Straight from the academy

26.

We get back to the hotel and I drop Gio off at her hotel room before walking to mine.

Since the door is locked I knock on the door and wait for Leah or Beth to open it. Beth opens it and I run into the room and jump onto the bed.
"So it went well then?" Beth says laughing and then walking over and sitting down on the bed next to me.
"She said yes! I asked her to be my girlfriend and she said yes!"
"Aw I'm happy for you kid." Beth says ruffling the top of my hair. I roll my eyes at her. "But hurry up and get changed, we don't have long till training."
"Okay." I say getting up and walking over to my suitcase and getting out my training kit. "Where's Leah?" I ask, noticing the bed is empty and unmade, not that Leah makes her bed anyway.
"She went downstairs to with some of the other girls to get a coffee, well, a hot chocolate." I nod my head and then get dressed into my arsenal kit.

Although I don't even have a chance to get my top on as I'm swarmed by Leah running in a few minutes later so I'm standing in the middle of the room in my shorts and sports bra.
"How'd it go?!"
"She's now my girlfriend" I say proudly.
"I'm happy for you, and I'm proud of you kiddo." She says smiling, looking down at me. I hug her tightly, leaning into her side and she wraps her arm around me.

I finish getting ready for training and grab my boots and then the three of us walk down to our makeshift training pitch together.

During training I notice Gio sitting down on the grass with her knees pulled up to her chest holding her leg.
"You okay?" I ask walking over and crouching down in front of her.
"Yeah, my hamstring just feels a bit tight." She says rubbing the back of her leg.
"Maybe take a minute, don't push it."
"It's fine, I'll be fine." She tries to get up but she is clearly struggling.
"Wait, wait, wait" I say gently pushing her back down. "Let me help." I hold out my hands for her to take, which reluctantly she does, and I pull her to her feet.
"It's okay to just sit out for a second. Just tell Jonas you need a little break."
"No, I'm fine. I haven't been getting many minutes this season anyway, if I tell him I'm injured then I'll get even less. Just let me get back to training, we're causing a scene."
"Are you sure? If you carry on it could get worse, then you definitely won't play."
"Yes I'm sure. I'm fine. Now please let me get back to training."
"Okay, if that's what you want." I say looking down. I watch as Gio walks off, trying to disguise her limp, and continues to train. I do the same and try to get my head back in it.

We wrap up training and then all head back to our hotel rooms to quickly pack and get changed, we have to be fast because we only have about 30 minutes till we have to get on a coach to go to the stadium. When we get to our room Beth unlocks the door and then we all have a quick shower and get changed into comfier arsenal gear. I put on an arsenal tracksuit and dry my hair before putting it  into a bun. Then I top up my mascara and start the nightmare job of packing. I walk out of the bathroom and flop down on the bed.
"Hey I just made them!" Leah says ushering me off. I groan at her and opt to sit on the floor instead. It's not quite as comfortable but there isn't really another option.
"Are you going to help or just sit there?" Beth says laughing, folding her clothes and putting them in her suitcase.
"I wasn't planning on helping, but since you two clearly aren't very good at it I may just have to." I say shrugging my shoulders. Leah and Beth both roll their eyes at me.
"Can you get all the stuff from the bathroom please? And then pack it away."
"My life is so hard!" I say dramatically.
"Shut up and do it" Leah says laughing. I do as she says and finally help with the packing.

We finish packing and tiding the room so we all make our way downstairs and get on the coach. After a while the rest of the team start to arrive, finding their seats and sitting down. Then we drive off and start the 40 minute drive to the stadium.