The week we were in Sydney, something bad happened. Not to me. Not to Leah. Not to my family. But to Ellie.
Neither Leah nor I woke up for the final, but when I turned on my phone the next morning, I saw. She had gone off; in the 12th minute or something ridiculously early like that. I knew what that meant, straight away.
She had done it. She had done her ACL.
I counted the months in my head.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
She would be okay. She would make it to the World Cup. Even if Ellie and I weren't on the best terms, I wanted nothing more than to help the Matildas win, and there was no way we would win without Ellie.
That was our downfall in the Olympics, in my opinion at least. Ellie missed out on the bronze medal match because of card accumulation, and we lost. We were snubbed by the Americans (something that you never want to happen.)
A few days later, it was confirmed. It was an ACL.
I contemplated, for a while, whether or not to text her. Whether or not to try to comfort her, as she used to always do for me. I decided against it. We were no longer together; there was no reason for me to do that. Daan could instead.
While Leah was off training for the Euros, I had too much time on my hands. I found myself at the pubs most evening, trying to drink away any stress that was lingering since my family reunion.
But what did keep me busy was my friends. Caitlin, and Steph were both hanging around for the Euros, and we had planned to go to majority of the games together. The Manchester game (the one in the Theatre of Dreams) was not on the agenda for either of them, however, and instead, I would be going up with Leah's family (something I was nervous about but I knew I had to pull myself together. Act confident and no one can question you, right?)
"So, how was your brother's wedding?" Amanda asked me, as she drove me, Jacob and Leah's Grandma up to the game. While her Grandma and Jacob slept in the back, I was up front, trying to guide Amanda on the confusing English highways.
"It was... interesting," I said, trying not to laugh. "Has Leah not said anything?"
"Not really. She's been busy," Amanda chuckled.
"Right, of course. Well, my family sorta had a weird reunion. It's hard to explain."
"Who were you all reuniting with?"
"Would you believe me if I said my long lost sister?" I questioned.
"Depends," Amanda replied. "Is it true?"
"Yes," I answered.
"Then I believe you," she replied. Talking with Amanda was easy. It felt natural. More natural than with my own mother at this point. Sometimes I would think that if I grew up in a 'normal' or 'nuclear' household, would my life be more calm and settled? Would my brain find it easier to slow down?
Maybe I needed something other than my own family? Well, I think I already knew that.
We soon arrived in Manchester, and after Jacob took a photo of me and Amanada from the back, both wearing a Williamson 8 jersey (myself in the home kit and Amanda in the away), I posted it onto my instagram.
Tippsjonesy: start of the journey @leahwilliamsonn we're here!!
We found our seats, and as Leah led out her team, Amanda grabbed my hand, squeezing ever so tightly.
"I just can't believe it," Amanda soon started to say.
"Well believe it. It's true." She smiled at me, and leant her head against my shoulder, a tear trickling softly down her face.
The English girls scrapped a win against the Austrian team, 1-0, with the goal by Beth Mead being the sole winner in the affair.
Leah played the full 90, and looked in control for every moment. My heart raced whenever her foot was on the ball, or she back tracked for a tackle. But it raced because I knew she could do it, and I was excited for her, not because I was nervous or scared or anything in between.
After the match, Amanda and I both went down, alongside all the other girls' families.
"You were incredible," I said to Leah, hugging her so tightly, and feeling her sweaty but comforting body lean against mine.
"It feels so good to have you hear," she replied. "You too Mum." Leah then hugged Amanda, but she didn't let go of my hand. That she kept tightly intertwined with her own.
"TIPPAH!" Beth called, coming up to Leah and me, hugging me again.
"Befy, you were just too good. The little chip and everything! So proud!" Beth tried not to blush, and I put my arm around her. "And guess what, you're leading the golden boot race." Beth chuckled, nodding her head.
"I guess I am, seeing as only one game has been played."
"We can ignore that for now," I then replied.
Leah stayed beside me for as long as she could, until she was called away for media duties and to return to her team.
"I want to give you a kiss," she said, softly.
"Well, me too," I answered, but as she leant in, I put my finger in between us. "But, there's 50,000 people here and not even am I that confident." Leah chuckled, and instead kissed me softly on the cheek before walking down the tunnel.
"Bye," I said, under my breath. I watched the blonde hair whip around the corner, and with that, she was gone. Time for a drink.
The next morning, despite being slightly groggy after the few drinks I had had the previous evening, we headed back to London. I was starting preseason soon, and the next games would be closer south.
As I checked my phone, I didn't realise how much it blew up last night: 100,000 notifications. Most were likes, comments or tags on the photo I posted.
Leahxtippahloves: they are so cute. Officially official.
Matildas.r.the.best: love how tippah hangs out w leah's mum! Too cute
Chels_or_arsenal: i love this relationship!!!! I want my own
I chuckled softly, before seeing another whole array of photos, from after the game. A few zoomed in on Leah's hand holding mine, and another caught the kiss on the cheek so clearly.
Wosotime12: aren't they the cutest? I love love
I turned my phone off, chuckling softly. The start of this tournament, and everything leading up to it, Leah had been becoming the face of it. She's so important to the team and the country. I don't want to be jealous of her. Maybe it was time to dial it down. Maybe it was time to not be Tippah and Leah... at least in public?
note:
- ngl finding it hard to write after what happened (i.e. leah's _ _ _)
- anyways, plz let me know what u would like to see: i need help with some sort of motivation to continue yk