20. International Break

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Isla's POV

The next day the whole team attended the men's game at the Emirates. Thankfully they won 2-1 but they're were a few moments it could've gone either way. It was so nice for the girls to be recognised for their achievements over the summer. I don't think any of us were expecting to be asked for autographs so that was a nice surprise. For the last year we've been given a box for all the men's game meaning we just need to let them know in advance if we'll be there. I'm glad because my old seat was with Josh, we get on but I don't want to see him more than I have to.

The next week was the international break, most of the team would be away. Although I wouldn't be playing I was still travelling back to Scotland after a few days in the Lake District with some non football friends.

My break in the lakes was what I needed. The summer had been stressful at one point I even considered retiring, thankfully I didn't make any rushed decisions about that. Although I had the best time, mainly spent in the hot tub and pub I felt like something, or someone, was missing. Leah. I told myself I was being silly. It's not normal to spend every single minute with your best friend. I miss her so much though.

Great few days with my girls

Comments@emilesmithrowe training going well@lisaevans_17 missing you 🥰@leahwilliamsonn recovery is important 🤷🏼‍♀️@awfcfan 🔥@islafanpage speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹 @alexscott spa day soon 😘

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Comments
@emilesmithrowe training going well
@lisaevans_17 missing you 🥰
@leahwilliamsonn recovery is important 🤷🏼‍♀️
@awfcfan 🔥
@islafanpage speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹
@alexscott spa day soon 😘

I surprised the Scotland girls with a trip to their training before they flew to the Netherlands for a friendly. That gave me the boost I needed to make sure I was back on the pitch for the next camp. The rest of the week I spent with family and doing rehab with my a coach I'd worked with before.

Tagged by @elitesportscoachingglasgow

Great to have @islathomson07 with us this week, see you back on the pitch soon

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Great to have @islathomson07 with us this week, see you back on the pitch soon

Comments
@IT07lover 🥵 I'm dead
@scotslass marry me 🔥
Replies
@awfcfan pretty sure she has bf mate
@leahlover Nobody else noticed Leah's always with her
@laurab Defo straight, I went to school with her

We'd lost 2-1 to the Netherlands despite a goal from Claire Emslie in the 16th minute. 4 days later the girls were on form in the Faroe Islands with a 6-0 win. I'd watched the game on TV with Kim, she recorded me jumping up and down in my Scotland shirt and posted it to our Arsenal group chat.

I went to bed happy that night, my girls had won and I would be reunited with my bestie tomorrow. I decided I'd treat us to a nice dinner as a celebration for our teams winning. As I finished the restaurant booking a message popped up on my phone

Emile
So you've got a bf? What happened to focusing on football?

Isla
Do I? First I've heard

Emile
It's all over Instagram

Isla
🤣 you believe everything you see online?

Emile
So you're single?

Isla
Yep

Emile
😉

I'd be lying if I said Emile didn't amuse me, he's cheeky and I can't deny it he's fit. Maybe if I was a few years younger things would be different. I left him on read and went to sleep with a smile on my face.

Leah's POV

I decided not to embarrass myself by speaking to Isla about the previous night. I couldn't get that she kissed me out of my head no matter how hard I tried though. Hopefully being at England camp will distract me. I'm really looking forward to seeing Keira and Georgia, I've missed them a lot.

I was sharing a car to St George's Park with Beth, Lotte, Jordan and Sophie. Beth and Jordan are the usual level of hyper so I put my AirPods in trying to drown them out. Sophie was in the middle of Lotte and I, so I'd wedged myself into the corner so I didn't need to look at her. I just don't want the drama after the incident on the flight to Germany. Im lost in my thoughts, as I stare out the window to the cars whizzing past on the motorway. How did I end up in the back of a car next to my ex thinking about the girl I'd do anything for who doesn't even like girls.

The first few days we're busy in the run up to our trip to Austria which we won 2-0. That kept me busy enough that I only got lost in my thoughts at night. I'd been playing Sudoku a lot in bed to distract myself. Isla was having a break at a cabin in the Lake District, I know she'd much rather be playing football and I'd much rather be in that hot tub that she posted on Instagram. I've been thinking a lot about her and I'm really missing her.

After the Luxembourg game which we won 10-0, the first thing I done was find the results of the Scotland game. I'm glad they won I know how annoyed Isla gets when they don't win. I feel bad for her because she deserves better she's an incredible player, one of the best but it's like she's held back because of Scotland's poor form. I've no doubt she'd have won the Ballon d'or Feminin if she'd played for another country and been seen more, she's been nominated every year.

We'd stayed up after the Luxembourg game everyone still too awake to go to sleep yet. I escaped from the room we were in to call Isla, by this point it was nearly 10 days we'd been apart.

We spoke for half an hour about anything and everything. It felt so good just to hear her voice knowing I'd be home soon. I could hear someone walking behind me as I was going back to my room after our chat. I didn't expect it to be Sophie.

"Leah, can we talk?" She said spending up to catch up with me. I really didn't want to but I need to have my captain head on here.

"Yeah sure. What's up?"

"It's just things are really awkward between us and it's making me uncomfortable" she said looking down at her feet

"Why do you think that is Sophie?" I didn't mean it to sound so aggressive "you're the one making things awkward with your tantrum on the plane"

"Yeah I didn't handle that well. Sorry." Still looking at her feet and fidgeting

"So is that what you wanted to talk about?"

"Yeah and no. Leah I miss you. After the summer it made me realise what I'd lost. It's not an excuse when you turned me down after we won I thought it was just because you wanted to celebrate with the team. Then I saw you leaving the party with Isla, I was heartbroken"

"Sophie please don't do this"

"I messed up I know I did but I love you." Shit she's walking closer to me "Let me show you" she reached out towards my hand

"No Sophie, what happened in the summer shouldn't have. We don't work together, we're better as friends." I said pulling my hand away

"Night Sophie" I said opening my door

"Can I come in at least?"

"No, that's not a good idea. I'll see you later" I said closing the door to her.

That night I lay awake for hours. Sophie really got in my head but I don't want her. I want Isla even being her best friend is better than nothing and if that's what I need to settle for I will.

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