Chapter Text
The rugby pitch was Sara Lance’s favorite place in the entire world. She’d come a bit early to campus this semester, like she did last summer too, just to spend a few days out here on her own. The campus was quiet without all of the students running around, but the pitch was peaceful. No coaches yelling or teammates running around. It was just Sara, the ball, and the field.
After being nominated captain at the end of last year, Sara felt like she needed to work a little bit harder than her other teammates and earn the ‘C’ on her jersey. Spending extra time didn’t feel like a chore for Sara, but being captain wasn’t a job she took lightly. Nothing meant more to her than standing on that field and representing her teammates. Every extra minute spent practicing made her feel like she deserved it.
After a long summer of living at home with her dad and sister, she reveled in the calming presence of a rugby field more than ever. The rest of the team would be arriving tomorrow and the peacefulness of the empty field would be gone, replaced by expectations and pressure to create a winning team.
But for one more day, it’s all mine, she thought as she walked up to the sideline of the field and plopped down to put on her cleats, before jogging out for her quick warm-up.
She had all the time in the world today so she worked slowly and diligently through each aspect of her summer training. Long distance running, short sprint work, a bit of training with the tackling dummies, some passes into a net, and then light kicking to round it out. When her legs started giving out Sara collapsed at midfield. Her eyes slowly shut as she laid there and her thoughts drifted back to everything that this year was going to bring her.
In just over a month junior year would be starting.
Admittedly, there were a lot of things that she wasn’t exactly looking forward to about this year. Like finally having to take the required English class that she had been pushing off. And it was time, according to the school at least, for Sara to declare a major. Book smarts were just never her forte, and she couldn’t understand why she couldn’t major in rugby and be done with it.
But that wasn’t how things worked, as her sister and advisor had told her so many times before. So, unless The Sirens could make it to nationals this year and pique the interests of the U.S. National Team coaches, rugby had to remain a backup plan.
Not wanting to taint her safe place with thoughts of school and other worries, she tried to push those stresses away to use her time alone to think about all the good things that this year meant for her and her friends. Like, finally turning twenty-one. It was also the year that Sara and a couple of her best friends, Charlie and Amaya, got to move into the infamous women’s rugby house, known as “Chop Shop;” a house known all across the University of Colorado Boulder’s campus for their parties. While the men’s side could definitely hold their own with parties, nothing could quite match the utter chaos that the women caused.
You see, with rugby came a whole new culture including singing (read: screaming) rugby songs, stomping on tables, and lots of drinking games. In Sara’s opinion, if you’ve never been to a women’s rugby party at CU, there’s a whole lot you’re missing out on. There was just something about seeing a woman screaming at the top of her lungs and stomping her boot through a table in the name of rugby tradition that got everyone ready to party. There was truly no telling what was to come this year with Sara, Charlie, and Amaya running Chop Shop.
Switching her thoughts to an even better daydream, Sara thought about her aspirations for her on-field time this year. The Sirens were always good, and with a coach like Gideon, she didn’t think it was possible for them to ever have a bad year. But she wanted more. More than good. More than great really. Sara wanted a record-breaking season that would get her noticed by the U.S. National Team scouts in time for the 2020 Olympic training camps to start.
It sounds like a kid’s dream, and it had been Sara’s life goal since she was 15, but she felt like the Sirens had the talent to go far this year. With hard work, she knew that her pipe dream could become a reality.
Being selected captain as a junior is rare, especially over senior talents like Alex Danvers and Diana Prince, and Sara didn’t want to squander the honor or make it seem like she didn’t appreciate her team selecting her. So, she vowed to be the first man on the field and the last one off, every day. Not that she wasn’t already doing that, but now the pressure was on and Sara got nervous about being able to rise to the challenge more than once since the elections back in May. Every time she did she would just call up Zari, or Charlie when she really needed some tough love, and they would snap her out of it.
Sara had the world’s best support system, but sometimes she felt like the weight of the entire team’s future was resting on her shoulders. She did her best to shake it off, but being captain meant she had to accept the pressure and use it to push herself harder rather than let it ruin her.
Sara was lost in her own musings, with her eyes closed laying in the middle of the field with music blasting in her ears from training so she was oblivious when another person walked up to the field and laced up their boots.
“Dude.” The newcomer at the fields said tapping Sara in the leg with her cleat.
Sara’s eyes snapped open, squinting in part to adjust to the bright Colorado sun and in part due to confusion at the presence of another person. “Dude?”
The new girl sighed like somehow it was Sara’s fault that she didn’t know her or understand why she was there. “Yeah, dude. I called out to you like 15 times. You’re laying in the middle of the field and I kind of need to use it.”
Well, now Sara was just baffled because she knew every rugby player at this school and she could not place the face standing over her. The girl was tall, and not just because Sara was looking at her from her viewpoint on the ground, but the type of tall that screamed athlete. She had long blond hair that was pulled up into an almost overly neat bun, sharp features, and bright blue eyes that were glaring at Sara.
She was definitely not a freshman, but Sara felt like she would’ve remembered seeing the athletic build and striking features around campus. Even from the horrible angle on the ground, Sara was intrigued by this woman.
A few too many seconds passed while Sara was busy admiring the woman, and she finally picked her body up off the ground. Laying in silence wasn’t going to help the glare she was receiving. “Oh, right, sorry. I didn’t think anyone else would be out here. Most of my team doesn’t arrive until tomorrow.”
The new girl’s eyebrow raised. “You’re on the team here?”
“Captain Sara Lance at your service.” Sara bowed for dramatics with a raised eyebrow and her signature confident smirk in place.
The new girl seemed unaffected by it, which was not the response that Sara was used to getting. “Right Gideon mentioned you a few weeks back. I’m Ava Sharpe, your new fly-half. ”
Sara frowned. Gideon had never mentioned a transfer student coming in, but technically Gideon didn’t have to tell Sara everything. It just would’ve been nice to know before the first day of practice so she could reach out and welcome her to the team. Sara also noted the girl’s confidence in introducing herself as though her spot was already secure, but she figured that Gideon wouldn’t have promised this girl anything she didn’t think she deserved.
“Well welcome to beautiful Boulder, the Sirens are happy to have you.” Sara didn’t want to press her luck with the girl any more today. “I’ve had my share of training today so I’ll get out of your hair. I’ll see you at practice tomorrow with the rest of the team. Look out for an email from me tonight with more on that.” Sensing that Ava didn’t seem all too amused by Sara, she quickly grabbed her belongings and excused herself from the fields.
Watching Sara walk away from the fields, Ava let out a sigh and took in her surroundings. She was glad to have the pitch to herself for a while. Even being in a new place, the field always brought her comfort. Plus, she needed to get in an hour or two of skills training in so she was at the top of her game for the first practice tomorrow. She didn’t expect her new captain to be waiting at the field and she was definitely regretting being a little bit rude to her at first.
If Ava was being honest, her nerves about being in a new place and on a new team were getting to her a bit and she usually would’ve been way nicer than she was just now. But her time on East Stroudsburg’s team didn’t end well and it was only natural that Ava was nervous that word of what happened at ESU might have traveled with her to her new team and that things would be ruined before they even started.
So far, the University of Boulder campus was beautiful and everything Ava hoped for in her fresh start. Her parents had dropped her off yesterday afternoon and had left quickly to return to their busy lives, leaving Ava to get to know her new home. Although, she couldn’t move into her house until tomorrow because her roommate didn’t have a chance to get her a key before she got here, so she was getting to know her new home from a hotel room.
She spent the night wandering through the campus and taking in the endless series of big, beige buildings with orange tops. The backdrop of the Flatirons made everything seem so much more beautiful than Ava ever could have imagined.
She was looking forward to her fresh start, and she wasn’t complaining about the beauty of Colorado. The state offered so many potential adventures for her and she was anxious to get started tomorrow.
Shaking off her thoughts of Sara, and any potential regrets that Ava wasn’t willing to acknowledge from their first meeting, She focused in and began her own training session at the fields that would soon become her new rugby home.
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It wasn’t long after Sara returned to Chop Shop that Charlie and Amaya barged in.
In typical Charlie fashion, she skipped right over any pleasantries and went right to yelling at Sara for help. “Oi, Lance! Get off your arse and give us a hand would ya!”
Amaya just rolled her eyes at her twin sister and met Sara for a hello-hug. “You’d think with her spending all those years at an English boarding school she’d have better manners than me.” Amaya’s soft-spoken voice and mature tone couldn’t have been more different than her sisters.
“Can’t say I spent a lot of time prepping for proper tea-time behavior. Too busy in the locker room working on some other skills.” Charlie wagged her eyes and slapped Sara on the arm expecting her to get in on the joke with her. Sara couldn’t help but crack a smile at her friends. It was good to be back together.
Charlie was sporting leather pants with high top boots, a red flannel wrapped around her waist, and a cut off band tee that Sara didn’t recognize the name of. And of course, her look was topped off with her classic curly mohawk. She tells everyone she keeps it ‘cause “the birds can’t get enough of it,” but really Sara thinks she just wants something that screams “I’m not Amaya.” There were a hundred ways to tell them apart, but Sara couldn’t fault the girl for wanting some individuality. Plus, it was badass as hell.
“Does she have an off button?” Sara asked Amaya, returning her hug.
“Not that I’ve found. But I’m still holding out hope.” Amaya had a bright smile on her face with her hair long and curly. Sara definitely preferred it when Amaya wore her hair naturally, but it was fun to see when she switched it up between curly and straight. She had a leather jacket on and some high waisted jeans. The commonalities between the Jiwe twins started and ended with their preference for wearing leather, and of course, rugby.
Charlie rolled her eyes. “Very funny. Now, are you gonna give us a hand or what? Amaya here has been pestering me the whole drive about getting the unpacking done because she’s got big plans with the boyfriend.”
Sara begrudgingly followed the twins out to their car and grabbed a suitcase. “I didn’t even know Nate was back yet. Is Zari coming over too, Charlie?”
“How would I know, she’s your best friend mate.”
Sara set the suitcase down in Charlie’s room. “Oh please, I’m sure you and Zari haven’t gone more than an hour without talking since we left campus in May.”
Charlie just grunted and grabbed another suitcase from the back seat of her car. “She’s not supposed to get in until late. Told her I’d see her at practice tomorrow.”
Zari moved into Sara’s neighborhood the summer before the 6th-grade year started. She was new to the school and had been placed a year up in the school system by her latest foster parents so she was a little nervous. Sara took her under her wing and the two had been inseparable ever since. When high school came around the girls tried out for the school’s rugby team together and immediately fell in love with the sport. The third member of their friend group was Nate Haywood. He grew up a few streets over and they all ended up on the same bus route. Now Nate also went to CU and played for the men’s rugby team.
Zari ended up in a freshman seminar class with Amaya and the two clicked instantly. Zari was the one who talked Amaya and Charlie into trying out for the team and a few weeks into their first year. Zari introduced Nate and Amaya at a pregame they threw before a rugby party. The two had been dating ever since, and the five of them were as close as ever.
Sara always had a sneaking suspicion that Zari and Charlie were a little bit more than friends, but neither had ever said anything about it and she didn’t have any proof of it so she chalked it up to unresolved sexual tension. Eventually, it would have to be resolved and Sara was just waiting for one of her friends to open up about it. For now, though, Sara just let it be.
The three finished unloading the car and Charlie and Amaya went into their rooms to organize. Sara returned to her own room and grabbed her rugby notebook to jot down some plays that she wanted to work into practice tomorrow and write down her goals for the season. Gideon took care of most of the drills they ran but she usually let Sara have one or two. Plus, the backline plays were usually her call. Well technically, she and the fly-half were supposed to work together to create plays and run the backline portion of practice, but after meeting her new fly-half today Sara wasn’t sure how well that was going to work.
Ava had crossed Sara’s mind a lot since meeting her at the fields today. Who was she and why didn’t Gideon tell Sara about her transfer? Was she any good? Judging by her muscular legs Sara assumed she could at least hold her own on the field, but tomorrow would be a good tell of her skill level. It seemed like Gideon already told her that she would be the starting fly-half so if Gideon thought she could handle it then who was she to question that. Even if she was good, the girl had a real attitude today that Sara didn’t love. She would give her the benefit of the doubt for now but who knows what tomorrow would have in store.
Computer open and notebook tossed to the side, Sara slowly drifted off thinking of Ava and rugby.
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Ava’s alarm went off at 6:55 am, but she had already been up for a half-hour thanks to the first day of pre-season jitters. Ava made herself two eggs and a bowl of oatmeal loading up before what she was sure would be a grueling day of practice. She also made sure to, for the last few days and this morning, drink a lot of water. She didn’t want the adjustment to the altitude or the effect it was bound to have on her body to slow her down at practice.
At 7:30, a full hour before practice, Ava made her way over to the practice fields. To her surprise, she wasn’t the first one there. Gideon, Sara, and three girls that Ava didn’t recognize were gathered around a pile of equipment lacing up their cleats and getting ready.
“Ah, Ava Sharpe. It’s great to meet you in person.” Gideon said meeting Ava before she could fully reach the field and shaking her hand.
Ava was surprised by the English accent that came from the woman. “Nice to meet you too, coach. I’m excited to get started today.”
“Sara told me you guys met yesterday but let me introduce you formally to a few of our other key players before the rest of the girls get here.” Gideon walked her over to the girls who were now just passing a ball between them. “Girls this is Ava Sharpe. She’s a junior and a transfer from East Stroudsburg. She’ll be stepping into the shoes of fly-half this season. Make her feel welcome, please.” Ava waived awkwardly at the three people standing in front of her.
Amaya was the first one to step up and introduce herself. “Welcome to CU! I’m Amaya Jiwe. Junior and a wing. We’re happy to have you on the team!”
Zari smiled kindly at Ava. “Zari, junior, lock and assistant captain, or ass-cap if you’re a jerk like these guys are. Welcome to CU.”
Charlie put on a flirty smirk and walked up to shake Ava’s hand. “And I’m Charlie. Junior, also a wing. And proper happy to show you around campus later if you’d like an experienced tour guide.”
Right as Charlie finished talking, Nora walked up behind Ava and put a friendly hand on her shoulder. “Ugh Jiwe number two, Sharpe has been here for less than a day please don’t scare her off with your nonsense.”
Ava turned around and smiled at Nora, wildly confusing the other girls standing there. “Nora Dahrk. Always swooping in to save me.” Ava scooped the smaller girl into a big hug.
Meanwhile, Charlie turned to Amaya and whispered: “Why am I Jiwe number two?” Amaya ignored her, as usual.
Sara turned to Nora and Ava with furrowed brows. “Guess you guys already know each other?”
Nora released Ava from the hug and turned to Sara. “Oh yeah, our families go way back. Daddy Darhkest has been selling weapons to Papa Sharpe since before we were born. Nothing bonds two people like hatred for mutual mass destruction, I guess.” Nora shrugged, as if talk of weapon sales and mass destruction were normal.
Despite the explanation, Sara, Charlie, and Amaya did not look any less confused. The girls had the eyebrows scrunched, eyes moving between Ava and Nora waiting for more explanation from one of them. Ava thought the vagueness was hilarious, but she gave in and clarified. “Her dad is a military contractor and my dad is his military contact.”
“Glad you have a friendly face on the team then.” Gideon chimed in and then spoke pointedly to Sara. “Sara, once everyone is here, do a brief round of introductions, send the freshmen that are newer to the sport or you think could use some one-on-one work my way, and then take everyone else on the usual preseason run.”
“Got it, Coach.” Sara said with a two-fingered salute. The team hadn’t all quite trickled in yet so Sara turned back to Charlie.
“Listen, Charlie, no flirting with the newbies – transfers or freshmen. And while we’re at it, let’s just lay out a no dating rule for everyone on the team. I’d prefer not to relive what happened last year.” The girls were quiet in response, which was unusual for the group. It was clear nobody wanted to get into that on the first day of practice. A look of understanding passes between the three returners. Ava doesn’t know what to think, but she gathers from the silence that whatever happened last year wasn’t great and isn’t something she should ask about right now. She makes a mental note to ask Nora about it later.
Sara walks off to continue getting ready for practice and greets the players as they trickle in. Her rule was final and she didn’t need to get anyone’s approval on it.
When it seemed like everyone was officially there and ready to get started, Sara called them to attention. “Okay, ladies! Welcome to Sirens pre-season! We’ve got a great eight weeks lined up for you guys full of cardio, skills and plenty of team bonding. For now, assuming everyone here has signed the appropriate paperwork, we’re going to break up into two groups. If you’re new to the sport or aren’t totally comfortable with contact today then you’re going to head over to Coach Gideon, our fearless leader, and run through basics with her. If you’re a returning player, or you’re new but feel like you can handle contact, and you’ve brought a mouthguard with you, then come with me.”
The players scattered accordingly, and with that, preseason was underway.