𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨

Chapter 4 - Home

17th July 2017

Chloé pov - present
As the plane touched down on familiar soil, I felt a mix of emotions flood over me. After living in other countries for what seemed like a lifetime, the thought of reuniting with my family brought both excitement and worry. The past few years had been a whirlwind of challenges and uncertainty, leaving my family for a whole new life.
Stepping into the bustling airport, I scan the crowd anxiously, searching for the familiar faces of my family that I had missed dearly. Finally, I see them. My parents and brothers standing there with open arms, smiles of relief spreading across their faces as they caught sight of me. With a lump in my throat, I rushed forward, crashing into a warm embrace as tears of relief and exhaustion well up in my eyes. The weight of my struggles lifted momentarily as I melted into the comfort of my family's embrace. As we made our way home, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of stories and updates, eager to reconnect with the life I'd left behind.

Over the past few days me and my family have the best time visiting our favorite museums, going out for food and just having a good time in our home city. With the unwavering support of my family by my side, I began to find my footing once more, realizing that no matter where life takes me, home would always be wherever my heart found belonging.

As the sun casts it's warm glow over the city of Deventer, my heart races with anticipation. Today is the day I'd been waiting for - the chance to watch France compete in the 2017 Women's Euros against England in the quarter final after dropping out of the squad so I could spend time with my family. But what made this day even more special was the company I have by my side, my family. I gather my parents and brothers and lead the way to the stadium. The streets are alive with excitement, adorned with flags and jerseys of all colors. Laughter and chatter fills the air as fans from different nations mingle, united by their love for the game. As we approached the stadium, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride swell within me. I've dreamt of this moment since I was a little girl, and now, here I am, about to watch my team take on the world's best. Taking our seats in the stands, my family bring me in a warm embrace. My father drapes an arm around my shoulder, my mother squeezes my hand, and my siblings share excited whispers. As the referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the match, my heart raced with excitement. With every pass, every shot, and every save, I cheer alongside my family, our voices blending with the roar of the crowd.

The game continued and it hit the hour mark. England were on the attack again but this time they were too quick for our defense to switch on and Jodie Taylor scores. 1 - 0 England. The game continued and the clock ticked time was running out. The full time whistle blew and the game was over. England has won and knocked France out of the competition. A sense of sadness, happiness and guilt ran over me. I started to feel conflicted on what to feel. On one hand I was happy for my friends on the England team and I was happy we made it this far but on the other hand I felt sad that we lost and more so guilt that I'd dropped out of the squad. The questions of: what if I didn't drop out of the squad? What if I could have made an impact? Why are you so selfish? Why have you let the team down again? What's the point of you even being here, all you do is cause people sadness?

"Chloé! Chloé? Chloé...?" I get elbowed in the side. "oh, c'était pour quoi? (Owh, what was that for?)" My brother Antoine points to my best friend from Man City, Steph. "Steph!" I run down to the steps to the first row of chairs to where the barrier was. "Chloé, how are you?" Steph pulls me into a hug.
"Alright I guess, what about you"
"I'm ecstatic"
"Ha, I figured, that was a stupid question"
"You sure your ok Chloé? You seem a bit out of it"
"Ye, ye I'm fine. Enough about me though let's talk about you, the great Steph Houghton, England captain. Congrats man!"
"Thanks, have you eaten today?"
"Umm..."
" Chloé you need to eat"
"I'm not hungry"
"I just need to get showered but wait for me outside the stadium and we'll catch up over food or something"
"Do we have to get food?"
"Yes" Steph goes to the tunnel and I go back to my parents to tell them to head to the hotel or something as I'm going to catch up with an old friend.

As I wait for Steph I take in the summers night air, rest my back on the wall and close my eyes. I stand there being content. "Boo!"
"putain de merde (holy shit)" I hit Steph on the arm. "Haha! You should've seen your face" she says and I frown. "Oh come on kid lighten up, were in the euros semi final"
"I think your forgetting I'm french"
"Shit, um ye, sorry about that"
"It's all good, it's water under the bridge as you say"
"Ye all water under the bridge. Now on a more serious note, what's up. You were at City for two years and over those two years I realized your a really easy person to read and right now I'm reading that there's something on your mind so come on tell me"
"I don't have anything to tell you"
"Bullshit" I sigh after she says this.
"Fine, what if today was my fault?"
"France losing?"
"Ye"
"Your kidding me, Chloé you weren't even on the pitch"
"Exactly my point I wasn't on the pitch! What if I was on the pitch? Today could've changed the game, I was being selfish by dropping out the squad"
"You need to give yourself a break. None of what happened in the pitch was your fault also don't call yourself selfish for needing a break. It's ok to need a break from football Chloé, you more than anyone out there deserves a break from everyone."
"Ok" I nod before Steph brings me into a hug. "Love you Stephy"
"Love you too kid"
"God I don't know what I'm gonna do without you in Spain"
"Yeah, it's a coincidence that you and Mapi joined the same club at the same time isn't it"
"What?!"
"You didn't know?"
"No! What do you mean Mapi Joined Barça"
"Look" Steph pulled out her phone to show me and my jaw just dropped. "Fuck sake"
"This is awkward"
"Really, I didn't realize that?"
"Is that sarcasm?"
"It's supposed to be"
"It's awful"
"Stating the obvious now are we"
"Hey don't take your anger out on me"
"I hate you"
"But I thought you loved me"
"I do but right now you're pissing me off"
"You're funny when you're angry"
"Can we go get food now"
"Yes please"
"Let's go"

Word count: 1208