More Than a Game

Game Day: Time to Remind Everyone Who the Hell She Was

Skye had spent the past few days fully locked in.

She had shut out the noise.
She had ignored Trinity's suspicious looks.
She had perfected the act of pretending Nika wasn't there.

Because on the pitch, nothing else mattered.

And today?

Today was game day.

A friendly against England.

A chance to prove that she was exactly where she belonged.

A chance to put on a show.

And Skye?

Skye lived for this.

Pre-Game: The Tension Was Insane

The moment Skye stepped onto the field for warmups, she could feel the eyes on her.

Emma Hayes watching her closely.
Leah smirking from the England side.
Trinity grinning, already knowing Skye was about to do something reckless.

And then...

Nika.

Sitting in the stands next to Paige.

Skye froze for half a second, heartbeat stuttering but then she caught herself.

And instead of breaking, she smirked, rolling her shoulders.

If Nika was watching?

Then Skye was going to make damn sure she gave her something to watch.

The Match: Skye Bueckers Masterclass

The second the whistle blew, Skye was locked in.

And within minutes?

It was clear this was her game.

She was everywhere.

Pressing like a nightmare.
Dribbling like the ball was glued to her feet.
Pulling off skill moves that had the crowd oohing every five seconds.

And then...

The first goal.

A perfectly timed run into the box, a slick one-two with Trinity, and a ruthless outside-of-the-foot finish past Mary Earps.

1-0.

Skye smirked as she jogged back, barely even celebrating.

Because this?

This was light work.

And she wasn't done yet.

The Moment That Had Everyone Talking

Seventy minutes in, the US was up 2-1, and Skye?

Skye had already cooked England alive.

But she wanted more.

So when Alessia tried to dribble out of pressure, Skye pounced.

She stole the ball, nutmegged Leah just for fun, then..

Without even looking up—chipped Earps from 30 yards out.

The ball sailed effortlessly over the keeper's head.

And when it hit the back of the net?

The entire stadium exploded.

Even the commentators lost it.

"Oh my GOD, Skye Bueckers, take a bow!!"

Skye just stood there, hands on her hips, grinning like the cockiest asshole on earth.

Because that?

That was ridiculous.

That was a statement.

And as she turned towards the stands?

Her eyes found Nika's immediately.

Nika, who looked..

Pissed off.

Paige, meanwhile?

Paige was laughing her ass off, clapping like this was the best thing she had ever seen.

And Skye?

Skye just winked up at them, then jogged back to her spot.

Because she wasn't just playing football.

She was making a point.

And Nika?

Nika had definitely gotten the message.

Post-Game: The Chaos Continues

The US won 3-1, and the second the final whistle blew, Trinity tackled Skye in celebration.

"Bro," she laughed, shaking her head. "That was disrespectful."

Skye just smirked. "I know."

Alessia walked over, rolling her eyes. "You're a menace."

Skye shrugged. "You love it."

Alessia muttered something under her breath, blushing just slightly, before jogging off.

And Skye?

Skye was about to head to the locker room—

Until she saw Paige and Nika waiting near the tunnel.

Paige?

Paige was grinning proudly.

Nika?

Nika looked like she wanted to strangle her.

Skye took a deep breath, pulling her cocky mask back on.

Because this?

This was about to get very interesting.