Rachel Daly - Dashed Hopes

Dashed Hopes - Part Four

Over the weeks of the tournament you and Rachel started to get close again. You, Mary, Millie and Rachel had become a firm foursome and started to film some TikToks together, hanging out in each other's rooms and she even joined your table for meals sometimes. The flirtiness had returned and people were starting to notice, poking fun when they could. You still didn't like what she did to you but Rach had a way when it came to making people fall for her. Her cocky manner, her jokey behaviour, her need for wanting to play with your hair and then there was the hugs. Oh the hugs! You can't lie that feeling her arms wrapped around your shoulders from behind didn't make you swoon. Having someone who knows you so intimately was comforting. The knowledge about each other doesn't leave when you break up, you still know everything and anything about them and it's impossible for that to disappear completely. You knew when she was frustrated or anxious by just a look and the little glances across the room said you were thinking the same thing when someone did something silly. Game after game you'd celebrate together, wearing cowboy hats and running around like kids who had too many sweets. It felt nostalgic and comforting but you hadn't forgotten the pain she had caused, you'd simply decided it wasn't going to ruin this moment in your life.

With hard work and determination England reached the final and it was neck and neck between you and Rachel with goals scored. The Lionesses were drawing with only a few minutes left to spare of normal time, Sarina had replaced Lucy with Rachel knowing she could work both ends of the pitch when needed. A corner gone wrong for them left us with a free run towards our goal. You were the fastest on the team with Lucy already off but Rachel had the ball at her feet and looked like she was taking it the whole way. Their defenders started to catch up as the goalie ran towards her, the best option was to pass to you who was unmarked but she didn't - chipping it over the goalie and towards the net. The whole crowd gasped as it narrowly hit the bar only to fall perfectly towards your head and into the net. The competition between you both quickly melted away as she jumped into your arms, thinking quickly to catch her as the rest of the team surrounded you with congratulations. Soon after that the full time whistle blew. You'd won. You specifically had won the World Cup for England. It was all a blur after that. The team fell to their knees in relief that you'd done what you came here to do before lifting you into the air to parade you around the stadium. Confetti canons going off left, right and centre. The noise deafening even away from home.

Lining up to clap the silver medalists, the guard of honour was formed to receive the winning announcements. Knowing you had the golden boot in the bag your team cheered as you walked up to collect your trophy. No sooner than when you'd just got back to your place you were called up to receive the player of the tournament as well, collecting your second trophy of the night before being awarded your gold medal and celebrating with the team for the third one. You and Ebony had a photo together with the trophy as others were doing with their club teammates when Rachel approached asking to have a photo with you both too. All of you throwing up the H with the biggest smiles on your faces before partying with the rest of the team - it felt like you stayed on that pitch for hours.

Sarina had hired a bar for you all to celebrate, the drinks were flowing and by midnight some were looking worse for wear, you danced into the early hours of the morning with the girls that remained. Recording a video with your golden boot with Mary and her golden glove was bittersweet, it would be the last one before you left for USA again but you'd be leaving with a firm friendship in the goal keeper. Sitting on a sofa in the corner of the room you were in a trance watching all the happy smiley people around you, this is where you belong - on this team. Officially a Lioness and a winning one at that, nothing could wipe this smile off your face; not even Rachel who was approaching you across the floor. She sat down opposite as she handed you another drink. "I broke up with Becky.. last month actually" she shouted over the music, your facial expression remained blank and seemingly unaffected by the news, not understanding why this had anything to do with you. "I was hoping you'd stay.. come home?" The bright lights flashing in your eyes and the heavy bass thumping in your ears made you think you misheard her. "These past few months have reminded me how much I love you, I don't want to lose you again (y/n/n). Please stay" she took your hands into hers and kissed them, her puppy dog eyes making her hard to resist. Three months ago you wanted nothing more than to hear Rach say she loved you and here she was in front of you saying it.