right where you left me

Chapter 20 - Just Ellie

Shit. Shit. Shit.

"Tippah!" the person said, knocking on the door. "I know you're in there." I looked through the peephole once more, seeing the short, brown haired ex-teammate of mine, who I hadn't seen since I left Lyon six months prior. Her Dutch accent reminded me of being in France, and worrying about Ellie, and us, and everything.

"I'm not home," I said, not really sure why I did. I was stupid sometimes.

"Come on," Daan then said, and I unlocked the door, seeing her small build in the door frame.

"Hey," I said, leaning against the door.

"Hello Tippah," Daan said, smiling softly at me. I saw her peer into my apartment, seeing the empty beer bottles lying on the couch.

"I was going to clean the place tomorrow," I said, as I saw her looking. I felt embarrassed; my cheeks were going red and my hands were starting to sweat.

"It's alright," she said, her quintessential Dutch accent overriding my senses.

"How'd you know where I live?" I asked, just realising I never gave my address to Daan, Ellie or anyone else at Lyon.

"I asked Caitlin," Daan replied.

"Right," I replied. "So, whatcha doing here?" I let her inside the apartment, and led her over to the barstools that hugged my counter.

"We play our quarter final match soon, and..."

"And what?" I asked, grabbing a cup to make us two teas.

"And I wanted to come see you. I won't be in England much longer, so it would be now or never." I sighed softly, not sure whether I liked her being here or not.

"Well, that's nice," I said, handing her a cup.

"Thanks."

"How's-"

"Ellie?" Daan said, interrupting me.

"Yeah."

"She's good. She wanted to come but thought better of it." I cringed as Daan said this, knowing in my heart that was just odd. In the past, it was me and her. Tippah and Ellie. We would never pass up an opportunity to see the other, but now- now we try to avoid each other. It's done a 180.

"How's her recovery?"

"Done surgery and is going well."

"She in England?" I asked.

"Yeah, she'll be at my games and all that." I nodded my head, taking a sip of my tea.

"Daan, I'm still confused why you are here. Like, no offence, but I don't think we're each other's favourite person at the moment." Daan chuckled as I said this, shaking her head.

"Tippah, we're adults. Everything is fine."

"Okay then but-"

"All I wanted to do is check up on you. After how stuff ended in Lyon, and you know... I just wanted to see you." I smiled softly, and soon, the conversation digressed. Daan told me all about their Champions League win, and Ellie's recovery. She mentioned Lindsey's arrival at the club, which occurred right after I left, and I told her all about Arsenal, catching her up on the girls and our wins and losses.

It felt nice talking to Daan, as if nothing had ever really changed. As if, if I closed my eyes hard enough, it was possible I was still in Lyon and nothing changed.

But it had, and once Daan left, I was alone once more, in my apartment, with the beer bottles still laying on the ground, and my spirits half drunk. I grabbed another.