"Les États-Unis d'Amérique vont affronter le Japon en quart de finales. Cette étape de la compétition est un souvenir douloureux pour l'USWNT, qui a été sortie par la Suède il y a trois ans aux JO. La rivalité entre les USA et le Japon n'est pas nouvelle : ils s'affrontent habituellement lors des finales. Pourtant, la victoire du Canada 3-2 a permis aux Canadiennes d'éviter la confrontation.

C'est comme une mini finale qui de profile dans moins de trois jours à Lyon." the French commentator said, looking at his screen.

{Translation : "The United States of America will face Japan in quarter finals. This step of the competition is a painful memory for the USWNT, who was eliminated by Sweden three years ago in the Olympics. The rivalry between the USA and Japan isn't new : they usually face each other in the finals. But Canada's 3-2 win over Japan allowed the Canadians to avoid an early confrontation.

This game will be a 'mini final', which will take place in less than three days in Lyon."}

____________________

Tobin took a deep breath.

The whole team - more like the whole freaking world - knew about her and Maura's connexion. Her teammates comforted her the best they could, but what Tobin really needed was to talk with her sister. Saying this word is weird. Since Tobin's two older sisters died in a plane crash years ago, she never used that word again for her. But now, everything was changing.

She decided to leave Kelley and Allie alone, and walked through the doorway to find her way to the garden. Of course her best friend had told her about them getting back together, despite Mark's warnings. Tobin was very happy for them, but she didn't want to be around them all the time, because that only made her think about how bad she wanted to ask Kealia out on a date, but couldn't because it would affect her game.

So she just decided to sit by the pool, feet on the water, closing her eyes. The sunset was doing pinkish lights, and that was a show itself. Tobin really liked nature and stuff. She liked how everything belonged here, and how it worked out together. She liked to compare nature to a team, sometimes : very different elements working out together, and Earth was still turning around the sun.

When Tobin heard steps just behind her, she didn't even turn around. Brown hair. That was the first thing she saw. When she finally looked up, that stroke her. They had the exact same eyes, only Maura's were clearer. They had this from their dad. Their jawlines were also similar, and the way they smiled too. I should've known it before. Tobin shook her head, letting a forced laugh out. What do I do now ?

But she wasn't the first one to start the conversation.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away" Maura said, looking at her hands with shame. She still was impressed with Tobin as a player and person. She was shocked when she found out that she was her sister. "I just didn't know how to announce it to you. I learnt about what happened to your sisters."

"Our sisters" Tobin corrected her.

The tension was here. At least on Maura's side. She didn't react right away. Tobin frowned. Should I behave like her sister already ? I don't really feel like I'm forcing myself to talk to her. It's pretty natural. Is it what it feels to have a younger sister ? She looked at Maura, whose eyes were getting wet.

She then took her hand in her own, and they caught eyes.

"Listen" Tobin went on, trying to look composed. "We will figure this out, I swear. Things don't have to be complicated."

Maura let out a sigh of relief, that made Tobin smile. She reacts exactly like me. She then squeezed her hand, while looking at the stars. She knew she had no reason to be mad at Maura. But she didn't understand her parents.

They remained seated, hand in hand, for about an hour, before going back to the hotel and sleep.

°

Stephanie woke up about ten minutes before breakfast. She knew Kristie was on the shower, so she got dressed in a heartbeat, and while putting on her shorts and pullover, and was just yawning.

When her girlfriend came back, she already had put some clothes on. She kissed Steph and put her shoes on.

"Do you think Sonnett regrets speaking to us last night ?" Steph asked, focused on her lacets.

"Well, considering the fact that I wasn't really nice to her, I bet she does." the middy let out.

Yersteday's conversation indeed didn't go well. When Sonnett announced them her love for Lindsey, Steph remained silent - not that she didn't care, she just was thinking about what to say - while Kristie was telling her how wrong that was. Steph didn't really understand why her girlfriend reacted this way, because they obviously we're dating when they shouldn't be.

Kristie seemed annoyed with that topic.

"Why, though?" Steph asked, knowing really well that it would piss the blonde off.

She looked at the brunette as if she just asked her the dumbest question ever.

"Because she liked Sam in the first place" Kristie explained. "I don't know Lindsey really well, but she doesn't deserve to be someone's substitute."

"Sam and Sonnett happened years ago" Steph argued, rolling her eyes. "They weren't even in love with each other. Besides, Sam's straight as fuck and has got a boyfriend. I really think Sonnett is honest."

"Yeah, whatever." Kristie let out, rolling her eyes as well. "You really support this ?"

Steph frowned. "Of course I do ! They're my friends. And Sonnett was the first person to support us as a couple. And when you were not sure about what we were, she was the one telling me to wait for you."

"She is manipulative" Kristie said.

"What the hell are you talking about ? She is honest. At least she told us before they are actually together."

Kristie shook her head out of frustration, and went out of the room. Steph remained still, frowning. Why the fuck does she care that much ?