Chapter 23

                                    

                                          


                          
Even with the off day, the World Cup is beyond exhausting. Whenever we aren't in practice we're doing media, eating, or sleeping. The five days in between the Thailand and Chile games go by in a flash, as every sports news outlet seems to want an interview with me. I thought being the rookie would mean reporters wouldn't be interested, but it seems to make them more interested. As I'm the youngest player in the tournament, along with a German player who's also 17. But with the hat trick in my first World Cup appearance, it seems everyone wants to get my story or opinion on something. While all the other girls are relaxing, I'm with Alex and Pinoe doing interviews as we are asked for them the most.  
                          
I didn't end up starting in the Chile game, but I wasn't disappointed. Jill had switched up a lot of people from the roster against Thailand. I ended being subbed in during halftime and was able to land a shot in the back of the net with an assist from Sonnett in the 85' minute. This left us with a 4-0 win over Chile.  
                          
Like the game against Thailand, I was asked to do media, except this time neither Alex nor Pinoe were there. This meaning even more of the questioned were aimed towards me. As reporters kept bombarding me with questions, I kept repeating the same thing just using different words, as that is how the reports seem to form almost all of their questions.   
                          
As I walk into my hotel room in Paris, I'm so mentally and physically drained I barely make it to my bed. I belly flop, as I hear Mal unlock the door to our room. I groan as I hear my phone go off next to my ear. I take a couple of seconds, before pulling myself off the bedding to look at the screen. A smile instantly finds its way onto my lips, as I see a text message from Morgan.  
                          
Morgs🤪: 
                          
Hey, u did so well tonight! 
                          
That shot from outside the box was incredible!
                          
The way you and Emily Sonnett connected is like magic.
                          
I smile at my phone, as I instantly start to form a reply back about how Sonnett should get more playing time. Just after sending the text out, I hear Mal ask almost sounding a little jealous, "Who are you texting that's got you all smiley?"  
                          
I smirk as I turn off my phone, "Wouldn't you like to know, Pugh."  
                          
"Yes, actually. I would," Mal states confidently as she takes a lunge for my phone on the bed. 
                          
I quickly snatch it away before saying with a smile, "You're gonna have to be faster than that, Pugh." 
                          
Mal playfully rolls her eyes, pretending to walk away before quickly jumping back on top of me. I fall back on the bed in an attempt to keep my phone out of her reach. She adjusts her position and easily gains access to my phone, but it's quickly forgotten as she realizes the position we're in. She's now straddling my hips while holding my hands above my head. She quickly notices how our faces are only inches apart, as our eyes meet. It feels like minutes as our eyes search each other, almost asking if we're both feeling the same way. I swear I see her eyes flicker down to my lips before she starts to lean in. It's like I'm not in control of my body anymore, as I too follow her lead.  
                          
Once our lips are only centimeters apart, Mal suddenly snaps out of it or something. She quickly pulls away, and asks with a soft voice, "Who were you texting?" pretending like what just happened didn't just happen.  
                          
My sarcasm taking over, I chuckle, "Wow, little miss Mallory Pugh being all dominate, it's hot."  
                          
I smirk, as I make her flustered and go silent. She suddenly springs off of me, as Kelley knocks, "Hey, kiddos! Everyone's getting together in Carli's room, hurry up!"