𝑫𝑶𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑵𝑻 - [𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕]

1.1

BRYNLEE

I was lucky that I was able to put everything about Lando aside and focus on this match. My debut match! And not a normal debut, because this girl is in the starting eleven. When I walked in the changing rooms, my head was filled with everything around Lando's crash, but it was really nice that Declan came when he saw the crash as well. He said that he was watching it with Mason, because their rooms are next to each other and because he needs 'to be ready for next week'. Declan was calming me down when I got a text from Lando that says that everything was fine and he only got some muscle pain in his neck, so he would get checked. I'm so happy that he's now driving in Formula One, because if he was in a Formula One car a few years ago, it could have been a lot worse. But enough about the crash, now it's my time to shine.

Today we played with another line-up, we played 4-3-3. So that means I was on the front left, together with Kane and Saka. In the midfield there was Foden, Rice, and Bellingham. In the back we got Trippier, Coady, Stones, Chilwell and Johnstone in the goal. That means that Saka and Bellingham were also making their debut.

We made our way to the field and it was amazing to see all those England supporters. It already felt unreal when I entered the field to warm up, but this tops everything. This was a literal dream coming true. We stood next to each other and the English national anthem began to play. I was mumbling along, but became almost speechless when the whole stadium started to sing along. It was breathtaking.

The match came to a start and in some time it was obvious that Australia indeed wasn't the team we need to worry about, but it still wasn't an easy job. We played with a new squad so there was chemistry missing. In the 11th minute, Saka passed the ball to the second goal post trying to reach Kane, but a defender was faster to clear the ball. It was noticeable very quickly that the Australians were very physical. In the 24th minute we got a corner and Bellingham tried to head it, but an Australian defender bumped against him in the air which resulted in Jude not landing on his feet properly. The medicals were quick, but soon enough it was clear that Jude couldn't play any further. I'm so gutted for him, his first game and getting an injury that fast.

To my surprise he was getting subbed with Mason. He ran to the position behind me, focus spread over his face. I just nodded in response. This was a really weird decision in my opinion, so I was very confused, but we have to go with it. Maybe good things will happen.

-/-

In the 35th minute, Mason got the ball and passed it to me. I could feel that he really wanted to attack, that's not weird as well, because he usually plays in the attacking positions. I tried to pass the ball back to him to do a one-two, but the ball was intercepted by a defender. Just before the break, Australia got a good chance as well. It was obvious that we weren't playing with the most chemistry, many passes couldn't be completed properly and created goal chances were also not that easy. The fingertips of Johnstone just touched the ball when it went past the goal, so that meant that they had the last corner before the break. Some Australian player walked to the flag in the corner to shoot the ball into the goal area. The ball landed a bit further away when Trippier wanted to clear the ball, but got tackled pretty badly. He immediately went down to the floor and reached to his lower leg. The medical staff had to come up on the field and after some research they indicated that he couldn't play any further as well. With that, the first half was over. We all walked to the changing rooms and evaluated the match so far.

Southgate wasn't really happy with our performance, but he wasn't disappointed either. He told Walker that he was coming on for Trippier, which he gladly accepted. Southgate didn't really change any other players, but he will be subbing if it's still nil nil in like the 70th minute. I thought we were going to walk back to the field when Southgate wanted to announce something else. "Mount and Norris, I want you two to switch places. So Mount, you're going in the attack and Norris in midfield. I have the feeling that this could work out. Let's just try it." We both nodded in response, of course not protesting against it. I was already lucky that he wanted me to play.

Then we all walked back to the field and I felt someone poking in my side. "Can you stop? I'm trying to focus."

But I couldn't hold my seriousness when I saw that beaming smile on his face. "You're doing a good job, Bryn. Now you're playing just in front of me, really curious how you will do in that position."

"Never thought I would play together with the one and only Chilwell." I nudged him in his side, teasing a little.

-/-

We all gathered on the field and the second half had started. In the first minutes Australia really tried to pressure us, which caught us us off guard. They were able to reach the goal area in their first attack, but Stones was quick enough to block a shot. Walker could get the ball and crossed it to Chilwell which started to move a bit to the midfield. Mount positioned himself more to the sideline and I presented myself. I got the ball and did a quick feint past a midfielder who was coming at me. I ran with the ball more forward and he moved with me, eventually presenting himself on the sideline. I understood the hint and passed the ball to him quickly. This was where our attack could begin, Mason passed it towards the backline which was my queue to ran between the defenders and get the ball. Mount positioned himself more to just before the goal area, Chilwell backing me. I saw that Mason was open so I thought fuck it and passed it to him. Before I could do any more, Mount shot the ball into the back of the net. Top bins... Everything went slow-mo from there. My head started to spin from excitement, the whole stadium went wild. All the cheering sounds muffled and I swear, I could feel the stadium shake a little. My sense came back when I got embraced by Ben. "LET'S GO NORRIS!" He yelled and I felt my eyes welling up from happiness. When I looked to above, the sky already started to darken, but there was one thing that I noticed. That star, that one very bright star. That star that stood out from the rest. I kept my eyes straight on the star, feeling that tears started to enter my eyes. I knew you believed in me dad.

I watched towards the goal and saw the whole team running towards us since we were standing in the corner of the field. Mason was the first of the whole group, smiling from ear to ear. We looked each other in the eyes, normally his eyes would darken, but now they were soft? Happy? I couldn't think any further, because he embraced me as well. "That was a great assist, Bryn." He said, just loud enough so I was the only one to be able to hear it.

When I was in his embrace, I got a feeling I've never experienced before. All this happiness between us is probably over later today, but it was really nice for now. The whole team came over shortly after and we all celebrated together.

"Mount and Norris! Let's do it! One more time! Mount and Norris! Let's do it! One more time!" The fans started to cheer us on. Me and Mason shared a look and started to laugh. Maybe good things are happening.

-/-

aaaa, things are happening! i've waited so long to write this chapter. hope you all enjoy it so far :) don't forget to vote and comment <3

btw would you like it if i include social media posts sometimes? maybe to give a better imagination.