Lost - Ellie Carpenter and Daniëlle Van De Donk

The beginning...

It had been a hectic day, with long hours of training and a broken down car on the side of the motorway.

Even with today's bad luck, i wasn't far from my apartment when i realised i was stranded.
I stood to the side of my car, away from the moving traffic about to open my phone to call Dama to pick me up when i noticed a car pulling up to the emergency stop area i was parked at.

I watched as the car parked in front of me, and out of it stepped a young blonde woman, probably in her twenties and turned to me with the sweetest smile and with the thickest Australian accent i've ever heard asked, "Are you okay, do you need some help?"

"Oh no its okay thank you, my car broke down but i'm going to have my friend pick me up", I replied casually, hoping that this cute blonde doesn't recognise me.

"Do you live far from here? I don't mind dropping you off somewhere?" Her Australian accent was coming on strong, and for a moment i thought i recognised her but couldn't quite place it so dropped the thought which brought me to the reality that i really cannot show a random person where i live.

"Oh no its really okay thank you though" I answered as politely as i could before looking down at my phone to avoid being caught staring at this mystery womens beautiful
green eyes.

Hold on, what?? Beautiful green eyes? Daan really, did you really think like a typical romance book just now?

"Okay good luck with everything" The Aussie finished, turning around and heading back inside her car and driving off, but i was still glued watching her minutes after she was gone. Who was that? And how was she so mesmerising?

———————————————————————

The next day, I woke up feeling weirdly excited for the day. I got up, heading towards my shower, completing my morning routine before quickly putting on my kit and leaving for training with a cup of coffee in my hand.

Thankfully, Dama offered to pick me up since my car was still in the shop, but of course, she was running late. I stood outside waiting for about 5 minutes before Dama's car appeared in front of me.

"You ready for today? First day back of the season"

"Yeah, isn't there a new player starting with us today?"

"Ellie Carpenter, i think?"

The rest of the car ride was normal, playing music and loudly singing along, ignoring the outside world until we arrived outside the stadium.

I thanked Dama for the ride, making plans for her dropping me off at the end of training, and walked in with Ada Hegerberg, catching up on our final break before the season starts and we make our way towards the team on the pitch. I'm so focused on what Ada is saying i don't notice the new piercing green eyes watching me amongst the group until Sonia, our manager, introduces her.

"Ellie Carpenter is going to be joining us, I hope you will all make her feel welcome" The group breaks up, a mix of "nice to meet you" and "enchantee" filling the air.

"Nice to meet you, Ellie" I say, walking towards the younger player with my arm slightly out infront of me.
"Nice to meet you too..."
"Daan"
"Daan", she replies, taking my hand into hers, shaking slightly, and giving me a slight smile before breaking off and heading towards Sonia instructing us on what training we will be performing today.

—————————————————————————

We were doing practice matches today, we were split into two and were playing short matches so Sonia could critique us on our techniques.

I found myself being constantly distracted by the blonde ponytail in the corner of my eye that i missed some pretty obvious shots, but thankfully a lot of people were off their game today, so i wasn't caught out for my blatant staring.

I tried not to look creepy, but i kept wanting to watch her play, her skill and control of the ball was impressive and shocking at the same time. But the most hypnotizing part of her was the light smile she kept on her face when playing, and how her whole face would light up when doing so.

After what only felt like a few seconds, the match was over and we were being called into a huddle by Sonia in the middle of the pitch. She explained to us where the problems were and where our technique was improving.
I listened carefully, trying to focus and ignore the feeling of a pair of eyes burning holes in the back of my head.

After an intense few hours in the gym and on the pitch, me and Dama head together towards the changing rooms, getting ready to finally go home and relax after what felt like an eternity in this stadium. I tell Dama i just need to grab my things and I'll meet her in the car.

I walk into the changing room expecting it to be empty but notice Ellie on the other side of the room seemingly also packing up her things from today. I decide to walk towards her feeling confident until im up close and she turns around and...
"Hey Daan"
"Hey Ellie, did you enjoy your first day here?"
"Yeah its definitely a dream come true for me, and everyone is so nice"
"You played really well today, where was it you played for before here?"
"I was just on loan to Melbourne city from Portland thorns but decided it was time for a change, what about you?"

"Well i had just ended a 6-year relationship with another girl on the team and it was a bit too awkward and decided a change would be best"

"That sucks im sorry."

"Ah dont worry about it, i love living in Lyon theres so much to do here"

"Really? I havent had a chance to explore much with all the moving recently"

"How about i show you some of my favourite places tomorrow after training if youd like?"

I noticed her face instantly light up, the smile that could brighten a whole room creeping up her face as she nods in approval and says shed enjoy that.

I say my goodbyes, grabbing my things and leaving.

—————————————————————————-

I head quickly towards Dama's car, unaware of the time that had passed and watch her staring me down with a confused face.

"You were late this morning!" I say as i get in the car before she has the chance to say anything about my extended time spent in the changing room.

I stare out the window rethinking the conversation i just had with Ellie, and the whole encounter. Does she know i was the girl with a stranded car the night before? Does she think i'm a nice person? What is she thinking? Where am i going to take her tomorrow? What-

"Gaat het?" I instantly pulled out the weird trance i was in and i face Dama before replying calmly with "Ja het gaat goed"

I'm not questioned any further so spend the rest of the car ride home deciding where to take Ellie tomorrow. A nature area? Good food? Football related? Who knows.

That car better be ready tomorrow morning...