I didn't choose her, my heart did

The game

Keira's POV:

The morning of the match has arrived and my stomach feels like a knot of nerves. I lie awake in my bed, my mind racing like a whirlwind. It is as if my head has been completely taken over by the match, by the pressure to perform.

I try to stay calm, keep my breathing deep and even. But it seems like my body doesn't want to cooperate. My hands tremble slightly and my heart pounds like a drumbeat in my chest.I throw off the covers and get up slowly, my legs feeling heavy and uncertain. I walk to the kitchen, but my stomach turns at the thought of food. I am not hungry, not hungry at all. But I know I need to eat, that I need fuel for the match.

With trembling hands, I prepare a bowl of oatmeal, my mind wandering to the match. I mindlessly stir in my bowl, my appetite completely gone. But I force myself to eat, knowing I don't want to pass out during the match.

As I swallow the last bite, I feel a surge of nausea come over me. But I ignore it, knowing that I have given my body the fuel it needs to perform.

I rinse off my bowl and walk to the bathroom, my mind still filled with the match ahead. But I try to reassure myself, to remind myself of my training and preparation. I am ready. I can do this.With that thought, I step into the shower, the warm water soothing my nerves and preparing me for the challenges ahead. I am nervous, that's for sure. But I know I have done everything I can to prepare myself. And with that confidence, I step out of the shower, ready to face the day and the match.

Lucy's POV:

I am first on the bus as usual, my familiar spot in the front already taken. It is quieter here, away from the noise that always comes from behind. I close my eyes for a moment and try to focus on the match ahead.

The bus is slowly filling up with my teammates, but one person is still missing: Keira. I frown as I keep an eye on the clock. Where is she?Finally Keira enters the bus in a hurry, her face set with nerves. She looks around searchingly, but her gaze gets stuck on the seat next to Georgia, which is already taken. With hesitant steps, she approaches me.

"Lucy, can I sit next to you?" she asks with a nervous look in her eyes.

Of course I nod and make room for her. "Of course, sit down."

Keira lets herself flop down beside me, her eyes fixed on the ground. I see the tension in her body and want to say something to reassure her, but she doesn't seem to want to talk.

"Everything okay, Keira?" I ask gently.

She shrugs her shoulders and mumbles something unintelligible. I decide to leave her alone and turn to my bag to grab my headphones. Maybe some quiet music will help her relax.

I put the headphones on Keira's head and select a calm song on my phone. She flinches for a moment, but then slowly relaxes as the calm sounds reach her ears.

"Is this OK?" I ask, looking at her cautiously.

Keira nods slowly and smiles weakly. "Thank you, Lucy. It really helps."

I smile back and put a hand on her shoulder. "No problem. We're all a bit nervous before the match, but we're not alone. We're a team, right?"

Keira nods again and I see a faint smile appear on her face. Maybe she is not completely alone in her nerves after all.

Keira's POV:

The bus comes to a stop and I remain seated for a while, my thoughts sunk into the upcoming match. I don't even notice Lucy catching my eye, so deep am I immersed in my own thoughts. Her hand grabbing mine and gently pulling me up breaks my trance. A wave of warmth floods me as I look straight into Lucy's eyes. Her gaze is reassuring and full of support, and I feel a smile slowly appear on my face, grateful for her presence at this moment of tension.

Together we walk to the changing room, a comfortable silence between us. It feels reassuring to have her by my side, to know that I am not alone in my nerves. Her closeness brings a sense of calm over me, a reassurance that we will do this together.

Once in the dressing room, I take my place and start getting ready. My hands tremble slightly as I check my equipment. The tension in the air is palpable, but I am determined to give it my all on the pitch, despite the nerves coursing through my body.