you're on your own, kid

Chapter 22 - The Arsenal

Days started to tick over and with each hour, came more heartbreak. The country I loved was falling apart, and there was no way to know what was going on. I had no idea if my mother, grandparents, and family were okay.

"Have you been able to speak to anyone?" I asked my father, over the phone, as Lena drove us to training. The big clash was coming up: Wolfsburg against Arsenal.

"No, I haven't," he answered, solemnly.

"I'm worried, Papa," I added.

"Me too, Luda. But there isn't anything we can do right now." I knew he was right. There was nothing I could do. All I had were the letters I would send her. That was my only hope right now.

We arrived at training and went about our business preparing for the first of two games. We were going across to London for the first, playing Arsenal at the Emirates.

I had my recovery session with Elke, the day before we were set to leave. She was massaging my leg as I ranted to her about almost everything and anything. She was a good listener; she never contributed herself, but I loved that she cared enough to open her ears.

"Are you nervous?" I soon asked her, knowing I most likely wasn't going to get an answer.

"About what?" she replied.

"Seeing Tippah?" She looked confused as if she was trying to process something. Then something clicked.

"No, why would I?" I looked at her, my face showing my doubt.

"I don't know- maybe because you guys know each other."

"Nothing to be nervous about," she then answered, anxiously.

"Okay..." I wasn't convinced. I never was. "Anyways, how are you and Jillie?" She soon looked around, and I noticed Ewa on her phone in the corner.

"Jill's concussion has gotten a lot better. She is no longer showing any signs." I tried not to laugh. To everyone else on this team, Jill and Elke's professional relationship started and stopped when she had the head clash in the Lyon game. They have almost no interaction at all and Jill barely makes an appearance in this physio room, unlike myself.

"Why is it a secret?" I then whispered, wanting to know.

"Mila, there is more to any of this than you know. And I love you, but right now, you don't need to know." I took that as my cue to not question.

We soon traveled across to London, and to me, London meant one of two things. Firstly, seeing Viv, and getting her to cook for me and Jill at least once. And also, seeing my sister, who had left a few weeks earlier to return abc to uni. Although she hated it and tried so hard to not only convince me but herself to stay in Wolfsburg, she made the right decision.

"You can't control your life depending on where she is," I had said to her, as we were on my balcony together.

"But I never want to leave her. I feel as if- she makes me whole."

"I get that. But, some things are better after you get your degree!"

"You don't have a degree," Ivy had responded.

"No, but maybe I should."

Arriving in London, it was cold and it was wet, just as I had always remembered it. We traveled into the city, and after a quick stop in our hotel, we went to the Emirates to check out the pitch before the game the next day.

"This stadium is- wow," I said, looking up at the red chairs that cascaded around us.

"It is... wow." Lena grabbed my hand, and we walked along the edge, soaking it all in. Although we hadn't confirmed anything, really, with anyone, they all knew. They all knew when Lena and I would sit closer than before, wear each other's clothes, without even realizing it, and hold hands when we really shouldn't if we were just friends.