Never Leave Again

fix it (on my own)

It's hard-fought, but we win the World Cup. It feels as though the stars have aligned for it to have happened, because a weakened team with no previous trophies seemingly conquered everyone, despite our camp self-destructing.

Daniel kisses my head before I can escape his celebration, and I find it easy to run off with Salma to swim in the confetti decorating the pitch.

"I can't believe it," I shout in Salma's ear above the noise. We watch England crumple in front of us, but it does not matter much to my teammate. For me, it might be a little awkward next season. "After all that has happened."

Salma throws herself on top of me with a squeal. "We get a gold medal!"

"Another medal," I giggle. We have both come off an extremely successful season, too. "Now I will have a good choice of clubs."

"They are going to fight over you."

I am awarded the Young Player of the Tournament trophy.

Jenni is awarded a sexual assault claim.

━━━━━━━

The party is slightly soured but the girls are adamant to not let the RFEF ruin anything more. They will already overshadow the achievement with their incompetence and cruelty. Rubiales tries to congratulate me in the hotel lobby, but Alexia pulls me away from him before slipping away to presumably meet Fleur. I haven't spoken to my ex-teammate recently, knowing that my secret will spill out the minute our conversation starts. So far, only Alexia, Daniel, Vilda, and I know about what happened.

With the alcohol almost finished and the music still booming out of the speakers, most of the girls dance wildly. It is a wonder we still have the energy, and I expect our flights home to be very quiet tomorrow.

A hand swipes me away from my own group of friends, dragging me into a huddle of my cousin's. Laia, Irene, and Jenni all look at me with a smirk. "She's with Fleur, no?"

"Of course she is," I say.

"Well, good. That's good." Irene nods and then leaves us to seek out her family.

"How you feeling, mini Ale?" continues Jenni. "It's a big thing to win a World Cup, you know. Especially in such a terrible environment."

"Has Alexia told you?"

Laia and Jenni glance at each other.

"Only us," says Laia softly. "You are so brave."

"Jenni is brave."

The mentioned barks out a laugh. "Yes, I am. I should have punched him though. He really deserved it." Where Laia grows pitiful, Jenni grows bolder. "I don't know all the details of what happened to you, Talia, but I think you should do something about it. For the future generation, and for peace of mind." It is horrifying that Daniel gets to celebrate with us.

"What would I say? I don't want to make a fuss."

"I am going to make a fuss. In the most dignified, mature way, I am going to make noise. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it, don't you think?"

"You have had a good career," I reply mournfully. Both are amused, and Jenni pats my shoulder. "I know it is pathetic, but I am terrified of them all."

As light-hearted as they may seem, Jenni's determined gaze lingers, awaiting my actual response. I feel a lump forming in my throat as I grapple with my choices. The weight of responsibility tugs at me, and I calculate the possible outcomes.