We’ll be fine.” Carson said, looking over at Summer, who gave her a small smile.
“I mean what could possibly go wrong?” She muttered and held the door open for Summer. The locker room was relatively quiet, the only people in were Jessica Fishlock, Megan Rapinoe, LuLu Barnes and Hayley Kopmeyer.
Carson set her stuff down, and sat down. Taking a few deep breaths to calm her nerves, she unzipped her bag, and pulled her cleats, guards and socks out. Someone came to sit next to her. It was Megan Rapinoe, forward/midfielder.
“Looking nervous there Rook.” She stated as she also started to get ready. Carson blushed slightly, and tugged her sneakers off.
“Is it that noticeable?” She asked the blonde, who smirked. Setting her shoes in her bag she tugged on her socks and made sure that they were up all the way, then put her guards on.
“Just a bit.”
“Pin Head, don’t scare her.” Jess spoke, turning her attention to the other blonde. Carson let out a laugh and pulled her cleats on, and tied them up. 5 minutes later, while she was putting her hair up, Laura came in a smile on her face.
“Everyone gather around.” She yelled out.
“Alright, we are now in season four of the League.” Everyone cheered.
“Welcome Rookies Havana Solan, Summer Green, Lindsey Luke, Paige Nielson,and Carson Pickett.” She exclaimed. A hand went around Carson’s shoulder. Jess was standing next to her, a huge smile on her face.
They broke off in groups as they headed out to the pitch, Carson being up with Jess and Pinoe. Making sure everything was right, she stepped on the pitch for the first time.
And it felt great.
They started with light warm ups then went into drills. Carson was connecting most of her passes, and the smile she had on never left her face. Then the scrimmage started. And for the defender it wasn’t going too well. She let the forwards in, and didn’t clear balls fast enough.
Sighing to herself, she grabbed her bottle of water and sat down on the bench.
“You okay?” a voice asked, worried in their voice. The rookie looked up to see goalkeeper Hayley Kopmeyer.
“Just a bit frustrated right now.” She confessed, a frown on her face.
“I know how you feel. I remember my first practice.” Kop said, and sat down next to the defender, and put her arm on the top of the bench.
“Really, but that was like ages ago.” Carson couldn’t help but joke, a smile making its way onto her face. She thought back to how her days at college were a bit easier than this. But no one said playing pro would be easy.
“Bit of a jokester I see.” Kop laughed, and looked out onto the pitch.
“Just a tad.”
“What you need to do, is take a few deep breaths. This is the first practice of many to come. You’re young. You’re talented. You got many more years left. Take a deep breath, and go back out there and do your best. You’re only going up from here kid.” The keeper said, glancing back at the right back.
“Everyone back onto the pitch for round two.”
Carson smiled and got up, and took one last drink of water. Then she surprised the taller woman by pulling her into a tight hug.
“Thank you. I really needed that Kop.” She said and pulled back. The keeper just smiled.
“Anytime kiddo. I’m here for you.”
[A/N Kop and Carson are easily my favorite Reign FC players. So, why not make a cute one shot of them?]