Her Eyes

17. Ankle

Alexa's POV

The next morning I went on a walk by myself to gather my thoughts, the air was fresh and cool at this time of day. I decided to ring Lottie, I needed to hear a friendly voice and explain everything going on to someone not at camp.
...............
"Hey superstar, how's it going?" she chirped happily

"Hey.. ah good well, okay"

"What's up?"

I began to explain everything that happened over the past few weeks including everything with Leah and Alessia's potential crush on me. I took a big sigh when I'd finished.

"Wow hooking up with the captain, I like your style" she teased

"That's all you took from that?" I laughed
.............

We talked through everything for a while and by the time I hung up I felt a lot lighter. Lottie was my go to person, she knows me so well and just hearing her reassurance meant a lot. Lottie reminded me that what will be will be, but I needed to focus on my football.

Later that day

I went into training feeling energised and focused on my game. Leah was still being quite distant but I didn't want to let it distract me. We were playing a 7 aside match and I knew I was playing well, dribbling around players, showing off my footwork and even bagging a few goals.

I jumped up in the box to get on the end of a ball and collided with one of the girls in the air. As I met the ground I felt a shooting pain through my ankle and fell down with a yell.

Shit. I'd rolled my ankle. I lay there for a few seconds assessing how much it hurt and if it was any more serious than a sprain when I felt a hand round my arm. Leah was right there at my side and pulled me up slightly so I was looking at her.

"Are you okay? Is it your ankle?" she asked calmly

When my eyes met hers I could see how concerned she was for me, despite her keeping her voice calm.

"Yeah my ankle.. it hurts" my voice cracked and I started to tear up at the thought of being out of the Euros so I looked down embarrassed.

"Hey Lex, it's okay we'll get you inside and get it checked out" she said kindly whilst the girls started to gather round. I was very slightly cheered up by the nickname she'd just given me, Lex, it was cute.

Leah and Lucy pulled me to my feet and lifted me to the sideline where the medical team took me inside.

After being assessed and strapped up in the physio room I lay there worrying that this would ruin my chances of playing in the rest of the Euros. I'd have a scan the next day to check if it was anything serious.

The room was quiet after all the physios left but then I heard the door swing open. It was Leah, I noticed she was still in her boots and must have come straight off the pitch. Leah came to my side and looked at me earnestly asking

"How're you doing? You scared me for a second"

Gently she took my ankle in her hands assessing it and stroking her thumb over my skin.

"I'm okay, not sure how bad it is yet" I said trying to sound braver than I felt. I then took my opportunity whilst we were alone

"Leah the other day, with Alessia, nothing -"

"You don't need to explain Alexa" Leah cut in

"No I do, Alessia is just my friend we watched a film together when I had my headache nothing happened and nothing has ever happened with her. I'm sorry, I know what it looked like."

"It's ok" she kept her eyes on my ankle

"It's you that I want" I said clearly

Finally Leah looked at me in the eye and smiled and I felt like I could breathe again. Bending over the physio bed, Leah lent down to kiss me in response. This was different to the kisses we'd had before, it was soft and tender as she cradled my face.

The moment was broken when I heard the door swing open again and Leah jumped away from me. I saw Alessia standing in the doorway looking very flustered, I could tell she had seen us kiss as her eyes darted between us. How long had she been stood there had she heard what I'd said?

"Uh sorry" she mumbled as she darted out of the room again blushing.

"Shit" said Leah in a panicked voice

I reached out and grabbed her hand in reassurance

"It's okay Leah I'll talk to her."

Of all the people that could've walked in at that moment?!

Author's Note

heyy this week is dragging for me 🫠 so here have another chapter as a bit of ✨escapism✨