The past few days have gone by really slowly, most of them consisting of gym days with Katie and hard core training sessions ready for the match today against Brighton. Luckily we're at home so we haven't got far to travel at all. If I'm honest though, I'm not at all looking forward to it and that's not normal for me. I have been dreading training too. Normally my reasoning would be I don't want to see Katie and put up with her stupid comments, but it's not just that. I don't want to see her with Caitlin. I don't even know why but every time I see them together I get this funny feeling in my stomach. Lessi and Kyra told me I'm jealous but I just can't admit it. I'm not jealous, I hate Katie.
We started the game strong on attacking and didn't give Brighton much time on the ball, unfortunately though none of us could execute any of our chances. That was until Alessia was brought down in the box and the ref announced it was a penalty. I could instantly feel all eyes on me, as arsenals 'go-to penalty taker' it was expected. Kim passed me the ball and I quickly made my way to the spot. I know Brighton's keeper quite well and have memorised where she feels comfortable in goal. If I'm honest, penalties aren't her strong point. The ref blew her whistle and I took a few steps back before running at the ball and slotting it right over the keepers head. Not to beat my own drum but it was a spectacular goal. The stadium immediately erupted and I was engulfed in a strong hug from Kyra. We continued the game strongly and ended up winning 4-0. Another goal from me before half time made it 2-0 and then after the break Caitlin and Alessia both scored one each.
It was nice to be back at the emirates and to be able to celebrate the win with the fans. After the final whistle was blown, we shook all of the Brighton players hands before congratulating our own players. Jonas quickly called us into a team huddle where he congratulated us all on our play.
As me and Beth were walking towards the tunnel, I noticed a little girl with a sign asking for my shirt.
"I'll be one second, Beth. You can go in without me." I said as I ran towards the little girl. Her face lit up as she realised I was running towards her.
"Hi, what's your name" I asked her
"Rosie" she replied shyly.
"Awh, that's a really pretty name. Would you like a picture?" I asked, directing my question more towards her mum.
"Yes please!" Rosie replied, so I picked her up and pulled her over the barrier where we posed as her mum took the photo.
"You're my favourite player, y/n" she whispered as I placed her back over the barrier.
"Thank you Rosie, you're my favourite fan but don't tell anyone yeah" I winked at her. "Now I've gotta go, but can I trust you to look after my shirt for me" I added as I pulled my shirt over my head, handed it to Rosie and gave her one last hug before running back towards the tunnel as it all of a sudden felt really cold outside.
I was walking through the tunnel towards the dressing room to get a training shirt or something to put on, when I suddenly heard someone shouting my name.
"Oi, y/l/n"
It was Katie, I honestly did not want to turn around but my feet disobeyed my brain and before I knew it, I'd swivelled around and found my self face-to-face with the one and only Katie McCabe.
"I've been chatting with my sister and it's her birthday soon and you're kind of her favourite player so it would get me lots of big sister brownie points if you'd just come say hi" she rambled, I could feel her eyes tracing the abs on my stomach but I simply put it down to my mind playing tricks on me.
"Do you want me to go get a shirt first?" I asked as I turned to look at the changing room door.
"No, it's fine. Come on" Katie replied.
"Okay then" I replied, smiling.
I followed Katie up the stairs towards a box which I assumed her family were in, I was right. She pushed open the door and i followed behind her slowly.
"OMG!" Her sister shouted from her seat as she turned around and spotted me behind her sister. She looked like the double of Katie and sounded exactly like her, although her Irish accent might be a little bit stronger than Katie's, if that's even possible.
I walked towards her and sat in the empty seat next to her "Hey, you must be Lauryn"
"Yeah, that's me. Wow! I'm actually surprised you came. You really are my favourite player but I can't really tell Katie that." She laughed and I laughed back before the girl on the other side of Lauryn spoke up, Katie's other sister Ella.
"Well, I'm surprised with the amount Katie talks about you, you're not her favourite player too." Ella said and I could feel a bright blush creep up my cheeks. Katie all of a sudden joined in the conversation.
"Aye, don't out me like that" she said as she pulled ella into a playful headlock.
Me, Lauryn and Ella continued to chat but me and Katie eventually had to leave.
"I've already given my shirt away as you can see" I laughed as I gestured to my sports bra, "but I can sign yours if you'd like" I told Lauryn.
"Ooo, yes please." Lauryn replied before shouting to ask Katie if she had a pen.
I signed Lauryns shirt and took some photos with her and Ella before me and Katie walked back down to the dressing room in silence. Just as I was about to push the door to the dressing room open, Katie grabbed my arm, stopping me from going any further.
"Thanks for that" she whispered.
"Yeah, anytime." I replied quickly as I pushed the door to the dressing room open. I went to my place in between Leah and Beth. I quickly sat down and began to get changed when I noticed Katie go over and sit with Caitlin. Great. That stupid feeling was back...again.
"You alright?" Leah questioned as she flung an arm around my shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm alright." I replied as I ran a hand through my ponytail. Leah chose not to press me for any further information and left me to get changed.
Even though I got to the changing rooms long after Kyra and lessi, I was ready long before both of them. So, I pulled out instagram to see I'd been tagged in a post by Lauryn.
Liked by @katie_mccabe11, @y/n22 and 9,472 others
@laurynmccabe had the best time and so happy I got to meet @y/n22
@katie_mccabe11 ❤️❤️
@y/n22 thank you for coming, it was lovely to meet you ❤️
@leahwilliamsonn who wouldn't be happy to meet y/n 🥳
@ellamccabe00 the best time, we ❤️ you y/n!
~@y/n22 ❤️
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After commenting on Lauryn post, I decided to add something quick to my instagram as lessi and Kyra were still nowhere near ready.
Liked by @alessiarusso99, @kyracooneyx, @leahwilliamsonn and 260,170 others
@y/n22 thank you for your support gooners ❤️
@alessiarusso99 banging goals!
@kyracooneyx ❤️❤️
@bethmead_ unreal you! ❤️🔥
@viviannemiedema 🔥🔥🔥
@leahwilliamsonn what a finish! 🔥
@laurynmccabe you are amazing!
—————————————————————————
Eventually, lessi and Kyra were ready to go, so the three of us made our way to the car. I sat in the back next to Kyra as Lessi was driving today. Even though Lessi was playing the radio really loud, I couldn't get what Ella had said out of my head so decided it would be a good idea to bring it up with my best friends.
"Where did you and Katie go earlier" Kyra asked, giving me a funny look.
"She took me to meet her sister, I'm her favourite!" I laughed
"Ooooo" Kyra joked
"Awh, that's cute." Lessi replied as she stayed focused on the road
"Yeah, but her other sister said something. And I can't stop thinking about it." I added quietly
"What?" Lessi questioned
"She said that with the amount Katie talks about me she doesn't know why I'm not her favourite" I whispered
"SHE WHAT?" Kyra shouted as she turned in her seat to fully face me
"Yeah, and now I'm even more confused" I rushed out
"McCabe likes you" Kyra sung making lessi laugh.
"Hey, this is not funny!" I replied
"Did Katie say anything?" Lessi asked
"Yeah, she told Ella not to out her like that" I replied.
"Hmmm" Kyra and Lessi both replied
"What's that supposed to mean" I sighed, "hello, I'm struggling with my emotions here" I added dramatically.
A/n: a pretty long chapter today, I haven't proof read this so I hope it's okay. Lots will be happening in the upcoming chapters...