Friends for life?

8. My Champion

Despite everything that had happened the last few days, Isla woke up feeling refreshed. Knowing she'd have a busy few days she arranged for Charlie to be with the dog sitter until the following day anyway.

As soon as she got up she grabbed her phone and typed out a text to Leah

Isla to Leah 👯‍♀️
Morning Captain 🤪 how you feeling about the game? xx

Leah replied
🙄 don't you start calling me that now. Not gonna lie...shitting it 🤪 the pressure is on xx

Isla
Sends pic of her knee brace and bruised ankle
Time to put your captain skills to the test missy, the armbands yours. I want it back though 🤪

Leah
FFS 🤦🏼‍♀️ are you ok? What happened? How long you out now? xx

Isla
I'm fine. Scans booked in for tomorrow so who knows xx

Since it was a 3pm kick off, Isla was meeting Leah's family before hand for lunch.   Leah must've already called her mum because Amanda had already been in touch to say she'd pick Isla up on the way.

Leah's family had always treated Isla as one of their own. Amanda had been so glad Isla had helped her daughter adjust when she first moved into the senior team and moved away from home so young. Secretly Amanda hoped they'd get together romantically always hoping Isla would be the one to make her daughter happy. Her hopes were shattered when she found out Isla was straight and met her boyfriend (her now ex). She would always be part of the family even if not as her daughter in law.

Lunch was fun, it always was when Leah's family was involved. Isla was an only child with a small family back in Scotland, quite the contrast to Leah's bustling family. Aunts, uncles, cousins they all came out to support their girl at any opportunity. Isla felt as much a part of that family as any of them.

Making their way up to Wembley, Amanda decided they had to take photos. Group photos, individual photos she must have taken hundreds. She was the proudest mum there, bubbling away when she read the note Leah had left with her ticket.

It was a strange place to be for Isla, supporting Scotland's biggest rivals in a Euros final. If it weren't for Leah and the Arsenal girls she'd be supporting Germany. But these girls were more than team mates, she'd support them to the moon and back. One girl in particular.

It felt like the longest game ever, Isla always felt watching football was much more stressful than playing. As the game went into extra time the atmosphere in the stadium was thick. Both teams giving it their all. This was it, now or never. After Chloe Kelly's goal put them 2-1 up, the remaining minutes dragged in. Finally the red blew her whistle and the crowd erupted. Surrounded by friends & family of the England team Isla couldn't have felt more proud. They might not be her team but they deserved the win. Watching her best friend lift that trophy was one of her proudest moments to date.

Once all the ceremonies had taken place the players were given some time to spend with their guests. Leah made her way round the dozens of family members to her best friend, wrapping her arms round her neck.

Isla
Proud of you mate. Knew you'd do it

Leah tugging at Islas top
Never through I'd see the day where you had 3 lions on your chest

Laughing she turned round showing Leah it was her match shirt she'd thrown to Isla after the Norway game. This had caused uproar between the fans as they tried to work out who Leah had thrown her shirt to. Was it her ex Sophie, was it one of the other Arsenal girls?

Isla raising her eyebrow and pointing at her shirt
Can't say I don't love you, wearing this

Leah
You coming to the party?

Isla
You kidding? Wouldn't miss it. Pretty sure these crutches give me super dancing powers

Celebrating your rivals win was never going to be easy for Isla but friendship came above that and there was a group of the Arsenal girls there too. By midnight Isla was ready for bed, making her way around the room congratulating the girls she hadn't spoke to already. She was chatting to Kiera Walsh & Georgia Stanway when she felt an arm wrapping around her shoulder. There was no doubt in Isla's mind who's arms it was. A very tipsy and emotional Leah Williamson.

Leah
My 3 favourite girlies.
Mam! Mam! Get a photo of my girls

Maybe tipsy was an understatement, she was way past that point. Doing as her daughter asked Amanda took photos as the four girls posed for multiple photos. For the last photo, Leah decided it should be England vs Scotland, Leah and Isla on their own. Arms wrapped around each other, photos they'd have forever.

Leah was devastated that Isla was ready to go home but she knew how tiring walking in crutches was. Wanting to spend as much time as possible with her best friend she persuaded Isla to stay. They partied for another hour before Leah made her excuses and they both headed to her room. Leah reasoned it made more sense for Isla to stay over with her than head home to St Albans then back into London the next morning for her scan.

Both absolutely shattered neither of them showered before bed, Isla borrowed a top and shorts while Leah wore the same. Climbing into bed they found themselves snuggled into each other just like they had plenty of times before. Truth was both girls had struggled to sleep alone after their breakups and found themselves sleeping like this a lot since Leah moved in with Isla. Leah's head on Isla's chest, she always said this was the best pillow, her arm around Islas waist.  Isla's arm wrapped around Leah holding her close

Isla
Night champion

Leah
Night love

Leah moving slightly placing a gentle kiss on the older girls cheek before relaxing back where she was before. Both girls fell asleep within minutes. Order was restored, the duo were together again