My No. 23

Briefing

The next couple of days were full of anxiety the gym and training. The only one on one time me and Alessia got together was the morning runs she was now joining my me for. We would go for a coffee after and always pick Ella and Millie one up to take back with us.

It was the day before the Ireland game. We were all called into a meeting room for the briefing on the upcoming game.
"So we are planning on being very dominant in possession". Sarina was saying in front of the group.
"We are hoping to create many chances and to hopefully take them" she finishes with a laugh.
She then goes over some footage from the game against Scotland pointing out weaknesses that she had already went over post match.
"Now a change to the line up". She begins to go through the starting 11.
"Russo... Bell" she looks at us. I flicked my head straight to her. I was half zoned out not expecting to be called on.
"I like how to two of you play off one another, I'm going to have you both leading the line."
I felt Alessia's foot hit against mine.
I couldn't believe it. My first start for my country. I must've been doing something right. I couldn't hide my smile.
She continued to go through the team and then the Irelands expected line up.

Once we had finished we all went to the changing room to get ready to head out to the pitch. Beth ran up and jumped on my back.
"Oi Bell, how does it feel getting your first start". She shouted in my ear before falling off. The other girls slapped my back and congratulated me.

The day flew in. I put 100% into the drills and a good recovery session in the gym in the afternoon. Before I knew it I was heading back to the room. As quickly as I star fished the bed my phonel began ringing and lit up with Kyra's name.

"Mol!" She shouts.
"Jesus Kyra! Don't need to shout". I say back pulling the phone away from my ear.
"Sorry Ive just missed you" she says a bit quieter.
Straight away I'm smiling and laughing. We end up chatting for over an hour.
"So you know your little stunt at the movie night?" I say to her.
She's quiet at first and then says "hmm no I don't know what you mean".
"Well..." I start "turns out you sorta helped me out... big time".
I go on to tell her about the night out and the chat me and Alessia had afterwards.
"You're kidding me?! No way! Mol this is insane! What did the girls say?" She spills out all in one breath.
"You're the only one who knows! You and Tooney. And it's to stay like that for a while". I tell her.
Just then Ella and Alessia walk in the door.
"Kyra I'm gona have to go. Sorry. Alessia and Ella have just came in" I say down the phone. Alessia gestures if she can have the phone. I hand it over to her and she starts blethering away to Alessia.

"Oh did she?... mhmm... Really..." she replies to Kyra down the phone.
"Aw she said that?" Alessia asks her.
She turns to look at me smiling. I can feel the embarrassment on my phone not sure what she's saying.
Ella's sat up beside me on the bed laughing at me. She throws her arm around me and whispers in my ear.
"Don't worry we'll get her back just hold off".

"Okay, Ky. I'll see you in a couple of days. Bye bye bye" she came off and then chucked my phone onto Ella's bed before jumping down on my other side. She's still smiling. She nudges me.
"Aw ain't you a sweetie. Telling Kyra all about me".
I rolled my eyes at her. "Kyra knew all about you already, nothing new to tell". I say.
"That's not what she made out" she winked at Ella.
"You know, it's cute, Less was exactly the same". Ella said looking at me. I turned to look at Alessia her smile dropped and started to grow on my face instead. Clearly this is what Ella was hinting at.
"Honestly Molly, for the last couple months all it's been is 'Mol this and Mol that". She said.
"Okay Ella. I didn't say that much".
Alessia cut in.
"No really, the other night you should've heard how gutted she was seeing you and G getting close."
And at that Alessia basically lunged at Ella. They both began laughing their heads off.
"Oh and see after the night out she couldn't stop talking about it." Ella said holding Alessia's arms down.
"Ella, she's so sweet... look she gave me her hoodie... do you think I can keep it... it smells so nice" and that was the straw that broke the camels back. She got a hold of Ella and covered her mouth. She then pulled her off the bed and literally pulled her out the room. I was left there myself.

I sat for a couple of minutes and then went into the bathroom for a shower. Once I finished I opened the bathroom door and Alessia's sat at the edge of the bed. I jump getting a fright not expecting her there.
"Shit Alessia" I say grabbing my towel holding it up. "Didn't expect you to be here".
Her eyes trace up and down me and she smiles.
"Oh yeah um sorry about that. She gets a bit carried away sometimes" she says looking off to the side.
I smile "so what, you never said any of that?" I ask teasingly.
"I mean... like just maybe not in the exact words" she says her cheeks going a shade of pink.
"Well in that case, of course you can keep my hoodie, that's until I need to stink it up again" I say laughing. She looks up at me and smiles. She jumps off the end of the bed and puts her hands on my waist and pulls me in for a kiss. I close my eyes and place one hand on the side of neck the other still holding up my towel. She pulls back looking at her top and there are small water patches.
"You've got me all wet" she says taken a step back.
"Again?" I say with a cheeky grin. She starts laughing.
"Really though it's soaked through".
I go to my drawers and pick her out a top. I grab myself some clothes too. I hand it to her as I head into the bathroom.
"I'll be out in a minute". I say. I quickly get changed and when I get back out she's also changed.

We share another kiss and then head down to dinner and meet with the other girls. Lauren was showing us how many tomato's she could catch in her mouth in a row. She got to 9 before Lucy lobbed one right off her forehead. The entire room was laughing including Lauren.
Me and Ella get back to the room. I place Alessia's top onto the radiator so it drys. When I get into bed my phone pings with a text.

McCabe: I'll see you tomorrow, good luck x
Bell: Hope you've been practicing x
McCabe: Don't forget your Shinguards x