Here go our downfalls

Elijah

I hauled my suitcase up the steps- already regretting choosing to be here. Loosing a bet with my dad was a mistake no one should make. Yet, here I was. The deal was that if I hadn't found a summer job by the time England's World Cup Camp begun... a job would be found for me.

It was clear even he didn't know what that would be yet but if I could have it my way- it will be lying pitch side getting a tan with a cold drink in my hand.

As I entered the main foyer the team were sat on the sofas laughing at one another's phones and pretending to be half talented at playing darts. I swallowed, this may be actual hell. Being surrounded by men who had been told their whole careers that they were better than anyone else. I was my father's favourite and now his focus would be on something else entirely for a whole 4 weeks before the first match of the tournament.

A tall man in an England polo shirt smiled at me and extended his hand.
'Hi, I'm Sam, Goalkeeper coach. Your dad said you'd be here, pleasure to meet you!'

I shook his hand and told him I was thrilled to be here too- lie number one and I've only just walked in the door. However, he seemed friendly which couldn't be said for the footballers who hadn't even given a single glance over to me.

'Here's your key by the way, Will wants you down here in a hour for the first team meeting if that's ok?' Sam asked, glancing at my massive suitcase. He definitely thought I'd require at least an hour to arrange my toiletries.

'Where is my Dad anyways? He arranged a car to pick me up but the man of the hour himself is nowhere to be seen!' I rolled my eyes.

'Hopefully, on his way, otherwise it'll be you and me managing this circus all by ourselves!' Sam chuckled.

With that I went up to my room and attempted to settle in, which is hard to do when you're in a hotel room designed for an athlete and your anything but that.

My room overlooked one of the many pitches, meaning that I'd be able to hear my dad yelling all the time, even when it wasn't at me. I did loose the bet so I am going to really, really try to accept I'm stuck here. I unpacked my suitcase in record time, just to race back down to the foyer twenty minutes later to show Sam that I'm serious about being here. I'm also serious about that tan but I think that would trigger a breakdown in the already stressed man.

For an awkward five minutes we make small talk about why I don't play football when my dad and brother were such sensations, before he says he'd better call my dad to check he's nearly here. I almost feel sorry for the poor guy, he looks like he almost ended up here by accident. My dad can be very persuasive when he wants to be. Sam had clearly been subjected to the same, what I'd call manipulation, that I had been.

I stood on my own, which I was totally ok with. Telling myself being the new girl was cool and the start to all the romance novels. Even though I was so uninterested in anyone here, besides, like Tom my brother would let a boy so much as touch my shoulder. Remember, I'm here to work. I mean... work on my tan.

Sam re-entered looking like he had just lost a final which had gone down to penalties.
'He's running late, he won't be here for another 2 and half hours, he said to swap the meeting for initiation practice.'

'That means... you're head coach for today, right? Woah that's massive congrats!' I smile at the older man.

'No, no, I have no idea how to coach defence or attack I purely do goalkeeping. I have no clue what I'm doing.' Sam croaked out, his face had gone as white as a sheet.

'Don't stress, these are pro players, they should know what to do mostly, just give them some occasional redirection and it will be fine.' I chuckled finding the panic on his face rather amusing.

'Please tell me you at least know something about football' Sam replied.

'What?! I thought I'd be handing out water bottles or something. I'm more under qualified to coach football than a child!' I shrieked, this gained a few glances from players.

'All good over there?' Someone called over.

'Naturally! All out onto the pitch, Will is running late so initiation and the meeting have been switched.' Sam informed the team.

Everyone began to head out, boots and shin pads in hand. I had no idea what to say or do, my plan was to stand on the pitch arms crossed and shout the occasional 'Good job! Or 'Push Forward!' Like my dad did, but when he did it he was in a jacket and joggers. I was in a Summer dress.

'Four laps of the pitch!' Sam called out, evidently clinging at straws for ideas of what to do.

I begun to put some cones out on the floor attempting to recall an exercise I'd seen my dad show my brother many moons ago. I explained to Sam who seemed on board. He called the team over and I instructed them as to what to do, feigning confidence in my voice. I needed someone to do a demonstration, so asked for volunteers.

For what felt like forever no one volunteered, but before I had time to panic one tall, tanned man stepped forwards, his chocolate eyes meeting mine.

"Thanks" I smiled.

Without fault he completed the exercise effortlessly, his muscles flexing as he went. However it wasn't a struggle to give him a few pointers to improve. Sam looked taken aback at the ease I'd fallen into the role I'd been forced into merely minutes ago. Yet, he nodded reassuringly that what I said was correct.

Once again, who I later would realise was Elijah Harrington, looked up at me, a smirk on his face, 'Good enough for you now?'