How I Sapphire Young fell in love with Alessia Russo

Chapter 11

Alessia's POV:

As I boarded the train bound for London, I couldn't shake the feeling of excitement building within me. This was the beginning of a new chapter in my footballing journey, and I was ready to embrace it with open arms. As the train pulled away from the station, I took one last look out the window, saying goodbye to Manchester and the teammates who had helped shape me into the player I had become. But as the familiar sights of London came into view, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead. With Arsenal by my side, I knew that anything was possible, and I was ready to take on the world.

As I stepped into the bustling training ground of Arsenal Women's Club, a sense of excitement tingled in the air. This was the beginning of a new chapter in my footballing journey, and I couldn't wait to see what the future held. As I made my way through the corridors, I was greeted by the sound of laughter and chatter, the unmistakable energy of a team coming together. I recognized a few familiar faces among the crowd, some fellow Lionesses and a few players I had crossed paths with in previous matches.

But it was the new signings that caught my eye, their faces eager and determined as they greeted one another. Among them was Kyra, a talented midfielder whose arrival had been highly anticipated. Yet, as I approached to introduce myself, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Kyra's greeting was polite but curt, her smile strained as she exchanged pleasantries with me. I couldn't help but feel a pang of confusion at her demeanour, wondering if I had somehow unintentionally rubbed her the wrong way.

As the day wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered between us. Kyra seemed to go out of her way to avoid me, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment at the missed opportunity to forge a connection with my new teammate. But as the training session began and we took to the pitch together,

I pushed aside my concerns, focusing instead on the game at hand. The familiar rhythm of the game washed over me, and I found myself slipping into the flow of play, leaving behind the awkwardness of our earlier interaction. As the training session finished I approached Kyra, determined to address the tension that had been simmering between us, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

I knew that I couldn't let this awkwardness linger any longer, especially if we were going to be teammates. "Hey Kyra," I began, trying to keep my tone casual despite the nerves that churned within me. "Can we talk for a moment?" Kyra's expression shifted slightly, her gaze meeting mine with a guarded look. "Sure, what's up?" she replied, her tone neutral. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before speaking. "I couldn't help but notice that things have been a bit... off between us," I started, choosing my words carefully. "And I just wanted to clear the air, you know? I don't want there to be any tension between us, especially as teammates.

Kyra hesitated for a moment before sighing softly. "Look, Alessia, I'll be honest with you," she began, her tone softening slightly. "The truth is, I felt a bit... awkward about that comment you left on Sapphire's Instagram post during the World Cup celebrations." Her words caught me off guard, and I felt a pang of guilt wash over me as I recalled the drunken comment I had sent to Sapphire in the midst of the post-match celebrations. I had completely forgotten about it until now, and the realisation hit me like a ton of bricks.

"I... I didn't realise that it would cause any harm," I admitted, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up my cheeks. "I was just caught up in the moment, you know? I didn't mean anything by it." Kyra nodded sympathetically, her expression softening. "I understand," she replied, her tone gentle. "But you have to understand, I'm friends with Sapphire's ex-girlfriend, Charli Grant. And, well, let's just say that their relationship ended badly."