an unlikely match// alessia russo

two

The camp in Germany had come to an end, and we're now back in England. Arsenal had been knocked out of the Champions League, courtesy of a penalty shootout.

Of course, we all blamed ourselves, me included even though I didn't play.

But today is matchday one against Liverpool, the first game of the season. Jonas has been monitoring mine, Viv's, and Beth's fitness levels at we're getting to the end of our ACL injuries, and he informs me that he's going to put me on the bench today, but it's unlikely that I'll be played.

This is why I'm currently sitting on the Arsenal bench, next to Vic and Kyra (who had recently joined Arsenal and who I consider as one of my closest friends).

It's the start of the second half, and I don't have a good feeling about this.

As I'm most likely not going to be playing, Jonas has allowed me to have my phone on the bench, as long as I don't distract anyone else, so I have a headphone in my ear, listening to Arctic Monkeys.

That's until I hear booing, and my head shoots up.

Liverpool scored.

Shit.

Jonas instantly comes over to the bench and tells Vic, Amanda, and Lina to go and warm up.

♡♡♡

The game finishes 1-0 to Liverpool, and like Jonas said, I didn't get to play.

We're currently on the pitch going round and thanking the fans when I notice a face in the crowd.

"Jorge! Enzo! Freddie! Zizi! Charis!" I say as I see them at the barriers, wrapping my arms around them and picking up my niece and nephew.

"Too bad you lost, Bear." Jorge says as he ruffles up my hair, making me roll my eyes.

"I didn't play!" I complain whilst laughing. "Can I take them for a walk around the pitch?"

"Of course, just don't come complaining when people assume you're dating your own sister when they see you with them as you don't use your last name." Jorge says whilst winking at me, making me stick my tongue out at him as I put Freddie and Enzo down so they can hold my hand whilst I'm carrying Zizi.

♡♡♡

In the build-up to the United game, Jonas tells me that he thinks I'm fit enough to play some minutes, but he's going to be careful about it, not wanting to rush me.

Now we're on the team coach, travelling to Manchester for the match.

Manu has already been told she's been dropped to the bench for this match, but apart from that, we don't know the official lineup yet.

"Emberrrrr, get off of me." Kyra complains, flicking my forehead, making me groan in protest.

"Kyra! I was comfy!" I complain, making Vic and Alessia, who were sitting in front of us, laugh.

"Shove off, Pelova!" I say as I kick her, making her yelp in pain before kicking me back.

"Oh bloody hell, why are we friends with these two?" Alessia asks Kyra, making her laugh and shrug.

In response, I kicked Alessia as well, making her glare at me.

I simply just shrug my shoulders and smirk at her.

Kyra suggests that we should play 21 questions to try to get to know each other better in order to pass time.

"I'll start as I came up with it, Less, how many siblings do you have?" Kyra asks, making Alessia smile.