My No. 23

West Ham Pt.3

We headed back out for the second half to begin. Caitlin shook my shoulders and had a big bright smile on as we went out from the tunnel. This perked me up. I jogged out into position and waited for the whistle. You could tell we were a different team from the first half. We were passing more effectively, creating more chances and stronger off the ball too. I saw Alessia barge into that Chambers when chasing balls down.

In the 76th minute Caitlin received a long ball from Katie. Sprinting by the last defenders. She crossed the ball. It was like it was moving in slow motion. Just floating down towards me. It hit the ground and was a yard in front of me. I took aim and smashed it. It flew past the keeper. It was like all of a sudden the noise of the stadium hit me. All the girls came running over to celebrate with me. But the first person there was Alessia. She wrapped her arms around me.
"Cmon Mols!" She shouted.
Even after nearly playing a full game she still smelt incredible.
Next thing she took one arm off as the rest of the girls piled on. After a minute of high fives and head taps I stepped out and threw both my fists up to the Arsenal Fans and shouted "COME ON YOU GUNNERS!"
The place felt electric.

Whistle blew again. And it wasn't long till we gained possession back. It was like that goal gave us boost. Lia passed it to me and I played a through ball to Alessia. She took it forward. But by the kick of the ball she was wiped out.

Chambers had come crashing into her taking Alessia to the ground. Within a split second Chambers got back up chasing the ball but I could see there was no way Alessia was getting back up. I carried on running with Katie close behind me. And barged into Chamhers.
It was as if a red mist came over me. I started shouting at her. And she just had a smug smile on her face. The ref was frantically blowing her whistle. Alessia was still on the floor but by now the physio had been called on. The ref pulled out her yellow card and showed it to Chambers and then to me.

I walked over to Alessia. She was in tears. Whatever was wrong she was obviously badly hurt. The physios helped her to her feet and she looked at me. Her face was red from crying but it just made her eyes an even brighter blue. It upset me. I went and gave her a hug before she was helped off the pitch.

Viv was subbed on in her place. She looked as though she was going to take no nonsense off Chambers.
Katie stepped up to take the free kick. She went for it. Curled perfectly to look like it was going wide and then fly in last second. She raised her hands to the air in triumph as we all ran to her and celebrating.

2-0 Arsenal. The game restarted West Ham were trying to hold a bit more possession and the ball was passed back to Chanbers. As I closed her down she stop and rammed her shoulder into me. I was thinking about how she hurt Alessia. Clearly she thinks she can push everyone around.

I twisted my body and shoved her so hard she fell to the ground. As the ball rollled out of play she quickly got back to her feet.
I began shouting at her and she lunged forward at me. She grabbed hold of my shirt using that to cover her pushing her hand in at my face. Next thing Katie broke us apart launched her back. Can always count on Katie. Everything was coming into focus again. I could hear the ref whistle going crazy.
"Bell you alright?" Katie said she had both hands clasping my face and was looking me over.
I couldn't say anything back. My adrenaline was going crazy. Kyra was beside me now too but I couldn't even hear her. The ref ushered me over. She reached to her pocket and showed, once again, Chambers a yellow card but this time flashed a red card after. Then me the same.

Kyra put her arm round me and walked me half way off. I was worried as I passed Leah thinking she would be mad. As I walked back she gave me a tap in the back. Jonas was stood with his arms crossed. As I walked up I apologised. He replied by telling me to go see the medic for my face.

I walked down the tunnel with my head down. None of the staff tried to talk to me. I got through the changing room and took my top off throwing it as hard as I could into my cubby. Before sliding down the wall and landing in the floor with my hands on my bed.

My alone time didn't last long. The door swung open and Alessia came hopping in with a set of crutches.
"What the f*ck were you playing at out there?!" She said. It wasn't a question as much as it was a demand. She began hopping towards me. I got up and sat on my seat. She was now right beside me and placed both hands on my face and turned me towards her. Forcing me to look right into her eyes while she was inspecting the damage.
"She could've done absolutely anything to you!". She said sounding furious. This was why I was expecting off of Leah and Jonas so I just listened. I didn't say anything back but when she let go of my face I just turned back to facing forward.
"Why would you do something so reckless?" She asked almost sounding a bit upset.
"I don't know. I couldn't help it. After she done that to you and I saw you upset. It was like something else took over." I replied
Now it was her turn to stay quiet. It was only a moment but it felt like it lasted hours. It was peaceful almost.
I rested my head on her shoulder and she let me. We sat there for a couple of minutes watching the game on the TV.

As the game dwindled to its last few minutes I got up.
"You have to get back out there".
She looked at me as though I had two heads.
"Mol, I can't walk without crutches, how am I meant to kick a ball". She replied.
I shook my head and laughed.
"No, I mean you need to get back up there and celebrate with the team and the fans". Her head tilted as she stared at me.
"This is your first Emirates game in an Arsenal jersey. You had 50,000 fans screaming your name. You need to go out and enjoy that".
She needed no more convincing. She hopped forward. And threw her hands under mine, wrapped them around my waist and buried her head into my shoulder.
"Thank you" she whispered.
I held her for a few moments then held her back. Looking in her eyes I could see she had let a few tears fall.
I didn't mention it I just smiled and walked her to the door and opened it for her.

A couple minutes had passed. I found myself sitting at my cubby again watching the Tv as it panned Arsenal players celebrating around Alessia hugging her and she went around waving to the fans. She had the biggest smile on her face.