Fine Line

The Journey Begins

Ella smiled across to Mary, shoving at the Goalkeeper in excitement as they pulled into St.George's.

"It's happening! It's happening!!" Ella shrieked, unable to contain her excitement. Mary laughed seeing the midfielder so happy was warming after seeing her so broken.

The two stepped out of the mini van that had taken them up to the hotel. They were greeted by the Lionesses admin, holding a camera, filming their entrance into the hotel.

Tooney grabbed her suitcase and backpack, throwing it on her back. Sticking her thumbs up with a beaming smile as she walked passed the camera, quickly followed by Mary.

They checked in and separated in the lift. Mary was on the floor below her. For the first time that day, Ella had butterflies in her stomach. They were good butterflies. She would soon see Alessia for the first time since she left Manchester.

She still didn't know what she would do or say. If it had been two weeks ago, Ella would've had very different feelings toward Alessia. None of them warming. But in the time she took to herself, placing her feet firmly on the ground and connecting with her roots had given her perspective. The time she had spent away from Alessia had helped her, in a way she never thought it would. For the first time since that night in Millie's, she was excited to see her best friend again and not because she wanted Alessia to look at her the way she did that night, or the way she had looked at her after that one training session, but instead, she envied her friendship again.

The lift doors opened and the midfielder walked out into the long corridor, dragging her heavy suitcase behind her, looking down at the card in her hand checking her room number. She got to the door and swiped her card. Reaching for the door handle, she jumped back as the door flew open.

There stood a beaming Alessia. A rush of happiness engulfed Ella as she dropped her bag like a sack of bricks. Jumping forwards wrapping her arms around Alessias neck. The blonde laughed fondly wrapping her arms around Ella, stumbling backwards into the room.

"Ahhh I've missed you Tooney"

"Missed you too Lessi" Ella said weakly. She was reluctant to let go of her best friend, knowing her eyes had welled up.

"Aw are you cryin'!" Alessia said softly as they broke apart, she lifted her hand to Ella's shoulder.

"Come 'ere ya' softy" Alessia pulled Ella back into a much softer hug. She tucked her head down into Ella's shoulder and the brunette done the same. Neither of them wanted to let go of one another, but Tooney pulled back when she heard the door slam shut.

"Oh mi bags!!" She sniffled. Alessia giggled, moving with Tooney to help her with her bags.

Once Ella had settled her things for their stay overnight. She looked over to Alessia who sat on the edge of her bed. Ella felt her heart skip as Alessia looked up at her.

"Is this actually happening?" The striker spoke through her smile.

Ella can't remember the last time she seen Alessia smile as wide as she was right now.

"Pinch me!" Ella giggled before letting out a shriek. "We're going to a fucking World Cup Alessia!!"

"We're going to a World Cup!!!" Alessia shrieked back.

Excitement taking over her body. Ella jumped on Alessia again, pushing her back on the bed, laying on top of her. The midfielder lifted her head and body up from the hug, suddenly realising she was straddling Alessia, only inches away from her face. Their smiles slowly closed as their eyes met. A sudden trepidation built between them that Ella had never felt before. Her heart raced, her eyes skipping down to Alessia's lips briefly. Temptation rising, she quickly dismissed it. Reminding herself of the excitement she felt to just be in Alessia's presence, as a friend and the wise words of her Nan. She wasn't about to risk it all right now. It would only lead to disappointment.

"What time is dinner" Ella cleared her throat, smiling as she climbed off Alessia.

"Now more or less" Alessia sat up, scratching her neck, a smirk still present on her lips.

"Should we-

-yeah!" Alessia stood up clapping her hands awkwardly and Ella giggled.

"What?" The blonde giggled back sheepishly.

"You always do that!" Ella replied, still giggling imitating her clapping.

"Oh shut up" Alessia laughed and her cheeks blushed, pushing Ella's shoulder playfully.

Ella grabbed her hoodie and the two made their way downstairs to meet the others.

And so, their journey began.