Fine Line

I Told You So

The lionesses had a triumphant outing against China away from their base camp. Winning 6-1. Their only goal of the tournament so far being conceded after a controversial penalty being awarded for a handball against Lucy.

It would've been a 7-1 win had it not been for another controversial VAR decision. The disallowed goal prevented LJ, who was arguably the best player on the pitch tonight, her brace.

The team made their way onto the coach to head back to their hotel.

Alessia reached her seat, hesitating before sitting down. Ella smiled up at her as the blonde stepped aside.

"Go on then" The midfielder nodded.

"What?" Alessia chuckled raising her brow.

"Sit" Ella giggled back.

"Nah you know I'm scared of sitting by the window" Alessia lowered her tone.

"But why?"

"I dunno! Just freaks me out!" Alessia tucked her hair behind her ear.

"You're a dafty sometimes, you" Ella brushed passed the blonde, Alessia couldn't help but feel a gravitation towards the midfielder, her body leaning forward ever-so slightly as Ella went by.

"Me a dafty, that's rich coming from you" The striker took her seat next to her best friend.

"Is it another superstition?" Ella said quietly, speaking into Alessias ear. She fought to ignore how Ella being so close to her made her heart skip.

"Maybe" Alessia playfully arched her brow, leaning into Ella's ear. Their eyes connected briefly as Alessia pulled away. She noticed a shy smile on the midfielders face. A subtle blush gracing her own cheeks.

"What are youse two chatting about then?" Mary asked from the row opposite them. Her smile at Tooney spoke volumes. She had seen how Ella had grown in the past couple months, she was proud.

"Oh Lessi's silly superstitions" Ella jokingly rolled her eyes. Earning a laugh from the blonde, something she had envied.

As Alessia cracked up, Ella face lit up. It was proof enough to Mary that they were going to be fine. She worried about the both of them. How they had felt for one another. Alessia had never admitted it to Mary but she didn't need to. The goalkeeper knew. As much as she hated to say it, it really was a mother hen instinct.

"Come on then Less, what other superstitions you got?" Mary smiled.

"To many!" Tooney called.

"You're so dramatic, Ella!" Alessia poked at Ellas ribs, something she knew would make the brunette squeal as she was painfully ticklish. "I'm not that bad" The twos slightly rowdy bantering had caught the attention of a few of their other team mates.

"Oh really! You won't walk under a ladder, you're saluting every bird you see in case it's a magpie -

-you do, do that" Mary threw her head back chuckling.

"Yeah Less, you won't walk over three drains either" Georgia chimed in, smiling.

"I put a new pair of shoes on the table once" Ella raised her brows and her hands in the air "worst decision of mi life"

"Nah I agree with Lessi on that one actually" Rach joined in calling over from the seat behind them, nodding towards Alessia.

"Thank you, Rach" Alessia turned to her, pleading her sanity giggling.

"Oh and the Friday the 13th thing too" Mary added.

"Oh my god! Don't get me started on Fridays the 13th!" Ella stood up, readying herself to tell a story she had long forgotten about until now.