WOSO Imagines

Ol' Green Eyes (Jordan Nobbs)

"Nora are you sure you're all good to start today?" my coach asks once more as we board the bus to take us to Wembley Stadium.

"No better time to try a full ninety than a friendly," I reply, smiling at him.

Truth is, I had been ready since the last international break, but they only let me play the second half, not wanting to push me too hard post-surgery. I had sustained a pretty nasty ankle fracture during a pre-Euro friendly against Belgium. It had taken two surgeries and months of rehab to get me back on my feet for our first friendly back in September against Northern Ireland. I had been cleared by the club and played 80 mins against Chelsea two weeks ago.

"Okay, but if anything feels funny, you sub off. I don't want to risk one of my best forwards getting injured again before the world cup qualifiers."

"Pinky swear," I grin.

I climb onto the bus, taking my usual seat beside Katie. As Captain and Vice-Captain, we like to use the bus ride to go over any last-minute logistical issues.

"You alright, Nora? You're quieter than normal."

"I literally just sat down, McCabe."

"I know. I usually hear you coming from down the block," she teases, nudging me with her elbow.

"Ha ha. You're so funny."

"Seriously, though. Is it your ankle, because we can put Marissa in first."

I shake my head. "The ankle's fine." I lower my voice. "Jordan and I got in a tiff this morning. She doesn't think I'm ready to be back. It doesn't matter how many doctors clear me or how many rehab appointments she takes me to. She was pissed when I played the majority of that Chelsea game."

"She's just worried about you," Katie defends her Arsenal teammate.

"I know, and at first it was sweet and a good distraction for her, but now it feels like she's constantly breathing down my neck. It's too much."

"Her hearts in the right place, you just need to..." her words trail off as she looks at someone walking past us.

I sigh as I glance over my shoulder to see Ruesha take a seat a few rows behind us. "I wish you two would just make up already. I kinda miss her raving about you in the locker room before matches."

"I don't know, Nora. It feels like it's over."

I snap my fingers in front of her face, getting her to avert her eyes from the blonde and focus on me. "Katie 'Yellowcard' McCabe! That is loser speak. We don't give up until every last effort is exhausted. We're Irish, for God's sake. If we can survive a famine, we can survive fights with our girlfriends."

She laughs. "And this is why you give the peptalks."

"You're encouraging when you need to be."

"Seriously though, are you going to be okay playing against her today?"

As excited as I am to be back, the prospect of playing my first full game since June against England, against Jordan, is making my heart beat a fraction faster than it should. "Yeah. It's no different than any WSL game we've played against each other, and it isn't the first nor the last national team game we'll play. It'll be fine. We're professionals."

Katie doesn't look convinced.

"Would it make you feel better if I sort it out with her before the game?" She nods, and I roll my eyes, pulling out my phone. "Hey, babe. Can we talk before the match? I hate how we left things this morning," I narrate my text as I type it. "Happy?"