Venus Vs Mars

Chapter 35

Massy being everywhere didn't seem to help, it only made Odell impatient for her. After pushing her away during the Josh Norman situation, dealing with Coach Coughlin's retirement, bringing in the New Year without her, then three days later loosing a game against the Eagles to put a cap on their season wasn't exactly what he had in mind.

She managed grace ESPN magazine twice in one year. The Body Issue in July and a cover story for the month of December. Then started off the new year on Sports Illustrated on their "Top 10 Athletes to look for in the 2016 Season" ranking in at number 1 for January. After bringing in the New Year in San Diego and not in New York Odell began to feel a little anxiety, maybe he had pushed her too far away for too long, assuming he was still with Liz he couldn't blame her for staying away from him, she wasn't the type to break up anyone's relationship, so she did what she had to do, slowly but surly move on.

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January in England wasn't the sunniest place, in fact it was cold, gloomy, and cold. The St James' Park In The United Kingdom would be hosting the first match for Team USA vs Team France.

ESPN coving the match. Everyone that knew of or knew Massy personally seemed to tune in to support her first match. Her mother and father hosting a Team USA party, food and drinks while the match displayed on the large flat screen. Odell and his friends sitting around his living room, Heather and Odell younger sister even tuned in. Everyone eagerly awaiting the arrival of Massy first debut.

As the introducing of the teams began. France being brought in first, then their starter players being brought to stand center field. Then USA their whole team, then starter players standing center field. Odell felt the same nervousness for Massy as she felt for herself. Standing in the middle of a stadium packed to capacity with screaming fans, half rooting for you the other half rooting against you.

The match didn't start off well for USA or Massy, being on one of the most hated teams and highest ranked teams along with being the rookie starter meant people were gunning for you, and by people opposing players. Massy was a bit taken back at just how rough these women were playing. Multiple times Massy though to herself if she played this hard and rough in college they'd penalize her and toss her out the game for unnecessary roughness.

With Carli Lloyd scoring the 1st goal of their season, the match seemed to go back and forth, Massy realized this indeed was not college or high school soccer, where she was the best player on the field, easily stealing the ball and making easy goals, this was the big leagues. By time the second half France scored and tied the game at 1-1.

Massy had been blocked out many times with six goal attempts and making none of them. Massy was known as a finisher, if the team was down, it was her who finished the last few seconds. Five minutes left in the second half, Massy would cut into a France player, knee barely grassing the back of her thigh. Refs called a flag on Massy, resulting in France getting a free throw-in.

With Massy adrenaline rushing and her frustration building she had no choice but to finish. With two minutes left Massy cut into a France player, staying clear of her body, and making contact with the ball, stealing it, with the rest of the field running after her, Massy ran for 12 yards the ball being untouched, running towards the right side of the field, the goalkeeper guarding the right side, Massy quickly kicked the ball left, and with all the power she could she kicked the ball in towards the goal, the goalkeeper being to far right and not making it quick enough to get to the left side. Ultimately putting USA up 2-1 scoring her first goal as a Professional Soccer player with less than a minute left. France called a timeout, but there wasn't enough time for them to take the game back. Team USA would win their first match.

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Upon returning back to the US and her next match not until the 9th. Massy kept her promise to Heather about visiting LSU to see her niece play. Quietly making her way into the LSU training facility where Heather coached, she snuck up surprising her.

"AAAHHHHHHHH!" Heather screamed in excitement wrapping her arms around Massy shoulders pulling her into a tight hug. "HOW ARE YOU!!!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!"

"Thank you! I'm great! Soar! But great!" Massy said with a huge smile.

Heather put her hands on her head. "I bet! Oh my gosh, I saw, they were on you left and right!"

Massy shook her head. "I know! Look at my legs." Massy said kicking her leg out, large red and purple bruises covering them, cuts on her knees. Massy pulled up her shorts exposing her left thigh, a hug blue and purple bruise covering it.

Heather covered her mouth, her eyes wide open. "Massy! You look like you been in a fight!"

"Might as well have been!" Massy said.

Heather slightly touched her thigh. "Does it hurt?" Massy shook her head no not budging at the touch of Heathers fingers.

"Half of these cuts and bruises, I have no clue where they came from!" Heather laughed shaking her head. "Anyway I came to keep my promise of seeing your niece play, and your daughter!"

Heather smiled and pulled Massy into another hug. "Oh my gosh! You are just amazing!" She said pulling away from her. Her face then frowned. "By the way, Odell is in town, not sure on what terms you two are on, but he is home." Heather said slightly smiling at Massy.

Massy wasn't really sure about how to feel about Odell, she hadn't seen him since her Christmas and birthday break, and the last thing he said to her was "Happy New Year" in a txt message. Heather heard Odell's side of the situation but never spoke to Massy, she figured she speak about it when she was ready.