Runaway affair

As It Was

As it was- Harry Styles

Ford POV:

They say fear is our greatest weakness, soccer is a game built around strategy meaning there is no time for fear to enter a players mind. A players mindset before a game is solely focused on the upcoming game, there's no room for distractions. The game isn't about the pride or the money you get for playing it, it's about how one wrong move can change your life.

That's what I thought about when I lost you.

It took one wrong move for our relationship to disappear from existence, like it never happened, like we never happened. I trusted you, I gave you all of me but you couldn't give it back in return. Why is that? I've moved on so why does it hurt every time I see your face? Maybe it's because of the pain I felt when you told me it was over between us.

"Grant, ready for the big game?" a voice questioned breaking me out of my thoughts. Like I said before there's no room for distractions, it's been 2 years since I last saw you. Putting on my best smile I stood up from the bench in the locker room patting the starting forward Cristian Arango's back as I walked by him.

I threw my black and gold jersey sweatshirt reading my last name on the back of it. Lacing up my cleats I began my journey to the field of the Banc of California Stadium taking in it's natural beauty before it was filled with fans.

Making the move to California was a bit of a tough journey for me considering my parents had decided to stay back in Florida while their baby moved across the country all by himself. Los Angeles FC had given me the best chance I had ever gotten than any of the other club teams that I played on.

3 years of my life have been dedicated to this team all of the blood, sweat, and tears that I shed on this field was proof that I wanted to prove myself that I am worthy.

Worthy of what you may ask? Strength is the answer, it gives me the strength I need to carry throughout my life that I am doing okay. Don't get me wrong, Florence has been there for me every step of the way and I am extremely grateful for her because she has a busy life of her own.

She got me and loved me, she gave her all to me when I was fearful to give mine because I know that it had been broken before and I was determined to not let it happen again.

I love her a lot and I'm hoping to ask her to marry me after our game against LA Galaxy next week. The two of us had been dating for a year and it has been the best year of my life, she was there for all of my games and I made sure that I was there for all of her premieres.

That's how we worked, we sat down and had long conversations if we had something important we wanted to share, we were affectionate in the best ways possible. Her love language is cooking for sure because her food is absolutely to die for.

As I warmed up on the field by taking PK shots and some defense drills with my trainer I had prepared myself for the gameday focus. My mind wandered to you, maybe because this was the first place we had gone to together when I moved to LA. I don't know what it was but today all of the memories we shared together had come back all at once in a whirlwind.

Thoughts swarming coach blew the whistle to rally us in a huddle before heading back to the locker room to change into our home jerseys.

I put on my black and gold jersey reading out my last name 'Grant' and the number 23 on the back of it. I was proud of myself to see how far I had come compared to where I had began when I was back home. Making our way in a single filed manor we walked out on the field for the playing of the National Anthem before the game had begun.

Right as I took my place as center forward I looked up in the crowd as it roared only to become eye level with you. My world of happiness had come crashing down and the worst part about was that you were sitting right next to my girlfriend who was laughing away.

I took a deep breath to recollect myself before giving a slight nod in your direction before putting my game face on.

No distractions.

Lizzie POV:

Locking eyes with him all of the memories had come back the good, the bad but I reflect the joy you showed when you were content. I remember the bubble beards we both had from our late night baths after a long day at work, I remember how he said it relaxed him to see me relaxed.

I remember the red wine I could taste on his lips after the birthday dinner he took me to after a premiere in New York. Most importantly I remembered the love that we shared for one another, the way he looked at me like I was the only girl in the world and my sisters teased me about how the two of us were meant for each other.

I could have had it all with him, but I messed it up and threw our plans of a bright and happy future together out the window. I don't know what I'm doing here to be honest, looking to my left I see our newest cast mate Florence who invited a group of us to the game laughing at something Scarlett said.

She was beautiful and any guy would be lucky to have her, the last I heard she was dating Zach Braff who seems like the perfect man for Florence.

I broke away my stare at her only to watch him gracefully gallop the field as if it was just a regular practice. I'm started to become haunted by the memory of our breakup, he looked like a brand new man.

One I almost didn't recognize until I zeroed in on the complexion of his skin tone as it glistened in the LA sunshine and the messy brown hair that I used to love to run my hands through when we relaxed together.

He did this all himself and I was proud of him but I felt an immense amount of guilt every time I watched him out there on the field. I was not the person he needed me to be. I wasn't there to support him or talk to him hell, I didn't love him unconditionally.

Now I do, because I realized I screwed up and everything in me wanted to do whatever it took to get him back but I knew it was too late.

He gave me a nod and I was brought back to the day he nodded to me as I walked further into the airport to get on that plane as I left him behind. He stood there, sadness in his eyes determined not to let it show how much it affected him. All of that for what?

Answer the phone, Lizzie you're no good alone.

The game had come to an end 90 minutes later and we waited for him by the entrance of the field while he changed in the locker room. Florence wanted everyone to meet him and acted my best to show that I hadn't ever met him before but it was hard.

He walked towards us, a smile appearing on his face once he saw Florence. He looked happy? Relieved? He pulled her into a giant hug before pressing his lips agains hers as they each smiled into the kiss.

Pain struck my heart as I saw them kiss and I realized why she brought us here, to introduce us to her boyfriend. The same boyfriend I used to call mine, the one who's lips I used to kiss. Here I stood only trapped in a memory of the past, while he moved on.

You know it's not the same , As It Was