Like Real People Do - Jill Roord

You're My Savior

Hunter's POV

I ran up the steps of the Arsenal plane, granted a little late but Duty Free was such a wonderfully exciting experience that I'd gotten a little distracted and lost track of time. It wasn't until the airport speakers had called my name, did I realize I was late and then obviously people noticed me so I was stopped to take photos and videos. It was a whole ordeal; one I secretly loved but I'd made it to the plane eventually.

Everyone seemed to take a collaborative sigh as they saw me. "There you are," Joe shook his head, "We'd all agreed you'd been kidnapped."

"Sorry," I sent them a feeble smile as I held up my large Duty Free bag, "I bought goodies though, if that helps?"

Joe just chuckled, "Go find a seat."

I knew the plane was full, everyone had used the spare seats for their families and friends who'd wanted to come along, so there was one empty seat which I had to seek out. Part of me hoped that Leah had saved the seat but I saw her next to her mum, which wasn't much of a surprise. Katie was next to Ruesha, her girlfriend. And everyone else seemed to either be sitting with their partner or family. I scanned around until I saw the empty seat next to Jill Roord; it could have been worse. 

Sighing, I walked over to her but seeing as she sat in the aisle I waited for her to notice me, "Hello?" I tried to catch her attention. 

Jill's face lit up, like turning on a light switch, soon as I pulled her out of her daze, "Sorry, I was awake dreaming. I don't like the window seat, doo you mind if I take the aisle?" she asked, seeming completely genuine.  

"Yeah, course. I prefer the window anyway," I shrugged, waiting as she shimmied across to let me through. I sat down, settling my bag on the floor in front of my feet, "I think you meant daydreaming," I whispered. 

"What?" She looked puzzled. 

"You said earlier, it's daydreaming," I smiled, nodding. 

"Oh, thankyou."

"No it's fine," I shrugged, "English isn't my first language, I used to mess up all the time when I first got here," I found myself just as talkative to Jill as I was to anyone else on the team, it was probably the Wetherspoons cocktail to be fair; those were never a great idea in the morning. 

"You speak great English," she told me, tilting her head as she listened. 

"Takes time," I assured her, "I've been here since I was thirteen."

"Wow!" Jill looked a little taken aback, "But Alexia, no?"

"She stayed in Spain," I shrugged, not wanting to get into the details of it with Jill; or anyone for that matter. 

I turned to look out of the window as we began to take off, hoping Jill would take that as a sign to stop asking questions, which she did as we fell into a silence. It seemed Jill hadn't decided to hate me, perhaps I'd just thought too far into things. 

A few minutes later, the plane was bustling with chatter which was a mix of nervousness and excitement. Mine and Jill's silence became noticeable again.

"What's in the bag?" Jill asked, pointing down to the Duty Free bag, always being the first to talk. 

"Aha," I grinned at her, pulling the bag off the floor with a little difficulty, "Drinks!"

Jill just shook her head, laughing. And there it was again; that clear, free laughter. I don't know why it was so different to anyone elses but Jill struck me as such a chilled out and kind soul.

"What?" I asked, trying to find out why she was so amused, "Everyone who goes to Duty Free buys drinks!"

"Not as a footballer, they don't," Jill continued finding my enthusiasm hilarious. 

"Well I do," I shrugged, pulling out one of the canned cocktails, "Want one?"

Jill raised her eyebrows, as if to ask if I was serious and the answer was always a mixture between yes and no. Me, as a person, was completely unserious yet me, asking this question, was completely serious. "I'm going to save myself for after the match thanks," She declined after figuring out I wasn't kidding. 

"Are any of your family or friends coming to watch?" I asked, for some reason finding any excuse to continue our conversation. 

Jill shook her head, "They will all be watching at home though."

"That's nice."

"What about you?" Jill now turned completely towards me, her back to the aisle, almost sectioning us off from everyone else, "Is your girl coming?"

I furrowed my eyebrows, "My girl?" I took a sip of my drink, a little puzzled. 

"Mapi," Jill replied, seeming like it was an everyday fact.

I almost choked on my drink, having to hold my hand to my heart to make sure I was still alive, "Mapi?"

Jill looked confused. 

"Mapi's my best friend," I told her, figuring that she'd read things wrong which wasn't hard to do, everyone was always making rumors about me and Mapi dating, "But she's coming to the match with Alexia."

"Ohhh," Jill leaned back in her seat, "Sorry, I read it wrong."

"No, it's alright," I assured her; she was very clearly a moral person to even feel bad for mixing this situation up, "Everyone always thinks it."

"And why's that?" a smile played on her lips.

I was at a loss, "Cause we're close I guess?"

Before Jill could respond there was a shake in the plane, a bout of turbulence occurring, I heard a slight yell behind me from Lia who'd always hated flying then I suddenly felt someone grip onto my hand. This startled me. I wasn't too fussed about the turbulence, if the plane went down then I guessed we'd go down with it; I honestly didn't care but Jill clearly did. She gripped onto my hand to the point my knuckles turned white, her eyes clenched tightly shut. Finally after the turbulence was over, she opened her eyes, looking around to check the plane hadn't crashed or something. 

"It's alright," I tried to reassure her but came off as unbothered, "It's just some turbulence."

"I like my life," Jill responded, a smile coming to her face when she realized it was fine, "I'm fine with flying I just-" she suddenly looked down to realize our hands were still connected, "Oh sorry," she apologized yet again, letting go immediately leaving my hand feeling abnormally empty. 

"Stop apologizing," I chuckled, "We all survived, it's fine. It's fine Wally!" I shouted to the seat behind me, trying to assured Lia it was okay. 

"Yeah, yeah. I know," She responded, sounding a little out of breath from the panic. 

"Are you sure you don't want a drink?" I offered Jill yet again, not knowing what else to do, "It will make you less scared."

"I'm not scared anymore, your hand did the trick," she then realized what she said and just laughed it off.

"Oh," I raised my eyebrows, teasing her, "I'm really that much comfort huh?"

Jill shook her head, "I don't know how."

"Ouch," I acted wounded, "Just when I thought we were becoming friends you went and said that."

Jill's eyes lit up, I could see her coming more out of her shell, "Just when I thought I was going to have a peaceful plain ride, you walked in."

I scoffed, "You should be thankful. Without this hand, right here," I waved my hand in front of her face, "You'd have been helpless."

"It's true," Jill shrugged, "You're my savior."

I nodded, glad to finally have talked to the newbie who wasn't too bad. Jill would fit into the team nicely, she had a good sense of humor which all the girls would love but she seemed so trusting; that would get her hurt eventually. I thought we'd be friends, our energy seemed to bounce well off one another's.