Today is game day against Chelsea. Against an in-form Tuchel side, today will be a challenge.
I did get the all-clear to start Scott, so I did just that and started him. I'm so so thankful he is back, I think it would have driven me up the twist if he wasn't back.
Dan is also okay, which is brilliant too. Donny is on the bench; the only players missing are Paul, Edinson and Juan.
I hope I can prove the haters wrong; we've prepared well for Tuchels side. Seeing Giroud start does worry me a little, but I'm sure we'll get there.
Team-talk was straight to the point: try and not let Chelsea have much of the ball. The more possession they have, the worse. We need to tackle and get the throw-ins, the free-kicks etc.
Kick-off: taking the knee will always be important. Forever and Always.
Rashford with the free-kick, but unfortunately the keeper saved it. It was the clearest handball penalty I've ever seen from the man who nearly went to Bayern (Callum Hudson-Odoi). It was on the small screen in my spot, so I turned it around and showed the ref himself. It was horrendous the decision yet Tuchel was having a go at me for showing a replay. A contradicting man that manages Chelski Bus Service.
HT: Chelsea 0 - 0 Man Utd. A bit of an interesting first-half. There are lots of talking points to come from it. VAR controversy already. Keeping the message simple at the break.
David saved us with the reaction save and Luke Shaw with the block. Thank God David has brilliant reactions.
FT: Chelsea 0 - 0 Man Utd. It was a good game for us; an alright draw. Some talking points for both sides, but we still need to focus and move on to the next game.
The bus back to the hotel was the same as it was when Scott was there. Us two having our own conversation while the rest of them talked amongst themselves.
"I'm glad you're back, Scotty. It's brilliant to see that you're playing again. Great game today."
"Thank you, y/n/n. If you're happy, I'm happy."
I put my head on Scott's shoulder and you could tell he wanted to press his lips to the top of my head. Instead, he just wrapped an arm on my shoulder.
"God, I'm knackered. I think Tuchel tired me out more than watching the game," I joked.
"Yeah, I heard him going to hell and back shouting at you."
"I don't know what I did, I was coaching DJ and all of a sudden I have my head bitten off."
"I know, it was shocking."
In my ears, I had a playlist on shuffle. 'Perfect Now' by Louis Tomlinson (a/n this makes me feel better when i'm insecure, 10/10 would recommend) began to play. A smile crept on my face. Scott must have noticed as he took a headphone out of the ear closest to him and put it in his ear.
I noticed he was interested, so I restarted the song so he could hear the full thing.
The song finished. Scott gave me a confused look, wondering as if I was mental for liking the song.
"I used to listen to this when my now-ex gave me a bit of a hard time."
"Why someone would want to give you a hard time, I'll never know."
"Also, it's called being a woman under high expectations where no one hears you even when you scream at the top of your lungs and you've been used to this ever since you were five years old," I spoke in one breath. I took in a deep breath, "And that's seemed as normal."
"That should be the last thing as normal."
"Well, it's your kind that has done it. Men. I think you lot are the only exception to this rule, but Ed has always and will always be apart of this said exception."
"You should open up more about it, y/n/n. We can speak up about it, you know. We'll always be behind you."
"Thanks, Scotty. I don't think Tuchel helped me today in feeling safe at Stamford."
"I wish you could see my point of view. Also, some queens don't need a crown. But, still, somehow, you're perfect now."
I looked at him, and through my eyes, you could see I was smiling.
"You make me feel like being someone, love."
"I'm sure I don't but thank you, Tommy."
"Trust me, love. You do, more than anyone else in the world."
When he said that, the bus was back at the hotel.
"We'll message/talk later."
We all got off the bus and played Table Tennis with some of the lads. The reigning Table Tennis Queen from the ladies side (beating the players champion, Ella Toone, by 5-3) had to prove herself. I played a few games before we made a tournament. In the group stages, I beat Brandon and Antony. Quarterfinals: I drew Marcus. I beat him, easier than some of the group games. Semifinals: I drew Eric. It was at deuce (4-4) but I beat him 6-4 in the end.
Finals: we meet again. Scott McTominay vs y/f/n.
"Deja Vu, we meet again." I vocalised.
"Yeah, let's see how this one goes."
Scott got four points in quick succession. Game point to him after less than five minutes.
I bounce back and make it four-three.
Scott did get another point, but it bounced on his half before mine, so it was overruled.
I got it to a deuce, then it continuously went back and forth. Game point to me, back to deuce, game point to him, and the cycle continued.
After at least a few minutes of this repetition, I beat him 21-19.
Either of us was going to win, but the metaphorical crown stayed on my head. Scott has scuffed his lead up again, to his secret girlfriend.
"Fair play, Scotty, that was anyone's game."
"It was, well done. Can there be a law where it is illegal for you to beat me?" Scott chuckled, smile showing.
"Never! I'm never going to give my crown up for someone else!"
After a few more friendlies as some of them wanted to have a game with me, we all went to bed.
Scott messaged me first.
(a/n again this has fucked up, bold is scott)
Scotty 🌎☀️
11:22 pm
Night baby xxx You were brilliant at Table Tennis and managing us today love xxx I'm so proud of you and how far you've come xxx I love you, sweet dreams ❤️🥰😘
night tommy xxx you were brilliant out there, i'm so so SO proud of you xxx i love you too, sweet dreams to you as well xxx ❤️😘🥺
I'm a little mad at you for beating me but you're too amazing and beautiful and all-round brilliant person that I can't be mad at you for too long ❤️❤️❤️
oh shut it ❤️❤️
We're not having this argument again beautiful xxx You are the best person I think I've ever met and I love you for it ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
awww 🥺🥺 i love you ❤️❤️❤️ I'll let you get some sleep now, rest well and I'll talk to you in the morning ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
❤️❤️❤️
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The messages stopped and I tried to fall asleep with a smile on my face. I was tossing and turning for a while, then my phone pinged.
12:04 am
I miss you ☹️❤️
scotty, we'll be back together tomorrow, well, today, so don't fret too much about it ❤️❤️
Yeah but I miss you ☹️☹️❤️
Can you come here so we can cuddle? 🥺❤️
if we were the only people in this hotel and i could find a way to easily sneak in i would ❤️
with cctv as well i don't want to risk it bubba ❤️❤️
☹️☹️☹️
Whyyyyyyyy ☹️☹️☹️
i don't want to get in more trouble with ed babe
if you sleep now i'll give you all the attention tomorrow afternoon i promise ❤️❤️
NIGHT NIGHT
I LOVE YOU
DON'T FORGET IT BABY ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
i love you too tommy ❤️❤️❤️
i won't forget about it any time soon ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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I smiled as I knew tomorrow was just gonna be a day with Scott where we had the bus ride early hours, light training for those that didn't play and then whatever he wanted (within reason) in the afternoon.
This time I slept for a few hours before another message.
"What does Scott want now?" I whispered, before unlocking the device and reading the message.
3:51 am
We miss you too, y/n y/middle/n y/l/n.
Want to play a game?
Answer carefully.
Your life might depend on it.
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I always have my read receipts off, so they couldn't tell I'd opened or read the messages.
Shivers ran cold down my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck pricked up as a reaction to reading the few words on my phone. My mind was full of dashing questions.
How am I meant to tell Scott and the lads about this stalker?
What do I do?