I went to almost every practice the high school team had up until I had to leave for the Chile friendlies camp which I took an Uber to yesterday since the camp begins in LA. Everyone else arrived in LA yesterday as well and today the team has an off day before we start training and true to my word I'm taking the whole team on a submarine so they can see me diving then to a private beach.

An acquaintance of mine owns a submarine tour company so he is letting us use his sub. After a 20 minute journey to the tour company headquarters the team files onto a boat and we set off for the 10 minute ride to the submarine. Once we are three minutes away I get up to speak while putting on my wet suit.

"Okay so we are almost to the sub. Once we get there you will cross a bridge between the boat and the sub then climb down into the sub. Sit on the side of the sub with the big window so everyone can see me. Please do not touch anything. I'll be down there for 30-45 minutes or until you guys want to head back to the beach. If you want to head back up wait for me to get air then point up. Okay?" Everyone nods.

30 seconds later we arrive at the sub and the girls climb down into the sub and it descends. I wait for a couple minutes before jumping in.

- - - - -

Once we're inside the submarine everyone waits anxiously for Cairo and soon enough someone spots her.

"There she is" Kelley yells and all of our eyes look out of the submarine window and there is Cairo swimming around interacting with the fish and a little behind her is the person with a scuba tank.

"She looks so... free" Tobin says breaking the silence.

"Yeah she looks really happy." Crystal says.

Everyone is mesmerized by what they see. Like Cairo shouldn't be able to hold her breath that long. Speaking of which I guess it has been fifteen minutes because Cairo is approached by the scuba diver and she takes in the oxygen from the tank until she doesn't need anymore.

A couple minutes later she swims up to the sub and swims to the window and stops and holds on to the window. The jokesters on the team tried to make her laugh, but suddenly everyone in the sub got silent then started to freak out. There was a shark behind Cairo coming straight at her. Everyone started pointing behind her and when the shark got about 10 feet behind Cairo she turned around and everyone on the sub braced to see our friend be attacked, but what happened next confused everyone.

Cairo placed her hand on the nose of the shark and slowly turned the shark upside down and touched a spot on the shark before turning it back over and watching it swim off causing everyone to exhale. After making sure that she wasn't in anymore danger Cairo turns around and swims back up to us. Carli and Becky get her attention and point up telling her to head to the surface to which she nods and swims up to the surface. The submarine ascends and we climb out and up onto the boat and we sit down and notice Cairo isn't anywhere to be seen.

"Where's Cairo?" I ask to nobody in particular.

"Sorry I was changing out of my wetsuit." She says while drying her long jet black hair. "So what did you guys think?"

"That was fucking awesome." Pinoe says causing all of us to laugh.

"Good."

"What did you do with that shark? And does that happen a lot?" Carli asks the question on everyone's mind.

"Well stuff like that can happen sometimes. And I put the shark in a state of tonic immobility which basically means it can't move. I also recognized that shark."

"How did you recognize it?" Alex asks.

"Well my house is right on the beach we are close to so I dive here a lot and that shark has noticeable markings that I recognized."

"Oh"

"So what beach are we going to?" Lindsey asks as Cairo sits in-between us.

"Well I need to check on my house since we are close by so we will just go to the private beach close to it." Cairo says then stands up as we approach the dock.

Once at the dock Cairo gets off first and helps each of us off the boat then we all got into the bus and head to the beach Cairo picked out.

- - - - -

While the team is spread out on the private beach, I'm relaxing next to Alex and Becky and since we are near my house I take a subtle look toward it to make sure it's okay and hasn't been burgled. As I look away from my house I hear someone scream.

"HELP" Ash yells and the whole team sprints to her.

"Ash what's wrong?" Carli asks.

"Ali got sucked under and hasn't resurfaced." She says in a panic.

"Where?" I say.

"Over there" Ash says and points to an area of the water. Not wanting to waste time I sprint toward the direction she pointed in and dive into the ocean.

I search for what feels like days until I see Ali slowly sinking to the bottom. FUCK. I swim as fast as I can to her and wrap my arms around her and swim towards the beach and once I'm close enough to where I can stand I stand up and carry her bridal style and start running to my house.

"SOMEONE GET MY KEYS FROM MY BAG AND FOLLOW ME." I yell as I run up to and past the team who all start to follow me.

"Which house is it?" Kelley asks while running next to me with my keys and bag.

"The white one with big windows" I say and she runs ahead of me and straight towards my house, thankfully, and opens the door letting me sprint in and put Ali on the couch as the rest of the team storm into my house.

Once Ali is on the couch I start doing CPR as the team surrounds us.

"Come on Ali breathe." I say while doing chest compressions.

"Come on Princess wake up." Ash says while she is being hugged by some of the girls while crying.

"I'm sorry Ash" I whisper so only I can hear it as I tilt Ali's head back then pinch her nose and then put my mouth over hers and breath into her mouth and I see her chest move a little bit so that's a good sign.

"GO GET A BLANKET. HALL CLOSET, TOP SHELF." I yell and Mal sprints to do what I said and 10 seconds later she comes back with some blankets. Damn she's fast.

While continuing chest compressions I start to instruct people on what to do.

"Okay Alex go get a bowl from the kitchen, Ali will have to get rid of the water somewhere. Christen go get the trashcan, saltwater can make people sick. Mal get ready with those blankets. And Ash" I say trying to get her attention. "She is going to be scared when she wakes up so I need you to be strong for her okay?" I look up for a couple seconds and see her nod and wipe the tears from her eyes.

I put my mouth over Ali's once again and breath into it then pull back and Ali wakes up and starts coughing up water into the bowl. After she's done she latches onto me since I'm the closest person to her.

"Hey your okay now Ali. You're safe love." I say as Ash takes a blanket from Mal and wraps it around Ali from behind her.

"I'm so sorry Ali I should've been more observant. Im so sorry." Ash says while rubbing Ali's back.

Ali goes to say something but she is cut off by trying to keep herself from throwing up. "Christen, Trashcan" I semi yell and Christen hands it to me and I put it in front of Ali while Ash holds her hair back and everyone looks away. Nobody likes to see people throwing up.

A minute later Ali stops. "Feel better?" I ask.

"Yeah...Um where are we?" She asks while looking around.

"Welcome to my humble abode." I say trying to ease the tension which works. "You two stay here for a second" I whisper to Ash and Ali before standing up and motioning to the two captains to follow me out of the room.

"Okay how about we stay here for the rest of the day?" I ask Carli and Becky.

"Yeah that sounds like a plan. I think everyone's a little shaken up." Carli says before getting the teams attention when we walk back in the room and everyone waits for me to talk.

"Okay so we are gonna stay here for the rest of the day. You guys can chill out by the pool." I say pointing out the window to the pool. "Or there is a media/game room where you guys can play PS4, XBOX, or Nintendo Switch. Also if anyone is tired there are spare bedrooms. Just ask me before you go and I will show you to one. There are snacks in the kitchen and drinks in the fridge." I then look at the clock seeing its only 11:45 am. Damn this has been an eventful day already. "I'm going to take Ali and Ash somewhere so while we are gone decide what you want for lunch and I will order it when we get back. Alright?" Everyone nods and splits up so I go over to Ash and Ali.

"Alright Ali lets get you upstairs and clean you up." She nods and stands up, but falls into me.

"Ash get on her other side." I say and she does. Ali wraps her arms around our necks and we start walking towards the upstairs, but we stop at the base of the stairs.

"Wait" I say just as the two girls start to head up the stairs. "Come this way. I have an easier way to get upstairs." I lead them around the corner and over to a door way which confuses them until I press a button and the elevator opens up.

"Okay what the hell you have an elevator in your house?" Ash asks.

"I mean we can take the stairs if you want." I say with a smirk. Ash goes to sass me back but Ali glares at her and she shuts up and Ali speaks up.

"No let's just take the elevator." We all walk into the elevator and I push the top button that has a capital C by it then punch in a code that allows us to move.

"What does the C mean?" Ash asks.

"It stands for Cairo. And you have to have a code to get to my room. It's actually the only way to get into my room" I say as the door opens and we walk into the room. Ash and I set Ali down on a chair in my room and I go turn on the shower then head back to where they are.

"Okay so I'm running you a shower, but I don't know if you'll be able to stand for long so Ash will need to go with you...No funny business please. I will be out here waiting on you two." I tell them making them laugh and then they head into the bathroom and take a 30 minute shower while I go shower and change then wait for them.

After they are done they both come out in towels." Okay so those two drawers have underwear...I'll turn around and you two can put those on. Just tap me when you're done." I say and turn around for a minute then turn around when tapped. I then take them to my closet "Okay you can choose whatever you want to wear...Well okay not everything I will let you wear, but I'll tell you if you choose it." I say as they look around my closet.

"Hey Ash?" I say.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry"

"For what?" She asks looking confused as does Ali.

"I'm sorry I put my lips on Ali's."

"Cairo are you serious...You saved her life. I could never be mad at you for that." She says then hugs me then Ali hugs me before they get changed.

"Okay Ali how are the legs?" I ask after they finish changing and she stumbles towards me.

"They're getting better."

"Good, but just to be safe wrap your arms around us." I say and she does so we head toward the elevator and head down to the where the team should be. Once down there I see the team scattered throughout the kitchen.

"Okay what did we decide for lunch?" I ask the group after getting Ali situated in a chair.

"PIZZA" a couple of the girls yell giving me the order.

"Alright I'll go order this" I say then walk away to be around less talking so I can order. Thirty minutes later the pizza arrives and I pay for it then walk back into the kitchen to find it empty and then notice everyone out by the pool so I set the pizza's on the island then head to the pool.

"PIZZA'S HERE" I yell then head back to the kitchen and get out plates and napkins just in time for the team to arrive in the kitchen. I let everyone go ahead of me before getting my pizza then head to the elevator, taking it to my room and once there I head out to the balcony and sit down looking at all the girls at the pool. I find myself periodically looking at Ali making sure she's really here.

All of them notice me and they look confused as to how I got up here. Some of them ask Ash how I got up there, but she never tells them which is good. After a while I head back down, clean up the kitchen, then head outside to collect the trash from the team. While doing this everyone stares at me and I'm not completely sure why and even though I'm curious as to why I don't say anything. I just collect all the trash then head back inside and sit on the couch and watch TV until Ali gets my attention a little while later.

"Hey Cairo"

"Hi Ali"

"Could you show me to a bed room? I'd like to rest for a little bit."

"Of course. Come on you can stay in my room." I say then grab her hand and lead her to the elevator.

Once we reach my room I grab a remote then speak again." Alright here we are Ali. This remote controls the blinds and the lights so put it to your liking. If you need anything you have my number or call Ash if I don't answer and I'll be right up." She nods and gets into bed and falls asleep instantly. I stay in the room for thirty minutes to make sure she is okay. I then leave the room and head back down only to be greeted by the whole team once the door opens.

"Hey." I say getting out of the elevator.

"You have a fucking elevator in your house?" Emily asks.

"I mean you just saw me come out of it so..."

"Where did you go? And where does it go?" Kling asks.

"I took Ali to a special room so she can sleep and it only goes to that special room."

"Cairo why are you so secretive and why won't you open up to us? I mean we're family now." Julie says obviously done with my shit.

"I guess nobody ever asks the right question. I usually can work my way out of anything. And you can't tell me there aren't things that you don't want anyone on the team to know."

"Well....."

"Exactly and if you must know the elevator goes up to my bedroom and it's the only way to get up there."

"Why?" Tobin asks.

"Life experiences."

"Meaning?"

I was about to answer, but was cut off by my phone ringing. Thank you who ever is calling me. Oh it's Ali "Hello"

"Hey can you come back up?"

"Yeah is everything okay?"

"Sorta... My legs are hurting and it's hard to sleep."

"I'm on the way up." I say ending the call and look at the team. "Ash come with me." She pushes through the team and we head to the elevator, but I stop and turn around when I hear the team moving forward.

"Right now you can't come up. I need Ash's help because it's her girlfriend that we are getting. If you want I will give you a tour later so you don't think I'm so closed off with the team." The team nod and I step into the elevator with Ash as the door closes.

"Can you turn around for a second?" I ask and she does so I punch in the code. "Ok I'm done. Sorry I just don't want anyone to know that code."

"I get it Cairo. We all have our secrets." She says.

I sigh. "That we do Ash. That we do."

The door opens and we see Ali half out of bed. "ALI" We both yell and run toward her.

"I'm fine. I'm fine. I just tried to get out of bed."

"Alright let's get you up." I say then notice her pants and underwear beside the bed.

"Umm Ash?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm gonna turn around while you help her with her clothes." I gesture toward the bundle of clothes.

"Oh yeah good idea." She says and I turn around for a couple minutes. "Alright Cairo you can look now."

"What the hell Ali?" I say after turning around.

"What?"

"How the hell do you still look that good after taking a nap?" I say causing her to blush.

"I wonder that everyday." Ash says then kisses Ali.

"Alright lovebirds. Let's go down stairs." And with that we helped Ali out the room and then out of the elevator and toward the couch where the team was.

I guess someone talked to them after I left because nobody asks to go on a tour thankfully. I would've only shown them like 6 rooms, but still its nice that they are giving me space. It feels like I can finally relax.

I was wrong, but thankfully only Carli talked and everyone else listened. "So Jill said that there is some issues with the rooms that the hotel gave the players and that she and the coaching staff are trying to handle it so she asked if we could stay here."

"Of course. Just tell her to drop the bags here. I haven't got enough clothes for everyone." I say then count the players. "So there's 23 people here so like 10-15 of you can sleep in the media room while the rest of us sleep in the other rooms but we can figure that out later. Now I'm starving so let's go to the kitchen." I say then head to the kitchen followed by the rest of the team. "Alright so I'm gonna cook something decently healthy for us and I may need some help since I normally cook for one."

And with that the ladies help me cook while we talk and mess around. It was nice to see everyone let loose and relax after having the day we've had. I forgot the name of the dish we made but it was good. After we ate and cleaned up the kitchen our bags showed up and soon after everyone got tired so 12 of the girls went to the media room to sleep after I got them stuff to sleep with. The people that didn't sleep in the media room were Ash, Ali, Tobin, Christen, Becky, Alyssa, Alex, Mal, Moe, Carli, and me so I lead them up the stairs to the bedrooms.

"Okay so is everyone here comfortable with sleeping with someone in the same bed?" I ask the ladies standing before me. They all nod.

"Sweet so Tobin and Christen you guys can have the blue room." I say pointing to the room thats painted a shade of blue then showing them where everything is in the room and the ensuite before leaving the room and joining back up with the others.

"Becky and Alyssa you guys can take the red room." I say pointing to the room thats painted a shade of red then showing them where everything is in the room and the ensuite before rejoining the others.

"Okay...Alex and Mal you two can sleep in the white room." I say pointing to the room thats painted white then showing them where everything is in the room and the ensuite before rejoining the 4 other girls.

"Moe and Carli you two can sleep in the peach room." I say pointing to the room thats painted peach then showing them where everything is in the room and the ensuite before rejoining the last two.

"And Ash and Ali you guys are with me. Sorry."

"It's fine Cairo." I smile at them then lead them down the stairs to check on the girls in the media room only to find their all already asleep. We then head to the elevator and once inside the elevator Ali and Ash turn around so they can't see the code. Maybe it is time to open up.

"You two don't have to turn around anymore." I say and they both look at me confused since we haven't moved. "You can look."

"Cairo it's okay if you don't want us to see." Ash says as I punch in the code.

"No it's okay. I think it's time to let people in rather than blocking them off."

"Well okay then." Ali says with a smile just as the door opens to my room.

We get off and everyone does their nightly routine before hoping in bed. Ali was in-between Ash and I and we both cuddle with her thinking we almost lost a very important person in our lives. Soon after sleep consumes all of us.