Signing for Arsenal at just 16 was scary but it turned out amazing. Here I am at 17 winning the Continental Cup for the second year in a row. Doing all this with my best friends and family.
"We've got McCabe! Katie McCabe!" I shouted as I jumped onto the Irish women's back. I was immediately dumped back onto the ground by the already tipsy Katie. Then I was met with Katie jumping on top of me in celebration.
"Oi Little one, we fookin' won. You're an all star!" Katie yelled in my ear before she was dragged off me by Leah. Leah then proceeded to help me up.
"You're wanted for an interview. It's with Alex so you'll be okay," Leah's said with a smile as she patted my back. Leah was practically my mum when I came into the team. She was also the one I cried to after all the media backlash I got. "You want me to come with?"
"Could ya?" I asked as I looked up at Leah. Leah smiled lightly as she wrapped an arms around my shoulder leading me towards Alex Scott so I could do my interview. Getting over there we said greeting before I got handed the microphone, so the interview could start.
"So Hailee Rodgers it's great to be talking to you. We just have a couple questions and we can get you on your way." Alex smiled lightly as she spoke. She was always the broadcaster I wanted to talk to just because of her actual human connection. "So first and foremost how does it feel to win your second piece of silverware with Arsenal at just 17."
I smile and laughed lightly as I tapped the badge on my jersey. "It feels amazing, as Lessi would say I'm buzzing. I'm so glad I play for this club and that I've found my home." I smiled lightly as I felt Leah's arm wrap around my shoulder.
"So through the past two years we've seen you progress immensely. Is that something that has helped you score goals like today, goals that are winning your team the game?"
I nodded as I stood there listening to the question. "Yeah, I mean I think my improvement over time is definitely leading to me handling these challenges, and showing up when my teams needs them."
After a couple more questions Alex sent me free, letting Leah drag me back to the locker room. "Right before we go in, no drinking. There's too many cameras in here, and we can't have this getting out. I'll let you drink when we get back home, alright?" Leah smiled apologetically as she spoke before ruffling my hair.
I groaned lightly as we walked into the locker room. "This is so unfair though. Honestly you shouldn't be letting Kyra drinking, she's more of a child then me." I huffed as I moved to sit down in my cubby except one Beth Mead pulled me into our makeshift dance circle. Throughout the night I got passed around the team, taking lots of photos, singing and dancing until Leah finally saved me.
"Alright, I gotta take this one home or she's gonna be cranky. Let's go Hailee," Leah said as she patted my back. She already had my bag in her hand, and packed it for me. We walked out to the car, most of the fans and media gone so the cool air hit my face. Leah had made us drive here since she didn't want to ride the bus back since to her words, 'it would be too loud.'
"Can we get Pizza on the way home?" I asked throwing on the biggest puppy dog eyes, the ones I knew Leah couldn't say no to.
Leah hesitated as she put our stuff in the back before groaning and giving in, "Alright, we will stop for pizza. I guess you earned it tonight." There was a silence that came over us as we drove until Leah parked in the pizza places parking lot. "Haliee, you uh know I am proud of you right?"
I teared up lightly before practically jumping on top of Leah, "Thanks Le, I love you so much. You don't even know."
That night we had our pizza and went home. I didn't mind not drinking that night, since I was buzzing from all the emotions. I convinced Leah to go over to the Miedemas household in the morning so I could play with Myle and Rona plus see Beth all hungover. Plus they were family and I felt like I couldn't go a day without seeing them.
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AN- this one's a little shorter but ignore that. Uh yk Arsenal, COYG, i rlly Hope we win the conti cup on Sunday
