Her Eyes

18. Support

Alexa's POV

Crutches are not fun. I'd been hopping around all day not putting any weight on my ankle. The good news though, the scan showed that it wasn't anything serious, just a sprain. I needed to rest it up for a day or so and then I'd be able to put weight on it and get back to playing football as long as I was careful.

It was now match day against Northern Ireland so we were travelling down to Southampton for the game. The team were feeling good on the back of an 8-0 win in the last match. We were already through to the quarter finals but still felt like we had a point to prove and always wanted to win. I obviously wouldn't be playing but my focus was on rest and recovery so that I could be back for the quarter finals.

The girls had been looking after me a lot which was sweet. Leah in particular had been making sure I had everything I needed. As I watched her lift my bag onto the bus I thought; as much as this ankle injury sucked I was happy that we were good and back to how we had been before.

Alessia had been actively avoiding me so I hadn't had a chance to speak to her yet. I was really hoping she hadn't told anyone about seeing me kiss Leah, but knowing her she wouldn't have.

Getting onto the coach was a bit of a work out in itself but I made it on and slumped down into the nearest available seat. I checked my phone and saw that there was a couple of hashtags about me on Twitter 🐦
#Alexasankle
#prayforAlexa

I smiled to myself as I read the fans tweets about my recovery before putting my phone away. It was nice to have their support but we were trying to block out as much of the outside world as we could during camp.

Leah got on and clocked where I was, pulling my legs up over her lap to rest my ankle as she slid into the seat next to me. It was quite a coupley position to be sat in and I was hesitant that Leah wouldn't want the others seeing us like this but I think her wanting to look after me overruled that right now.

Leah rested her hand reassuringly on my leg but chatted with the other girls as normal, having banter about her being the DJ and what tunes she was going to put on.

"Aw you two are close aren't ya" said Jill, drawing attention to us as they walked past

"Yeah she doesn't talk as much as you Jill" joked Leah

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Less staring at her lap. I didn't like seeing my friend down like this so I resolved that I needed to talk to her, and soon.

Leah put on a playlist with a mix of tunes and I could hear Mille, Rach and Beth singing loudly at back of the coach. I think Leah could tell I was feeling a bit down that I wouldn't be able to play today or join in with anything really. Leah took my ankle in her hands and gingerly pulled down by sock to examine the bruising.

"How're you doing?" she asked gently

"I'm okay just hoping I can get back out there soon. How about you cap?" I smirked

"Hah you are not allowed to start calling me that rookie" she said with a jokey tone

"I'm good though, not as much pressure on today's match so I'm just going to try and enjoy it, I'm confident that the girls have got it in the bag." she said thoughtfully.

I sat and considered how much pressure must be on the shoulders of the girl sat beside me, the whole nation was hoping and expecting for her to lead us to the final. I just squeezed her arm and smiled at her.

To make the journey go quicker Leah pulled out a sudoku book and after laughing at her dorkiness we both sat quietly and figured them out together.

Later that day

The match had flown by, I was their biggest supporter on the bench shouting loudly at the girls. I noticed the camera pan to me a couple of times so tried to tone it down a bit. We won the game with a scoreline of 5-0 much to my delight. Quarters here we come!

Alessia had scored twice and I hugged and congratulated her as she filed off the pitch which was slightly awkward.

Georgia walked with me as I hobbled off the pitch on my crutches.

"We'd better get you back on the pitch soon mate" she said

"Yess it is nowhere near as fun watching on from the side, and I can't wait to get rid of these" I replied motioning at my crutches

"At least you've got your own nurse" she teased

"What do you mean?" I questioned, even though I knew exactly who she was on about

"I saw how Leah was right at your side when you were injured and she has hardly left your side since. There's deffo something going on there.." Georgia probed

I was just about to reply when I was swept off my feet and thrown over someone's shoulder "Come on you" shouted Jill. For once I was thankful to be saved by the interruption of Jill and the girls laughed as I was carried away from
Georgia.

Authors note

Heyy I moved into a new house with my gf recently so I've spent the last few days stripping wallpaper and painting things hence the slow updates ✌🏻