invisible string - leah williamson

vi.

"Hello?" I answered the phone eagerly.

"Hi Noelle. It's Sarina Wiegman." she said down the phone.

"Hi Sarina. How are you?"

"I'm good, thank you. Listen, I won't keep you long. I know you were probably anxious for this call but unfortunately you're not going to be playing in the Euros this time around."

My jaw physically dropped and I was overcome with an emotion I'd never experienced before. It was a mix of sadness, anger and still that excitement for everyone else.

"Oh." I replied, voice breaking halfway through.

"I'm so sorry, I'm joking." she rushed out, "Leah told me to do that, I'm sorry noelle."

"Oh my God. I'm gonna kill her. I just almost had a heart attack." I laughed, incredulously.

"I'm so sorry. Just to clarify you are most definitely in the Euro's team, your skills are far too important for us to pass up. You're an amazing player." Sarina complimented.

"Thank you so much, Sarina. Please never scare me like that again though."

"I'll try my best. Now the official announcement goes up in 2 days so try not to tell anyone until then and feel free to make your own announcement after the Lionesses post goes up. Okay?" she confirmed.

"Absolutely. Thank you again." I smiled down the phone.

"My pleasure. Sorry again, all Leah's idea. See you soon for training, ready for the Belgium friendly."

"See you then. Bye." I said as I put the phone down.

I was looking forward to working with Sarina, she was already bringing a new sense of calm and humour to the group. I was absolutely going to kill Leah though.

"YES!" I screamed as soon as I put the phone down.

"Alexa play 'Three Lions.' I called out and began to run and dance all over the apartment.

I was so happy. Even though you're in the preliminary team already it's not actually guaranteed that you're in the squad until you've received the call and the email. The Euros were already getting a lot of media coverage and attention, more than any tournament before and it was on home soil. With that comes a whole lot of pressure but also a whole lot of excitement.

I decided to ring Leah, seeing as she already knew who was in the squad and who wasn't.

"I'm going to kill you and make sure no one ever finds you." I didn't even let her say hello.

"Hello to you too." Leah laughed. "You've spoken to Sarina then?"

"Yes. you're an extremely sick individual, Williamson. Do you know that?" I smiled.

"Have to keep you on your toes somehow, my girl. Can't let you get too comfortable." I could practically hear her smirk down the phone.

"Has everyone been told yet?" I asked her.

"I think pretty much, I mean your last names quite far down on the list so there's only a couple after you.'' Leah explained. "You excited?"

"You're joking right? Of course I am. Bit nervous though." I admitted.

"You've got nothing to be nervous about. You smash every single game you play every time. There's a reason you're our star girl." Leah comforted me.

"How is it you always know what to say?" I giggled. "How are you feeling?"

"Shitting myself, mate. Big weight being the captain." she breathed out.

"I couldn't think of anyone who deserves it more. It's literally made for you, Sarina knows that as well." I told her.