LEAH'S POV
We have just lost the Conti Cup final to Chelsea, going down 1-2 at home. We have given it our all for everyone that has come to stadium to watch us fight for the cup, but unfortunately it hasn't been enough.
Everyone is either sad or really angry, but they are holding it together pretty well, at least for now, since we're still on the pitch, in front of everyone. Once we are away from the fans' eyes, I know things will get messy and our true moods will come out inevitably.
«Girls, come here» I say softly, urging them to come in a huddle. «You did really well today, okay? This was one of the hardest games we've ever faced and every single one of you has handled it beautifully. I know it's hard but we need to think about Sunday, okay?»
Someone nods, someone whispers a light "yes", but the sadness is palpable.
«Alright, now let's go home and for now let's not think about this match, we'll talk about it tomorrow.»
As I'm walking out of the pitch, Magdalena Eriksson approaches me and pulls me into a hug. We're not the closest friends, but we've hung out on several occasions because of our common friends; I like her spirit, so it's always hard to play against her, whether we win or lose.
«You did really well tonight. Call me if you need anything» she whispers in my ear, before going back to her teammates.
Coming in the locker room last, I notice that the mood has officially changed, and that the girls can barely look up as they take their cleats off, in total silence.
Katie is furious, having lost not only the cup but also the London Derby, and having gotten a yellow card for a light foul, as usual. Caitlin is almost in the same mood, as she scored the equalizer just before half-time but got subbed off in the second half even though she was giving an amazing performance. Lia is looking after her, but they aren't talking to each other; they are just throwing each other some meaningless glances before going back to minding their own businesses.
«Hey Frida, are you okay?» I ask her, sitting beside her.
«I should have passed the ball» she sighs, on the verge of crying. «Lina was wide open, and I didn't pass it to her.»
«It's not your fault, okay? This is nobody's fault, this was just about the other team playing a better game.»
She nods, but is still not convinced.
«Let me hear you say it.»
«...It's not my fault.»
I pat her on the back and go see what the other girls are up to.
The Swedes are just talking, but they don't seem overly upset – they are holding it together pretty well; the other defenders – Lotte, Steph and Laura – are just discussing ways to improve the game, something I'm really proud of; the three youngsters – Victoria, Katherine and Gio – have gotten very few minutes, so I guess they are talking about something else. They don't seem to need my reassurance anyways, or at least it looks like it.
«Hey Katie» I look at my friend, who's angrily throwing her clothes in her bag.
«Hi» she replies coldly.
«It's not your fault.»
«Don't give me that bullshit, it's the same every time. I could have played better, and that's just a fact» she hisses, grabbing her things. «I'll see you tomorrow.»
She quickly waves at the others in the locker room and steps outside, where Ruesha is waiting for her.
«Tomorrow she'll be fine, you know it» Lia encourages me, putting her hand on my back. «You know she's a sore loser when it comes to Chelsea.»
«Yeah, Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City, Man United and West Ham...» I sigh, rolling my eyes. «I know she didn't mean to be rude. How come you're so relaxed?»
«I'm holding it together, but today there are a lot of things to fix, not only regarding football» she reveals, looking at Caitlin.
They have been barely talking to each other all day, which is highly unusual, and even on the pitch they were pretty stiff and less communicative.
«Are you two okay?»
«Yeah... we just have to sort some things out» she shrugs her shoulders.
«Hope you'll be fine. Thanks for this.»
«Sometimes even the strongest captains need someone to hold them» she smiles, giving me a hug.
Realizing that Caitlin is ready to go, she takes her bag and goes with her, both with a serious look on their faces.
«Does anyone need a ride?» I ask the others, grabbing my own bag and holding it on my shoulder.
They all shake their heads, so I say goodnight to them, remind them that it's okay to lose sometimes, and get out as well, letting the fresh air get to my lungs.
«Hey baby» Jordan smiles at me, pulling me into a hug. «Tough game but you all did well... are you okay?»
«It's hard being a captain... I just wish Kim wasn't injured. She knows how to deal with these things.»
«You're a good captain baby, I promise you. They are all different people, they have different reactions; sometimes they might need some space, okay? Tomorrow you'll regroup, work through your problems and move on.»
I nod silently, so she gets my bag and walks me to the car, talking during the entire car drive to get my mind off of the game.
I'm having a hard time falling asleep, while Jordan is already gone. I just get up and go to the kitchen, where I have left my phone, and scroll through the notifications.
KATIE: I'm sorry about the way I acted, Leah... I was way too mean to you. Coffee tomorrow?
LEAH: No worries, I get it. Pick you up at 9.
I hear some footsteps behind me, but it's actually just Blue coming to see why I'm still awake. I cuddle with him a little, until a real human comes out of the hallway and approaches me.
«Hello» I smile. «You should be in bed right now.»
«You should too. You okay?»
«Yeah, but I couldn't sleep.»
Knowing that my mood won't change, she sits next to me and puts her head on my shoulder.
«I'll go back to bed in a few minutes, but first you have to know that Kim was in the stands and she kept telling me how much she's proud of you for being a fit captain for the girls» she kisses my forehead. «And all the fans I talked to were ecstatic to be there watching you.»
«Why are you telling me this?» I ask her, with teary eyes.
«Because you say the same things to the girls in every huddle, in the locker room, in the bus... no one has ever said it to you.»
09/02/2023
Luckily this is nothing like what happened irl BECAUSE WE WON THE CONTI CUP
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LOVE ON THE PITCH || Woso oneshots
Hayran KurguWoso oneshots :) DISCLAIMR: English is not my first language, so I apologize for any mistake I made in this book. I don't speak many languages used in this book, so I apologize if the translations are wrong. Also, be aware that there might be unusua...
