Jealousy

Training

I got into the car with Beth and Viv, Kyra got in beside me. "First day training with us!" Beth grins cheerfully. "How are you feeling?" She asks. "I feel good, sure it's gonna be different but I am actually looking forward to it." I admit with a smile. Even though it's not even been a week at Arsenal yet I feel positive, calm even. My fears and anxiety of being here from the Monday have completely vanished. I felt sure of myself and ready to prove my place within the squad.

A short drive later we arrived at the training ground, we all walked through reception and headed towards the changing rooms to get ready for training. It felt a bit weird at first, Arsenal's changing rooms were different to Manchester City's. "Ahh, there's your cubby!" Beth grinned and pushed me towards it. "Smile!!!" She grinned proudly. I smile as she takes her phone out and takes a picture of me beside my cubby. "I'm so proud!" She says dramatically and puts her hand on her heart. "You're such an idiot." I laugh at her. "I'm proud! You finally joined us, it's only taken a thousand plus chats to get you here." Beth laughs and rolls her eyes. I shake my head with a gentle laugh.

The changing room soon filled with all the players of the squad, I quietly get ready some of the girls chat between themselves. I come out my thoughts as I noticed someone stood before me. "Hi, Liliana right?" She said. "Please, call me Lili." I smile politely. "I'm Kim Little, your Arsenal team captain." I reach out my hand to shake hers. "Nice to meet you, Captain." I smile. Kim laughs lightly. "You're one of us now, don't be shy. I just wanted to introduce myself, I'm looking forward to seeing what you're made of during our first training together." Kim smiles softly. "Ah right, yes. I'm looking forward to it. Thank you Kim." I smile.

I walk out in a group made up of Leah, Beth, Viv, Kyra, Lotte and I for training, we all talk between ourselves as we walk. "Gather round girls." Jonas calls as everyone was now on the training pitch. "Welcome to your first session with us, Lili." Jonas says looking directly at me. I clear my throat. "Thanks, Jonas." I give a slight nod his way.

Before we could start training we needed to warm up our muscles and be ready for the intensity of training. Everything, even from the warm up was different. At Manchester City we used to warm up in a group all doing the same things at the same time and then onto training, Arsenal was a mixture of solo, paired and group warm ups. Different, but I like it either way. 

"Partner up." I hear Jonas call, I go to pair with Kyra but she heads over to Alessia Russo. Just as I go to join Lotte, Leah pulls me with her. "Come on Lils." She grins. We did our paired up warm ups together. "How are you finding it?" Leah asked as we did our high legs. "It's pretty good. Different but so good." I laugh gently. "Hmm better?" Leah questions with a squint. "Hm maybe." I smirk, I knew Leah loved it whenever anyone declared that Arsenal was better than anywhere else. I knew she'd wanted the words to come out my mouth. "Say it." Leah pushed. "Say what Le?" "You love it here. Arsenal is the best." I sighed giving in. "Arsenal is the best." I try to hold back my smile as Leah's smile went wide, a proper toothy grin on her face. "I knew it Lils." She stated.

On to rondos and 2v2's I was killing it. I was happy that I had shown what I had and that I was worthy of a place alongside my friends at Arsenal. I couldn't have wished for a better first day of training. "Ok so we don't normally do this when someone new joins but I think you have it in you." Jonas starts. "How do you feel about a bib on bib game?" He asked as we stood to one side after I'd had a quick water break with the girls. "I'm all for it Jonas. I want to prove to you that you made the right decision in my contract." I state and push a piece of hair out of my face. "Ok. If you're sure." Jonas says with a nod. "Truly, I am..." I say and join the girls ready for our next instruction.

Jonas had Kim and Leah pick their teams in pink and yellow bibs. I waited and obviously I wasn't the first couple of choices, I'm not mad I am the newbie after all. Leah chose me after 3 others. "Took your time Williamson." I grinned as I high five'd her joining her side. "Sorry love, you're here now." Leah shook her head with a grin.