One day I'll have it all. // Williamson

Arsenal V Reading

"Yeah, sure." I simply shrugged, offering Leah a smile.

The bus then roared to life, and we all put our earphones on, getting ready for our game. The ride from Colney to Meadow Park wasn't that long, but long enough for me to enjoy half of Massive Attack's 'Mezzanine' album.

I closed my eyes and relaxed to the music.

The rhythmic hum of the bus's engine blended with the beats of the music, creating a soothing background for my thoughts. As we neared Meadow Park, anticipation and excitement filled the air.

The bus finally pulled up to the stadium, while 'Dissolved Girl' played in my ears, and a surge of adrenaline rushed through me. There were fans there, waiting to get into the stadium. And I guess there were already some of them seated. Meadow Park was always sold out when Arsenal played, and that had been the case for some time now.

The moment I stepped off the bus, the energy of the crowd hit me. The cheers, the banners, and the sea of red Arsenal jerseys created an atmosphere that sent shivers down my spine. Katie, who had been beside me, grabbed my arm, leading me inside the stadium and to the locker room.

Inside the locker room, the air buzzed with a mix of excitement and focus. The familiar smell of fresh kits and used cleats surrounded us as we prepared for the upcoming match. The energy in the room was contagious, and even though I knew I wouldn't be on the starting lineup, the anticipation of being part of this iconic team filled me with pride.

Captain Kim Little, who had been calm and collected during the bus ride, shifted into her game mode. She stood at the front of the room, addressing the team with a blend of confidence and motivation. Her words resonated with the experience of a seasoned player who had faced countless challenges on the field.

We played Reading, a small team with not much challenge to offer. They were last in WSL while we were third. That didn't stop Kim from getting us all motivated and talking as if it was the last game of our lives.

We then walked the tunnel to warm up on the field. The girls were used to seeing a filled stadium, especially Meadow Park, which only counted a few thousand seats, but it was all new to me. Once I stepped onto the grass, the lush green field stretched out before me, and the energy from the buzzing crowd echoed in the air. The sight of the fans, the Arsenal banners, and the iconic red and white jerseys created a surreal yet exhilarating atmosphere.

The warm-up routine began, and I joined in, feeling the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I focused on my drills, forgetting for a second the crowd surrounding us.

I wasn't doing the best job in the world at focusing. I was anxious, and my ears filled with different chants weren't really helping. I loved it, but it was hard to manage.

As the warm-up progressed, Leah jogged over to me, a smirk playing on her lips. "Enjoying the view, California?" she teased.

I chuckled, attempting to keep my focus. "Yeah, just a bit distracted by the fans."

"Oh no, I was talking about me. I look sexy in my shorts, don't I?" Leah joked, and I rolled my eyes, shoving her side playfully while she laughed loudly. She did, she definitely did.

"They are chanting your name a lot," I remarked, and it was true. After all, it was her first game back from injury, of course, people were excited. Everyone was. everyone knew how bad ACL injuries were, and how long those 9 months off the field had been for Leah, especially since she had missed the World Cup because of her knee.

Leah's eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and amusement. "Well, can you blame them? I am a living legend." She said, flashing a confident smile. I knew she was trying to hide how emotional today was going to be for her, and I couldn't blame her.