Unexpected

Past Mistakes

The tree was looking slightly less bare now you and Leah had decorated it with lights and tinsel. All that was left was to add the baubles, hanging decorations and the star for the top.
"Thank you for this." Leah said as she started hanging baubles off of the branches.
"For what?" You ask, raising an eyebrow in question.
"Doing this for me. And with me. This would've been the first Christmas on my own and I didn't even think I was going to get it of the loft to be honest." She said, making eye contact with you and smiling.
"I'm really grateful." She added.
"You're actually a massive softie aren't you?" You laugh and Leah, smiling to yourself over the blonde's honesty.
"Yeah I am. But if you tell any of the girls that, there will be consequences." She laughed.
"Oh yeah, like what?" You teased.
"Well for starters, you won't see me without a single item of clothing missing for as long as possible." Leah pulled on the hem of her top, watching you as your eyes dropped as she revealed a strip of skin to you before dropping her top back down again. You feel your cheeks burn and she laughs, you simply couldn't hide your attraction to her.
"Fine. I get it." You huff.
"Can I ask you something?" Leah said quietly.
"Sure." You kneel on the floor organising some of the hanging decorations.
"What happened with your ex?" Leah asked cautiously.
You sigh and scratch your head, trying not to let the hurt re enter your body.
"I thought everything was fine. Then when we were playing in the under 23's England squad and we went away for the internationals we were put in different rooms. No biggie, if happens to most couples on camp to prevent distractions. What I didn't realise is that her and the girl she was sharing with were hooking up every night and laughing about it behind my back. I only found out about it when the transfer window opened and thank god Arsenal offered me a contract because I did not want to hang around there anymore." You take a moment after letting everything out in what felt like a single breath.
"Shit. I'm so sorry. Why would you do that to someone?" Leah turned her nose up.
"I asked myself that everyday for about a year, Le. And I still don't know the answer." You sigh again.
You look after to see Leah smiling at you.
"What?" You ask.
"You calling me Le now? I like it." She beamed.
"Shut up, Williamson." You laugh.
"What about you and Jordan?" You weren't sure if you wanted to know the answer to that question but your curiosity got the better of you.
"We just grew apart. We both wanted different things and I always felt like she was holding me back, you know? She never wanted to go out and do things and I could feel myself getting major cabin fever being stuck inside all the time. I just want to be with someone who wants to go out and explore and do fun things, you know?" Leah articulated her sentences with her hands which always made you smile.
"I can understand that, I hate being sat around doing nothing, I get twitchy." You laugh.
"I'm the same. The amount of times I've driven like an hour and a half just to go and watch a game to do something." Leah chuckled.
"I once drove an hour to a McDonalds drive thru just because I was really craving a McFlurry." Leah paused what she was doing and just and looked at you. You both burst out laughing.
"Why did you say that? I really want one now!" Leah playfully threw a stray bit of tinsel at you.
"I'll drive?" You ask, getting up off the floor.
"You serious?" Leah smiled, getting up.
"You want adventure, Williamson. I'm in if you are." You extended your hand towards her and she took it immediately.
"Okay. But I'm picking the music." She picked her hoodie up from the sofa and you headed toward the front door.
"Obviously, Captain."

Driving at night was one of your favourite things. Watching the streetlights pass like little orbs in the sky. Tail lights in front of you dancing across the lanes of the motorway. The smell of Leah's perfume filling the inside of your car as she sat content in the passenger seat scrolling through her Spotify. She played her favourite songs that you had grown to love after always hearing them in the changing rooms at the Arsenal ground, courtesy of Leah. The briskness of the cold night air washed over your cheeks as you got out of the car.
You both head into McDonald's and get caramel galaxy McFlurry's, you head straight back to the car to eat them. Leah takes a massive scoop and puts the spoon in her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut, you erupt into laughter.
"Brain freeze." She managed to stutter.
"Maybe don't shove so much in your mouth then." You slap your knee in hysterics.
"Well you made me want it so I wanted to make sure you knew I appreciated you driving all this way." She took another small mouthful. "Deffo worth it." She added.
"It always is, there's something about them." You both finish your McFlurry's and Leah yawns.
"You tired?" You ask, leaning back in your seat and studying the girl next to you.
"A little. Jesus Christ!" She exclaims.
"What?" You sit bolt upright, alarmed.
"It's nearly half midnight!" Leah states looking at the clock on your dashboard.
"It's past your bedtime." You joke.
"It is, I'm usually in bed by 10 at the moment." Leah laughs.
"I best get you home then hadnt I?" You say reaching for your seatbelt. You feel Leah's hand stop you. You turn back towards her.
"Thank you." Leah said, looking into your eyes with sincerity.
"For what?" You ask quizzically. She closed the gap between you and kissed you deeply, she ran her fingers through your hair and pulled you into her.
You break apart and catch your breaths.
"Being you." She finally said.