solitude → sam kerr

fifty → four words of joy

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

amidst the spirited atmosphere following the 2022 asian cup, evelyn found herself staying with sam and her parents, basking in the warmth of the australian sun, accomplishments and pride. the tournament may not have replicated the stellar success of four years ago, but sam's performances had undoubtedly made a lasting impact.

sam shone brightly in australia's opening group-stage match against indonesia. the scoreboard witnessed her remarkable feat of scoring five goals, a breathtaking showcase of her prowess on the field. in achieving this remarkable milestone, sam not only equalled but also surpassed the australian international goal-scoring record. this record, previously held by the legendary tim cahill with 50 international goals, now belonged to sam kerr.

the significance of this accomplishment extended beyond gender boundaries, making the woman the all-time leading goal-scorer among both male and female australian internationals. what made this achievement even more remarkable was the efficiency with which she had reached this milestone. her 105 international appearances were all it took to equal the 50 goals set by cahill, who had accomplished the feat in 108 international appearances.

despite the journey concluding in the quarter-finals with a loss to south korea, sam's individual brilliance did not go unnoticed. the golden boot adorned her achievements, a testament to her goal-scoring skill throughout the tournament. her seven goals in just four matches not only secured her the prestigious award but also highlighted her consistency and impact on the scoreboard.

as evelyn immersed herself in the celebratory atmosphere at sam's home, surrounded by the kerr family, the pride and joy were noticeable. the girl's achievements exceeded the tournament's outcomes, forging a legacy that extended far beyond the playing field. the familial support and shared jubilation echoed the sentiment that victories, big or small, were best savoured together.

in the evenings spent recounting the tournament's highs and lows, sam's parents beamed with pride, their daughter's accomplishments a source of immense joy. evelyn, too, found herself caught up in the infectious enthusiasm, celebrating not just the goals and records but also the indomitable spirit that defined sam kerr on and off the pitch.

the couple strolled along the familiar trail leading to the secluded beach, a place filled with memories from their younger years. the off-trail route, known only to them, led to a small opening where they used to find comfort together, watching the mesmerising sunsets and sunrises.

"i've missed this place," evelyn confessed, a sense of nostalgia washing over her. the beauty of the spot, forgotten in the busyness of life, now unfolded before her.

sam smiled, the memories of their shared moments flooding back. "yeah, it's been too long. we used to spend hours here."

as they settled into the familiar spot, conversation flowed effortlessly between them. sam pondered aloud about an alternate reality where evelyn hadn't quit football. "maybe you'd be accomplishing all this stuff," she mused.

the blonde shook her head, dismissing the thought. "no, you deserve all the success. we're both successful in our own ways, and we're happy. i wouldn't want it any other way."

the mention of their old coach stirred memories of the past, and sam couldn't help but bring up the time when evelyn was inexplicably kicked off the starting eleven. "maybe if our coach hadn't done that, you'd be the best now," the footballer suggested.

the singer dismissed the hypothetical scenario with a firm shake of her head. "maybe we would've never spoken if he didn't force you to talk to me that day and come out of my shell. perhaps soccer and i weren't meant to happen."