Chapter Text
Ali was in her early twenties when it maid its way to her mind. With soccer training games, and tournaments, she never had too much time to think about it anyways. As a young girl she did everything that was asked of her. She did braids, nails painting and played outside with her friends. Boys only became a “thing” in seventh grade when her best friends started having boyfriends, holding hands and giving little kisses on the cheeks. She sort of figured that she had to start thinking about having a boyfriend someday, but she wasn’t ready like all of her friends were. She didn’t have any interests in them what so ever.
Luckily, soccer became a huge part of life. At age 12, Alexandra Krieger was already showing signs of stardom. Through the small town of Virginia, she became a small legend. Her mind and her feet were unbeatable. She quickly became a part of the international soccer organisation, not even a year after elementary school was over. After high school, she became an important member of the Penn State University’s soccer team. The quickest right back the team as ever seen. Playing at that level was demanding, but Ali has always been able to balance school, soccer, and friends.
“Oh come on Ali, it’s just for a few drinks! We need to celebrate making the playoffs!”
“Exactly Kate! I’ve been doing nothing but training lately and I have forty-page assignment due in a week’s time that I haven’t even started yet!”
“Come on, you need to loosen it up a bit, relax you know? Ok lets make a deal: if you come with us, I swear I’ll get you all glammed up for you to get a cute guy’s number tonight. How does that sound?”
“Hmmm”, said Ali, mumbling sounds not quite sure what to say.
“Please! You haven’t been with a guy in like… forever! It can only do you good.”
Ali wasn’t too sure about that. She had been out with a few guys during high school and stuff, but nothing really serious. She always felt awkward or bored while being on a date. Plus, even though she attracted the most gorgeous and the sweetest guys ever, she never felt a physical or emotional connection with them. It’s only a few months ago, while her roommate Kate was getting dressed after a long shower, that she was hit with the female body’s beauty. Every curve, every muscle was a strong aphrodisiac to Ali that instantly felt drown to it.
She did not feel anything more then friendship towards Kate, but could help but think about what it would feel to have that body pressed against hers. Not Kate’s body, simply a women’s body. She quickly erased the though being with a woman out of her mind. Being gay was nowhere near her plans. She stayed in that night, reliving her old thoughts, and slowly began the process of self-understanding. She didn’t know where to begin, but one thing was clear: no man was ever going to make her happy.
“ASH! ASH! ASH!” Whether she heard it on the field after a big save, or in parties killing it at beer pong, it was her favourite chant. People cheering her name was the only drug she was addicted to. Not too bad compared to her brother who was addicted to different narcotics. Ashlyn had grown up in a lower class family with a brother battling addiction and her parents doing everything they could to pay rent and her equipment.
That’s how she started soccer. A ball and some friends was all it took to have fun in the streets, no money necessary. And she was thankful to that sport that kept her motivated and out of trouble. Of course she partied a lot, but never got lost in the relatively large amount of alcohol she was consuming. Her talented was quickly picked up by her school’s coach that recommended her to play for the big guns. Ashlyn entered the WPS and played at the international level at age 14. At age 19, during the WPS final playoff’s game, she made a miraculous save in shootout, that allowed the Western New York Flash to win the tournament, and at the same time won goalkeeper of the year.
She can still remember it like it was yesterday. And the memory was bittersweet. As soon as she made the save, she ran up to her teammates, crying tear of joy. Everybody jumped in her arms, but at that moment, she new something was missing. She needed that one hug that she couldn’t have right now. She looked up at the audience, for that one special girl. As their eyes meet, Ash formed a heart shaped sign in the air for her girlfriend. She was not shy to demonstrate her love anymore. Not only did she fully accept being gay, she also accepted the fact that she was in love, which was never easy for Ashlyn. Looking for a response in her girlfriend’s eyes, she quickly saw a blank stare. Her girlfriend a few tears in her eyes, but those were not caused by joy. The girl got up and ran out of the stadium. That was the last time Ashlyn saw her.