Fine Line

Home

Back in the comfort of their base camp hotel. Ella had been worried that the stolen glances and intentional touches may stop after she woke up alone on Wednesday morning, with Alessia no where to be seen. It had turned out the blonde was awoken by a phone call from her family and left the room to let Ella rest in peace. Thankfully to Ella, she still noticed that depth in Alessia's eyes, their banter light and slightly flirtatious, more obviously so when they were alone.

It was a Saturday evening. The buzz from their win against China on Tuesday still lingering, a spring gracing everyone's step. Despite the critical views of the lionesses in the media, the team seemed to grow in confidence with each passing day. It's no secret that everyone expected them to totally dominate their group, but it does show how much the women's game has grown. Even in such a short space of time. But none of that really mattered to the England team. They didn't let it penetrate their bubble. Everyone was in high spirits.

Ella had faith in her team, her family. There was a sense of belief in each and every person. A feeling she had last felt in the European Championships. They only needed one another.

She felt refreshed, a new version of her self. Or maybe another version of her younger self. Being in this beautiful country, the breathtaking culture and obviously the decent weather. It was so different to home.

'Home' she quietly thought to herself. Sitting on the balcony of her room, looking out into the evening sunset.

Home.. A place, where it rained at least once a week, A city that was bustling constantly. Where people spoke to you as though they've known you for life or wouldn't speak to you at all. What some think is a bit of a harsh culture, where people could be quite confrontational. Ella frowned slightly. She missed it. Everyone in Australia had been so nice. So polite. So welcoming... But she missed the rough and ready Manchester culture.

"You alright?"

Ella flinched, looking over at Alessia. The striker had startled her, they had been sat in silence for a while. The blonde, who was laying on her bed, had been engrossed in a book.

"Yeah!" Ella smiled.

Of course she was alright. She looked back out at the sunset, her face content. She absorbed the moment. She was sat in Australia, playing for the England Lionesses in a World Cup, rooming with her person, the one person who wasn't her own flesh and blood that had been a reliable and constant source of compassion and support in her life.

"You sure?" Alessia raised her brow, slipping off her bed and walking over to Ella.

Ella took a deep breath in, her eyes still looking out at the sky. Alessia joined her out on the balcony, brushing her hand across the midfielders shoulders. The brunette smiled at the strikers touch and felt comfort in it. She lifted her hand up to Alessias, squeezing it before the blonde sat down on a chair next to her.

"Look at this Less" Tooney pointed out to the scenes in front of them.

"I know" Alessia smiled, looking out at the sunset.

Ella looked over at her. The warm sunlight bouncing off the strikers tanned skin. Highlighting the small freckles that dotted her nose. Her soft blonde hair almost shining. Her piercing eyes like the clear blue ocean that lapped against the shore below them.

"Beautiful isn' it" The striker sighed.

"Yeah.. it is" Ellas voice was soft as she kept her eyes on Alessia.

She really was beautiful. Her heart fluttering, a shiver brushing through her body. She could feel herself falling with each passing second. She wished she could sit there forever. Just her and Alessia, the subtle sound of distant traffic and chatter from the people walking the beachfront. She was so happy. The happiest she has ever felt. Because of her. Her company... It's always been her.

Her eyes looked back out to the sky.

'Home' she thought to herself. What she thought was a place just a few minutes ago was now a person. Home was Alessia. That's where she was truly happy.

The realisation settled in. Peace in her mind as it finally aligned with her heart. She loved Alessia. Nothing else mattered. Only her.

"What's the time? We best get ready for dinner" Ella felt Alessia look at her, she moved her eyes to strikers. She smiled, enjoying the moment.

"Yeah. Probably should get going" Tooney looked down at her watch. She stood up, surprised when Alessia stood up infront of her.

Looking up she frowned, confused and curious as Alessias eyes met her own again. The blonde had a dreamy expression on her face. Ella's heart started beating so fast, it was as though someone had given her 10 shots of adrenaline.

Lessi wrapped her arms around Tooney, holding her in a gentle but tight embrace. Ella tucked her head into Alessias chest, she could hear her heart beating as fast as her own. As they pulled apart, Ella felt a soft peck on her cheek. She couldn't help her mouth falling open a bit, a smile creeping across her face. She looked at Alessia as the striker stepped back into the room, a smirk gracing her face. A twinkle in her eye as she walked away.

Ella stood still, letting a goofy chuckle out as she seen Alessia disappear into the bathroom. The midfielder spun on her heel, leaning on the small table infront of her to steady her legs.

"Wow" she whispered to herself. She really was winning at life right now.

Despite everything that has happened, her mishap with Ona, her break up with Joe, her relentless battle with her mental health, it all seemed worth it. Because, even if Alessia didn't see her in that way, at least she was by her side.