delicate ~ L.W

Chapter 12: New Places

A week later.

I unlock the door to the new house hesitantly and push open the door slowly. I take a deep breathe and just as I'm about to step inside, Ffion pushes past me and shoots up the stairs, calling out with a soft giggle "I'm getting the biggest room this time, Ellie!"

I chuckle softly and mumble under my breath, "lightening up the mood as always."

I shake my head with a soft smile and step inside the new house, taking a deep breath. I let my eyes flit over the white walls surrounding the wall, the beige carpet layer over the flooring, and the the dark brown doors lining the walls, leading off to different rooms. I tune in to the subtle creaking as I step over the carpet in certain spots, taking note of them. I take a deep breath, noting the subtle scent of paint but it's fairly faint, the landlord must have painted yesterday before giving us the keys this morning.

As I walk through the hallway, I open the doors. I start memorising the structure of the house, immediately glad I went for a furnished house. Eventually, I reach the kitchen. It's fairly modern, with subtle notes of green in the tiles.

I walk up to the kitchen counter, gently placing my keys down. I sigh softly and run my fingers through my hair. I can't believe I've gotta do this all over again. Starting over. The two words that have never sat right with me and never will. New team, new people, new house. I need to find my place in this world all over again and fuck its tiring.

I always knew I didn't quite fit in with Chelsea but it was my home. Granted, I didn't get along with all of my teammates at the club but who does? I've never understood when people talked about finding their chosen family within their squad. It's such a foreign thought. I don't even feel like I have a place in the Welsh squad right now. I guess that's what I get for dating a teammate and the relationship falling apart. People have to take sides, even if they don't mean to, they always do. Especially when she is a key starter and I never have been. Hell, I've never even played any minutes in the games. I'm a bench warmer at best. I don't even get why arsenal wanted to sign me, I only played a game or two at Chelsea at most. I was okay with that. Or maybe I just thought I was…

_________________________

It's my first training session for arsenal. A couple hours ago, I rolled out of bed and showered. An hour ago, I quickly ate a breakfast bar. Around a quarter of an hour ago, I arrived at the training centre at Borehamwood. I got here earlier, I've seen a few people walk in already but I haven't moved. I'm still sitting in my car.

Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe I should've stayed at Chelsea. Maybe all I'm supposed to be is a bench warmer.

Suddenly, a loud knock resonates through my car, making me jump and scream slightly in surprise. I turn to look out my window, clutching my chest from the near heart attack. I see Katie outside my window, keeling over with laughter. I let out a soft laugh and shake my head.

I get out of my car and look down at Katie, "you almost gave me a heart attack, mate." I say with a light tone.

She grins up at me, giggling softly, "you should've seen your fucking face, Jones!" She laughs out with her trademark Irish accent.

I roll my eyes softly.

"What you doing sat in your car anyway, mate? You could've headed in, a fair amount of the team is inside."

"I just didn't want to intrude on anything" I speak softly, looking down at my shoes, laughing it off.

She looks up at me with a fairly serious expression and reaches up to place her hand on my shoulder, shaking me gently, "you're not intruding, Wales. You're part of our team now," she nods towards the training centre, "come on, we can head in together."

I nod silently in response.

We head on inside and about 7 of the girls are inside. I notice Leah, sending her a soft smile, my dimples popping out slightly in the corners of my mouth. She smiles back widely. Katie and I sit down at the fable she's on where Beth and Vivianne are sat.

I look at Beth curiously, "I didn't peg you for the early type." I say incredulously.

She laughs then glares softly at Vivianne, "this one forced me out of the house, she hates being late for things" she speaks fondly and rolls her eyes softly.

We all laugh along with Vivianne letting a soft smile grace her features. My eyes are drawn to Leah as she laughs with a wide smile. I thank whatever God allowed my ears to be graced with the giggle of Leah Williamson once again.

I feel a harsh nudge in my side, I turn to Katie with a glare. She simply wiggles her eyebrows in response before nodding over at Jonas who's speaking at the front. I didn't notice him, don't ask me how because I'm not sure myself. I tune into his words, feeling someone's eyes burning into the side of my head. I glance to the side and notice it's Leah, who quickly turns her head to face Jonas with a slight blush strewn across her cheeks, seemingly embarrassed at getting caught. I refocus my attention to Jonas, who's standing at the front as he speaks.

"I know it's only preseason girls, but we're in with a real chance at winning the league this year. In this room, there is a lot of talent. We have the potential to win many silverware this year. Let's make it happen. So for now, I expect each and every one of you to enjoy yourselves before the season starts. But, once it does we'll be cracking on with training and development.."

Everyone claps softly at the end of his small speech. He smiles respectfully.

"Pre-season training will commence in half an hour. So, head into the changing rooms and I'll see you outside." He states softly before walking out of the room but not before casting a polite smile to the room.

AN: It's only a small one this time round guys. Sorry its taken awhile, I've been practically drowning in A level work. One of teachers is a right that and only talks about himself for the entirety of our lessons then sets us a shitload of homework so I'm pretty much teaching myself an entire subject. He's pissing me off. But yeah, instead of doing the piling homework I've been set I've written this small chapter guys. It's only small as I'm trying to figure out exactly what direction I'm taking the book in but I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Also, apologies for any spelling or grammar mistakes, I've had to write this out on my phone instead of my laptop because it's broken.