We stepped out of the lift and onto the rooftop restaurant, greeted by the sight of a glowing sunset stretching across the sky. The view was stunning—Sydney's skyline rising in the distance, the ocean glinting with the last rays of sunlight. It was the perfect way to end our day off.

"Alright, I think we deserve this," Keira grins, sliding into one of the cushioned chairs, her eyes sparkling from the warm hues of the sunset.

I take the seat beside her, adjusting my phone on the table next to me. I've already checked it twice since we sat down. Caitlin sent me a quick text earlier, something about trying to FaceTime after training, and I keep subconsciously checking, hoping she'll call sooner rather than later.

Zel is next to me, leaning back with her arms behind her head as she eyes me playfully. "Checking your phone again, Elena? What's the over-under that you've already heard from Caitlin three times today?"

Keira smirks, picking up her menu. "I'm setting the odds at two. Any takers?"

I roll my eyes, but a grin slips through. "Maybe I'm just popular."

Georgia leans over, peeking at my screen, which is still blank. "Popular or not, you're smitten. Just admit it."

I laugh. "Okay, fine. I might have been checking my phone for messages from her, but can you blame me?"

"No, not really," Keira admits with a smile, "but we're still allowed to tease you about it."

"You're not getting away with it." Alex chimes in.

The waitress arrived to take our orders, and for the next few moments, we were immersed in choosing food, debating over appetizers, and joking about who would be the first to overeat. But every now and then, I caught Keira or Zel eyeing me, their teasing looks not letting up.

As the conversation flowed, we shifted into deeper topic— the pressure of the tournament, and how surreal it was to be playing in a World Cup. The girls admitted to feeling a little homesick, but for me all I missed was being with Caitlin. No matter where it was, it didn't matter to me as long as I had her. The calm evening air and the view mace everything feel distant from the intensity of the games.

Nikita raises her glass of sparkling water, the bubbles catching the light. "A toast, yeah? To days off, sunburns avoided, and... not falling off any surfboards." She recalled the events from earlier on in the day.

We all laugh, clinking glasses. "And to us kicking some serious arse next game," Georgia adds, her eyes shining with determination.

The sunset had fully melted into the horizon by the time we finished our meals, and we sat back, enjoying the peace. There was something about nights like thozs that reminded me how lucky I was to share this experience with these girls.

After dinner, we found ourselves wandering through one of Sydney's bustling markets. It was a mix of local crafts, tourist trinkets, and colourful stalls full of handmade jewelry and kangaroo keychains.

Georgia was already eyeing a booth filled with outrageously bright t-shirts, while Keetz made a beeline for a stuffed kangaroo. "This one's it," she declares, holding up a plush toy that's almost as big as her. "I'm naming him Skip."

"Original," I deadpan, but she's grinning, hugging the stuffed kangaroo to her chest.

"Don't pretend you're not jealous of Skip."

"Sure," I tease, "I'll just be over here looking for something that doesn't scream tourist."

Alex chuckles, flipping through some postcards. "If you buy that, you have to carry it with you everywhere."

Nikita doesn't miss a beat. "You think I won't?"

While they argue, I walk to another stall, eyeing a delicate bracelet made of woven thread and tiny wooden beads. It's simple but beautiful, and I can already imagine Caitlin's smile when she sees it. I pick it up, turning it over in my hands, feeling a warmth spread through me.

Before I can head over to pay, my phone buzzes in my hand. I glance down to see an incoming video call from Beth's name on the screen.

"Beth's calling!" I announce, waving my phone. Everyone gathers quickly, crowding around me as I answer. Her face appears on screen, her smile bright but a little tired. She's lying in bed, the background dark—it's late in England.

"Hey, guys!" Beth greets, her voice warm but hushed.

We all cheer, and I can't help but smile at how excited we are to see her, even if it's just over the phone. Georgia leans in closer, waving dramatically. "Beth, what are you doing awake? It's, late?"

"It's fine," Beth insists, but she's rubbing her eyes. "I wanted to check in, see what you lot are up to."

"You should be resting," Keira says, her tone a mix of concern and fondness. "You've got recovery to focus on, not staying up all hours to chat with us."

Beth chuckles. "Relax, Keira. It's not like I'm playing tomorrow."

In the corner of the screen, Leah's face appears next to Beth's, flashing a quick grin. "I told her the same thing, but she never listens to me."

"You're one to talk," Georgia points out, raising her eyebrows. "How's the knee, Leah?"

"Doing better," Leah answers with a small smile. "I've got my personal nurse here, so I'm in good hands."

Zel shakes her head. "Seriously, you both need to rest. We love that you're calling, but we'd rather see you well-rested for the next time we video chat."

Beth gives a mock salute. "Yes, boss. I'll head to sleep soon, I promise."

We chat for a bit longer, catching Beth and Leah up on our day of training and downtime, with Keetz proudly showing off Skip, her new kangaroo friend. Beth laughs, but Leah joins in with the scolding. "You're going to regret carrying that thing around, Keetz."

"Never!" Nikita declares, hugging Skip closer.

Eventually, we say our goodbyes, with Beth and Leah promising to call again soon—preferably at a more reasonable hour. As the call ends, the girls collectively sigh, and the mood shifts back into light-heartedness.

"She's too stubborn for her own good," Georgia says, shaking her head, but there's nothing but affection in her tone.

"She's learnt from you, Els." Alex nudges me.

"More like I learnt from her." I say with a laugh and the girls join in, knowing it's probably true.

We gather our souvenirs, with Keira finding a tasteful set of earrings for her mum and Georgia grabbing a hideous t-shirt that we all agree she'll wear as a dare. But for me, it's the bracelet in my hand that feels the most precious—a small reminder of Caitlin, and of everything we're playing for out here.

As we leave the market, the night air cools around us, and we walk back toward our hotel, talking and laughing. I tuck my phone into my pocket, knowing that soon enough, I'll get a chance to call Caitlin and show her the bracelet.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll tell her about Skip.