Inevitable

Leah

The game is pretty even. It's 0-0 30 minutes in and Leah is marking Alessia hard. But Alessia’s fast feet are hard to keep up with. She swishes the ball from side to side making the defender fall. Alessia knocks the ball up with a small tap over the defender still lying on the floor and bunny hops over her. Now with a clear shot at goal she swings her foot back and the ball flies to the top right corner. The goalie makes a valiant effort to keep it from going in but just not fast enough as the ball ricochets off the back of the net.

Less celebrates with her teammates before realising that Leah is still down. She walks over to her and offers her her hand to help her up.

‘Sorry ‘bout that’ she says with a small smile on her face.

‘Yeah yeah’, Leah smirks back, ‘did you really have to jump over me? The disrespect!’ Leah is clearly annoyed but is making light of the situation.

Realistically, Arsenal are already 10 points ahead in the league so they didn’t need this win but Man U did to stay in the top 3.

‘That's the last shot you are getting at goal this game though,’ Leah continued.

‘Whatever you say Lee.’ Alessia giggles.

Leah is true to her word. A strong team talk at half time and Arsenal come out ready for war. McCabe is a beast down the wing feeding not one but two worldies to Beth in the box to bring the score 2-1 to Arsenal at just 61 minutes.

Leah continues to stay with Alessia. McCabe is taking a throw in at the side-lines and Leah is pushing Alessia backwards to clear some space. Alessia's front against her back. Leah stays concentrated on the game despite the hot breath she can feel on her neck and the arms she can feel on her side. She pushes to ignore the goosebumps praying that Alessia doesn’t notice.

The game ends at 2-1 and the teams go to give each other high fives. When Leah gets to Alessia they high five but Alessia pulls her in for a quick hug. She turns to talk directly into Leah's ear.

‘I guess your bones were right’ she pulls back with a smirk and goes to join the rest of Man U to get shouted at by Mark before Leah can respond.

Leah goes back to the away team dressing room with a smile on her face that she can’t seem to get rid of.

‘What’s up with you?’ Beth comes up to her, ‘you look like the cat that got the cream’

‘Well we did just win the match Bethy in case you haven’t noticed yet.’ Leah replies still unable to wipe the smile off her face.

‘Yes but even after a win you normally have a scowl on your face dying to watch the footage back to find the smallest thing you could have done better.’

‘What can I say, I guess this win just feels good.’

‘Uhhu sureeee’ Beth draws it out unconvinced.

‘Since we are staying in Manchester tonight and aren’t leaving to go back down home until after 11 tomorrow the girls were talking about going out tonight. Celebrate the win ya know.’

‘Sounds good, I'll meet you in the lobby of the hotel?’

Once back in her room, Leah takes a long shower and gets ready to go out for dinner. She selects the only semi-nice outfit she has brought with her, a pair of black jeans and a low cut oversized shirt and trainers. She does her hair and looks in the mirror as she passess by to leave.

She meets Beth in the lobby and they walk the 10 minutes to the restaurant to meet with the rest of the girls who had gone earlier for a drink before dinner.

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When they arrive Katie is on them immediately, ‘right girls you have to catch up.’ She is almost slurring but you can’t really tell with Katie, ‘go to the bar and get the next round.’

Leah and Beth look at each other and laugh. ‘You got sit down Bethy, i’ll get the next round.’

Leah makes her way over to the bar and sits down waiting to be served. After 5 or so minutes Leah feels someone approaching.

‘Of all the gin joints…’

Leah hears the voice opposite her and looks up at the bartender.

‘Oh my god, Mandy?!?’ Leah says, smiling wide, ‘I haven’t seen you in years, how have you been?’

‘Oh you know can’t complain,’ Mandy replies smiling softly, ‘I would ask how you are doing too but it's hard to not keep up with the Miss England football star herself.’

Leah looks down at the bar blushing slightly.

‘Oh no don’t tell me you’ve gone all bashful on me now? When we were kids you had nothing but confidence.’

Leah looks up laughing, ‘still confident, just less cocky now than I was at 15.’

Mandy laughs at that knowingly. ‘So what are you doing slumming it up here in Manchester?’

‘We were playing Man U today, beat them 2-1’

‘Ah well then, as a City supporter I salute you.’ Mandy jokes, making a mock salute action with her hand.

Leah giggles at that.

‘So what can I get you?’

They continue their conversation and eventually exchange numbers before Leah walks back to the table with the drinks for the team.

‘Damn Williamson, you work quick,’ McCabe smirks while lightly nudging her arm, ‘you got her number after a less than 10 minute conversation.’

The table laughs at this. Leah, never one to reply to McCabes antagonising comments, turns her focus back to her conversation with Beth but it's not long before Beth's curiosity gets the better of her too.

‘Leah I was trying to not be like Katie but if you keep looking over at the Bartender I am going to have to ask you about it.’

‘Oh that,’ Leah starts, ‘it's nothing, she’s called Mandy, we knew each other when we were kids and she dated my brother back in the day. We had lost touch so I was just getting her new number so we can stay in contact. We are just friends, promise.’