Chapter Text
“Carli has a few, she’s got a goal celebration,“ Abby was imitating Carli’s moves and gestures, “and then she stops.”
Abby’s teammate impressions on Carli brought a huge smile on Carli’s face, as well as the chuckles.
Speaking of goal celebration, as a midfielder, most of time, Carli was not the first one to celebrate with Abby. Sometimes, she was a little bit jealous, if it was the right word to describe her feeling.
"Forever the Human Tree." Carli once came up with this conclusion after witnessing their teammates jumped on Abby for so many times. Thanks to the height advantage and strong muscle, Abby could carry anyone with no effort.
"I heard you!" Abby ran by with a smirk on her face, and did a quick hug to Carli before heading back to her dominant area.
Carli had no idea when Abby was nearby.
Only that smirk mattered.
Pinoe might beat all of them by having the most creative goal celebrations, but most of the happy and unique goal celebrations in Carli’s memory would be with Abby, especially when they came to each other before anyone else. Carli would serve wonderful assist to Abby who put the ball in net with a diving header. After cheering with anyone who was nearest to her after she scored, Abby would point at Carli, raise her eyebrow and smirk. Carli liked that type of smile, a lot.
Abby caught Mia, and even set the bar higher a few minutes later. For a big moment like this, Carli just patiently waited till everyone else on the team congratulated Abby. The most excited Pinoe was trying to do a chest bump after a piggyback on Abby, a very complicated combination. It reminded Carli the extreme chest bump between Abby and Mitts. That was so hilarious that even the entire coaching team could not hold back their laughters. Carli almost fell over while Abby pretended to ignore Mitts with a wide smile.
That smile though.
Carli hadn’t realized that she could remember such details till then.
Abby was absolutely the star of that night, her light was even brighter in Carli’s eyes, but Carli had to refuse to admit it, at that time. Abby was taken.
“I’m so proud of you, so proud of!” Finally, Carli’s turn.
"Thanks, Carli!" Abby smiled at her, as charming as always.
So charming that Carli had to walk away, immediately after their hug.