The start of something new
Alessia sat in the back of the car, her fingers loosely curled around the strap of her bag as she stared out of the window, watching London blur past. It still didn’t feel real. Everything had happened so quickly, and yet it had felt like the longest, most exhausting process of her life. It had been weeks of uncertainty, of decisions weighing heavy on her chest, of knowing she was leaving behind a club that had been her home for years. She knew it was the right move, she knew that Arsenal was the right place for her, but that didn’t make it any less terrifying.
She had done all the official things already. Signed the contract. Held up the shirt for photos. Given the interviews about how she was excited to get started, how she couldn’t wait to play with such a talented group of players. And it was true. She was excited. It was Arsenal, after all. The club that she had grown up watching, the club that had won titles and played beautiful football, the club that she now got to call home. But leaving Manchester had been hard. Saying goodbye to her teammates, to the people who had become family, had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done.
Her phone buzzed in her lap, and she glanced down to see Ella’s name flashing on the screen. She hesitated for a second before answering, already bracing herself for whatever was about to come.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the traitor herself,” Ella’s voice was teasing, but there was an undeniable sadness underneath it.
Alessia rolled her eyes, shifting in her seat. “Oh, shut up.”
“I can’t believe you’ve actually gone,” Ella continued, ignoring her. “It’s disgusting, really. You look horrible in that kit, by the way. And before you say anything, yes, I saw the pictures. My eyes are bleeding.”
Alessia huffed out a laugh, shaking her head. “You’re such a drama queen.”
“I’m serious, Less. I miss you already.”
Her throat tightened, and she swallowed against the sudden lump that formed. “I miss you too.”
There was silence on the other end, and then a sigh. “Are you okay?”
Alessia hesitated. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to pretend like she wasn’t a mess of nerves and excitement and fear all at once. But this was Ella. She knew her too well for that.
“I’m… I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’m excited. But I’m also terrified. It’s weird, El. It’s like, I know this is the right thing for me, but at the same time, I feel like I’m starting from scratch again. New city, new team, new everything. What if it doesn’t work out?”
“It will,” Ella said immediately. “You’re Alessia bloody Russo. You could play football with your eyes closed and still be class. You’re gonna smash it, Less. And if you don’t, well, then I guess you’ll just have to come crawling back to us, won’t you?”
Alessia laughed, shaking her head. “Yeah, I’m sure that would go down well.”
“It would, actually. Mary and Milly have already started planning your homecoming party.”
Alessia rolled her eyes, but there was warmth in her chest. “Tell them I hate them.”
“You love us, and you know it.”
She smiled, glancing out of the window as they pulled up to the address she had been given. Her stomach flipped. “I have to go. I’ll call you later?”
“You better,” Ella said. “And Less?”
“Yeah?”
“You’ve got this. I mean it.”
Alessia nodded, even though Ella couldn’t see her. “Thanks, Tooney.”
She ended the call, exhaling slowly before shoving her phone back into her pocket. This was it. There was no turning back now.
The house was nice. Modern, but not too flashy. She hesitated for a second before grabbing her bags and heading to the front door, pressing the doorbell and shifting on her feet as she waited.
The door swung open a few moments later, and there stood Leah, arms crossed over her chest, a smirk tugging at her lips.
“Ah, my new housemate has arrived.”
Alessia rolled her eyes. “Don’t start.”
Leah grinned, stepping aside to let her in. “Come on, then. Welcome to Casa de Williamson.”
Alessia stepped inside, glancing around. It was nice. Cosy. A little messy, but in a lived-in kind of way. Leah shut the door behind her and clapped a hand on her shoulder.
“Alright, ground rules. You leave your boots at the door. You clean up after yourself. And you make me tea whenever I ask for it.”
Alessia raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, that’s not happening.”
Leah shrugged. “Had to try.”
Alessia rolled her eyes, setting her bags down. “I appreciate you letting me stay, by the way.”
Leah waved a hand. “Don’t be daft. It’s no trouble.”
There was a beat of silence, and then Leah tilted her head. “So, how are you feeling? Properly, I mean.”
Alessia exhaled. “I don’t know. It’s weird. Good, but weird. I feel like the new kid at school again.”
Leah nodded, leaning against the wall. “Yeah, I get that. But you’re one of us now. And you already know most of the girls. Give it a few weeks, and it’ll feel like you’ve been here forever.”
Alessia smiled, appreciating the reassurance. “I hope so.”
“You will,” Leah said confidently. Then she clapped her hands together. “Right, I’m starving. You want food?”
Alessia blinked. “Did you cook?”
Leah scoffed. “Absolutely not. I ordered pizza.”
Alessia laughed, shaking her head. “Yeah, alright. Pizza sounds good.”