WOSO Imagines

Under the Bleachers (Vivianna Miedema)

Playing Arsenal has always been my favorite. As a defender with Tottenham, the North London Derby is one of our biggest fixtures of the season, but that wasn't the only reason the match-up has me buzzing. 

"Eli, calm down. Your energy is making me nauseous," Beth scolds.

"I can't help it. Derbies are my favorite," I say, plopping down beside her in the canteen. My lunch sits untouched, my body too hyper to feel any hunger.

"She's just excited to see her girlfriend," Becky teases, sitting down across from us.

"She is not my girlfriend. She doesn't even know who I am," I retort, failing to hide the disappointment in my voice.

"Of course you have a crush on the woman who is single-handedly going to destroy us in our own house," Amy cuts in, joining our table. "Vivianne Miedema is the best striker in the league, maybe even in Europe."

"I have good taste," I smirk. "And don't be so negative, we have just as much of a chance of winning as they do," I tell my fellow defender.

"Your optimism is a lot to handle," Becky chuckles.

I wink at her.

About an hour later, we're out on the pitch doing some activation and drills before our opponents arrive and my teammates decide to keep teasing me as we take a hydration break.

"So, Eli, are you gonna ask her to swap shirts after the game?" Beth asks, a small grin on her face.

"Do you think I should? I don't know. Why would she want my shirt, I'm a nobody," I reply, not registering that she was taking the mick and letting my insecurities surface. "I mean, I've been here for two seasons and have only now entered the starting eleven. I don't have any national team call-ups and I've never helped win a big game."

Shelina claps her hands, noticing the shift in my mood. "Alright, everyone pair off for 1v1."

The rest of the team re-enters the pitch, Beth shooting me a worried glance as she goes. I'm so wrapped up in my own mind that I don't realize I'm now standing alone with the captain at the water cooler.

"Eli?" she calls softly, her hand on my shoulder. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah! Sorry, just a little anxious about the game, I guess."

The Canadian smiles at me. "You're a great player and one of the most underrated in this league. You're still young and Sarina will notice you eventually. Just focus on today and beating Arsenal. Miedema's gonna give you a real challenge."

I return her smile. "Thanks, Cap. And don't worry, she won't get past me."

She squeezes my shoulder. "Go pair up with Beth."

I playfully salute her and run back onto the pitch, jumping onto Beth's back, shrieking with laughter as she takes off full speed towards the goal.

An hour before the game, my mood is back to annoyingly chipper as we wrap up our pregame prep and head towards the locker room. The team are back to teasing me relentlessly about my crush on the Dutch striker.

"If Miedema scores a goal, I bet Eli will be the first to celebrate with her," Becky jokes.

"I would never celebrate an opposing team's goal, no matter who scores it," I shoot back, glaring at the goalkeeper.

She holds her hands up in surrender.

"Eli's way too shy to do anything publicly. Maybe you should ask her to meet you under the bleachers after the game," Amy suggests cheekily.