We soon left for Tokyo, and we knew the experience at the Olympics was going to be weird. We were going in with no expectations, knowing that covid was going to have a large impact on the entire experience.
I sat beside Georgia on the plane, and held her hand for take off. It became a staple in our friendship as she knows I get slightly freaked out when we fly.
"I forgot how tight your grip was," she said to me, as I tightly held her hand, laughing.
"Well, you know I get freaked out!"
"That's true," she replied back.
Keira sat with Lucy, a few rows back, and Leah was Lotte and Kim. I looked at her a few times, as she sat on the other side of the aisle. Something felt strange, but not with Leah, but Keira. Since arriving in camp, things had been weird, and I wasn't sure what about. But, I let it slide past me, knowing it was probably just a mixture of nerves and excitement about the game. The thing is, as twins, we both know when something is up. We have this telepathy that no one can fault, and sometimes, I feel it even when I don't want to.
When we arrived in Tokyo, the covid process was extremely painful, but we got through it and arrived at our hotel soon later. We were all extremely tired and jet lagged, but all super excited. As Georgia and I arrived in our rooms, we collapsed onto the beds, so exhausted.
"I could sleep for days," I said to her, as my head rested on the pillow.
"Me too," she replied. However, we couldn't. We had to start training, to prepare for our first game against Chile.
We soon went out to train, and wearing the team GB merch was something I had only ever dreamt of.
"This is so sick," I said to Keira, walking beside her, as we headed to the pitch.
"Yeah," she replied, coldly.
"Are you okay?" I asked her, confused.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Are you?" she asked. I was bewildered by this, not knowing what she meant.
"Kie, you're confusing me."
"I know you better than you think I do," she said, before walking quickly, leaving me behind to ponder with my thoughts. What did she mean?
I soon went to Leah, who was walking with Kim.
"Hey," I said to her, gesturing to her to stay back and walk at the end of the line with me, "I just had the weirdest conversation with Kie."
"About?" Leah asked.
"She said, and I quote, "I know you better than you think I do", and then she just walked away."
"Do you think she knows?" Leah asked, looking fairly concerned.
"I'm not sure, I haven't said anything. Could be the twin telepathy." I said the last part, jokingly.
"You guys have always been able to do that; know when each other is sad or holding a secret. I've noticed it over the years."
"I'm not too sure, I think it's something else. I just can't pinpoint what."
We trained as a team, and as Lucy and I rekindled our left/right back connection, I played once again with Keira. It felt good, being on the pitch with my old Manchester City team mates. I love playing for Chelsea, but I can't say that I don't miss the girls at City. They were my home for so many years, and I will never forget them. But, I also can't forget what happened. I can't forget the events that led up to my departure. I can't forget any of it.
"Ok," Steph, our captain said to us, the night before our first game, "I want each of you to go out there and play your absolute best. We have a chance here. A chance to win and show that we are a threat to international football. We have the best players in Britain in this team, and we are going to exploit that. Hands in." We cheered, and dispersed, going back to our rooms to get a good night's rest before the game.
As all the girls left the room, it was just myself and Lucy left in the locker room.
"Luce," I said to her, as I was about to head back to my room.
"Yeah?"
"What's up with Keira? She has been so weird with me recently, and I really don't know what I've done, or not done."
"Not sure," Lucy replied, honestly, "really not sure." I soon left, still as confused as I was before, but knew I had to let it slide, knowing that the most important thing was the game the next day