Like Real People Do - Jill Roord

You Were Staring

Hunter's POV

"Ten minutes and you have to be ready!" Kim told us all, realizing the chaos in the changing room wasn't ideal so soon before a Champions League match. 

I was next to Leah, who struggled in the mirror with her ponytail, "It just won't stay slicked back," she complained. 

"Come here," I pulled her onto the bench and took a brush to her hair, trying to tighten the ponytail much as possible. I think many people failed to see when I looked out for my friends; Leah needed help so of course I'd do anything for her. 

"Ouch," Leah complained, moving her head.

"Stop moving, I'm trying to help you here," I sharply reminded her, not having any patience today. 

"Someone's angsty," Leah rolled her eyes.

"I'm just tired," I sighed, "Training was difficult yesterday."
It was true, training under the sun in Madrid was a challenge but it was needed for our match. Though that wasn't the reason I walked on such a thin line today. I loved being home in Spain but there'd forever be this air of absence and this shift that left me almost uncomfortable. 

I finally finished Leah's hair, which was particularly difficult today but we both put it down to the extra humidity. 

"How are you feeling today?" Leah asked Jill. She sat quietly in the corner, the least energy I'd seen from her since she joined, I assumed she was nervous seeing as this was a ridiculously big match for her Arsenal debut.

"I'm alright," she nodded, leaning forward on her knees, looking back to the floor. 

Strange as it sounds, I'd never really taken the time to properly look at our newest member, I'd been too busy quietly ignoring her. But as I looked at Jill, I realized she had these big, rounded, green eyes which looked deep in thought currently, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. And she had dirty blonde hair which shone golden whenever the light hit it currently in this slightly odd bun; it suited her perfectly but I'd never seen someone throw their hair up quite so carelessly. 
But then again, I was used to Leah, Mapi and Alexia who were all perfectionists and had egos to look after. I think I just chose to surround myself with slight divas, though I wasn't any better. 

Leah nudged me, "Hunter," she said, like she'd been repeating my name over and over.

I blinked, pulling myself from the daze, "Yeah?"

A teasing smile played on Leah's lips, "You were staring," she told me quietly, pointing her head ever so slightly towards Jill.

"At the newbie?" I scoffed, so only we could hear, "No, never. I was just daydreaming."

Leah raised her eyebrows, clearly not believing me as she sat back against the wall, "Nana wouldn't be proud," she muttered, referring to me calling Jill 'the newbie'.

"Nana's just picky," I narrowed my eyes. 

Beth sat herself down next to me, seeming rather relaxed compared to much of the room, "Looking forward to the party tonight?" She asked, in a sing-songy manner. 

I nodded, "It's going to be legendary."

"Where are they hosting?" Katie now joined in the conversation soon as she heard the party talk, she rested her elbow on Beth's shoulders as support.

"Alexia's place, it's in the heart of Barcelona."

"Nice," Katie grinned, seeming chuffed, "We'll get to see the Queen of Barcelona's house," Katie was completely fan-girling right now. 

I rolled my eyes, "She is my sister, you know?"

Katie tilted her head, pouting, "Well then you are the Princess."

"Not of Barcelona," I scoffed. Even though all of my friends at Barca begged for me to transfer, we all knew it would never be a comfortable home for me.

"Then you must be the princess of Arsenal," Katie bowed down, "It's a pleasure to be in your presence." 

Beth and Leah started to curtsey too which made me laugh. I mean, if they were going to label me as royalty, I wasn't exactly going to argue.

"Thankyou, thankyou," I said with a posh accent, doing the iconic royal wave, "You really needn't with the formalities."

We all began laughing before we were interrupted by a, now, slightly calmer Kim, "It's almost time to line up guys!" She announced, calling us all in for the team talk.

Our team talks were iconic, we did them before every single match and it was the last couple of minutes to realize how united we were before separating on to the pitch. When we were all there, huddled in the circle, arms around each other, you realized how close we all were. I'd always loved these team talks. 

"So it won't be easy today guys, I can say that. But I can also say that I know we have the ability to win, so we need to go out there and give it everything that we've got. And if you need any more bribery than the Champions League, we've got a party tonight and anyone who doesn't try will be banned from the drinks."

There were a few chuckles and then a few mutters of complaint.

"So let's go out there and win, ready for the second leg! Arsenal!" Kim cheered. 

"Arsenal!" everyone cheered, all of us loving the team we played for. 

"Come on us Gunners!" Me and Leah cheered, laughing at each other before doing our signature handshake. 

Leah pulled me into a side hug as we walked towards the tunnel, "let's make a bet," she suggested, "If you don't score then you've got to drink whatever I make you tonight."

I was confident I'd score so I was fully on board, "Okay. And if we concede any goals then you have to drink whatever I make you."

"Deal," Leah shook my hand.

It may have seemed rather cruel that we were praying on each other's downfall, but we both wanted one another to succeed but there was only more motivation to do so.

"You better defend well because I will give you the foulest concoction ever," I chuckled, already planning it out in my head. 

"Oh don't worry Putellas," Leah was so cocky, "I reckon I can manage it."

We lined up, I stood behind Leah. I took a quick glance over my shoulder to see Jill behind me, she seemed anxious as she shook her arms, quite literally shaking off the nerves. 

Quickly, I turned round to her as we didn't have much time left, "You're going to do great," I smiled, remembering how nervous I'd been when I was in her position all those years ago. Making a debut was terrifying but soon as she stepped onto the pitch, I knew she'd be fine.

Jill paused, as if to question the fact I was even talking to her, then smiled, "You too."

Then it was time to walk out. I followed Leah with my head held high, my arms swinging by my side and confidence painted onto my face. In order to be confident, you had to look confident; the two worked hand in hand.

Today was special, I knew Alexia and Mapi were in the crowd and that meant the world to me. They rarely got to see me play in person so I better put on a good performance or I'd get teased it was a wasted trip. But at the end of the day, I just wanted to make them proud and every achievement was almost like a thankyou for getting me through the dark times. They'd always be my biggest supporters and I was theirs'.

As our anthem was played, I put my arms around Leah and Jill's shoulders, feeling the pride for the badge on my chest. We all broke away, running to our positions but I noticed Jill's eyes following me as I ran to the center-forward position and she stayed back in midfield. I looked back for a moment, sharing one last smile to our newbie.

The whistle blew and the game was away; every thought which I'd had before became completely disregarded because I had goals to score. Every ninety minutes was like a black out, I only had one thing on my mind and that was to do everything in my power so we walked away victorious.