My No. 23

Scotland

On the drive to Arsenals training ground we sipped away at our coffees.
"So that's Kyra's girlfriend?" She asked as we drove off.
"Yeah" I replied.
"She seems so sweet. I just know they'd be dead cute together. The coffees class as well". She said.
I smiled. She's not wrong they are cute. I filled her in on how they ended up going out and she found it adorable.
"She was so nervous, you never see her like that" I laughed.
She smiled, "you know I thought you and Kyra were becoming a thing as well". She said keeping her eyes on the road.
I laugh. "No way. Kyra is amazing but more in the little sister kinda way."
She smiled in response.
It's silent for a moment before I take a deep breath and ask. "What about you? What's your dating life been like?" As I say it I keep my eyes straight ahead. She doesn't say anything for a minute then a small grin appears on her face.
"Wonder why you're wanting to know that".
She glances at me for a second before facing the road again. I blush.
"Well like I said to you before." She continued. "Ive been focusing on football. It's my main priority so not had a lot of time for relationships. Been on a couple dates but nothing really long term".
Before I could even reply she shouted "There's Leah". Pointing at a car turning into the ground two cars a head of us. We followed behind and without saying anything else got out of her car.

"Less! Bell!" Beth exclaimed as she saw us getting out the car. She wandered over and took my bag pack off me and carried it to one of the two cars sat waiting for us.
"Right cmon, the sooner we take off the sooner we're there" Beth said dumping my bag in the boot and she jumped in the back seat. I carried my other bag and put it on top of the others. Alessia had hers but made a B line for the other car.
"Cheers Alessia" I shouted. She turned while closing the boot and looked at me puzzled.
"For the lift". I quickly finished.
Her face brightened instantly and she flashed that perfectly white smile again. "Don't be daft, thank you for the coffee. We'll have another when we get there" she said and waved as she got in the other car. I sat and watched till her door was closed and Beth was literally tugging at my top to get in. I climbed in. It was Me, Beth and Leah in together. So that left Alessia and Lotte in the other car ahead of us.

About two hours into the journey I felt my eyes getting heavy. So put my earphones in and hood up. Next thing I know we were 5 hours into the journey and I was getting up from a deep sleep. I had been completely passed out on Leah. She had matched the energy. She had her light blue Nike jumper on, hood up and was resting her head against mine. I tried to stay still as long as I could so I didn't disrupt her cause I know she probably done the same for me before falling asleep too.
After 5 minutes I felt her head lifting up so I managed to sit up too.

We made a couple of stops for food and the bathroom. Once we passed the Scotland sign the rest of the trip flew in.

"I hope the rooms are not nicer this time" said Beth.
"Aw yeah how does the whole sleeping arrangements work?" I asked.
"What have you not booked your room?" Asked Leah, quickly turning to Beth with a shocked expression.
My eyes widened looking at them both. Then after about 5 seconds they just burst out laughing.
"Only kidding Bell" said Leah laughing hard at her own joke.
"It's normally 2 to a room. You just let them know who you're sharing with once we're checking in. No stress." She finished.
No stress? Loads of stress. Who do I say I'm going to share with. I only know the Arsenal girls. But I didn't know this rule before. Who knows they might be sharing with someone from another team. I know they're all pretty close. Maybe Alessia? No there is a 100% chance she's sharing with Ella Toone from Manchester United.

I think Leah was able to see the stress come across my face.
"If you fancy it you can share with me?" She says and suddenly my head goes silent, all the stress disappears.
"Yeah! Thanks" I round off quietly with a smile. And we carry on chatting about the upcoming games.

We arrive at the ground. Lotte had messaged about half an hour before saying their car had arrived. We were welcomed at the hotel with the lioness media team. 2 bigger cameras and 3 phones were pointed at us getting out of the car. We didn't have to carry our bags in so I followed behind Leah and Beth. Both of them were so used to this attention they swaggered by it all nonchalantly. Leah flashed a grin and wink then Beth gave an enthusiastic wave in good Meado fashion. I made eye contact with the camera for a second and then my head shot straight forward. I just tried to make sure I didn't trip up.

Success I made it through the front door. There seemed to be a sea of people wearing England badges.
I stuck close to the other two knowing they'd find the right people to go to.
Leah approached a woman wearing a pair of England trackie bottoms and a white polo shirt.
"Hiya, we've just arrived. Me and Molly are looking to sha.." but she was cut off by the woman
"No, Sarina has different plans for this camp."
Typical I think to myself. When I had sorted it with Leah it all changes.
"She plans on pairing everyone up with someone who you'd need to link well with in the game. Some kind of bonding technique". She finished.
She started rifling through a folder. "Williamson... William... oh here you are Leah". She said handing her an envelope.
"Mead... and yours" as she passed another envelope to Beth.
"Molly Bell... let's see. Ah here you go". And she snapped her folder back shut as she handed me an envelope with my name and 233 written on it. When I looked back up the woman was already walking away.

"Sorry bell. Usually they do let you pick where you're sleeping". Leah said as we made our way to the lifts.
"Don't stress it". I say smiling at her. "Thanks anyway".

Leah was only two doors down. She unlocked and went in her room. I pressed my key card in and the door unlocked. I opened the door and I see blonde hair facing away from me. My heart jumps. She turned around. Alessia. I couldn't help it. I felt the smile build on my face until I was fully cheesing.
Within a second though my smile faltered. Ella Toone walked out of the bathroom. Alessia's gaze shot straight from me to Ella and stayed with her. Ella looked at me.
"Awright Molly? Nice ta meet ya". She said in her Mancunian accent reaching her hand over to fist bump me. I met it.
"You the unfortunate one stuck with me then?" She joked.
"233?" I said flashing my envelope at them both.
"Yeah same" Ella said. The disappointment hit my chest and my face fell.
"Right well we were just heading to my room" Alessia said as she started towards the door.
"Oh right yea" said Ella following her. "Aw your England kit bag is in the wardrobe there" she said sliding the door open as she passed. I noticed then they were both in matching training kit.
"We'll catch you in a bit." She said as she got to the door and let it fall shut. Just before it came to a close I could hear the two of them giggling up the hall.

I pulled my kit bag out the wardrobe and put it on the bed. The number 18 embroidered on the bag. I take out the pink training top and navy training bottoms and put them on. I got a text from Leah.

Leah: Who you bunking with then?
Bell: Ella Toone, what about you?
Leah: Alex Greenwood. We'll catch up after the meeting

I flumped myself onto the bed. My phone started blowing up. I had been tagged by the lioness Instagram arriving at the hotel.
"The gunners have arrived".
I was getting messages from old friends family and strangers.
I spoke with my mum and dad on the phone and that gave me a new lease of life. I checked the time and realised I had 10 minutes until I was to be in the conference room for the first team meeting. I quickly said bye and threw my shoes on before heading out the door.