- Paige's POV - Mon., Oct. 3rd -

Soooo... Man United has had a successful season so far and I've scored a few goals seeing as I switch between forward and goalkeeper.

I'm currently getting ready to meet Christen and Tobin for coffee. I'm wearing this:

I grab my keys and lock up my apartment before heading to the coffee shop we like going to down the street. I'm only driving because it's only like fifty something degrees and I think it's cold. I'm a baby, I know.

I realize that Tobin and Christen aren't here yet, but I am usually early to everything so it makes since. I make my way to order my coffee, which I just get a iced caramel latte before sitting down at a tall table with tall chairs.

I'm scrolling through Instagram when I see someone walking towards me in my peripheral, causing me to look up.

"Ah, it's the soccer star again." The woman says, making me smile. "It's the fellow American again." I say, returning a smile. "Odd we keep running into each other, huh?" She says and I nod.

So, a few days ago, I met this woman named Jade, and she's from America as well obviously. She's here on vacation. I've learned she's a cop back in the US, but she's also very hot and nice.

I know I'm still only eighteen but I'm a mature adult and can make my own decisions. Plus she's 25, not a big deal.

"I don't mind it though." I say. "Me either." She agrees. "Well, I best be on my way, gonna go explore." She says. "Okay, hope you have a good day." I say. "Thanks, you too... Is it possible I could get your number?" She says. "Of course. As long as you don't leak it." I say. "I would never." She says seriously. "Okay." I say, and she hands me her phone which is logged in.

I add my number and save the contact as 'Soccer Star' with a soccer ball emoji on both ends. "Thanks. See ya." She says with a smile. "Yep, see ya." I say and return one before she turns and leaves the coffee shop, and Christen and Tobin make their way from the counter to the table.

"What was that munchkin?" Christen asks with a smirk. "Nothing." I say and take a drink of my coffee. "Mmmmmhmmmm." Tobin hums, causing me to raise a brow at her.

"What? It's not everyday you see your niece randomly talking to a hot stranger in a coffee shop with a large smile on her face." She says causing Christen to elbow her in the ribs.

"Owwww, what was that for?" She asks her wife. "You said hot." She says. "Hey, you know I only have eyes for you." Tobin says and pecks Christen's cheek.

"Since when can I not be social?" I ask. "You're usually quiet around people you don't know, Pai." Christen says. "Oh, right..." I say and find the table interesting.

"I just feel like I'm changing. Like not a bad change, just that I'm getting more comfortable with being around people even if I don't know them and all. I don't know." I say. "That's normal, kiddo." Tobin says. "Really?" I ask as I look up, and the two nod.

"But seriously, tell us about her. There's something between you two, we could tell by your face." Christen says, making me blush at the thought of Jade, even though we barely know each other.

"Well... We met a few days ago. We don't know a lot about each other, so I obviously can't tell you much. Her name is Jade and she's from Texas. She's a cop as well, but she's currently on vacation. She's also very, very, very nice." I explain and my aunts are smiling.

We then talk about how we're all doing and all since we've been busy with separate things lately.

- Later -

We just got done with practice and I just got finished showering.

"Paige, someone's been blowing up your phone." Lauren James says, confusing me. "Really?" I ask as I walk to my locker and she nods. Well her locker is next to mine since she's number 16 and I'm number 15.

I put my shower stuff away before picking up my phone to see tons of instagram notifications, twitter notifications, the national team groupchat blowing up, and a message from an unknown number.

I sigh and put my phone away as I pick up my backpack that I keep my gear in.

"I'm gonna go, see you all." I say. There's a lot of 'see ya's' around the room and 'bye's'.

I exit the facility and head to my car. I put my backpack in the trunk then get in the driver's seat obviously and take my phone back out.

I check the national team group chat first and it's everyone yelling through text at Mallory.

"What the hell?" I mumble as I read the messages.

I then decide just to head to Instagram to see what everyone is fucking tagging me in.

There's a picture of her and the baseball guy kissing, and everyone is still trying to figure out what happened to me and her. I then head to Twitter to see the guy posted something aimed towards me apparently but it's been deleted.

I then realize that the girls were trying to get Mallory to tell him to delete it. I don't even fucking care anymore.

I quickly type up a post that I put across all platforms, only saying we had mutual differences and we broke it off, which isn't a hundred percent true obviously but I'm not just gonna out someone like that just because I'm pissed.

There's a knock on my window, startling me and that's when I look over to see some of my teammates, so I turn my car on so I can roll down my window.

"Hey, what's up?" I ask. "We just came to check on you, you seemed pissed." Millie Turner says. "Oh, I am but it's stupid. I really don't even care about it." I say calmly. "You sure?" Christen asks. "Yep." I say, knowing they obviously know what it is. "Alright." All my teammates say. "Remember, bonding at Jackie's tonight." Someone says and I nod.

"See you guys." I say as they disperse. "See ya." They all say.

I put my phone down before completely starting my car and heading home.

- The Next Day -

Training was cancelled for some reason, so we're all free today. On and off all of yesterday after practice I texted Jade and I kinda may or may not have gotten asked on a date.

Well we're not really calling it a date since we're just gonna be walking around together and getting to know each other more.

I get dressed into this since I still want to look nice:

Turns out her hotel is right down the street, and I just got a text saying she's outside of my building so I lock up before heading downstairs and outside.

I see the brunette standing against the wall in order to not block the sidewalk.

"Hi." I say with a smile. "Hey, shall we?" She says, returning a smile. "We shall." I say with a small laugh as we start walking.

"How are you today?" She asks. "I'm good, you?" I say. "Good, and good." She says. "That's good. How's your stay in Manchester going?" I ask. "It's going good. Time change is still a little odd but it's whatever." She says and we laugh. "How long exactly have you been over here?" She asks me. "Since July. Man United is my first pro club team." I say. "Nice, nice. You didn't decide to go to school like some do. How come?" She says. "Wow, I'm surprised you didn't Google me. I always figured people would Google me." I say causing her to be confused.

"Well, long story short, I could've gotten my college degree while in highschool since I was learning at college level because of how intelligent I am. I'm not bragging, but it's he truth. I felt that going to college would not be beneficial and I've been a pro footballer since the day I turned seventeen." I say. "And now you're nineteen?" She asks. "Next month I will be." I say. "Cool." She says.

"What made you become a cop?" I ask after a few minutes of us just talking. "Oh... I uhm... I witnessed the murder of my family because the police didn't make it in time... And I want to do everything in my power to prevent that happening to others." She says. "Oh, I am so, so, so sorry. I feel dumb even for asking." I say and drop my head.

"Hey, you don't have to be. It's in the past, I've moved on, they caught who did it. I know I'm making my family proud and that's enough." She says, making me look up. "You sure?" I ask and she nods.

She asks to know more about me, and since she told me a lot about her, I guess I'll tell her a lot about me. I'm really comfortable around her.

I'm about to begin speaking when I hear my name.

"Hey Paige!" I look to ahead of us to see the Tower of Power and Casper walking our way. "Hey!" I say with a smile. The two hug me once we meet them.

"How are you guys?" I ask. "Good." They both say. "Good." I say and they nod. "Oh, hey this is Jade, a friend of mine." I say and introduce her. "Jade, this is Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle. I'm on the national team with them and they play for Man City." I say. "Friends with the enemies, huh?" Jade questions, making us laugh.

"Eh, kinda." I say, then my teammates greet Jade and all before they say they have to go.

"Anyways, I'm from Orlando. Lived there my whole life and now here I am in England. Like you, I lost my family, except only my parents passed. My older brother was in the military when the accident happened amd he didn't know until like a year or two ago, and then me and my sister got separated because I had to go into the system. I was later adopted by my Moms, Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger, also professional footballers, amd long time later I have abusive ex boyfriend, nearly killed me, killed my best friend... Some national team stuff in between, then Covid, Moms adopted twins who are now my sisters, one passed because of cancer, I graduated and now here I am. Pretty bad, I know but I've gotten through it, and it's still tough sometimes after all of that." I say.

"Damn, Paige." Jade says softly. "Yeah, I know." I say quietly. "Hey, you're strong though. I may not have known you that long, but you are the strongest person I know." She says and puts an arm around my shoulder. I don't even object it because I actually enjoy this.

I think I like her, like a lot.