Love and secrets (OC x Leah Williamson)

Chapter 25 - empty happiness

I woke up on the day, the day of the final, I couldn't believe what was happening. I was part of an English team who had made it to a Euros final not only that but it's also a home euros.

I got ready for the day and there was a sense of uneasiness in me but also excitement. This could be the biggest day of my life so far, this could transform women's football in England forever.

As I walked into the canteen everyone seemed to be in a good mood, I saw Sarina and the staff going over tactics and everyone else was just going about their days as if we weren't about to play in the biggest game of some of our lives.

I walked over to get some food, not much just a bit of toast as that was all I felt I could stomach at this moment.

I felt someone come up behind me and wrap their arms around my waist. I jumped at first but soon relaxed when the sweet smell of her perfume filled my lungs, Leah, my Leah.

"You okay?" She asked with her head resting on my shoulder. "Yeah I'm fine how are you?" I said turning around to face her. "I'm a little nervous but nothing I can do about that." She said and I giggled.

She grabbed some food of her own and we went and sat at a table with Lucy and Keira like we usually do.
I sat down and started slowly nibbling at my toast, Lucy noticed and gave me a questioning look "can you not take bigger bites?" She joked and I nervously laughed. "Not really, I don't know if I can stomach anything because of my nerves." I said and Keira lightly laughed. "Look, I know it might feel like a massive thing, but when we get out there think back to that little girl playing for fun in the park. Don't think of it as a euros final." Keira said to me and I smiled. "Thanks kei, I needed that." I said to her giving her a warm smile.

After we finished eating we stayed chatting for a bit, I noticed that Leah was being very touchy. She always had to be touching me, weather that was her hand on my thigh, her arm over my shoulders, her head resting on my shoulder, she was overly clingy.

Once we left I walked with Leah through the halls for a bit, chatting and trying to take our minds off of the fact we were about to be playing in a European final.

"Leah?" I questioned after a moment of silence. "Yeah." She responded lightly. "Why were you so touchy at breakfast? You couldn't keep your hands off me." I said and she went red. "I'm just really fucking nervous." She breathed out, I pulled her into a side hug and smiled at her. "Don't be nervous, look how far this team has come, they couldn't have done it without you. You have led this team through the whole tournament and haven't let them down once, go out there one more time and lead the team to victory like you always do." I said to her animating with my hands causing her to laugh slightly. "What did I do to deserve you?" She said before kissing my cheek.

We walked around for quite a while before we noticed the time and realised we had to go to Sarina's meeting. We rushed there as we were a bit late but no one would mind.

Once we got in, it was still pretty hectic, everyone trying to find seats and trying not to fidget too much.

When everyone was settled Sarina started talking, "right girls, first of all, I want to say how proud I am of you. You have all gone through this tournament just playing for yourselves. There hasn't been a moment when I have been worried about going home because I haven't thought about that, if I'm honest I keep forgetting this is a tournament and not just friendly games. I'm not saying you don't take it seriously, you all take it very seriously. I just want to say a huge congratulations to you all, we have all had things going on and we have just fought through them and kept going. Well done to everyone on this team, it has been a real pleasure to coach you for this tournament and I have loved getting to know you all better not only as players but as people. Thank you for everything and I want you to all go out there today and smash it as you normally do." She concluded her speech and we all clapped.