- Paige's POV - Oct. 9th -

I wake up to the vibration of my phone against me, remembering I have to get up and head to the airport so I can report for international duty.

I dismiss the alarm before carefully getting out of the arms I'm embraced by.

It's currently 1:30 in the morning, so I have to be super quiet.

I change into a solid black tee, white ripped jeans, and a random Nike hoodie out of my closet before slipping on some Vans. I grab my key lanyard and stuff my keys in my pocket before exiting the bedroom.

I head to the kitchen to get a piece of paper and pen to write a note.

Morning:) I know you head back to America as well today since your vacation is over. I hope you have a good flight, and please text or call me when you've landed. Spending time with you has been great, and I think we should talk about what we're gonna be... Sorry I didn't say bye in person by the way, you looked super peaceful and I didn't want to wake you.

-Paige

P.S. Just lock the knob before shutting it when you leave, thanks!

I set it down where Jade will see it before heading back into the bedroom. I leave a kiss on her temple before exiting the bedroom again and grabbing my bags before exiting my apartment.

I'm surprised that United released Christen, Tobin, and I, but then again I'm not for some reason.

Anyways, I pick up Tobin and Christen before we head to the airport.

_

We just got off two flight, one that was nine hours to JFK in New York, then a three hour one here to Austin. It was 8:42 AM here when we landed and we just arrived to the hotel in which it is 9:20.

We're the first ones to the hotel besides the staff, so we head to the conference room where were told to go after handing out luggage off. Apparently we have to wait here until everyone is here.

We also have a new Coach, which is HAO, and I am finally getting the chance to prove that I can deserve a spot on this team, unlike Jill Ellis.

This is my first call up in a long time.

I sit down in a chair and pass the fuck out within five minutes with my head down because the amount of time zones we went back in.

After what feels like five minutes, I'm nudged awake, causing me to raise up and look over to see Moe.

"Hey." I say raspily but with a smile, and give a fist bump like we used to. "Hey. Meeting is about to start." She says. "Ohhhh. Thanks for waking me." I say and she laughs and nods.

I then look at my watch to see it is 2:59 PM. Well damn.

"Welcome everyone to the October 2021 WNT Camp, glad to see you all here." HAO starts, causing the chatter around the room to stop.

I listen to HAO as she speaks about what's going to be going on this camp, and our schedule. Then we're told there's some announcements within the team.

"Carli?" HAO says, and Carli stands up.

"I am sad to say that my time on the National Team is coming to an end at the end of this camp. I've played a long time but I don't think these bones can take it much longer." She says and some us laugh at the last part.

Honestly, she should've already retired but that's just my opinion.

HAO then says some other things that are announcements, which I kind of zoned out in.

"Ash, Ali, you had an announcement as well?" She says, causing my head to snap up and look towards my Moms when they stand up.

"Yes." They both say. "Our time on the National Team is coming to an end as well. We feel that it's time we to settle completely down and have more time for family, and be able to travel, have more free time, and other things as well. " Mom says. "But, this team will always be one of the biggest things that has made the biggest impacts on our lives, especially you guys." Mama says.

I didn't know they were retiring completely, but their reasons make sense.

Not long after, we're given our room assignments, and I'm actually roomed with Moe so that's cool. We head upstairs together to unpack and get settled for the next few weeks.

"How are you?" She asks me as we do so. "I'm good, you?" I say. "That's good, and I'm good." She says and I nod. "How're you liking Manchester?" She asks. "I love it. It's so nice." I say. "I'm glad you're liking it over there." She says and I nod.

My phone chimes so I head over and look at it.

Jade Tanner: I'm back in Houston, and the flight went well. It was long but fine. Thanks for the note this morning, and yes I agree. Just call me whenever your free and we can talk, even though I'd rather we do it in person, but not everything works so that's okay lol.

I smile before I respond that I will.

"Hmmm phone chimes and a smile, that's odd." Moe says and I laugh as I look up at her. "Someone texted me about something, that's all." I say and she gives an 'I call bullshit' look. "Seriously." I say. "Okay, okay." She says.

After a few minutes, I decide to leave my room and try to find my family. I find Sonnett in the hallway.

"Sonny, hey." I say with a smile. "Paaaaaigey!" She says making me laugh before she pulls me in for a hug.

"How are you?" She asks when we pull apart. "Good, how about you?" I ask. "Good, and good. You were totally right about the ring by the way, thank you so much." She says. "You proposed?" I ask and she nods. "Awww, I'm happy for you two." I say. "Thanks. And Danielle would've told you but she's been really busy." She says and I nod, understanding that my sister is a teacher with a lot of work.

"Love talking to you, but do you happen to know where my family is?" I ask. "Nope, sorry." She says. "It's fine." I say then begin to look for them.

- The Next Day - Training -

"Lyssaaa, help." I say and walk towards her as I hold my hand up. Literally twisted my glove somehow and I don't know how. I'm struggling today.

She chuckles and helps fix it.

"There you go, kiddo." She says. "Thanks." I say. "You're welcome." She says.

"Paige, you're up." Someone says so I get in goal while the team scrimmages.

I make a few easy saves and after a little bit, the same person is the one who keeps taking shots once their side gets to me.

Saved.

Saved.

Saved.

Saved.

"Just let one in, damnit." I hear them say as the ball is fired straight at me. I think that they believe I'm gonna miss the tell, bit no it's coming straight at me, and when I catch it, the momentum of it pounds my fucking abdomen.

"Damn." I say and hold the ball with one hand as I lean over a little bit.

"Hey, you alright?" Mama asks me after she's walked over. "Yeah, I'm good." I say as I raise back up.

After a few minutes, the ball gets passed back to me so I'm looking at who to pass it to on my back line, and the same person decides to try and challenge me. She comes right up at, even though the team is telling her not to.

Since I can't pick the ball up, I roll the ball forward under my foot, to the right then quickly to the left as they're still running towards me. Once they get closer, I quickly move to the side with the ball and they run into the goal and the net.

"What the hell, Pugh?" Some people say.

"Paige, Mal, a word please." HAO says loudly. "Alyssa, get in goal." She says after.

I kick the ball up into my hands and toss it to Alyssa before heading to Coach.

"What's going on between you two? Whatever happened personally, you know that stays off the field." HAO says. "I know." Me and Mal both say. "Well then what the hell is going on out there?" She asks. "I'm not sure, Coach. I'm not doing anything but my job, which is training and being a teammate." I say and shrug. "Mal?" HAO's gaze shifts.

"I don't know, Coach. It won't happen again though." Mal says. "It better not, now wait to be rotated back in." She says and we nod and walk separate ways.

"You alright, munchkin?" Tobin asks, and I nod before taking a drink of water from my bottle.

Bitch made my stomach hurt.