Straight from the academy

3.

The next morning I walk back into my managers office to have another talk with him and Jonas and to finalise the signing.

I sign some documents and then Jonas begins to explain what I can expect becoming an arsenal player.
"So we train everyday apart from Mondays, then we have recovery from the match either on Saturday or Sunday. And you will probably travel a lot too, especially for champions league games."
"Ok, that's great."
"There is one last thing"
"Sure, what's that?"
"It's not crucial, however the team and I would prefer it if you moved closer to the pitch and the training grounds. Most of the girls live very close to each other and majority of them live with each other. I know it's a big ask but it just makes everything so much easier for you and for me and the rest of the arsenal team, I hope you understand."
"Yes of course, I think that would be ok. Yeah, I can do that."
"Brilliant. I spoke to the girls about it and Leah Williamson and Beth Mead have invited you to live with them since they said they had room."
"Oh wow, ok."
"Is that not ok?"
"No, no, it is. It's just crazy that I get even get to play along side my absolute idols, let alone live with them."
"We'll I'm glad you feel that way. You start in 2 days time, on Monday, after our game."
"Ok! I'll start moving my stuff in right away then."

We discuss a few more thing before I go back home and immediately start packing.

Ruby helps me and a few hours later we have managed to pack up the majority of my bedroom - or at least the things I'll need.

We decide to take a break to have some dinner. When I look at my phone, I notice that I have been tagged by arsenal on instagram loads of times. I guess they have announced me as their new signing. When I open my phone I like the photos and have a quick look at some of the comments. Most people don't really know who exactly I am, but they like me because I come from the academy. I'm a home grown arsenal player, if you like. Regardless, the comments are really kind and supportive and are making me super excited to get started.

We quickly eat dinner before packing the rest of my things from the other rooms around the house. Although there aren't many and Ruby and I have completely finished packing by about quarter to 6. I need to move my stuff into Leah and Beth's apartment sooner rather than later and it's not that late so Ruby and I decide to just go now. My things end up fitting into 4 boxes so we haul them into the boot. I also carry my keyboard downstairs and put that in the boot too.
"Ellie, really?" Ruby says looking at me questionably.
"Yes really! It's a necessity"
"Ok" she says rolling her eyes and laughing.

We get in the car and drive to Luke's training pitch to pick him up before driving to my new apartment. It takes about an hour so by the time we get there it is almost 7 o'clock. We park the car and then make our way into the building with all my belongings. It is quite a short block of apartments, with one main stair case going all the way through. The apartment is number 36 and it's only on the 3rd level so there aren't many stairs to climb. When we get to the door I shift the box I'm holding over so that I have a hand free to knock on the door. But I don't.
"Els? Are you going to knock?"
"Um yeah, sorry."
"You'll be fine ok, you going to love living here, trust me." Ruby says squeezing my shoulder.
I knock on the door and wait a few seconds for it to open.
"Hi, it's so nice to meet you! I'm Beth, you're Eleanor right?" Beth hugs me and then invites everyone in.
"Yeah, but I just get called Ellie. This is Ruby my best friend and Luke my boyfriend."
"Nice to meet you all. I'll go and get Leah and then would you like a house tour?"
"Yes please, that would be great."
"Ok, I'll be back in one second." She smiles before turning around and walking to one of the bedrooms, sticking her head round the door.
Not long later, Beth comes back with Leah.
"Hi, I'm Leah" she says hugging me.
"Do you want to see your room first?" Beth says to me.
"Sure" I say following her into another room.
"Obviously it looks very empty right now, but that will change once you move all your stuff in."
"Wow, this is really nice. It's actually so much bigger than I thought it would be."
"So just that way," she says pointing in a direction, "are mine and Leah's rooms. Mine is in the left, Leah's is on the right."
"Feel free to come in if you need anything."
"Ok, thanks."
Luke brings my things into the bedroom and puts them down by my bed so I am ready to start unpacking.

Beth and Leah then lead me back into the living room where we were before, and then to the bathroom, and then finally to the kitchen.