My No. 23

Meeting the Team

On the 20 minute drive from my flat to the training centre Jenna was asking me every question under the sun. How I was feeling, was this the biggest club I've played for, what position I played. The woman clearly didn't have a clue but she was nice enough.

"Oh before I forget" she leaned over me and opened her glove box taken out and envelop. "Your keys" she said as she handed the envelope to me. I opened it and there was two silver keys, one already attached to an Arsenal top key ring with the number 8. I smile while looking down at this and my eyes well up with tears. How is it I can move nearly 300 miles away to a place I don't know. But it's a key ring that sends me over the edge. I avoid all eye contact with Jenna and decide to distract myself looking out the window while she muttered in about who knows what.

We arrived shortly after. We wandered around the centre, Jenna gave the full tour showing me all the areas introducing me to all the staff. Finally we wandered out onto the training pitch where the woman's team were mid drill. I stood there at the side of the pitch just in awe of how synced they all were. It was as if they were reading each other's thoughts. Jenna waved over Kelly Smith, the assistant coach.
"Molly it's great to meet you". Kelly said with her hand out towards me.
Star struck doesn't begin to cover it. I fumbled out a few words while reaching my hand out to hers. "Kelly, it's er, an hono.. great to meet you". I felt my face reddening. Kelly smiled and moved past it quickly putting her hand on my shoulder and ushering me onto the pitch.
"Ready to meet the girls?"
"As ready as I'll ever be" I replied. Meaning I'd never be ready but might as well face it head on.

Kelly blew on her whistle and called everyone over. Before I knew it there were approximately 35 pair of eyes set on me. Kelly began introducing me, still with her hand on my shoulder. I felt like all the blood fell from my face. I was stood frozen to the ground, trying taken it all in. Next thing a blonde thin figure approached with her hand out for a handshake. It was Leah Williamson. I saw her lips move but heard nothing. As I met her hand all I could get out was "huh?"
That's when it all came back. She laughed flashing her bright white teeth. "Just wanted to say welcome to the club". Everyone else around all had smiles on their faces cheering. Leah took over from Kelly putting her arm around me and marching me along the pitch.
"How about we get a drill going to get you mingling a bit". I was walking with trainers on not boots but how could I say no. I nodded my head with enthusiasm, "let's do it".

Katie McCabe, Lia Wälti, Beth Mead, Steph Catley and Catlin Foord all followed behind Leah and I. The rest of the girls carried on with their previous drills. As I turned back that's when I first met the eyes of Alessia Russo. The star who joined Arsenal just before me. Her face is hard to read but there's not even a note of a smile there.

"A good ol game of piggy in the middle" Leah stated. Me and her both started in the middle of the other girls as they begin to pass it around. It only took about 30 seconds before Leah got a touch and control of the ball swapping her out with Steph. Me and Steph were chasing the ball then for a couple of minutes before Steph got a touch and was swapped out with Beth. Finally it was my turn I intercepted a pass from Caitlin to Steph and got out. After 10 minutes of this I was laughing with the girls joking away. It was definitely a great way to get welcomed in.

After this Jenna wandered up the sideline of the pitch and shouted me. I gave the girls a hug each and thanked them for welcoming me before walking off with Jenna. As we wandered towards the training centre I again caught a glimpse of Alessia looking at me. When our eyes met she didn't back down she kept them ocean eyes on me. I faltered and looked at the ground after a moment I glanced back and she was still locked on me. Only stopping when it was her turn to shoot, then she rattled the ball top right corner smashing it past Manuela Zinsberger.