The sight of Anna leaving tugged at my heartstrings slightly. It was no secret I had taken a liking to her. Everyone around me was aware and i'm pretty sure Anna herself was also aware. I smiled slightly thinking back to how she had sat in the seat to my left in the early hours this morning. My mind flashing to how she sat there sleeping, head rested against the window with her feet brought up onto the seat ever so slightly. Had this been anyone else it probably would've bugged me something chronic having their feet up on my seats. But it showed more progress between me and her. It showed there was a chance for me. And most importantly it showed she was comfortable.
My thoughts were cut short when Ben bounced over to the car opening up the passenger door and throwing himself down onto the seat. He reached over to me both doing a short handshake we'd taken a while to perfect a few months ago. "You player Mason Mount." he laughed. And that was all I needed to hear to grasp that he'd assumed more had happened last night. "No no Ben mate nothing like that not even slightly was genuinely all a coincidence too." I cut him off not even wanting to hear anything else follow his previous sentence. "You can't just be that brief and genuinely expect me to take that Mase mate." He says adjusting the way he sat so the seatbelt was buckled in place properly. I shook my head at him. Had Ben failed to be a footballer I always thought he would've been an alright teacher, or a receptionist. Something that would've involved a fair bit of gossip. He was far too nosy for his own good only this time I had set myself up for it.
I twisted the key in the ignition of the car and began to explain the full story with Ben. Not leaving out a single bit of detail knowing how understanding he would be of how I felt following the game and during the drive I had before I found Anna. He gave his opinion here and there cutting in to the story meaning it definitely took much longer to finish what I wanted to say. But that was typical of Ben. By the time the story drew to a halt we'd arrived at the gates of Ben's house. The boy unbuckling his seat belt and swinging the car door open before he jumped out sending a wave. "Right mate see you in a bit." He spoke before making his way up to his gates and down the drive.
I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding alongside a big sigh. Ben knew. And I had to tell the other boys before he did. Only I didn't really want everyone knowing and my previous texts explaining that i'd tell everyone we're genuinely just to shut the guy up and get him out and waiting. The drive to my place was a lot quieter. And a lot of things were on my mind for the duration. Many thoughts about training, the staff, Tuchel and football which was the norm. And many thoughts about how I could tell the boys without them over exaggerating the situation or making it something it isn't. I knew they'd be brutal to me, I didn't mind that so much. In fact I admired it from the boys because I knew they could be as brutal as anything when giving opinions but they never meant any harm by it. And in addition to those thoughts? Annabell Miller. She had almost consumed me totally. She was quickly becoming a massive weak spot of mine and I knew I needed to win her over fully and make a move. But my progress up until now was rather impressive.
My keys fumbled in the lock of my front door and once in I pressed the door shut behind me throwing my keys onto the table a few steps away in the hallway. It was convenient this way, they were easily accessible each time I went out and it definitely cut back on time rummaging around to try and find them every time I wanted to leave the house. A quick shower and change later and I was back in the car on my way to Cobham for a Chelsea training session. Even just knowing I could be called a Chelsea player gave me goosebumps. Being able to do well for my boyhood club meant a lot to me. Not only to me but i'm sure it meant a fair bit to my parents too or at a minimum I knew they were proud of my achievements. It was above anything I ever could've imagined when I was younger and it truly was an honour to even be involved in some of games as of late. Pulling up to Cobham we're met with the usual media team in the car park to catch a few of us arriving for some sort of content.
I sent a smile and a peace sign over to the guy with the camera "Morning you alright" I beamed greeting the few of them scattered around. I knew I was only stalling slightly but it definitely didn't bother me too much whilst I was stood out here. I had imagined countless scenarios on the drive to the ground but I knew nothing I ever could imagine would really come close to whatever was about to happen inside. I composed myself a little before pushing open the door to the changing rooms to go put my training gear on. I walked in and stopped in my tracks a little the boys all having separate conversations in little groups looking for a group I can join into without bringing too much attention to myself. Eventually I settled on the group Ben was in. I figured if he already knew I may as well beat him to it.
I sat myself down on the benches after getting changed. Barely hearing the end of the previous conversation between three sets of eyes were laid on me. "Here he is man of the hour." Chilly laughs. I shake my head at him, he really did have a way of being immature about things sometimes and it was just his nature but it could be so infuriating. Especially when I didn't want everyone knowing I was holding on to the bare minimum. "man of the hour?" Kai repeated questioning what Ben had meant. He looked at Reece and Chris for some sort of explanation he'd assumed they'd have. I shoved Ben slightly. And whilst he began to act as though he'd just been wounded I started speaking to the boys. "No one make a big deal of it because it really isn't anything all that special. But I spent a few hours with Gracey's friend Anna last night, as friends but it was alright. Feel like I made a bit of progress with her, shes a lovely girl and I want to see where things can go with that. Obviously taking it slowly but it's just nice to feel like this again." I said leaving out a few of the other details I told Chilly. Although i'd love to tell the group facing me I knew everyone around me was listening in too and gave the bare minimum. This way they knew. But they didn't know the full story.
And before I can gage any sort of reaction from the rest of them staff came in to usher us out onto the training pitch to begin with today's drills. Camera's were placed around the different areas we'd be using generally to pick up on different angles of moments during the training session. We knew today's wouldn't be a harsh session and also that a few of us would pay visits to physio to check on our health. But boy I was dreading to face Tuchel. Especially with the rate the media have probably mass produced stories to spit out to the public. I grabbed a hat and some gloves and jogged slightly to catch up with Kai and Ben. The two were speaking about some form of FIFA game they'd played. Kai adamant Ben had cheated the entire time. "Boys i'd appreciate if this wasn't mentioned to either of the girls, just incase it gets back" I muttered. I watched as Kai's face dropped almost instantly. "Kai don't do that." I spoke my voice whiny slightly. Chilly laughed with him. "I'm sorry I was really excited and I asked Gracey to set up something for the three of us" he says looking genuinely guilty.
This was not going to end well. Not for me. Not for Kai. Not for Ben. This girl would have my head on a stake.
♡ WC; 1489
I only saw after earliers update that the book had already hit 2k reads but didn't want to edit the authors note of that chapter! As always thankyou so much I can't believe how quickly the book is picking up attention! Especially seeing just now it's almost on 3K reads as I publish this is so motivating.
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