Lover- Alessia Russo

11. Citizens

After my extra little session with Lotte after training we got done and changed. Now that leads us to present time.

"You'll do great." Lotte whisper to me as her and the girls go to the chill room to watch the press conference. I nod and direct my attention to Jonas.

"I'll go in a tell them me then you come in after you hear your cue." Jonas says and I nod. He smiles and walks into the conference room.

After a few minutes I hear. "There have been some big names floating around this transfer window. Is arsenal planning to sign any?" A reporter asks.

"Well what perfect timing. As of a few days ago we managed to sign one of the biggest names in football and we couldn't be more excited with that being said meet our new signing-" Jonas says and I open the door. I hear a bunch of gasps and camera clicking.

"Izzi Charles!" He finishes his thought and I walk over and sit next to him giving him a nod as I sit.

"Hello everyone!" I say with a little laugh. Everyone looks a little shocked but that soon changes as everyone hands fly into the air. Yelling erupts as they all try to ask me questions. Oh god.

"Okay. Okay. Clam down. One at a time." A staff member says and everyone seems to listen. They point to someone and they start talking.

"Firstly I would like to say congratulations and secondly of all the clubs you could have chosen from what made you choose arsenal?"

"Well thank you and yeah arsenal have always been in my sights. I've been a fan since birth. This has always been a dream of mine and Lottes to play together for arsenal and walk out to a sold out emirates and now that dream is in reach. I couldn't be more excited and grateful to Jonas and everyone else at arsenal for giving me this opportunity." I say with a smile. The reporter nods and another one is called.

"Have you met all of the girls yet? And if so how are you settling in?" I'm asked.

"Yes I've been training with them the past 2 days in preparation for the upcoming match. All of the girls have been lovely and very welcoming. We've gotten to know each other a bit and I can't wait to see what we can do." I answer with a smile and nod.

"What do aspire to do with this team as the season continues. Currently arsenal are number 2 on the table just behind Chelsea and tied with your prior team Manchester City."  The man asks.

"Yeah, I mean I always want to win. I think that this team definitely has the talent to compete to get back into the champions league and that's what I intend to do. I want to win as many trophies and games as possible. There's no doubt that the people here at arsenal are capable of doing just that and I just can't wait to see what we can do." I answer.

"You said you've trained with the team twice now since signing. So my question is who's impressed you the most?"

"Who hasn't?" I ask with a little laugh.

"If you had to choose one?" He says sounding hopeful.

"All of the girls are incredibly talented but I think what's impressed me the most is the way Alessia handles the ball and makes runs. She knows what she doing and I've found it very easy to link up on the pitch with her." I say with a smile. She's impressed me with just about every thing she does but I'm not about to say that.

"Can you comment on that?" A reporter asks Jonas. As he sees him nodding along with what I was saying.

"I completely agree. Izzi and Alessia have been able to link up very well and have quickly created a great partnership on the pitch." Jonas says and reporter nods.

"What do you have to say to the Manchester City fans? Most were expecting you to re sign." A reporter asks rudely. I manage to hold back my eye rolls and respond calmly.

"I was planning on making a video for all of y'all but..." I say and look to the camera.

"To the Citizens, the last 10 years with you all have been some of the best times of my life. I signed with you when I was just 15 and since then you supported me through the good times and the bad. I grew up with you all and I was able to create friendships that will last a lifetime and memories that I will never forget. I won my first trophies with you all and went through some brutal losses with you all too. But all good things come to an end and I wanted to leave on a high. I'll always cherish my time in Manchester but it's time for me to begin a new chapter in my life. Thank you Citizens." I say with a smile and the staff signals the end of the conference so I get up and pat Jonas' back as I leave.

Once I step out of the media room I walk into the chill room where all the girls were watching the press  conference. They all look at me. I sit down next to Lotte and sink into the couch. I close my eyes and let out a sigh of relief.

"You good sis?" Lotte asks gently.

"Honestly never better it's tough saying goodbye but I'm just ready to move on." I say and lay my head back as I look to the ceiling. I fucking hate talking so much to random people about myself. I feel so self absorbed. I'm fucking exhausted.

"You did great though." Alessia says from the other side of me. I lift my head and look at her. The girls all say something of the same but it feels good hearing it come from Alessia. I don't know why but I'm not gonna dwell on it. I just smile and look at her for a second longer before laying back again.