Getting Through Life

Chapter 15: The Derby

Trigger warning!

It's sunday. Game day! I'm so excited, it's the biggest clash of the season.

I was in a better place than the last few weeks. That talk with Alex a few days ago cleared my mind. However, Leah and Lisa were flying through my head, and Alex also. And I still didn't know what I was going to do with Steph, G, and the team in general I guess.

I want to forgive them, but I can't help but feel that they broke my trust. I can't let them in like I could before, even tough I want to. 

I miss G. She is my best friend, well was. And Lucy, I've looked up to her before I could walk. And Steph, she is kind of my mom on the team. 

I got up from my bed and got myself ready for a run. There is nothing better than a pre-match run. It always succeeds to get me ready mentally, especially last month. 

And I was right, again. I got back home from an hour long run and hopped in the shower. Nobody wants me to arrive at the compound, smelling like dog farts. 

I drove to training, and I was so excited. I felt like I could take on the whole world, and the galaxy too for that matter. And apparently it showed, because I got some weird looks as I walked inside. Damn, has nobody ever seen a happy person?

"You seem happy today?", Lucy more of asked than noticed. 

"Yes, is that allowed? Everyone I've come across to is either staring at me because I'm happy, or because I'm their role model. And something in me says it's not the latter, unfortunatly", I answered her half question.

"Good to have you back, kid", she just chuckled. I had the feeling she was nervous about something, but I just shrugged it off. It's a good day, I can feel it. It really is good to be back. 

We went to the changing room together, because we only had two hours before kick-off. We arrived, and apparently we were the last ones. Huh? I'm never late. And neither is Lucy, for that matter.

"Louise, you came"

I turned around to that voice. Steph.

"I came? Of course I came! It's the big Derby you guys!!", I shouted in excitement. 

"I'm just glad, that's all", Steph smiled in my direction. I smiled back because I didn't know what to say to that. I just slouched in my cubby for a bit until I truly got ready. Khiara and me had to go outside before the rest because they wanted to give us some last pointers about United's offence.

"Keating, McKay!", I guess that was our cue.

POV: Lucy

"You didn't say anything to her?", Keira asked me. 

"How could I? She was truly happy for the first time since like a month or so", I snapped. The whole team is on my case because they appointed me to tell Louise her brother Noah is laying in the hospital. Apparently he tried to kill himself and he almost succeeded. Almost.

"Guys, no, we can't do this again. I get that she is happy now, but we've lied to her for forever. If we ever want her to trust us again, we can't let her in the dark about this. It's her brother for God's sake!", Steph shouted. I knew she was right, I just couldn't do it. She walked in with that smile that none of us had seen since her bad training day. The day she told Gareth she needed to go somewhere due to a private matter.

"How do you even know about Noah, Steph?", I asked her.

"Leah called me. You know her mom looks after the two of them, right?", she said.