"Hi my name is Abigail Armstrong, I'm here to meet with Dr. Atkinson"
I spoke to the secretary that was in the office of the psychology department at the university. Although my professor was stepping down from his role at Arsenal to start his research, he was going to be teaching some undergrad classes, as he now had a more flexible position, as his lab was going to be based at the university.
The secretary looked at her computer to find my name and the meeting I had scheduled in his calendar, one Leslie helped me set up after our walk a few days prior. Apparently he had a busy schedule, since it seemed like forever for her to find my name.
"Oh yes, you can take a seat, I'll let him know you're here"
She pointed to the chairs behind me, and I went to go take a seat.
I was a ball full of nerves, this was my last chance to getting my career back, and I was willing to do anything to make that happen.
I found myself staring at the clock, watching the ticker move, wishing it would go faster, but it felt like slow-motion. I was in a trance, looking at this clock, until I heard a voice that snapped me out of it.
"Hi Abigail, It's been a long time"
That was my professor. He called me Abigail, I was used to him calling me Abi, but I guess I had lost those privileges of our working relationship.
He gestured for me to come in his office and I followed.
This office was different from the one he had two years ago. Two years ago I was trying to get the opportunity to be his intern. Two years later I was begging for my job back.
He sat at his desk and I sat across from him. I couldn't even form a sentence, so I stayed silent hoping he might have something to say first.
And that he did.
"You know you were the last person I would've expected this from"
I never expected to be in a relationship with Leah Williamson either, it's funny how life works sometimes.
"Sorry sir, what do you mean"
"Remember Alina?"
I nodded my head.
"I knew about Leah's liking to her, I knew she was close with the team, and I knew she didn't actually have a passion for the field, but rather wanted to do this job to spend more time with athletes"
"Is that how you feel about me?"
"No, and that's what makes this much more difficult, you would have never gotten into this school on grades alone, it was your passion, you worked with the sports psychologist at your school, you had conversations with other ones, and you wrote me"
The grade thing was a bit harsh but it was true.
"This is the best program in England, that's why"
"Have I told you I'm the reason why you got in?"
I shook my head.
"I was offered this research job the year Alina graduated, but I couldn't leave Arsenal in her hands, or anyone else, and that year you wrote me, I felt your passion and how you really wanted to make a change not only for the players but for this very small field, I knew before you even got here that I wanted you as my intern, and I wanted you to take over Arsenal at the end of your degree"
Well this was a revelation.
"Then why wouldn't you give me the chance to explain?"
"You're actions were unacceptable"
"Sir, I didn't choose to fall in love with Leah, I never wanted to, until I did, and I can sit here and tell you that I'm sorry and that I don't deserve my career because what I did was unprofessional, it was unprofessional, but I didn't get in this career to do that, you saw that I am dedicated to this and I would do anything to get this back, but Leah changed my life the same way I did for the Arsenal girls, Leah made me realize what happiness truly is, and what I want from life, and we fell in love, and that is something I will never apologize for"
He looked at me realizing what I was saying.
"You know I can never let you work for Arsenal"
"I know that, and I'm not asking for my job back there, I'm asking you for the chance that you gave me two years ago"
"Let me see what I can do"
A wave of relief washed over me.
"Thank you sir, I won't let you down"
We both smiled and I shook his hand. I started heading towards the door, but he had one last thing to say.
"You're right Abi, you don't choose who you fall in love with, from what I can see from you and Leah, it is something so special, you were willing to give your career up for her, just, don't let it all go to waste"
I nodded my head and smiled back at him.
One stop down, one more to go.
---
I drove up the driveway of the home Leah and I shared. Her car was there so I knew she would be home.
I had my keys still, but I felt weird just walking in, considering everything that has happened, so I knocked on the front door instead.
I heard Olly rush to the door, and he was barking. It took Leah a few minutes to come to it, but when she finally did, I could tell she was surprised to see me.
Olly was jumping all over me.
"Don't you have keys?"
"Felt a bit weird"
She looked horrible. Not in a rude way of course, but I could tell she was hurting, and was depressed the same way I had been.
Her hair was tied up, but I could tell it hadn't been brushed in a while. She was wearing sweats, and her eyes were almost swollen shut.
"Leah, I'm sorry, I'm sorry for leaving, I'm sorry for not fighting through this with you, I was a mess, I didn't know what to do, I thought leaving was the only thing I could've done"
"I never wanted you to do this alone, I'm used to having the microscope on me and everyone be super nosy in my relationships, you're not, and I at least wanted to help you"
We moved to the couch at this point, Olly was still stuck to my side.
"You saw how I was, it doesn't justify anything, but I didn't want to accept your help, I didn't want anyone to"
"Then what changed, you came back, and you look nice, you don't seem depressed anymore"
"Believe it or not, Leslie happened"
She gave me a look.
"She's not really a bitch and she gives good advice"
"Then why are you back"
"Because I love you, I talked to my professor today so thats looking good, and I just wanted my person back, you're right I should've let you help me, and I will never forgive myself for leaving, but I never wanted for us to end, there is no end, there is only forever"
She looked at me.
"Honestly Ab, I felt horrible for you, I wanted to help, but I didn't know how, really there was only so much I could do, but I'm glad you're back, and I love you too"
We both smiled, and she pulled me in for a passionate kiss, god did I miss this.
We spent the rest of the night on the couch, catching up on our lives from the past few weeks, and she was trying to figure out how I like Leslie now.
And then I got the call.
"Abi, It's Dr. Atkinson, I have good news, you're back in the Phd program, and you'll be now working as the sports psychologist at Chelsea, you start next week"
----
A/N:
-I feel like the chapter kind of gives the ending away but oh well
-School's been real busy, but I'm glad I could get this one out for you guys tonight:)
-Updates may be slow this month, but I'll try my best
-As always thanks for the love:)