Flirting with success

Chapter 1

Hi to anyone who is reading this. I've never done this before so I thought I would give it a try.

Backstory

Going professional was always the dream for me. Having grown up in a small village in the south west of England opportunities to progress weren't exactly coming thick and fast. My career started at my local club Bristol City; my family enjoyed trips to Aston Gate for as long as I could remember. Having worked my way up the youth ranks I found myself in the first team for the 2017 season at just the age of 18. This is where I met my best friend Lauren Hemp.

Lauren and I played alongside each other for just one season before she progressed to Manchester City. Despite this our friendship held strong and not long after Hempo's departure I got my break with a move to City myself.

Arriving for the beginning of the 2019 season I found myself surrounded by legends in the making. Having idolised Steph Houghton i greeted her with the greatest respect on my first day at the CFA. First thing on a monday morning, following a gruelling 6 hour train journey the day before, i had a meeting with her and Nick Cushing. They announced that I would be staying with Lauren, Janine and Aoife. Shortly after I was taken on a tour of the club.  As I entered the changing rooms I saw my name placed between Lauren and Caroline Weir. My kitbag was full to the brim of random things that I might never need but refused to unpack as you could be sure as soon as I took it out the bag I would need it. Unfortunately due to the sheer weight of the bag it toppled off my seat and onto the valuable left foot of Caz Weir. A perfect first impression. Thankfully the only consequent injury was my pride. The incident was not forgotten; the first session of the day was full with mockery. Despite the laughs being at my expense I enjoyed my first taste of life in the City setup.

After a tough first session I was eager to get to lunch. The facilities at the club were second to none; a large step up from those in Bristol. Not knowing where to sit I planted myself at an empty table. Soon I was joined by Janine one of my perpetrators from the morning.

"Hey there Mary Poppins" she said with a smile on her face as she sat down

"Hi..." I responded slightly confused by her remark

"What you've never seen Mary Poppin's never ending bag, I thought you were supposed to be British?"

Totally unaware of what she was suggesting I responded with "I think I'm a bit too young to remember seeing Mary Poppins"

"Now you have insinuated I'm old I will reconsider giving you a lift home tonight" she said with a smug look on her face.

Banter is evidently my coping mechanism for dealing with situations out of my comfort zone. A glum look took over my face which sparked a concerned reaction from Janine who reassured me she was joking. As the conversation progressed we are joined by Lauren who was acting unusually protective.

"I hope you aren't scaring her off Janine, I've missed her too much for her to leave now" said Lauren whilst giving me a sly wink

"Of course not Hempo" Janine responded " it's all you've been taking about since Sophie even started discussing a move with Nick, I'm simply trying to determine if you're friend is as funny as you make her out to be"

I know this is short I just wanted to see how publishing works :)