It All Leads Back to You

Chapter 7 - Dani

In A Perfect World

"I kinda feel like a little kid." I told Laura. We were walking out to the pitch together for training. My first training.

"Why's that?" She glanced at me.

I pulled my cleats to my chest. "You know how most of them are crying or just utterly terrified when being dropped off for their first day of school?" She nodded. "That's how I feel. Most of the girls hate me and I understand why. I hate my old self too—well, the self I'm trying to escape from."

"I don't hate you. I think you're rather interesting to be honest."

I chuckled. "So, you've formed an opinion then?"

"Half of one." I listened to our heels dig into the ground as we walked. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure." I shrugged. "Go for it."

"What happened between you and Leah?"

I inhaled a breath. This is one of many roadblocks.

Lie or honesty? Start fresh or stay the same?

"We—It just didn't work out between us. We were young and stupid and...we weren't right for each other."

I still believed she was the one for me.

Laura nodded. "You're still young."

"And you're younger."

"Hey!" She punched my arm. "You could hang with someone else, you know?!"

"Ehhh, I like you." I slung an arm around her. "Besides, like I said, I'm pretty sure most of the other girls hate me."

"Well—"

"Morning girls." Katie waved from a few feet away. I didn't even realize we'd made it to the field. "I'm glad you've made a friend, Dani."

"Yeah, well, I have two friends now and I say that's better than none." I smiled.

"It'll get better."

Our conversation came to an end, so I sat down on the grass and began lacing up my cleats. I loved a good pair of cleats, and I feel like I bought a pair weekly. The ones I had at the moment were white and blue with a gold Nike swoosh. The base of it was white and the blue was a web/mesh design, but the heel was more solid.

More and more girls began to arrive, and just as I suspected...I was avoided like the plague. They all sort of formed their own circle to talk in. Laura laid a hand on my shoulder and said she was going to go talk to a few of them. Katie had gone off with them a few minutes prior.

I was around so many people, yet I was alone.

I sat with me knees bent and my arms on them, my hands holding each other. I looked at the field. It was nice. Really nice. The sun bounced off the morning dew and you could see how bright the green grass was.

I then looked over at the group of Arsenal ladies. They were all laughing and smiling. They were simply having a good time. My attention was drawn away when someone walked past me. I noticed those long legs anywhere. She looked at me quickly but continued her walk.

She'd taken my advice.

We're strangers.

I watched the blonde slip her cleats on and quickly tie them before joining her teammates. She slung an arm around Manu and Rafa. She smiled, seemingly so carefree and happy...reminding me of our good times.