The Captain's Armband

40. Preparation

I wake up and I feel enlightened. I know exactly what I have to do. I grab my phone and I text Leah.
"Good morning, I hope you've slept well. You've got any plans on Friday afternoon/evening?"
I press send and I smile from ear to ear. I've got the perfect date in mind, a date from a distance.
Within seconds I get a reply from her.
"It's always nice to sleep in your own bed. No plans on Friday, why?"
"You got now. Keep Friday afternoon and evening free please."
"I thought you couldn't travel?"
"I can't and I won't."
"Ok, I will keep Friday free. What is it that you've got planned?"
"Just make sure your air pods are fully charged. Don't ask any questions and just go with it."
"Yes, Ma'am."
I bet she smiled when she sent that text. Step one is complete.
I take a quick shower and rush downstairs to eat my breakfast.
I do need some help with my idea though, I bet Keira is willing to help me with some things. I grab my phone and call her.
"Hi mate!" She says enthusiastically.
"Hi mate, how are you?"
"I just hung up the phone with a curious best friend. You got something planned on Friday?"
"She already called you about it?"
"Oh yes, she did."
"Well, that's actually why I called you, I need some help with a few things."
"Tell me all about it!"
I explain my plan to Keira and tell her how I need her help.
"That won't be a problem, I'll look into that." Keira says.
"Great. Thank you mate and please don't tell Leah anything yet."
"I won't. I think she's going to love this Dani! She might be a bit stubborn in the beginning because she doesn't know what you're up to though."
"Oh, I know but hopefully she will come around."
"I think she will. I'll text you when I know more okay?"
"Yes. Thanks mate, I really appreciate your help."
"Not a problem. Talk to you soon."
I put down my phone and get caught up in my own thoughts. The more I think about my date idea and how Leah is going to react the more enthusiastic I get. I feel totally hyped when Vic shows up.
"You're in a good mood this morning." She says with a smile on her face.
"I've got the perfect idea to show Leah how I feel and talk to her without actually seeing her."
I start rambling and explaining to Vic what my plans are.
"Wow, that sounds romantic. If she doesn't want to see you after this.. I don't know what else you could have done."
I nod slowly. "I let my heart speak and this is the idea I came up with."
"I'm impressed but then again, your heart is one of the purest I've ever seen."
"Thank you, that's so sweet."
"It's true. Any girl would be lucky to have you."
"Well, I don't know about that at this point."
"You are not your mistakes, they are what you did and not who you are, don't forget that."
She comes up to me to give me a hug. "You got this." She whispers in my ear.
I tighten the grip. "Thanks mate."
"I always got your back." She smiles at me.
She is such a good and caring friend, I'm lucky to have her in my life.
"You ready for training?" She asks.
"Yes, let's go." I smile at her as we leave the house.

We enter the training complex. Vic goes to the changing room and I'm heading to physio.
"See you later." Vic says with a smile. I smile back at her and enter the physio room.
Tim, the physio, starts by examining my ankle, turning it left and right, and watching my facial expressions.
"How is your sleep cycle? Getting enough sleep?" He asks.
"Pretty good. I try to get my 8 hours every night."
He nods and writes down my answer.
"Let's tape your ankle and do some exercises."
He starts taping and we have some small talk.
"How is it to play with the England Lionesses?"
"Truly amazing. Such a quality in the squad and they train so hard to be the best version of themselves, really inspiring to be honest."
"I bet it is. Guess this will be your last season here huh?" He grins.
"You never know what the future holds, I won't leave for just any team or league. It has to feel right."
"Ok. All taped up, let's go."
We walk to the gym and try some light exercises, it all feels pretty good.
"I think I can do a bit more Tim."
He gives me a big smile. "Let's go for it."
He is looking carefully at my posture and how my feet are standing. "Looks good, keep going."
I try my best to push further, my ankle does hurt a bit but nothing I can't handle.
"Excellent. You go have lunch with the girls, we will try the treadmill after lunch." Tim says after my last set.
I nod and give him a high five.
I walk to the cafeteria and all the other girls are walking in one by one, and so does Vic.
"You take a seat, I'll get your food." Vic shouts towards me.
"I can.." I try to say something but she cuts me off immediately.
"Sit. Your ankle needs some rest, the sooner you will be joining the squad again."
I smile and do as she says.
We all have lunch and the room is filled with chatter and laughter. These girls mean so much to me, they really feel like family.
Tim comes walking my way. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, I am! Let's do this." I get up and we start walking toward the gym.
"Start with some heel raises."
I do as he says. He is nodding and writing down what is happening.
"Let's try the treadmill, we will do some short sprints at 50% of your pace."
After one hour of trying different things, we take a break.
"I think we did enough for today. You go cheer on the girls on the pitch."
"Thanks Tim, see you tomorrow."

After training Vic drops me off again.
"Thanks for the ride once again mate."
"My pleasure."
"You fancy some tea?"
"No, I'm good. You got some preparing to do."
I look at her and nod. "See you tomorrow."
I enter my home and walk upstairs. I take a seat at my desk, time to do some research.
I need to make one more phone call. I grab my phone and call my aunt Julie.
"Hi Dani, you okay?"
"Hi Julie, yes I am. How are you?"
"Good honey. How are things with Leah?"
I tell her about the times Leah and I had contact and that I have a date planned.
"But.." I continue. "I could use your help with one thing."
"Anything!"
I ask her for the favor and she agrees.
"Send me the email and I'll let you know when it's done."
"Thanks Julie, you are the best."

The next morning my phone starts ringing, it's Keira.
"Morning mate."
"Hi mate." I say with a soft voice, I feel a little nervous.
"I've got the news you've been waiting for. You are good to go."
"YES! Great. Thanks for helping me K."
"Of course mate, I would love for you two to get back together or get together, whatever you want to call it."
"Me too."
"You better." She says laughing.
I start to laugh too.
"I'll send you the details through text, okay?" Keira says.
"Yes mate."
"Tomorrow is the big day, are you nervous?"
"Yeah, a little."
"You will do fine. Speak from the heart is all you can do."
"I know mate but I'm scared she won't listen."
"Just set some rules and don't worry so much! Call me after, okay?"
"I will."
We hang up the phone and I take a deep breath. There is no way back.

A/N: I know the chapter isn't as long as usual but this is just a little teaser, an intro for the next chapter.