Lover- Alessia Russo

13. Pre-game

Today the day. I'm going to live out a childhood dream. I couldn't sleep this morning I was to excited so I studied some more of Chelsea's game. Putting me at ease and completely ready to play. As I head to the training grounds to get on the bus I feel completely relaxed but also not because I'm just so excited. I pull up to the training grounds and park Lotte immediately runs up to me giving me a big hug.

"Hey sis!" She says.

"Hey lotts." I say with a smile as I grab my bag from the back seat.

"Come on!" Lotte says as she pull me by my bag to where the rest of the girls are sat. I give them a wave and say hi before I sit next to Lotte and Leah. All of us just chat about the upcoming game as we wait for the last few girls to come.

*ALESSIA's POV*

As we're all sitting around laughing  and chatting about the game I can't help but sneak a few glances at Izzi. I can't help but adore how calm and confident she is. Myself and the girls know that she's the best player in the world but she acts as if she isn't. I can tell she feels like she has more to prove. She's to humble. As I'm looking at her she turns to me and gives me a smile. Which I return as I feel myself blush.

I quickly turn away and rejoin my conversation with Vic and Kyra. Both of them give me a look but I just ignore it. Soon enough the bus comes and we all make our way onto the bus. I sit next to Vic as we wait for Lotte to join us in our normal seats.

"Come on just sit with me. We have a free seat anyway." I hear Lotte say as she makes it to our seat pulling Izzi behind her. I can't help but giggle as I see Izzi roll her eyes. That causes Lotte to turn back and look at izzi but she just holds her hands up in mock surrender and sits down across from me and next to Lotte giving me a smirk as she does. Adorable. On our way to the emirates we all just talk and myself and Vic get to know izzi a bit more. Ive gotten to know izzi quite a bit over the last few days. It almost feels like we've known each other longer though. I just feel so at ease when I'm talking to her.

As we pull up to the emirates our conversation simmers out. Izzi steps out into the aisle and lets our table out before we start walking to get out of the bus. As I take a step out fans start screaming. I look behind me and see Izzi stepping out of the bus. I can't help but smile as I see all these little girls and boys even some adults yelling for her. Izzi waves at them. Giving them all a smile as we continue to walk in.

*IZZI's POV*

After getting dressed we all head out to start warm ups. As I walk out next to Lotte I just take a second to take it all in. Now everything is starting to feel real. I mean it's felt real but just wow.

"Holy shit." I mutter to myself as I look around.  Lotte who's under my arm laughs. Shit. I forgot she was there for a sec.

"Getting real?" She asks amused. I nod and drop my arm from her shoulder. I take a look around once more as I see fans starting to get to their seats before I join the girls for warm ups. Game time. This is my first game with the girls I need to be on top of my game.

*time skip*

"- arsenal on 3! 1,2,3 ARSENAL!" Katie yells as Kim finishes her speech. Game time. I relax my body as we start our walk to the tunnel. I can hear the roar of the crowd the second I step out of the locker room putting a slight smile on my face before I go into game mode. Some say I have a bitch face before and during the game. Some say I'm scary but I just switch everything off and focus on one thing. Winning.

I'm the last in line as I follow Lotte. As the Chelsea girls make their way beside us I put my hands on Lottes shoulders and she turns around with a smile on her face.

"I love ya." I say completely serious. I watch as Lotte face turns from shock to happiness. I don't show affection often but Lotte knows I love her. She smiles and says "I love you too sis."

"Now let's go kick some ass!" I say. The line starts moving and the girls start walking out. I can hear the crowd yelling and screaming. As I make my way out from the tunnel the crowd gets even louder. How that's possible I have no fucking clue.

Once we stand to sing the national anthem I take a second and let it hit me. I take a look around and look at the crowd. I watch as fans wave flags as they cheer and yell. These fans are a different breed. I can't even see a single seat open as I take a look around. This is fucking mad. I'm playing for arsenal. In a sold out emirates.

Once the captains do there thing we all get into position. I take a glance to my side and give Alessia a nod when I see her already looking at me. Time to beat some ass.