Wosounited 3.0

It was a cold December day and Arsenal were playing their final game of the season before the Winter break against Chelsea. You, your mum, dad, Jacob and Luke had all decided to go to the game taking place in the Emirates today, to support the girls. It was the first game you were going to see Alessia play in as your girlfriend, so all of your sister’s whining this morning was still not going to get you into her Arsenal jersey.

You’d only seen Alessia play for England before today and you barely knew her back then. You were sitting happily in Alessia’s jersey with Russo 23 on the back. Luke was wearing a Catley 12 one, Jacob and your dad in Williamson 6 jerseys and your mum in a Wälti 13. Your mum decided to be a full on Lia supporter so everyone had someone.

All four of them were in the starting line up and you, Luke and Jacob got comfortable beside each other as they warmed up. It’d been years since the three of you actually watched a game in person together. Luke and Jacob were similar to Luke and Leah in the sense that they were like siblings. Luke was just always around, even sometimes when you weren’t.

You spotted Alessia’s family in the box next to you and excused yourself for a few minutes to go and say hello. You were immediately pulled into a hug by Mario, Alessia’s dad.

“Oh, she didn’t tell us you were coming today” Mario laughed, passing you from Russo to Russo.

You’d met them three more times since the day Alessia first introduced you, and they were quite fond of you. Alessia’s mum had started listening to your music when she’d go for a drive to the shop or be cooking in the kitchen.

“She doesn’t exactly know yet” you chuckled. “My parents are just over-” you turned to point, but the Russo family saw that as an invitation.

When you came back with the Russo family, you introduced the four of them to your parents, Luke and Jacob. Her parents sat with yours and her brothers were now sitting with you, Jacob and Luke. The families knew of each other of course, with the girls playing for Arsenal and England and Alessia and Leah living together, but had never properly sat down and chatted.

The game was electric, Alessia scored the opening goal from a shot outside the box. She looked up to her box only to find it empty. She frowned and tried to jog back into position, but a few of the girls pushed her towards the fans to celebrate. Steph has assisted the goal so you and Luke were going crazy in the Williamson’s box, which caught her attention all the way down on the pitch.

“Lessi” Steph shouted as she grabbed the girl by the arm who looked annoyed, even though she’d just scored. “Y/n is here” Steph said pointing towards you.

“Is that our parents together?” Leah squinted, looking towards the box.

It was only then that she saw you, her parents and her brothers all in the box with your family and Luke. She waved up to you as you and Luke both waved back and she turned away with a giggle.

When the game eventually finished, Arsenal had won 3-0, with Leah and Lia both getting an assist to their names. When the team had finished signing autographs, Alessia gestured that she would be ten minutes and then would be up to see you. Luke pulled you inside quickly, away from the crowds looking up towards you, all of them trying to get your attention. Everyone was still out in the box as he pulled the curtains closed.

“Swap shirts with me” he laughed, taking his jersey off. You grabbed Steph’s from his hand, took yours off and threw it to him. You walked back out in fits of laughter as you now had on a Catley jersey.

All four girls made their way up to the box when they’d finished changing and showering. Alessia greeted her family before making her way over to you, but you already had Steph wrapped up, her back pressed against you with your arms around her waist.

“Sorry, you’ve been replaced” you smirked as Steph laughed, finding the situation hilarious.

“Is that so?” Alessia giggled.

“Oh hi Lessi baby, you played great” Luke teased wrapping his arms around her shoulders and pulling her against him.

“Does single life sound good to both of you?” Steph asked.

“Sounds good to me” Alessia smiled cheekily at her teammate, as they walked off into the room together while you and Luke began quickly running in after them.

“No, no we’re sorry” you and Luke begged, making the girls laugh.

“Can you put my jersey back on so we can take a picture please?” Alessia smiled as she wrapped her hands around your neck and kissed you gently. You could never say no to her when she smiled.

-

Y/n_Williamson posted on their story

“Did you just soft launch me?” Alessia laughed, tucked up in bed beside you.

“I just love Arsenal” you smirked, leaning over to kiss her.

-

It was a busy day for London retailers, the buzz of Christmas was most certainly in the air. You and Luke had made the decision to delay the album by three months so that there would be less new music and Christmas songs to compete with in the charts. Anna eventually signed off on the decision, after so much persuading by you that she felt like her head was going to burst. You’d made the point that it was your first Christmas at home in over 5 years and wanted to spend it with your family and not having to do press for the new album.

You, Luke, Jacob and Leah had headed into central London to do some shopping. Although, you all didn’t have that much left to buy. You’d split a holiday for your parents four ways after way too many arguments that you would just pay for the entire thing and say it was from the four of you.

“So we’re all agreed? We’re meeting back here at 4pm?” Leah asked as you all nodded.

“Are you sure you’re okay going alone?” Jacob asked as you rolled your eyes and shooed them away.

You really didn’t give a breeze about the concept of wandering around alone. As well as that, you weren’t actually going to be alone. You were meeting Steph to help her get a present for Luke. In fact, you’d all organised secret meetings. Jacob was meeting Lia, Alessia was meeting Leah and Luke was meeting Anna. They had planned to meet up to discuss press for the New Year before she flew back to New York tomorrow. You met Steph at a coffee shop, deciding to grab a quick cup before you started shopping.

“I just wanted to let you know before we go out, there’s usually a lot of cameras and people and it can get intense. Just, if at any stage you want to leave or-” you rambled.

“It’s totally fine” Steph smiled, cutting you off.

You both grabbed your takeaway cups and set off on your day of shopping together. You’d been stopped countless times to take photos and sign autographs, while many people also tried filming you as you simply walked by. Steph was great, she took photos for people and signed a few autographs herself when football fans spotted her.

“You were not joking” Steph chuckled as you shook your head.

“You sure you’re okay?” You asked as you placed your hand on her back for a quarter of a second and she nodded at you.

You both got presents for Luke, and you also both ended up buying other bits for different people. You got one of Leah and Jacob’s presents picked as well as picking up something small for Lia and Steph, when she wasn’t looking.

“Have you much left to get?” You asked Steph as you walked back to her car, both of your hands full of bags.

“Not much. My family were meant to come but there was a change of plans so we’re doing Christmas in January” she told you.

“Is everything alright?” You asked as she nodded.

“Just really expensive this time of year” she shrugged. “It’s frustrating, I had it planned for them to meet Luke and do Christmas Day at my house. Luke has only ever talked to them over FaceTime” Steph explained.

You really liked Steph, she made Luke really happy. Just before you could say anything, she stopped and unlocked her car.

“Thank you for today” she smiled, loading the bags into the back.

“Sorry about-” you began as she hugged you and stopped you in your tracks.

“It’s honestly fine. Don’t worry your A-List little head about it” she giggled.

You met back with the group shortly after that and made your way home once everyone had gotten to the car. You were driving, with Leah in the front and the boys in the back.

“What did you get for Alessia?” Leah asked, as if she hadn’t spent the entire day with your girlfriend.

“I didn’t get it today” you laughed. “I got her a new car. What did you get for-” you tried to ask.

“A car?” Leah shouted.

“Yeah, she was giving out about her car a few weeks ago and I thought that was a subtle hint to-” you tried explaining.

“That doesn’t mean she wants you to buy her a car” Jacob huffed.

“How would you even think that meant she wanted a car?” Luke asked as you shrugged.

It was clear to the three of them then that Mel had rightly fucked you up. Whenever Mel would say she liked something or wanted something, the expectation would have been that you not only bought it, but you had to buy it.

When you got to your mum’s house, you thought the conversation was over, but instead it continued, with your mum also getting involved.

“I just thought she meant that she wanted a new car” you huffed to your mum, with all three tattle tales standing beside her while you sat on the sofa.

“What have we talked about?” Your mum snapped.

“That I have more money than sense” you shrugged.

“Use your money for something actually worth it. Not for buying whatever girl you are with a new car” she sighed as she left the room.

“Thanks for that” you gave the three of them a sarcastic thumbs up before heading out into your car and heading home. On the drive home, your mum’s words played on your mind so you instructed Siri to call Anna.

“Hello” Anna shouted over the car’s stereo system.

“I need a favour” you said.

“Anything, superstar” Anna put the phone between her shoulder and ear and sat down at the laptop, ready to get to work.

-

When it got to Christmas Eve, you and Leah were helping your mum to set up for dinner tomorrow. Helping was probably a strong word. Leah was helping, while you had your head pressed against the table, half asleep listening to them rambling on.

“I need final numbers for tomorrow. Dad, me, Jacob, Y/n, Leah, Lia, Alessia” your mum rattled off.

“Alessia isn’t coming” you shook your head as she lifted a placemat up with a huff.

“Luke, Steph” she continued.

“Not coming” you said as she groaned and picked up their placemats too. She started listing off your cousins and other family members as you began to doze off again.

“Aren’t you meeting Alessia?” Leah asked as you opened your eyes and checked your watch.

“Shit” you shot up from your seat and rushed out the door. You weren’t actually meeting Alessia, not until later on, but you had something to take care of.

“She’s been acting really weird the past few days” Leah whispered to your mum.

“Probably just stressed about Christmas” your mum shrugged.

“Have you seen the latest rumours?” Leah chuckled and your mum frowned and shook her head.

She showed your mum the countless tweets and TikTok edits with photos and videos of you and Steph. There was ones with you two out shopping, someone managed to get a photo of when you placed your hand on her back for less than a second. There was more of you at the Arsenal game with a Catley jersey on and hugging Steph after the game, when you were pretending to be a couple to annoy Alessia.

“How does Alessia feel about all that?” Your mum asked.

“She finds it hilarious” Leah laughed.

You got to Alessia’s house just after 4pm. You’d both agreed to do presents on Christmas Eve as you were spending Christmas Day with your own families.

“Okay, I won’t lie, picking your presents was extremely stressful” Alessia giggled.

You’d both decided to just get a few small presents and then one big present, amounting to no more than a couple hundred pounds. You’d both gone way past that. She’d gotten you a retro Arsenal jersey, a mug with a picture of you and her on it, a brand new coffee machine that you kept saying you wanted, and a new guitar that you knew was very expensive.

“Less” you sighed when you opened it. “I know this cost a fortune” you shook your head.

“But now you can play for me, whenever I want” she smirked as you fully unwrapped it and began to tune it up.

“Okay, but not until you open yours” you laughed, putting the guitar down carefully beside you. You’d gotten her the hoodie you’d given her all those months ago now in 2 different colours, a holiday for just after New Years and a set of keys.

“What is with your obsession of giving me keys?” She giggled as she swung them around her finger.

“Come on” you smirked, reaching for her hand. You took her outside, where you’d parked up a brand new car with a bow on the front.

“You did not” Alessia gasped.

“I thought when you said the other week about your car being shit that meant you wanted a new one, so-” you rambled as she pulled you in for a kiss.

“I didn’t mean go and buy me one” she replied when she let you go.

“I realise that now” you laughed. “But it’s yours” you smiled.

You headed back into the couch, telling her about the holiday the six of you were going on. You were cuddled up on the couch, barely watching the TV as you were drifting in and out and she was scrolling on her phone.

“Aw, did you see Steph’s story?” She asked as you woke up a bit.

“Hmm?” You mumbled.

“Steph’s family surprised her for Christmas” Alessia shoved the phone in your face. “She was so upset the other day at training. She said they were coming over in January but it was when we were back training so she wouldn’t have gotten to see them much” Alessia rambled.

“That’s nice. At least Luke will get to meet them properly, I know he was looking forward to it” you smiled before drifting back off.

It was just before 10pm when you left Alessia’s and headed back to your parent’s for the night. You drove Alessia to her parent’s house and stopped in quickly to wish them a Happy Christmas. You had gotten them small gifts which you told Alessia to leave under the tree.

“What she get you then?” Luca smirked when you’d left and Alessia couldn’t help but laugh.

“Just some clothes and we’re going on holiday in the New Year before camp” she smiled.

“That it?” Luca laughed.

“Luca” Mario frowned.

“They are lovely presents” Carol piped up.

“She bought me a car” Alessia whispered.

“What kind of car?” Giorgio asked as Alessia turned her phone around to show him a picture.

“Jesus Christ” he gasped, grabbing the phone from her hand.

“Is that an expensive car?” She asked.

“What did you get her?” Luca questioned, staring at the phone in Giorgio’s hand.

“A guitar, a coffee machine, a jersey and a mug” she listed. “Why?”

“That car is worth about 70k, easily” Giorgio said.

“She got you presents too” Alessia gulped.

Luca made a beeline for the Christmas tree, ripping his present open straight away.

“Holy shit” he shouted, as the rest of the Russo’s raised their eyebrows and rushed inside. You’d gotten Luca a PlayStation 5, Giorgio a travelling voucher worth an ungodly amount. You’d gotten Carol expensive jewellery and Mario an expensive watch.

“Alessia, that girl can’t be spending this much on us” her mum frowned.

“Mum, be quiet and grateful” Luca moaned, running up the stairs to get his PlayStation set up. Giorgio had went to the laptop to look up where he could go with his voucher and Mario had followed him in, putting on his new watch.

“Alessia” Carol said again, in a warning tone.

“I know mum” Alessia nodded. “I’ll talk to her”

Leah, Lia and Jacob were all also staying in your parents house. Leah and Lia had taken the guest room, while you and Jacob took the couches.

“It’s annoying that you’re flying home before the New Year. You could have came on holiday with us” you mumbled from the opposite couch.

“And be the 7th wheel? No thank you” he laughed.

Your phone buzzed as he began to ramble on about what his schedule looked like when he got back to Australia. You quickly checked the message, still half listening.

Steph

My mom just told me you are the cause of them being here 🤔

Y/n

Don’t know what she’s talking about 🤷🏼‍♀️

On a totally opposite note, your mum is a lovely person

Steph

Thank you so much

I will pay you back whatever it cost

Y/n

It’s not an issue

Anna sorted the whole thing anyway

I don’t need the money, just make sure Luke stays less annoying 😂

Steph

I would rather pay you back than have that burden 😅

Of course when your mum told you to put your money to good use, the first thing that sprung to mind was the conversation you had with Steph. It was difficult to do it without asking anybody who knew Steph, because you didn’t want anybody to know. But if there was one person to track down a family and fly them to the opposite side of the world on 5 days notice, it was Anna.

“Are you listening to me?” Jacob asked.

“Yeah, yeah, sorry” you grumbled, placing your phone back into your pocket.

“Here I am, pouring my heart out and telling you I miss you when we're separated and you're too busy texting your girlfriend" he chuckled, you weren't too bothered correcting him.

"I miss you too Jacob" you mumbled. "I promise I'll get out to you more and when I go back on tour I'll start there" you smiled.

"Deal" he nodded. "Game of Fifa?" he asked and you nodded.

-

Y/n/n 💙

Happy Christmas mi amor. Sorry we're not spending it together, but will see you soon x

Less 🤍

Merry Christmas. I love you x

-

Christmas came and went quickly. Soon enough you were bidding Jacob farewell at the airport, only to be packing to head there yourself a few days later. As a collective Christmas present, you booked a holiday for Alessia, Lia, Leah, Steph, Luke and you to go away before they were due in Portugal for their pre year camp.

Rumours had been spreading since you had let the world know you were with someone, of who that certain someone was. You were finding it hilarious that people thought that it was Steph after you were spotted Christmas shopping together. You made the rumours worse when you posted a story of her in the airport

Y/n_Williamson posted to their story

Steph, however, while she found the situation funny, wasn’t overly fond of the abuse she was getting online. You didn’t really use social media, so you were oblivious to it, and Steph hadn’t mentioned it to you. She had only told Luke as it was starting to really affect her.

You took Alessia out for a meal in a restaurant close to the villa while everyone else also seemed to be doing their own thing.

“Am I going crazy or have Steph and Luke been ignoring me the past two days?” You asked Alessia. The first two days had been great, but from the 3rd day, it may as well have been as though you were just there with Alessia.

“I think they’re just enjoying time on their own” Alessia smiled. “Like we are” she teased.

You’d barely seen Leah since the 3rd day too, she was opting to just spend time with Lia. You paid the bill before taking a stroll back to the villa you’d booked for the six of you. Lia and Leah were already asleep in bed and while Steph was in bed, she was still awake. Luke was sitting in the kitchen when you got into the villa and Alessia slipped up the stairs as you went into the kitchen to grab you both glasses of water.

“Alright mate?” You asked as he shrugged. “What’s your deal?” You asked, slumping against the couch.

“Is there something going on with you and Steph?” He asked.

“What?” you frowned.

“You heard me” he muttered, a bit aggressively. It was really difficult for both of you to have this conversation as you’d never had a singular argument before. But you both knew this was about to be the moment it happened.

“Why would you think there was something going on with me and Steph?”

“You flew her whole family home for Christmas”

“Yeah, to meet you” you snapped.

“You’re happy enough to be pictured with her and post about her, just feeding rumours” he tutted. “You don’t give a shit about how people are speaking to her”.

“I didn’t know anybody was saying-” you stuttered but he cut you off.

“You don’t post anything about Alessia to protect her from it” he huffed.

“I didn’t know there was anything to protect Steph from” you snapped back.

“Is that them?” Alessia asked Steph as she came into her room and Steph nodded. The pair sat together listening to the two of you arguing, but couldn’t make out exactly what was being said.

“What’s going on?” Leah grunted as her and Lia came into the room that Alessia and Steph were in. Lia slumped onto the bed beside Steph, it was clear both of them had been asleep.

“They are arguing” Steph whispered, starting to fidget nervously with Lia’s hair.

“Y/n and Luke?” Leah frowned as Alessia nodded, leaning against the wardrobe.

“You can’t be fucking serious” you shouted, your words becoming a bit more clear to the four upstairs now that both your voices were raised.

“Well it wouldn’t be fucking shocking, would it?” He snapped.

“What is that suppose to mean?” you scoffed.

“You have a history of it” he tutted. “You cheated on Mel with Alessia, clearly. What would stop you cheating on Alessia with Steph?”

“Excuse me?” you said, bluntly.

“Stop playing the victim” he shouted.

“Leah” Alessia said sternly as Leah picked up that Alessia meant to go and break it up. She quickly jogged down the stairs and towards the kitchen.

“Clearly Mel cheated on you because you are so self absorbed it’s ridiculous” he shouted again.

“Okay, that’s enough” Leah said, grabbing your shoulders and trying to pull you out of the room.

“Get the fuck off me” you huffed, going out the back door and slamming it behind you.

“Luke, that was bang out of order” Leah huffed as he plastered his eyes to the ground. “Just go to bed” she sighed and pointed towards the stairs. Lia had made her way back into her and Leah’s room, while Alessia made her way downstairs to get you.

“Lessi” Luke mumbled with a guilty tone as they passed by eachother on the staircase. She kept walking, as he watched her go further downstairs without speaking to him.

“Where is she?” Alessia asked your sister, who nodded her head towards the back door and pushed Luke further up the stairs.

Alessia found you sitting by the pool of the villa, smoking a cigarette. She didn’t know you sometimes smoked when you got stressed, or that you were stressed all the time.

“Are you okay?” She asked as you put the smoke out and nodded. You weren’t fine, but you didn’t want her to worry. It was silent for a minute or so, almost like she was thinking about the conversation she’d just overheard.

“You and Mel, you were fully broken up before we-” she began.

“Obviously” you sighed. “You were there” you reminded her.

“He just seemed so convinced” she muttered as you looked up from the ground but didn’t dare to speak. You were in a state of shock that the person who had watched you breakdown was actually believing this nonsense.

“I think we need to take a step back” Alessia mumbled.

“If that’s what you want” you shrugged. You were used to conversations with a partner where they would tell you what they wanted and you would just do it, even if it wasn’t what you wanted.

“Maybe just while I’m away and you’ll be off doing promotion” she suggested.

“Okay” you got up from the side of the pool, leaving her seated alone and walked back towards the door. You didn’t know how to feel as you walked away from her, but you found a new sense of confidence to defend yourself.

“For the record” you said as you stopped and turned to face her. “I didn’t cheat on Mel with you. I was cheated on, multiple times, and I probably would have stayed with Mel despite that. But when I realised I had feelings for you, I ended it”. With that, you turned on your heels and walked back into the house.

You slept on the couch in the living room and woke early in the morning with a call from Anna.

“Hello” you groaned.

“Sorry to wake you” she sighed. “The label are piling on the pressure to start promotion. They are already angry at the three month delay but it’s been like a month and you’ve done nothing since the Spotify event” she huffed.

“What do they want?” you grunted.

“I know you’re away, but I need you and Luke on a flight here first thing”

“Does he need to come?” You asked.

“Not necessarily” she shook her head.

“What airport?” You asked.

“JFK. Oliver will pick you up and a hotel is booked for you” Anna stated as you stood up. You gently pushed the door open, finding Alessia soundly asleep. You grabbed your stuff, threw them into your suitcase, grabbed your passport and headed towards Leah’s room.

“Hey Lee” you whispered and gently nudged her, cautious not to wake Lia.

“Everything okay?” She whispered back, reaching out to grab your arm.

“I have to go” you replied as she now realised you were fully dressed.

“What? Why? Please don’t leave just because-” she huffed. You settled her back down, still conscious Lia was sleeping right next to her.

“Anna needs me in New York right now or the label are going to kill me, or her” you shrugged.

“Can’t it wait? We’re going home in 3 days” Leah frowned as you shook your head. “Come on then” she groaned as she carefully got out of bed and went downstairs with you.

You had a chat before your taxi arrived and she saw you off at the door before she wandered into the living room when you had gone. She lay down on the couch she felt something uncomfortable underneath her and fiddled around to pull it out.

When Alessia woke, she didn’t take much notice that all your stuff was gone. She trudged down to the kitchen to make a coffee before she went to wake you. She realised last night was stupid and she wanted to apologise to you. Only, she found Leah sitting at the table in the kitchen with a coffee in hand staring out the glass backdoor. Alessia noticed the ashtray in the kitchen had a few smoke butts in it, and with 4 professional athletes in the house, and a boy she knew definitely didn’t smoke, she landed on only one person who could have put them there. Leah didn’t care much that you smoked, or vaped or drank, you were just her perfect little sister in her eyes.

“Morning” Alessia mumbled to which she was not greeted back. It was only when Alessia grabbed two mugs that Leah spoke.

“She’s gone” Leah sighed and Alessia nearly smashed the cups in her hand.

“What do you mean gone?” Alessia asked, slamming the mugs on the counter.

“She woke me this morning saying Anna needed her in New York for album promotion, but left this here” Leah huffed, sliding your phone across the table, which you’d left behind accidentally. You weren’t too bothered that you’d left it behind. Now Alessia wanted to take a break and Luke hated you, who had you left to text?

“You know, my bedroom is right above the pool” Leah said as Alessia looked at her.

“I was going to tell her this morning I was being an idiot” Alessia mumbled.

“You watched her life crash and burn when that happened” Leah huffed as Alessia was on the verge of tears, but she quickly brushed them off her face when she heard a ruffle at the kitchen door.

“Luke said Anna will message him when she arrives” Steph told your sister who thanked her.

Alessia and Steph made awkward eye contact before she left the room and went back upstairs. You had explained to Leah this morning the reason for the argument, how Luke thought there was something going on with you and Steph, even though he’d practically watched you fall in love with Alessia over the past year. When Leah explained that to Alessia, your girlfriend, or whatever she was, felt her heart sink a little that she’d let doubts cross her mind.

“Why would he think that?” Alessia shook her head.

“She paid for Steph’s family to come over when Steph explained they couldn’t afford it” Leah mumbled. “And the day me and you went shopping at Christmas, her and Steph went out and rumours spread” Leah explained.

“But he knows she would never-” Alessia sighed.

“Luke is just-” Leah sighed. “It’s a long story” Leah added with a sigh.

Luke hadn’t got the best family life, hence why your family had practically adopted him. His sister had moved to Canada when she was 18, to get as far away from their parents as possible. He kept in touch with her, but not his parents. They had no idea he lived in central London now or even that he was working with you.

You’d just touched down in New York after mostly sleeping on the plane, due to your lack of a phone and having no interest in watching or reading anything. You met Oliver at the usual spot and he drove you to the hotel that Anna had booked for you, which of course was a nice big fancy room that you didn’t need. You barely spoke to him for the duration of the drive, but he knew when not to pester and that’s why you liked having him around.

Anna sent a text to Luke once you’d gotten to the hotel who then told Steph, who then told Leah, who then told Alessia. The villa did not have a nice atmosphere today.

You’d met Anna and ran through the schedule of what you’d be up to in New York for the next two weeks before going to L.A and then back to London. You had a few small events to do and had to show your face at other events just to get media attention up. Anna came with you to all the events, due to you having nobody with you. She had tried to get Holly to come to try and lighten the mood, but she was busy with a vacation.

She kept a low profile, letting you mingle freely, but you didn’t care in the slightest. You hadn’t spoken to anybody outside of work since you’d left the villa except for Oliver and Anna, and you’d been in New York for five days now. Alessia, Leah, Lia and Steph were set to fly tomorrow to Portugal with the team. You’d had no contact with any of them.

“Hey superstar, I need you to go alone this afternoon, okay?” Anna said as you were getting ready in your hotel room.

“Fine, but I’m not staying for the full thing and I’m taking full advantage of the open bar” you stated.

“London has turned you into a diva” she smirked as she left you to get ready in peace.

You arrived at the event, and posed for a few photos before taking a seat. It wasn’t a fashion show, per se, but it was similar. When you noticed the models you probably should have used your brain to realise she was here, but with the amount of alcohol in your system, your brain definitely wasn’t working correctly.

“Look who it is” Mel smirked with her arms folded from behind you.

“Piss off” you huffed, rolling your eyes at your ex girlfriend.

“Have you gotten even more British since we broke up?” She giggled.

“I’m just out of America awhile, and my accent gets stronger when I’m home” you shrugged.

You couldn’t help but let your eyes wander, to take in her outfit. She was dressed in a very revealing, lacy black body suit for the show you hadn’t even bothered watching, too busy necking back drinks at the bar.

“I remember” she smiled weakly

“Are you here with someone?” You asked. “Where’s your girlfriend?” You practically spat out. You noticed she was looking at you how you’d looked at her just a few seconds ago.

“Yeah, we broke up” she sighed. “It wasn’t the same as- Where’s yours?” She asked, looking around.

“We’re on a bit of a pause” you explained.

“So you’re single?” Mel smirked as you nodded, a bit too frantically to convince someone that you were fully over her.

“Do you maybe want to get out of here?” Mel asked. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was because she was showing traits of the Mel you met at the beginning and fell in love with, maybe it was because she looked so fit.

“Yeah” You nodded, her fingertips grazed against your hand, and when she felt no resistance, she slotted her fingers between yours and pulled you outside.

You headed to a bar that you had frequented when you were living in New York together and when you both eventually turned 21. You ordered two drinks and brought them back to the booth where she was sitting.

Back at the event, and in the taxi, you were tempted to ask Mel to come back to your hotel. She was tempted to invite you back to her place. You both knew you could have each other if you wanted it. But when you got to the bar, the conversation shifted to a much more serious one, rather than one that probably would have helped you get over your fight with Alessia.

“How have you been?” She asked, taking a sip from her drink.

“Up until I came to New York, I was actually great” you shrugged. “How are you?”

“Not great” she smiled wearily. The conversation was awkward, as it was always going to be. “I’m sorry for how things ended between us” she began as you cut her off straight away.

“It’s fine” you shrugged.

“No, just listen” she insisted as you sat back against the booth more comfortably. “I know the way I treated you was disgusting. I’m really embarrassed because you were nothing but lovely to me from the day we met” she wiped a tear from her eye and you actually felt bad for her.

“Mel, it’s okay” you reached for her hand but she didn’t let you take it.

“I just want to be honest with you now that I have a chance to be. There was a few people I cheated on you with, which I know you already kind of know. But they all meant nothing, I just knew you would never break up with me and it was selfish of me but I was stupid”. You tried to interrupt again but she stopped you.

“Then, it had stopped for a little while until I seen you with Alessia and, I don’t know, I got jealous and slept with someone because I thought you were doing the same thing” she explained.

“I never got with Alessia while we were together” you huffed and hadn’t really realised what you’d admitted.

“I know that now, but I saw the way you looked at her anytime she was in a room. You’d forget I existed the second she came in”

“Well, like you said, I knew you were cheating on me and I stayed with you regardless because I loved you. But when I realised I was starting to like her more than just friends, I knew I couldn’t do that to you” you mumbled.

“So, you’re together now?” Mel asked

“We were. I’m not sure we still are” you shrugged.

“Explain” Mel took another swig of her drink.

“We were actually doing great and then Luke thought I was sleeping with his girlfriend and shit hit the fan. He basically told me the reason you cheated on me was because of me being a horrible person”

“I never liked him” Mel sharply said.

“You both hated each other” you laughed. “You hated all my friends and all my family and they hated you back”. She couldn’t help but laugh.

“I guess I could have been nicer” she smirked.

“I just wish you would have been yourself around them. You’re actually a nice person, Melly” you smiled as she smiled back. You felt the phone Anna had given you, so she could contact you, buzz in your pocket.

“I better go, duty calls” you showed her Anna’a contact on the phone.

“The woman still never gives you a break I see” she smirked as you both made your way outside. “It was lovely to see you and I’m happy for you, whatever happens with Alessia and the new album” she smiled and hugged you tightly before she walked off in the opposite direction.

You felt guilty in that moment that you were about to release an album that was going to tell the world she cheated on you, but you couldn’t change it now. Anna texted you to let you know she was waiting at the hotel for you so you flagged down a taxi and headed back.

“How did tonight go?” Anna asked.

“Yeah, fine” you sighed.

“Sorry I couldn’t make it, I had a family thing” she explained.

“All okay?” You asked as she nodded and smiled.

“Get up to anything interesting?” She asked as you debated telling her, but instead opted to shake your head.

She walked you through things you had to do while still in the States. Album promotion was a strange one, because you weren’t actually promoting the album, you were promoting yourself.

Alessia had your actual phone on her bedside table the last few days, ignoring it anytime it buzzed. She was packing for Portugal tomorrow when a different type of message tone set off your phone.

Mel 🌍

Tonight was nice x

Lovely to see you again ❤️

Mel didn’t know the phone you had with you wasn’t your one. She meant no harm by the messages, but to your current girlfriend? That was different. Alessia couldn’t help but frown at the messages and picked up her phone to search your name and get the latest news on you. The perks and downfalls of dating a celebrity who had paparazzi on their heels every second of the day.

celebnews

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celebnews: Y/N Williamson & Ross Lynch to star in Troye Sivan’s new music video for “One Of Your Girls”. The video will be released next Friday at 12am.

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@CelebNews: Y/N Williamson is set to perform with not one but TWO major celebs this week while she’s in New York. With Harry Styles and Taylor Swift in town, what songs would you love to see her perform with the duo?

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celebnews: Was it ever going to be anything but End Game for these two? Y/n Williamson and Mel Cooke spotted leaving an event early tonight and heading out together to their favourite NYC bar.

Is it all over between Y/N and Arsenal defender, Steph Catley? Or was it Mel all along?

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Alessia dropped to the ground, letting a sob slipped passed her lips and let her back press against her bed.

“Lessi?” Lia whispered against the door and pushed it open. She was quick to Alessia’s side, trying to work out what was wrong.

“Leah” she shouted for her girlfriend, who waltzed into the room whistling to herself.

“What’s going on?” Leah asked, stopping abruptly when she saw both girls on the ground.

Alessia turned her phone to show both of them the photo, before picking up your phone and showing them the texts. The two of them stared blankly at the screens in front of them. Leah couldn’t grasp that it was you, she didn’t know who you were anymore or how you could do this to Alessia. When the next message came in, none of them even saw it.

Mel 🌍

I appreciate you hearing me out.

I hope you and Alessia work it out. I know by you that you love her.

“Mac, that was almost a fucking year ago” Leah shouted.

“I know” was all you could reply, shrugging as you pulled up to your apartment complex and getting out of the car.

“When are you going to tell her?” Leah frowned.

“I wanted to while she was here, but it was all just so nice and I didn’t want to ruin it” you sighed. “Then Alexia showed up”

“Does she know?” Leah asked.

“No, you’re the first one I’ve told” you replied honestly.

“Fuck Mac. I don’t even know what to say, man” Leah groaned at the thought of it and you let a groan also leave your lips. “So, what does this mean?” Leah asked as you shrugged.

-

“Oye, pasa. ¿Cómo estás?” Hey, come in. How are you? The doctor asked as you sat on the bed.

“Bien, gracias” Good, thanks you replied, though you had your eyes glued to the floor.

It had been a reoccurring problem for you during your career as a defender, it was natural you took knocks to the head. Whether it was head to head collisions, punches to the head from the keeper, kicks to the head, or even your head hitting the ground, you had taken them all. And plenty of them.

Obviously, your first major incident had been at the previous Euros tournament, where you were knocked unconscious by a punch to the head. You knew deep down you hadn’t been right since, but you pushed it to the back of your mind and you played it cool anytime you saw a doctor. If you didn’t, you knew they’d try to do further tests or scans. Then came Stina’s boot to the face, then came the knock in training that ruled you out of the game a few weeks ago and finally came the thump to the ground from Katie’s push. Every sudden movement now made you feel dizzy and you had constant headaches. But anytime a doctor or a medical professional would ask, you repeated the same line with a fake smile on your face and your thumbs firmly pointed up.

“me siento muy bien” I’m feeling great.

After your conversation with Leah, she frowned anytime she’d see your name on the Barcelona and Ireland team sheet. She’d call you, only for you to tell her you were fine and you were being dramatic on the phone before. Your go to line seemed to be that you were blaming the stress of Alessia leaving and you two being separated again. But it wasn’t the case, you were just afraid to give up football. You’d take hundreds more knocks to the head if it meant you could lace up your boots and continue to kick a ball around for a living.

So, you continued to play it cool and after each game your head was worse than the previous time. Alexia and Lucy started to notice it more when you were banging into things or falling over. You’d usually just pass out on the couch when they came over, never being able to keep your eyes open long enough for video games or TV anymore.

-

Obviously, Barcelona had won the league and were also heading to the Champions League final to play Chelsea. You had three weeks until the game, so the coaching staff gave you a week off to celebrate the league win. You all went drinking in a nightclub when someone came up with the wild idea you should all go to Ibiza for your time off.

“Lessi baby” you slurred through the phone, in the nightclub.

“Hi you big drunk idiot” she laughed as you smirked.

“I booked ye on a flight to Ibiza in the mornin’ to come celebrate with me” you somehow managed to explain.

“Do you not have a champions league to prepare for?” She giggled as you chuckled.

“Yeah, but it’s only against Chelsea” you smirked making her laugh.

“What time is my flight?” She asked, running upstairs to start getting things together.

“8am” you huffed as you downed a shot. “I’ll send ye over the details now baby, but I’ll meet ye at the airport when ye land” you added before hanging up.

Leah was startled by a loud bang that made her and Alban trot upstairs to go to check on Alessia. She knocked at Alessia’s bedroom door before letting herself inside.

“All okay?” Leah asked as Alessia nodded.

“Y/n booked me on a flight to Ibiza, giving me-” Alessia checked her watch “7 hours notice that I need to be in the airport for a flight” Alessia scowled.

“Do you need help packing?” Leah asked as Alessia sat still on the bed.

“How long are we even going for? Is it just us? Where are we staying?” Alessia panicked as Leah sat down beside her.

“Hey relax, it’s okay. Mac was just trying to be nice” Leah reassured her as Alessia’s phone pinged. You’d sent her through all the details of the flight and she laughed. “What’s so funny?” Leah asked.

“She’s booked a flight for you too” Alessia giggled, showing her the phone. Only then did she see the two tickets, one for Alessia, one for herself.

“That’s 7 hours notice for a flight! I have to pack, get ready, bring Alban somewhere-” Leah began to scramble.

“Oh relax Leah, Y/n was only being nice” Alessia mocked Leah’s accent in the words that just slipped past her lips only moments ago.

It wasn’t long until they headed to the airport, leaving the dog with the only person they deemed to be suitable to mind him. Lia.

-

You’re pretty sure the whole Barcelona squad was still drunk when you arrived in Ibiza. Your flight didn’t take too long, and you met Leah and Alessia who arrived in shortly after. A few of the team were waiting for the friends and partners that they invited. Keira instantly gravitated towards Leah as you took yours and Alessia’s suitcases and rolled them towards the bus.

“When did we hire a bus?” Lucy asked you but you shrugged and laughed.

“Don’t question it” you said continuing to laugh as you put the suitcases at the bottom of the bus, and of course, hitting your head off the roof on the way back up.

“You okay baby?” Alessia asked, helping you out of the luggage storage and up the steps of the bus.

You just laughed, it probably would have hurt if you hadn’t been drinking for the past 13 and a half hours. The bus took about an hour to get to the accommodation. It may as well have been a party bus because those who were drunk were now severely drunk and those who were sober were now drunk too. Barca had booked a row of five villas for the whole team. In your villa was:

Bedroom 1: You and Alessia

Bedroom 2: Keira and Leah

Bedroom 3: Lucy and Ona

Bedroom 4: Alexia and Olga

You could barely stand when you got off the bus. Alessia couldn’t hold you up, so Lucy and Alexia did, while the others grabbed the bags. They put you on the bed in your bedroom and Alessia rolled in your suitcase, only to find you sitting at the side of the bed, attempting pathetically to scroll on your phone.

“Someone is drunk drunk” she giggled as she sat on your lap, while you smirked and shook your head.

It wasn’t long after you started getting into a heated kiss that Leah appeared at the door and cleared her throat. Both of you were too wrapped up in the kiss to notice her presence, so she did it a bit louder this time as you grabbed the bottom of Alessia’s shirt to tug it up. Alessia pulled away and looked towards Leah standing at the door.

“You do realise this door has been open, for all of us to see this little show?” Leah laughed as Alessia blushed. The kiss had sobered you up slightly and the pain in your head was starting to become evident.

“Amor, come for shots” Alexia shouted as she headed into the room, grabbing Alessia’s hand and taking her to the bar in the villa. The two had became good friends now.

“Did you bang your head again?” Leah whispered as she stepped in and closed the door.

“No” you shook your head, closing your eyes to stop dizziness kicking in straight away.

“Don’t lie to me, I saw it” Leah sighed.

“I’m fine. It didn’t even hurt” you laughed as you stood up, but quickly lost your footing due to the dizziness. Luckily, Leah was alert and she caught you before you hit the ground.

“Jesus Mac” Leah said as she pulled her arm around your waist.

“I’m fine” you said, brushing her off and heading to find the bar.

“¿Disparo?” Shot? Alexia asked as she practically shoved it down your throat. You helped yourself to another, and then another.

“Baby, slow down” Alessia pouted, putting her hand over yours.

“Esto es tranquilo para ti, ¿no?” This is calm for you, no? Alexia laughed as you smirked.

You had turned into a bit of a party animal since moving to Barcelona. At the beginning it was to get over the fact you weren’t in London anymore, but then it was mostly to have a reason as to why you felt shit all the time. You noticed Lucy whisper something to Leah and presumed she was probably translating what Alexia had said, which she was.

“Mac is wild” Ona laughed, as if it was something everyone was aware of.

“Mac? Wild?” Leah frowned.

“She’d put anybody under a table with how much she can drink” Keira said as she left the group and went to join the crew doing shots.

Leah noticed the worried look on Alessia’s face, and waited for Keira to follow Ona over to the in house bar.

“Luce, can I talk to you for a minute?” Leah asked, pulling her arm and away from the chaos unfolding infront of her.

-

“Alright, everyone outside in two minutes” you shouted, slurring your words as you stood on the kitchen table in the villa. Everyone was tumbling out of their room looking a little bit fresher as they headed out to party with the remainder of the Barcelona team.

“Is this holiday just going to be drinking and partying?” Alessia asked as she gripped your arm, walking towards the taxi rank and you just laughed at her.

You were so drunk, anything anybody said was hilarious to you. Lucy had to put her arm on your shoulder to try to keep you upright. She now knew as much as Leah did about your injury.

“Steady on Mac” Keira laughed as you stuck your finger up at her.

You spent the night getting rightly shitfaced with the team. Alexia and Olga had taken Alessia to dance while you were passed out on a couch somewhere in the corner of the nightclub.

“So, how bad is it really?” Lucy asked Leah as they sat on the couch beside you, eventually, after they’d been looking for you for the past ten minutes.

“She said since the Euros it hasn’t been the same” Leah sighed, putting her hands on your head and allowing her fingers to move through your hair.

“Why is she still playing? Why hasn’t she told a doctor?” Lucy snapped.

Leah just shook her head. She never thought you’d be so stupid that you’d risk yourself for football. But how could you not? Football was all you’d known. You didn’t go to university, all your friends and your girlfriend were footballers. What would they think of you if you weren’t?

“We should probably get her back” Lucy suggested as Leah nodded. “I can get her up if you want to get Alessia, Kei and Ona” Lucy said as Leah got up.

“I will help if you can call Olga too” Alexia said as she appeared beside the two.

The pair, the English and Spanish captain, made awkward eye contact before Leah eventually agreed. Lucy didn’t understand the tension between them. Leah’s hand leaving your head woke you, so it was easier for Alexia and Lucy to try to move you since you were awake and weren’t such a dead weight now. Lucy got you into a taxi where she put you in the corner seat and you hit your head off the window as it dropped, due to you having no control of your body.

“Fuck” Lucy grumbled. “Maybe don’t tell Leah about that one” Lucy smiled as you laughed and stuck your thumbs up.

The taxi filled up, with Alessia jumping in beside you and Leah sitting across from you. You were whispering into Alessia’s ear as she gripped your neck to pull you closer to hear you properly. You could have been speaking in the quietest of rooms, you still wouldn’t have been making any sense.

“This is a shared taxi” Leah smirked as she kicked your foot.

“Fuck off” you mumbled as you went back to talking to Alessia.

Your girlfriend turned her head around with an apologetic look to Leah.

“She’s just drunk” Alessia mouthed as Leah rolled her eyes. Leah hated that Alessia always took your side, even if you were in the wrong.

-

The next morning when you got up, Alessia wasn’t in bed beside you. You knew instantly where she was from the smell coming through the house. It took you a few attempts to get up but you eventually managed. You leaned against the door frame, watching her cook breakfast in your Barcelona Champions T-shirt and a pair of short shorts.

“Mia ragazza” my girl you mumbled from the door as she turned to face you.

“Well, look who hasn’t fully forgotten all the Italian she was taught” Alessia smiled as you pressed your lips against hers. You moved behind her to wrap your arms around her shoulders.

“Questa cucina ha un profumo così bello, tesoro” This cookin’ smells so beautiful, baby. You mumbled against her neck. She’d only heard you speak English and Spanish as of recent. All the hours she spent teaching you Italian she thought had went down the drain.

“How is your head?” Alessia asked as she stirred the food in the pot.

“What?” You replied and your body immediately tensed up.

“Your head? You’ve drank a lot the past two days” she spun around and put her hand to your cheek.

“Oh, yeah, no, yeah, it’s fine” you mumbled.

“Very convincing” she laughed as she popped up on the counter and you stood in between her legs. They wrapped themselves around your waist, pulling you in very close. You were deep in a kiss when Captain fantastic, once again, interrupted.

“Jesus Christ. It’s like torture when you two are together, man” Leah groaned, opening the fridge and starting to scan what was in it.

“Fuckin’ hell” you moaned, pulling away from your girlfriend and walking out of the room.

“Mac?” Leah called after you.

“Don’t worry, her heads just a bit sore” Alessia smiled softly.

“Oh, she told you then?” Leah asked.

“Told me what?” Alessia stopped, moving the food from the stove and turning to face Leah who looked very guilty.

-

You were chilling on Alexia’s bed. Your head was against her foot lying horizontally, scrolling on your phone. Olga was on the patio by the pool with Keira and Ona. Lucy was still asleep in her room. You and Alexia were crying laughing about something that someone did last night, that you had no recollection of and were hearing about for the first time.

“Y/n, can we talk?” Alessia asked from the door. You frowned at the usage of your name, which she never used.

“Two minutes” you said about to turn back to the conversation with Alexia.

“No, now” she huffed as she walked off to your room.

“Alguien esta en problemas” Somebody is in trouble Alexia laughed. You rolled your eyes as you stood up, getting a bit dizzy as you did and falling back to put your hand on the bed.

“Are you okay?” Alexia asked shooting up from her bed.

“Yeah, I’m fine, stop it” you mumbled as you pushed her off and headed back to your bedroom.

“Yeah, my love?” you asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed. She was sitting with a coffee, perched up on the armchair that was in your room, looking out the window.

“I’m going to give you one chance to tell me if Leah was lying. If you lie to me, we’re done” she said firmly. You were a bit taken a back by her abruptness. You’d never lie to her, you had just withheld the truth about the severity of your injury.

“About what?” You mumbled as she scoffed.

“Don’t you dare play stupid with me” she scowled as you put your head to the floor. “Tell me now, Y/n” you could hear the pain in her voice. You took a deep breath, figuring out how you would word this to her.

“Since I took the bang to my head-” you pointed where Courtney had punched you against Sweden, “My head hasn’t been great” you sighed.

“For some reason or another, I just keep bangin’ my head and it’s been gettin’ worse recently, like I feel dizzy a lot and I always have these headaches but uh-” you hesitated at this part. “I haven’t told the medical teams at Barca or Ireland because I’m afraid they’re goin’ to make me stop playin’” you leaned against the wall as she stood up.

“Grow up” Alessia nudged you.

“Sorry?” You asked.

“I’m so lenient with you all the time. Even when I want to kill you sometimes, I bite my tongue, because I know you would never, ever put yourself or me in danger. You’re willing to play through this just because you’re afraid they’ll make you stop playing football?” She snapped and you nodded.

“Baby, I love you, so so much, but I can’t watch you run yourself to the ground” she sighed as she pulled you into her.

“Look it’s one more game to finish the season. I will speak to the doctors straight after that” you reassured her. “I’m not missin’ the champions league final” you told her when she shot you an unimpressed look. She rolled her eyes as you said it, but there was no use arguing with you. This was the best she was going to get.

“You cannot keep stuff like this from me” she sighed against your chest.

“I’m sorry” you groaned pulling her into you.

“I deserve a girlfriend day. No friends, no teammates” she said as you smiled and nodded.

“Whatever ye want my love” you kissed her forehead before you turned and started to get ready.

Alessia has told the group you were heading out and refused their advances when they tried to invite themselves. You went for lunch, to the beach, shopping, and then back to the villa. Everyone else had gone out but the two of you stayed in, opting to watch a movie on the couch with a bottle of wine.

The rest of the holiday went like that, you were doing your own thing with Alessia while everyone else was partying. You did show up for the final night in the club but left after an hour. Your head was pounding from the music and the shouting.

-

You kissed Alessia goodbye at the airport and knew it wouldn’t be too long before you saw her again. Only the next time you would see her would be in Dublin, where the champions league final was. You were training as well as you could for the final. Nothing was ever going to stop you playing a champions league final, and in Dublin, your home of all places. Your whole family was coming, even Katie. Alessia and Leah were also going and bringing some of your Arsenal teammates.

-

It wasn’t long before you were on the plane to Ireland with the squad. All preparations had been done and you were ready. Your family, all apart from Katie, had stopped by with Alessia at the hotel to see you, and some of your siblings wanted to meet Alexia which made you laugh. But Alexia was more than happy to take pictures and sign stuff for them.

“Russo, you want a picture?” Alexia smirked as Alessia laughed.

“Oh yes please” Alessia teased, taking out her phone and taking a picture of them both.

You hugged your family and kissed Alessia goodbye, vowing to see them tomorrow after the game. You headed to your shared room with Alexia and went straight to sleep, to avoid the headache you had.

-

The game started lively for Barcelona. You’d never seen Keira hit a strike so good. But it was 1-0 at the break and you were feeling pretty okay, your body was running on pure adrenaline. Patri made it 2-0 before Alexia made it 3-0 in the 70th minute. The game was won, but of course Chelsea would keep pushing.

A corner was whipped in and you jumped to clear it. You knew the danger you were putting yourself in, but you were the big centre back who put her head to anything. The only problem was, Chelsea had one of those too, Millie Bright. As you headed the ball away, her head met yours as you both hit the ground with a thump.

“Lee, this can’t be happening” Alessia cried as Leah held her hand and just looked at the ground, covering her eyes from the pitch.

You were both checked by medical staff, Millie was to her feet pretty quickly and you tried to match pace but the medics held you down. They were shining a torch in your eye, you think, your vision was blurry.

“Ella necesita salir” she needs to come off the medic said into his ear-piece

“Puedo jugar” I can play you moaned as they both shook their heads. You wobbled to your feet as they grabbed hold of you to keep you upright.

“She’s up” Katie announced to the two girls that had been looking away. At Katie’s words, Alessia and Leah looked over to you being walked off the pitch.

“She’s done” Alessia stated out loud as she stood up from her seat, walking down the corridor in silence with your mam. They were being escorted into the medical room by a Barcelona staff member.

“¿Hace cuánto que te sientes así?” How long have you feel like this? The team doctor asked as you shrugged. “Necesito una respuesta” I need an answer they snapped.

You promised Alessia.

“Unos pocos meses” A few months you mumbled at them as they continued to poke around your head.

“Mac, las lesiones en la cabeza son demasiado graves para no tratarlas. Necesitará un escaneo de inmediato” Mac, head injuries are too serious to be left untreated. You will need a scan straight away the staff member explained.

You rolled your eyes at the statement. You had nobody to blame but yourself, but just as you went to argue back, you saw Alessia and your mam come through the door. Your mam rushed to your side to give you a hug as you quickly brushed her off. Alessia looked at you, arms folded, with a stern expression on her face.

“Please don’t start” you groaned as you readjusted your position on the physio table.

“I told you not to play. I told you” Alessia shouted.

You mam stood there awkwardly until you eventually gave her a knowing look, to give you a minute with Alessia privately. The doctors followed your mam and explained in the best English that they could about the situation.

“Less, calm down” you stood up and reached out for her hands, but she pulled them up to make hand gestures to really get her point across.

“You will never, and I mean never step foot on a pitch again, until you are cleared to by a doctor” she warned. “Are you listening to me?” She snapped as you looked at her.

“I’m listenin’” you replied as she lost her shit once again.

“I will never be led down a corridor with your mum crying because you’ve decided to play football with a head injury. I will never sit in a stand and watch you play ever again” you sat there and took the telling off from her, you deserved it.

“And another thing-” she added. Jesus Christ. “Why do you think it’s acceptable to keep this from me? You tell Leah, Lucy seemed to know, probably Alexia knew. Why am I the last one to find out?” Alessia said.

“I didn’t want to worry ye” you admitted.

“What the fuck do you think I am now?” She shouted as she turned away from you. She was so angry she couldn’t even look at you.

“Lessi baby, I’m-” you tried to apologise.

“Don’t Lessi baby me, Y/n” she snapped.

You’d rightly done it now. For once, you were actually delighted that Leah came through the door. Maybe she could calm Alessia down. But you were unimpressed when you saw Katie follow her in.

“Tenemos que irnos” We need to go the doctor shouted in as you pulled yourself up.

“Where are you going?” Alessia asked, now she had vented and said her piece, she was back to just being worried.

You fell into your mam’s arms as she carried you towards the ambulance that was parked outside. You easily had two feet on that woman, but she shooed away Katie and Leah’s offer to help.

“Hospital, love” she told Alessia when you didn’t answer.

Alessia felt guilt rip through her after she’d spent the last ten minutes tearing into you because she had presumed you’d come in and told the doctor everything was fine again, like you’d been doing for months.

“Which hospital?” Katie asked as your mam shrugged.

“I’ll call you when we get there” she shouted back to her other daughter as she stood hand on hips with Alessia and Leah.

“The fuck is goin’ on?” Katie demanded.

Sure, you’s hadn’t spoken in months but you were still her sister. Leah sighed before explaining the situation as the three of them headed to Katie’s car to get to the hospital.

You were at the hospital all night. Getting different scans done, waiting for specialists to view them, consult with your team doctors who then had to relay the news to other staff members. It was never ending.

“This is fuckin’ stupid. I’m fine” you groaned.

“Let them do their job, love” your mam replied, squeezing your hand. She didn’t leave your side all night.

It was 9am when the Barcelona doctors instructed you to get back to the team hotel so they could discuss further. You’d been there since 8pm.

“Do you want me to come?” Your mam asked as you shook your head.

“I’ll call ye a taxi” you pulled your phone out of your pocket but she stopped you just as quick.

“Don’t worry, your sister’s been here all night” she informed you as you frowned.

You put Katie on the bottom of the list of sisters to be the one that was there. You hadn’t expected her to be there after everything that happened with you both. As you walked out of the hospital, you saw Alessia, Katie and Leah asleep on chairs in the waiting room as your mam gently shook Katie awake. She just caught a glimpse of you being put into a blacked out car with sunglasses on, still in your Barcelona tracksuit.

“Sweetheart, she’s gone back to the hotel. Do you want to wake these pair and bring them back with us to the house?” She asked Katie who stretched and rubbed her eyes. She gave her mam the car keys and woke Alessia and Leah up.

“She’s gone back to the hotel. Ye can come to the house” Katie groaned as she walked out to the car with the pair trudging behind.

When you arrived back at the hotel, you were walked straight to a conference room. In it sat your manager, Alexia and a woman you’d never seen before. The doctors had now taken a seat with a few files in hand, gesturing for you to sit down. They were whispering to your manager as you sat beside Alexia.

“What’s goin’ on?” You asked her, you weren’t in the mood for Spanish.

“They asked me to come for you” she shrugged, not really having much understanding of the situation.

“Estas segura?” Are you sure? your manager asked the doctors, who nodded. He let out a deep sigh and gestured for them to start speaking.

“Lo sentimos mucho. No hay una manera fácil de decir esto-” We are very sorry. There is no easy way to say this- the doctor said before clearing their throat. Your knee bounced up and down until Alexia gripped it with her hand.

“Pensamos que usted ya no estaría en condiciones de jugar al fútbol. Sería demasiado arriesgado con el daño hecho a tu cabeza” We would be of the opinion that you cannot play football again. It would be too risky with the damage done to your head. You wanted to scream. How could this be happening? Alexia just squeezed your leg tighter as your body froze on the spot.

“Are you okay?” Alexia asked as you shook your head. “¿Somos libres de irnos?” Are we free to leave? Alexia asked as nods came from the staff.

“Discutiremos más pasos más adelante.” We will discuss further steps later your manager shouted but it fell on deaf ears.

Your playing career was over. You felt like your life was over. Alexia guided you back to the hotel room as she watched you go into the bathroom with spare clothes, turning on the shower. Knowing you’d be a while, she decided to call Alessia.

“Hey Lex” Alessia yawned from the couch in the house you’d grown up in.

“I think you need to come to the hotel” Alexia whispered, conscious you may hear.

“Is everything okay?” Alessia sat up, removing her head from Leah’s lap which startled the England captain awake.

“Maybe just come” Alexia hummed.

“Okay, we’ll come now” Alessia slapped Leah’s leg to signal her to get up.

“Maybe just you” Alexia winced.

You were known for taking long showers, and having music blasting from your portable speaker. You stayed in there until your fingers were more than just wrinkled up. You got out, giving your hair a quick dry with the towel and slicking it back into a bun. You got changed into Ireland shorts and a Barca training top that you’d had custom made into the style of a basketball jersey. Your only shock when you got to your bed was that Alexia was nowhere to be found, just Alessia dangling her feet off the very high bed waiting for you to come out.

“Nice magic trick, swappin’ around” you laughed as her head shot up with a smile.

She looked tired, as did you. She gazed along your arms, fully tattooed now with the left lower arm being filled with all things that Alessia liked. She forgot for a moment why she was there until you dropped beside her and put your head on her shoulder.

“You want to talk about it?” She asked as she held your hand, immediately your fingers found the rings she was wearing.

“They said-” you sighed, “It’s too risky for me to keep playin’” you managed to get out. She nodded in sympathy, like she knew already. She just put her hand to the back of your neck and pulled you closer to her.

“I’m so sorry baby” she sighed. “I was so harsh to you. I was just so worried and so angry you kept this from me, and I was so scared when you said you wanted to play. I should have done more I should have-” she cried but you stopped her.

“Less, this isn’t your fault. Whether I played yesterday or didn’t play, this would have happened anyway” you reassured her, switching positions with her now being the one crying on your shoulder.

“Is Millie alright?” You asked.

“What?” Alessia frowned and pulled away from you, wiping her tears.

“Is Millie alright? She’s the one I hit, isn’t she?” You asked as if you had gotten it all wrong. Alessia couldn’t grasp how your world was falling apart yet you still had so much care in you that you were concerned about someone else.

“She’s okay” she smiled before squeezing your cheeks. “I’ll still never get over that they called you intimidating. You’re such a softie” she giggled before kissing you.

“The blue in your eyes is almost cruel, Lessi” you whispered into her neck. “When ye’s did your magic trick, did she say how long she’d be gone?” You smirked and Alessia quickly caught your drift.

“She just said to come down to the lobby when we were finished” Alessia giggled as you pulled her close to you again.

-

A few days had passed before your agent called, to tell you the next steps of what Barcelona needed from you.

“I’m sorry?” You said, encouraging him to repeat himself.

“They’re letting you go from the contract, you are not obliged to stay with the club for any duration of time from now on” your agent told you.

“So, I can go back to London?” You replied.

“You can go wherever you like” he laughed. “You’re feeling okay?” He asked and you nodded.

You’d thought maybe Barca would want to keep you, to make you do some coaching. But you’d made it abundantly clear you wanted to go back to London, you just didn’t think anybody would listen.

You packed up your apartment, dropping off a PlayStation controller you had borrowed from Lucy when you broke yours during an intense game of FIFA. The goodbye with Alexia was hard, but it wasn’t forever. You weren’t contracted with anybody and with your use of Spanish, you would more than likely be pulled for punditry in Spain so you’d probably see her often. But none of it mattered when you arrived back at your house in London, where Alban was the first to greet you at the door, followed by Alessia and then Leah.

You were home. Finally. What a long, shit, draining year. Giving up football, while it wasn’t a choice, was tough. But it didn’t feel like that when Alessia was in your arms every single night.

You’d finished up your A license badge and were floating in and out of different football-related activities. You hadn’t really given much thought to the ‘what next?’ and found yourself lacking the ambition and drive you once prided yourself on. While the free time and rest were nice, as you started to come around again, you craved a new challenge, and you weren’t the only one who noticed.

-

It was around 10pm one evening when the three of you, and Alban, were sitting on the couch watching a movie. You were starting to doze off when your phone rang from a number you didn’t recognise and maybe it was the tiredness in you, but you answered it. Leah paused the movie with a huff. They were both heading to England camp tomorrow and you’d promised them you would get through this movie before they left.

“Hello, is this Y/n McCabe?” The familiar voice asked.

“Uh, yeah it is” you replied with a confused look on your face, standing up to leave the room.

“Hi Y/n, I hope you don’t mind me calling this late. This is Sarina Wiegman” she informed you as your eyebrows shot up.

“Oh, hi Sarina, how are ye?” You stumbled over your feet in shock as you headed to the kitchen.

“I would like to know if you would be available to join my coaching staff?” She asked nonchalantly. Back in the living room, all the pair had heard was Sarina leaving your lips.

“Sarina as in our Sarina?” Leah asked as Alessia nodded, scrolling on her phone. “You don’t seem shocked?” Leah said kicking Alessia’s hand.

“Oh Leah, who do you think gave Sarina her number?” Alessia laughed as Leah gasped.

“Great, great. I will see ye tomorrow then” you smiled hanging up the phone. “You’ll never believe who that was” you laughed as both girls looked at you with smirks.

“You’ll look so good in an England jacket” Alessia teased.

“A full England tracksuit and matching comfy England shoes” Leah joined in.