Tobin's POV:

Today was the day. I put on my USWNT training gear and went downstairs, starting up my car to let it warm up before the drive to the training ground to meet the rest of the girls who were coming.

I shot Christen a quick text on the way, asking if she wants a lift to the school since today is our day off.

Chris 😘

Yes please. See you in a bit Tobs X

She replied. I picked her up and we made our way to the training ground so we could see what Jill wanted to do about lifts to the school.

"TOBITO!" Ash screamed, "You ready to see your superstar in action?" she asked me, a cheeky grin on her face.

"Only if you're ready for me to embarrass you in front of the soccer team." I replied, leaving her dumbfounded outside the ground.

I ended up taking Alex and Christen to East Shore, with Jill taking Ali and Ash. When we got there we were greeted by what looked like almost the whole school shouting and cheering for us. I couldn't help but smile, remembering how I used to act when I saw my idols when I was a kid, except my idols were Messi, Ronaldo, and all the other GOATs of the time.

"Hey everyone!" We got to work signing autographs and taking pictures with the students while Jill spoke to the principal.

Sky's POV

They had arrived. I was stood towards the back of the crowds, acting as if I didn't care that almost all my favourite players had just arrived at my school. But I did, I cared so much. In fact, I've never cared about anything more, except for my brother of course. That was what was stopping me from running to the front, asking Tobin if she remembered me. It was what was stopping me taking up Coach on her offer. I missed soccer, so much, and I had almost forgotten the thrills of sprinting down the pitch, the ball sticking to your feet as you beat one, two, three players. The feeling of your team running over to hug you as you score a goal. I just wished my life had never been like this, it had never been messed up. If Tyler was still here.

Casey and Tegan were doing their captaining duties, stood patiently beside Coach Nicholls as they waited for the team to finish talking to the rest of the pupils. I was so jealous.

I broke away from the crowds as the team gathered around their coach, Jill Ellis. I had been offered a place in the youth national U12 team in 7th grade, alongside Casey. That was when we told each other about our feelings for each other and started to date. I was so confused, my whole life I had been told that to like the opposite gender was a crime, a treacherous sin, but I knew what I felt. It was terrifying. I was terrified, for myself, for Casey. Were we doing something wrong?

All these memories came flashing back as I started to run, run towards the soccer fields. My breathing became heavier, my body lighter. I replaced my air forces with my cleats, as I started to juggle the ball, left, right, left, right. My brothers face as he megged me in the garden. Casey crying to me when her grandma died. Tegan's face as she walked into my house seeing my dad hitting me and abusing me in a drunken state. Her face when I told her about everything that he had done to me for the past two years. Her arguments when I told her that no one else could know, because then I would be taken to a foster home, moved away from her and Casey and all the other people I cared about. I slumped against the gate surrounding the Astro turf pitches. Help me. God, help me.

Jill's POV

"She's not coming. That's okay, never mind Principal Griffin, thank you for trying." I said, turning around to face the team. "Alright team, gather round."

I explained everything to them, the logistics of the day, what was going to happen, who was going to coach who.

"These two girls are the Captain and Vice-Captain of the varsity soccer team; they're going to show us around. Any questions?" I asked the team as we began our tour of the school.

"Tobin, can we talk?" I asked as we are shown around the science building, something which was extremely boring for someone who failed science as a kid. Not that I show that, since I know that the two girls leading us are just happy to be meeting their idols.

"Of course, Coach, what's up?" she replied as I take her to one side.

"Sky isn't coming to practice. She refused the offer. I'm guessing this is due to the 'personal reasons' you were on about. If you see her please point her out to me, I would like a word."

"Oh. Yeah okay Jill that's fine." The bell goes for the end of the period. Lunch, then it's time for these girls to show me what they can do.

Sky's POV

I slung my bag over my shoulder, having gathered my thoughts. I missed soccer, and I was not going to let two stupid abusers take that away from me. Especially not when the national team was in town.

"Hey, Coach!" I called as I spotted her from across the hall.

"I've changed my mind. I want to re-join the soccer team." I said with a small smile.

She looked at me and laughed. "Are you sure this has nothing to do with the fact that the national team are here?" she asked.

I laughed and shook my head, remembering coaches' sense of humour.

"Positive."

She threw a baguette at me, along with a ball. "you're going to need to be fuelled for your trial then Miss Kelley."

Wait. Trial? In front of the national team? Oh great.