Starting over

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Summary: After a rough year you decide to move in with your sister (Lia Wälti). Moving from Switzerland to London was a big step but your sister's friends and teammates quickly took you in as their own.

Warnings: panic attacks

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Your flight from Switzerland to London was about to land. After having a rough year back home, you decided to quit your job and move to London to get a fresh start. London wasn't a random destination, your sister Lia has lived there for years. You've always loved it there when you visited, so when you felt like getting out of Switzerland for a while, London was an easy decision. Lia was waiting for you at the gate, you went in for a hug after not having seen her in person since the world cup. After grabbing your bags from baggage claim, she drives you home and helps you settle in. Since you had a long day, you head to bed after catching up with your sister a little.

The next morning you're sitting on the couch, scrolling on your phone as Lia is getting ready for practice. "I got it." You yell to your sister when you hear the doorbell ring. "Hey, welcome to London once again! I hope I remember your coffee order correctly." Leah says as she walks in with a tray of coffees. Over the years you had met many of your sister's teammates, you had seen the most of her best friend Leah though. "It's perfect, Leah, thank you." You say as you greet the girl with a hug. You catch up with her for a moment while your sister continues getting ready for practice.

Your first day in London was mostly spent walking around, and exploring the city. You've visited and stayed with your sister before, coming to a few games, and also just to spend time with her but you always went to the places she had grown to love. You wanted to experience the city through your own eyes and find places of your own as well. A small restaurant caught your eye, so you decided to go there for lunch. It looked out on a small pond filled with ducks. You loved seeing nature all around you.

Lia texted you an hour after lunch letting you know some of the girls would be coming over for a movie night, and that you were of course invited to join them. Lia's friends and teammates were great, so you were excited to see some of them again. That evening your new home was filled with laughter, something you found very comforting. Leah, Beth, Viv, Katie, and Steph were scattered around the living room with both you and Lia. Bowls of snacks cover the table as the movie plays on the TV. You become quiet once a scene comes up that triggers you. At first you try to shake it off, and continue the movie, however you weren't able to. So, you grabbed two of the empty bowls and made your way to the kitchen. Leah had noticed your sudden change, and followed you with some empty glasses.

She found you in the kitchen trying to regulate your breathing. Leah quickly made her way over to you, "Come on, let's sit down." She says as she guides you to one of the chairs at the dinner table with a hand on your back. "Do you remember when Lia was having her little photoshoot moment on the beach and that big wave came crashing over her?" It takes you a moment to remember but as soon as you do, you nod your head, still breathing too irregularly to speak. "She was so mad that her outfit got soaked." Leah continues, trying to bring your focus to more fun memories. "Or that time when she tried to feed a cow in one of those Swisse fields and it tried to eat her hand?" You managed a laugh at that thought. Leah took that as her strategy to get you out of your panic attack working. "What about that time you joined us in playing a friendly match and I slipped in the mud?" You finally caught your breath a bit. "You-" Talking was still a bit of a struggle but you continued trying. "You were covered head-" Another deep breath, "to toe." Leah smiles, "Yes, it took multiple showers and laundry cycles for me and my clothes to be ridden of the horribly smelling mud." You laugh with her, feeling your panic attack fade bit by bit. "I am definitely not playing on that horrible field ever again." Leah continued, giving you space to catch your breath. She noticed your breathing returning to normal, and stood up to grab you a glass of water. With shaky hands you take a few sips before placing it on the table. "Thank you, Leah. How did you know?"

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