Chapter 16

                                    

                                          



The first game this camp against South Africa went very well, as I'm finally back on the field. I didn't know how much I missed it, no needed, to be back on the field instead of just partying. As much as I love taking a break, I'm not meant to have so much free time to just sit around and think. The more free time I have, the more time I have to think of Robert and the other abuse I've faced. It's not that I'm avoiding my problems, I just don't need to waste another thought on them. 
                          
Jill has started to give me consistently more time per game, as I'm subbed in for Tobin after the half. I was able to score in the 78' minute off a deflection from their goalie, along with assisting Mal in another goal during extra time. The score ended up being 3-0, which left all of us happy. The next day we had off to recover, before our next game against New Zealand. I decided—well was practically forced—to go shopping with some of the younger players, after Abby said, "You have the wardrobe of a 12 year old boy" I rolled my eyes, being perfectly content with my sweatpants and sweatshirt lifestyle. Of course, this didn't deter Mal, Abby, or Lindsey from practically playing dress up and using me as their doll. Sonnett tagged along only to get videos and laugh at my complete displeasure of the day's activities, but Sonnett and I ended up breaking out into mini dance parties in each dressing room. Which earned glares from some of the store employees—but of course, we continued anyway. 
                          
I was so exhausted from the hours of endless shopping, so instead of joining the younger girls to watch a movie, I decide to go back to my room to chill. Instead of finding an empty room, I see Alex, Ash, Ali, Kelley, Julie, Christen, and Tobin all hanging out on the beds. I drop my bags at the foot of the bed, before flopping down on an empty spot of mattress. Before I can even close my eyes, Ash says, "Just the person we wanted to talk to."
                          
I open my eyes slightly and manage to lift my head from the pillow, making sure she's talking to me before asking, "What? Why? What'd I do?"
                          
"What do you think you did?" Alex asks butting in giving me a pointed look.
                          
I look at her, "For the first time in my life, I honestly don't know what I could be in trouble for." 
                          
Ali just laughs before saying with a smirk, "You're not in trouble. We were just talking about significant others, and we were wondering if there's anyone special in your life?" 
                          
I let out a small snort and reply, "Save your breath, I don't date," before letting my head drop back to my pillow. 
                          
"What do you mean you don't date?" Julie questions sounding confused. 
                          
"I think I'm going to have to fact check that one," Alex says, and I open my eyes to see her smirking face. 
                          
"Go for it," I mumble, thinking she's just going to go through my social media for photos of possible past girlfriends.
                          
Instead, I hear her phone ringing, and then Mia's voice comes through the phone speaker, "Hey, Alex, is everything ok?"
                          
My eyebrows scrunch together before I remember Alex had given Mia her phone number in case anything bad were to happen. I sit up in my bed, giving up on getting any sleep with how many people are in the hotel room. I grab my water bottle from my bedside, as Alex answers, "Yeah, everything's fine, but I have a question?"
                          
"Shoot," Mia says. 
                          
"Is Ryn in a relationship?" Alex asks before Mia immediately bursts out laughing on the other end of the phone.
                          
"So it's true!" Kelley yells triumphantly, but I just wait for Mia's response. 
                          
"Ryn? Cathryn Johnson?! In a relationship?! HA! Ryn, who gets wasted and then choked out by a different girl every Friday night?!" Mia laughs through the phone, as I practically choke on my water at what she just said.