Fine Line

Tell me

Ella had gone to the nearby markets with Mary and Maya after their day of recovery, looking around the stalls at the little Nick-nacks and usual clutter. Picking up small gifts for family and friends back home.

Before heading back to the hotel, Ella stopped in the local shop, grabbing some essentials for the room. Water, milk, a few toiletries. She hovered in the snack isle. Looking at the variety of crisps and chocolates. It was only sensible given they got through to the finals, she deserved a treat or two... So she opted for a fresh packet of sugar donuts, knowing the smell would drive Alessia mad.

Ella then picked up drinks for her and the striker. Notably the blondes favourite, Pepsi max.

***

The midfielder opened the door to their room and was met by dark silence.

"Less?" Ella flicked the light switch on, walking into the room, she seen it was empty - almost untouched.

She paused for a second, looking around, the only thing that was disturbed was Alessia's kit bag. Looking closer as she placed her two carrier bags on the table, she seen it was the strikers towel that had been taken.

'Oh the hot tub' She whispered to herself.

She pondered on whether to join Alessia but did the blonde want to be alone?

Ella got caught in two minds.

If she went and met Alessia downstairs, yes, Ella would be more than content in the blondes company - but would Alessia feel the same way about Ella's presence?

Her behaviour around her over the past two weeks had been... unpredictable. Not cold but not as they were.

After arguing with herself, she decided to grab a towel and join Alessia. She slipped a towel into a back with the bottle of Pepsi Max as a sweetener in case the striker did want to be alone.

Ella opened the door to the pool area, she watched for a few seconds silently as Alessia laid there relax as she's ever seen her. The door clicked shut behind Ella alerting the striker to her presence.

"I brought you a treat!" Ella called over cautiously. Her anxiety dropping immediately after she seen Alessia's beaming smile.

"Oh, have you broken something in the room?" Alessia bantered, leaning forward in the hot tub, pulling her arms and shoulders over its edge.

"What? No.." Ella giggled, hesitating for a split second as she took her sliders and T-shirt off. Admiring the small droplets that trailed off her skin. The thin layer of sweat on her brow. The red blush on her cheeks and ears. How it highlighted her piercing eyes.

'Back to reality, Ella...' she silently reminded herself.

"What makes you say that?" The midfielder chuckled.

"You don't bring me treats often.." Alessia smiled back.

This was more like the Alessia Ella knew.

"Look, do you want it or not?" Ella shrugged playfully. She pulled out the bottle of freezing cold Pepsi Max, presenting it to the striker.

"Oh! You're an absolute gem!" Alessia's eyes lit up. It was her favourite drink.

Ella handed her the bottle. A wide grin on her face. The midfielder soon joined her in the hot tub, it really was one of the best ways to relax.

They took a quick selfie, capturing the moment as they laughed and bantered about earlier dramatics in recovery before moving onto the near death experience Alessia recently stumbled into with Mary... The striker described the wild bird that they had encountered. It was the first time she was telling the story and Ella could not stop laughing.