"God I'm so selfish, but I don't want you to go," Luna laughed, wiping her tears, the chaotic sounds of the airport echoing between the family to hide her breathless sobs.
"And I hate the thought of leaving you behind, I wish you'd consider coming to London," Enzo took his younger sisters wrists in his hands, almost pleading. While he was a World Cup winner, a world renowned talented icon, and the newest player of world champion club Chelsea, inside he was still a young man, his family at heart, his anxiety of being so separate from them tearing him sideways.
"I can't, En, I can't leave dad on his own," Luna almost whispered, stepping closer to her brother as she turned her head slightly over her shoulder at the man, swaying from side to side with eyes as red as a ruby gemstone.
Family life was one of the biggest flaws in Enzo and Luna's existence. Their father, a raging alcoholic who cared about nothing less than what bottles he had left next to his bed, the only place he was 'happy'. And their mother, who fell victim to his harsh ways many many years ago, and abandoned the family to flee a new country with a new man. This of course, only pushed their father into a worse state - relying on drug use, stronger liquor, sleeping tablets just to get through the day. Enzo and Luna were amazed they'd got him to go to the airport to say goodbye, although his blunt glance of nothingness showed he had no idea what was truly happening.
Enzo nodded, understanding the care their father truly needed day to day. Luna sighed - she so desperately wanted a new start; her dad had no love for her, or hope for her to do well. She needed a fresh beginning. But her good heart wouldn't let her.
A call was announced over the tannoy for Enzo's flight, a new tear falling from Luna's brown eyes as he pulled her into a tight hug.
"I'll see you soon, ok? I'm so proud of you," She sniffed over his shoulder.
"I love you, Lu. See you soon," Enzo kissed her forehead, before disappearing off up the stairs to the turnstiles.
*********************
The chelsea boys gathered in the canteen of Cobham, having finished a morning of physio and working out in the gym. It was their day off training, and the day they were meeting their newest signing. Although it wasn't a surprise to any of them, having become particularly close friends with members of the team and speaking regularly over Instagram. Enzo knew he would fit right in.
"You're a wrongen, mate," Mason shook his head with a giggle, watching Ben spread ketchup over his bread and butter. Ruben playfully gagged, the boy taking a bite into his lunch.
"Don't knock it till you try it, geez," Ben shrugged, scoffing it down.
"As someone who has never had a Chinese, I will never take your advice on food," Mason joked, Azpi and Trevoh laughing from the opposite side of the table. Ben playfully raised his middle finger at the midfielder.
"I'm telling Graham," Mason gasped.
"He'll just tell you to fuck off again mate," Trevoh laughed, reciting Potter telling Mason to fuck off for being his usual chaotic self during a recent training session, when Mason jumped up behind his managing coach following a drill whilst he spoke to Marc and N'Golo, panicking him in surprise and earning foul language from him.
"He bloody won't, look," Mason argued, catching his managers eye.
"Graham, Ben just swore at me!" Mason pointed to Chilly, making everyone laugh in his usual child like manner.
"You probably deserved it, Mason," Graham responded playfully, walking away from the table.
"HA!" Chilwell laughed. Mason stuck his middle finger in response, causing Ben to playfully gasp.
"GRAHAM!!"
******************
After a standardly eventful lunch time, the boys were all called to gather in the main hall. It was their that they were introduced to Enzo. Immediately, he headed over to introduce himself to the players he hadn't yet spoken to - although there were few of them. He moved his way around the room, before reaching Reece, Ben, Mason, Trevoh and Ruben who already had a groupchat with him.
"Yes mate!" Ben pulled him in with a handshake, patting his back at the same time.
"I love this club already, everyone has made me so welcome," Enzo smiled.
"They're not always this nice, make the most of it," Mason teased, also pulling the player in for a hug. They all laughed.
"Are you coming to this party on Friday?" Trevoh asked him.
"What party?" Enzo asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"At mine, bro, we always have one at the start of the season, it's a great laugh," Ruben told him.
"Absolutely, if that's ok?" Enzo smiled, looking to Ruben for a response.
"Of course it is mate, I'll send you my address and everything later in the week," Ruben told him, Enzo nodding.
Less than an hour into chelsea life, and Enzo knew he'd let himself in for a wildly wonderful ride. Little did the boys know, his presence would have opened up a whole new world for one of them, too.
