Her Eyes

7. Home

Alexa's POV

"LEXIIIII" my little sister screamed as she launched herself into my arms. She was the only person I allowed to call me that.

I had just stepped foot into my family home in Brighton as we had a day off between camps and I was so happy to see them. I do now live in a flat the other side of town but thought I'd stay here if I only had a day.

"Heyy Mia, how you doing squirt" I said as I held my 11 year old sister. There was over a 10 year age gap between us, let's just say she was a pleasant surprise to my parents. The family dog Bertie was also wagging in circles around my ankles so I turned my attention to him.

"Hello love" my mum said as her and my dad came over to hug me. God it felt so good to be home, a slight weight lifted off my shoulders that I didn't know I'd been carrying.

They asked me so many questions about camp as we head into the kitchen and I sat down at the breakfast bar.

"Your first cap for England as well my girl, we're so proud of you"

"Thanks Dad, it was only for 10 minutes but I was happy to get on the pitch, I think Sarina likes me"

We chatted for hours catching up about football, Mia's dance classes and just normal life stuff. 
My phone pinged, it was a text from my best friend.

Lottie 👯‍♀️ - 'your mum invited me over for dinner, see you in 10 x'

As I sat round the dinner table eating lasagna with all my favourite people, I counted myself lucky for how close I was with my family.

Lottie was quizzing me about all the girls on the team as we head up to my childhood bedroom, she had only ever seen them on TV.

"..and what's Mary like in real life she seems like a badass"

"Haha she's quite sweet actually she always checks in on me and makes tik toks with the girls"

"Aw, okay and let's get juicy who's the best looking?"

I rolled my eyes at her "Leah" I said quickly trying not to blush as I thought of the moment in the ice bath last night.

"Oooh there's more to tell there Miss Oakes, spill"

I wasn't really sure if there was much to tell as we hadn't kissed or anything but I filled her in on all the little moments that had happened over the past 2 weeks.

"..I don't know, it's confusing. Even if something did happen I can't exactly have a relationship with my teammate and captain."

"I think just be open minded Alexa, you can always call me to talk about it you know"

"I might just take you up on that offer" I smiled at her, she always knew the right things to say to me.

We spent the night watching films and chatting like we were 14 again and by the next morning
I felt refreshed and ready to go again, with a clean bag of washing thanks to my mum. This had been just what I needed ahead of the biggest few weeks of my life where we wouldn't really be able to see family and friends.

Mia handed me a bracelet she had made as I was about to leave it was 'for luck'.

"Thanks Angel, I'll make sure I wear it for every game" I said giving her a squeeze and trying not to tear up.

After lots of hugging and a few tears from Mum I was in my taxi on the way to base camp for the European Championships. Which felt mental to even think about.

The traffic through London was bad as always but the taxi finally pulled into the Lensbury Resort. This hotel was going to be base camp for us for the euros and it looked huge!

I collected my key card and finally found the door with my number on it when the door next to it clicked open and Leah stepped out.

"Ah hey you" she said completely nonchalantly as if she wasn't feeling the same awkwardness that I was.

Leah's room next to mine. This would be fun.

Authors note

I'm excited for them to all be on the camp for the euros now

Also IRL hoping Lucy bronze has a quick recovery from her knee surgery 🤞🏼