Friends for life?

7. Summer Loving

Waking up with their limbs tangled round each other became more frequent throughout the weeks that followed. Long days training in the summer heat followed by long nights

They day before the euros final Isla had her first game. It was a behind closed doors friendly, no fans, no media. Two teams playing each other to gauge their own fitness levels. The opposition...Spurs. There was no way either side considered this a friendly and the Arsenal girls were determined to prove North London was indeed Red.

Unlike their usual games this one was being played at the training centre on a Saturday morning. Determined to be on top form, even for a friendly, Isla had been super strict with her routine in the build up to this game. It also gave her a distraction from pretty boy, he was becoming too boyfriend like for her liking. This was never meant to be anything other than sex. They'd even agreed on it, well Isla had insisted. She wanted to focus on her football. After the last injury she didn't know how much longer she'd have in her career, she didn't have time to be distracted by dating or having a boyfriend.

While tying her boots her phone pinged from inside the locker...

2 messages

Leah 👯‍♀️
Good luck bestie, go smash your first game back. North London is Red 🔴⚪️ xx
Reply
You know it bestie ❤️ see you tomorrow, missing my fav warmup buddy xx

Emile
Dinner tonight? And if you win I'll book us a suite at The Ritz to celebrate 😉
Read

Now wasn't the time to reply. She thought he'd become less clingy by spending less time with him...obviously not. Time to focus Isla!

Right girls, let's go out there and show them north London is and always will be red.
Cheers erupted from the locker room as they headed out to the training pitch.

After their warm up, the game started straight away. No need to get changed or do any pre match photos since it was a friendly. Most of the euros players had returned to the team so they knew the starting 11 was strong.

2 goals up and one of them for Isla as the half time whistle went. It was where they should be and this showed in Jonas' half time team talk. The second half was more of the same, Arsenal playing high intensity football and Spurs struggling to get out of their own half conceding another 2 goals. Spurs had their only chance in the 88th minute, the ball was cleared but they were given the corner. It was a terrible corner, too many bodies around the ball. Arsenals defence desperate to clear it while Spurs were just as desperate to get the goal. Finding the ball at her feet Isla struck the ball with her left foot at the same time Ashleigh Neville's boot made contact with her her right foot. As the area cleared, Isla was still on the ground holding her leg when the final whistle was blown.

It was the new goalkeeper, Kaylen, who helped Isla to her feet and over to the edge of the pitch where the rest of the team were heading. Not wanting to make a big deal Isla waited till everyone was heading back inside to ask the physio to check her over. She wasn't quite that lucky as Jordan and Katie had noticed making their way back taking an arm each to take the weight off Isla's knee as she hobbled straight to the nearest physio room.

Her leg and knee was moved in every way possible while the physio checked the range of movement in her knee. The team doctor came in and done the same, both satisfied it wasn't a new injury. The bad news she would need another scan and was back on crutches until a full diagnosis could be given.

As she pushed the door of the locker room open she realised how long she'd been in the physio room. Only Kim was left, she made her way over to her locker. Changing into clean clothes while Kim insisted on packing her bag for her. She'd always looked up to Kim, they'd been friends for years. Kim had been her captain at Arsenal and in the Scotland team before she retired from international games and gave up the captaincy at Arsenal. There was no doubt Isla would be the one to take over, she'd always been a leader and a great example to the team.

Kim
Cmon pal, I'll take ye home. There's no way you can drive like that

Isla
Can we wait a bit before we leave? I don't want anyone to see me like this

They sat in the locker room for a while chatting away before leaving when they thought everyone else would be gone.  Kim carried both their bags as they headed to her car. The car park was nearly empty making Emile's G wagon all the more noticeable. Of course he was still there in his stupid flashy car.  Her heart sank as he jumped out his car and made his way over. Telling Kim she'd catch up, she didn't want anyone hearing this conversation as she knew it wouldn't end well

Emile
Aww babe what've ye done? Cmon let's get you home.

Isla
Why're you still here?

Emile
You didn't reply and your cars still here so I thought I'd wait to give you a proper congratulations

Wrapping his arm round her shoulders moving his face closer to kiss her on the cheek as she raised her brow and finally snapped while pushing him away

Isla
Just leave it Emile. Why don't you get it I'm not you girlfriend

Emile
You could be though, I want you to be mine.

Angry, frustrated and in pain she shook her head and hobbled off to Kim's car while Emile was still stood in the same spot wondering what the fuck had just happened.

The drive back with Kim was quiet but not uncomfortable. Kim helped her in with her bags. Isla told her everything she'd been bottling up over the last months...her breakup, the injury, Emile. Kim would never judge her and she'd always keep her promise to keep it between the two of them.

For the first time in months Isla fell asleep almost straight away that night. She felt lighter having shared everything with Kim.