That day, Ryan walked home alone after his training session. As he arrived home, he got a phone called from an unknown number.

Ryan: Pronto.

??: You was being in Italy for just 2 months but you can't even speak in English now?

Ryan: Mal?

Mal: Of course it's me, silly. Don't you save my number?

Ryan: I did. Until you said you will delete my number and block me from all social media platforms.

Mal: Do you really think I will really delete your number?

Ryan: Well, you do block me from social media. So, I'm sure you will delete my number just like you said you would.

Mal: Never mind. Let's talk later. Can you pick me up at the airport now or at least send me your house location so that I can be there using uber or something.

Ryan: You're in Milan?

Mal: No, I'm in Moscow. Of course I'm in Milan, duh.

Ryan: Okay, then. I'm on my way.

Mal: Okay. See you later.

Then, they hung up. Ryan then puts his stuff before picked his car key before left again.

Later on;

Ryan parked his car and make his way to the arrival hall when he saw Mal is waiting for him.

"Hey" greeted Ryan. Mal just smirked before hugged Ryan.

"I miss you, Morgan" said Mal.

"I miss you too, Pugh" replied Ryan.

"Then, why don't you ever contact me?" asked Mal.

"Because you said that we're not friend anymore and told me to not looking for you anymore" replied Ryan.

"And you believe that?" asked Mal.

"Of course. Especially when you blocked me in your social media" replied Ryan.

"It's just social media, duh. You can just give me a call instead of asking about me from Hariz or T" said Mal.

"But you said that you are no longer want to be my friend" replied Ryan.

"It really crushed you, huh" said Mal.

"Yeah" replied Ryan.

"I'm sorry. I just get too emotional" said Mal.

"It's okay. I already get used of people that always come and go in my life" replied Ryan.

"Ryan" said Mal.

"Never mind that. Let's go" said Ryan.

Later during the drive;

"So, which hotel did you book to stay?" asked Ryan.

"I don't book any. You have no choice but to let me crashed in to your place" replied Mal.

"Actually, I have another option; let you stay on the street like the homeless" said Ryan before chuckled. Mal gave Ryan a death glare before pinched Ryan's arm.

"Ouch. Hey, I'm just kidding, okay" said Ryan.

"You deserved it" said Mal before stucked her tounge out.

"Unbrainable" replied Ryan.

"Is Hariz corrupting you in UK? You even used his catchphrase now" said Mal.

"Kind off" replied Ryan.

"But, seriously. You don't mind, right for me to crash in your place?" asked Mal.

"Sure. I don't mind" said Ryan.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" asked Mal.

"I never thought that we will ever talk again" replied Ryan. Mal smirked.

"I'm sorry" said Mal all of sudden.

"What for?" asked Ryan.

"For everything. I'm one of your best friends but the way I treated you that night is something that a friend must not do" replied Mal.

"Just forget about it. My late mother treated me worse than that. It's not a big deal" said Ryan.

"It is a big deal. I broke your heart" replied Mal.

"Like I said, Mal. Just forget about it" said Ryan.

"But..." before Mal can finished her words, Ryan cuts her off.

"Just let it go. It's in the past after all" replied Ryan.

"Very well" said Mal.

Later on;

They're arrived at Ryan's place.

"So, what are you want to eat for lunch?" asked Ryan.

"Any Italian food is fine" replied Mal.

"Okay, then. I made you a Bolognese pasta for you. Yes, we're in Milan, not Bologna. The problem is I never heard any Milanese pasta though" said Ryan before Mal can said anything.

"I didn't say anything" said Mal before stucked her tounge out.

"You're lucky that you're cute" muttered Ryan not really loud but it still enough for Mal to hear that.

"What did you just said?" asked Mal.

"I said that you're lucky that you're my friend. If not, I already kicked you out from here" said Ryan before stucked his tounge out.

"Uggh, that's it! I'll tell Alex that you're bullying me" said Mal while stucked her tounge out before making a FaceTime request to Alex. Ryan just chuckled while making preparation to cook.

Alex: Hi, Mal.

Mal: Hi, Alex. How you're doing?

Alex: I'm good. What about you?

Mal: I'm good.

Alex: So, what's up? I never thought that you will ask for a FaceTime with me.

Mal: I want to report something.

Alex: What is that?

Mal: Ryan bullying me.

"No, I'm not" shouted Ryan from the kitchen.

Alex: Where is he? Let me talk to him.

Mal: Hold on for a second.

Mal then walked to Ryan at the kitchen where Ryan is starting to cook.

Mal: There he is.

Ryan turned around and saw Alex on Mal's phone.

Ryan: Hi, sis.

Alex: Is it true that you're bullying one of USWNT baby?

Ryan: No.

Alex: Sure?

Ryan: Yup. Besides, she's the one that bullying me. See, I even had to cook lunch for her.

Alex: Mal, is it true?

Mal: No. Besides, this is his place, of course he's the one that cook for me since I just arrived.

Alex: Wait a second. Mal, you're in Milan right now?

Mal: Yeah. Why do you think Ryan is here then?

Alex: Oh-ho. Dating, huh.

Ryan and Mal: No, we're not.

Alex: Really?

Mal: Yes.

Ryan: Besides, there's no way someone like her will ever interested to date someone like me.

Mal: That's true. Not just he refused to play for MLS team, he said that MLS is a league for players that want to retire plays for the last time. As a proud American, I felt triggered when someone said something bad about our product.

Alex: Really, Ryan?

Ryan: Yup.

Alex: So, you think that MLS has no future?

Ryan: I'm not saying that. MLS needs a change. Maybe remove such thing like setting maximum salary of a players. They should also use a promotion and relegation format so that the competition will be better since the teams not just fighting to win the league, they're also fighting to be in the top division.

Alex: Uggh, you sound like a non-American.

Ryan chuckled.

Mal: That's true.

Alex: By the way, Ryan. I always wonder why did you gave all your stipends and your Gold Cup's money prize to the charity and your foster mom? Not that it's weird, but normally people will take at least a bit of it before making donation.

Ryan: It just to show that playing in the national team is not about money. You know, during my time in Brazil, all my teammates said that they want to play for their national team. I asked them why? Is it because they pay a lot? They replied; No, it is an honor to play represent your country. Even when I'm in Cardiff, all my teammates told me the same. That's the principle that I hold in myself. Every players with football as their no.1 sport think the same. While about my foster, she deserved it after she took care of me since the moment I stayed with her.

Alex: Hmm, you're really started to lose your American side since quit from the national team. You can't even said 'soccer' right now.

Ryan just chuckled.

Mal: Don't worry, Alex. I'll make him a fully American again.

Alex: Great, Mal. By the way, Ryan. Did Ancelotti already contacting you for the CONCACAF Nations League match?

Ryan: Nope. I guess he didn't interested to get me back to USMNT then.

Alex: I hope he will. Especially the match against Canada in our home turf will be played in LA.

Ryan: The place where I get my 1st caps, huh.

Alex: Yup. Anyway, I need to go now. Make sure both of you to behave yourselves. And Mal, don't forget that you need to report in with the team for USMNT and USWNT joint training camp.

Ryan: Okay, sis. I love you

Mal: Bye, Alex.

Alex: Bye. I love you too.

Then, they hung up.

Later after the lunch;

Ryan sitting on the couch watching TV when Mal came and took a seat besides him.

"Want to go somewhere, Mal?" asked Ryan.

"Not really. Just want to stay in today. Do you have practice tomorrow?" asked Mal in returned.

"Of course. Want to come?" asked Ryan.

"Yeah, if I'm allowed to" replied Mal.

"Of course you are. We can checked around after that" said Ryan.

"Great idea" replied Mal. Later, Ryan received a phone call from an uknown number.

Ryan: Pronto

??: Buongiorno, Ryan.  Questo è Carlo Ancelotti;  l'allenatore della squadra nazionale maschile degli Stati Uniti d'America. (Good day, Ryan. This is Carlo Ancelotti; the head coach of United States of America Men's National Team)

Ryan: Buongiorno signore.  Cosa posso fare per lei? (Good day, sir. What can I do for you?)

Ancelotti: Voglio chiederti se hai mai pensato di uscire dalla tua pensione internazionale e tornare in nazionale? (I want to ask you if you ever thought about coming out from your international retirement and return to the national team?)

Ryan: Sempre. Ma il precedente allenatore non me ne ha mai parlato.  Quindi, ho pensato che non avesse bisogno di me allora. (Always. But, the previous head coach never talk to me about it. So, I assumed that he didn't needs me then)

Ancelotti: Grande.  Ora voglio offrirti un posto nella squadra nazionale per la CONCACAF Nations League. Verrai a Los Angeles questo lunedì per la riunione del team e l'allenamento il giorno successivo? (Great. Now, I want to offer you a place in the national team for the CONCACAF Nations League. Will you come to LA this Monday for the team meeting and training on the next day?)

Ryan: Ovviamente. Sarò lì. (Of course. I'll be there)

Ancelotti: Buona. Vedrò te e gli altri 3 giocatori statunitensi che giocano per il Milan lunedì (Good. I'll see you and the 3 other USA's players that play for Milan on Monday)

Ryan: Va bene signore. Ma signore.  Riesci a mantenere questo come segreto per chiunque altro?  Di 'solo al Coach Hiddink se necessario (Okay, sir. But, sir. Can you keep this as a secret from anyone else? Just tell Coach Hiddink if you had to)

Ancelotti: Molto bene allora. Ok allora. Addio.

Ryan: Addio.

Then, they hung up. Ryan then smiled at Mal.

"What?" asked Mal curiously.

"Want to fly together with me to LA this weekend?" asked Ryan in returned. Mal's eyes go wide.

"Is that Carlo Ancelotti that just called you?" asked Mal.

"No, it's Mancini. Of course it's Ancelotti, duh" replied Ryan.

"Aww, welcome back to the national team, Ryan" said Mal before hugged Ryan.

"Thanks. Can you keep it as a secret? I want to surprise Alex and T" said Ryan.

"Of course I can" replied Mal. Then, they continued watching TV while cuddle.