Lover- Alessia Russo

19. Lunch

*ALESSIA's POV*
Izzi gets in after closing my door and drives us to this little restaurant. I open my door and step out just as she gets to my side.

"That's my job miss." She says with her hands on her hips. She tilts her head trying to act serious but fails as she laughs at her self.

"No it's not. It's alright." I say with a laugh. I look up at her and she gives me a smirk.

"I'm with you... it's my job." She says with a smile. God she gives me butterflies.

"No." I say laughing.

"Yes it is!" She says as she runs to the restaurant door and opens it for me. This girl...

"You're a dork." I say as I walk past her. She just shrugs and walks in behind me but I have no clue where I'm going so I let her in front of me as she looks like she knows the place. So I follow her.

All of sudden she stops and turn looking at me.

"Do you wanna have lunch outside?" She asks.

"Outside? Like...in the car?" I ask looking back outside. Confused. I mean that would be fine too.

Izzi laughs a little while shaking her head.

"No. Come on. They have this outdoor area." Izzi explains with a laugh. She puts a hand on my back and I immediately relax. I don't even think she realizes what she doing it's as if it second nature to her as she guides me through the restaurant keeping the hand on my back and a smile on my face.

After walking up a flight of stairs we enter a little outdoor space on the roof. The view is beautiful. You can see most of north London from here.

"This is so nice..."I say looking around. I turn around and Izzi pulls out a chair for herself and me. She looks up at me as I speak.

"Beautiful isn't it." She says softly. I nod and thank her for pulling my chair out as we both sit down at a table for two.

"So do you come here often?" I ask curious.

"I haven't come here since moving. But I use to come when I would visit Lotte and Leah." Izzi says with a smile as we both take a look at the menu.

We soon order our food and wait. We continue to talk as we wait for our food.

*IZZI's POV*

"So did you visit the girls often?" Alessia asks as the waiter leaves.

"Ya whenever I could really. If I didn't have anything going on. Lotte and I visited one another quite often. The longest we've ever gone with out seeing one another is when she went to America." I say with a laugh.

"That's when I stole her." Alessia says with a laugh. I laugh along with her. I never thought of it like that.

"I can't believe we share a best friend but have only just recently actually met." I say in disbelief.

"Crazy how things work really." Alessia says with a soft smile.

Just as Alessia says that the food comes out and we start eating.

"So...how are you liking it at arsenal so far?" Alessia asks as we eat.

"It's a dream come true... I mean don't get me wrong I loved Manchester. The city, the girls, the club but Arsenal it just feels different... I feel different. I don't know I love it though." I say with a laugh as I eat my food.

"I get what you mean. I felt the same way when I left united." Alessia says.

"Sometimes a good thing must come to an end for something to become greater. Or so people say either way it was time to for me to move on. Last season without Lucy, Keira, and Georgia... it just sucked." I admit. Why am I opening up to her so easily? I need to shut up.

"Is that why you came here?" Alessia asks timidly.

I smiled and shake my head. "Eh... partly. It felt wrong playing there without them but I also needed something new. Plus it's always been my dream since I was a kid to play here and I had the chance so I took it. It's like something was- was pulling me here though." I explain. Alessia watches me and nods along as I speak. It feels good to just talk about my thought process behind this move. Especially with someone who's basically made the same move as myself. Maybe we have more in common than I thought.

"I get it I moved for the same reason really. I never thought I would since united was always my dream club. But sometimes you just need something new. After the World Cup I just wanted to get out of my comfort zone. It took some time to for me to adjust especially with the fact I wouldn't be able to see some of my best friends everyday but... we see each other at England camps and... and I'm rambling. " Alessia says laughing. She lowers her head hiding her face.

"No. No. It's alright keep talking. I'm all ears." I say with a smile. Reassuring her. Or atleast trying.

Alessia looks at me with a wide smile before saying "I think that was the hardest thing for me. Leaving some of my best friends to be honest but I couldn't be happier with the way I've been playing here. I feel like I'm actually listened to and heard. Playing with you hasn't been too bad either." Alessia says and jokes.

"No it hasn't been. We make quite the duo to be honest. I think we might just cause some havoc in the league this season." I say with a smirk.

"I'm counting on it." She says with a laugh. I watch as her eyes crinkle as she smiles. I watch as her eyes light up at the thought.

We continue talking and joking around as we finsh our meal. When I look up at Alessia I can't help but admire her. Just everything she does... She does it with such passion and determination. I've never been able to open up as I just had with her. At least not as easily as she got me to. It's not like I felt pressured either it just felt... right.

But that be on the field or off. The way she carries herself is... I don't know... just special.

I mean she is the most beautiful girl in the world and her personality god... She's just perfect.  What the hell is wrong with me? I- I need to stop. Why am I thinking this way? I push these feeling down.

I think she felt me staring at her because she turned her head and looks at me making me lose my breath for a second.

Alessia sends me a smile while keeping a little smirk on her face. I just shake my head and smile back at her. Soon enough we finish our food and the waiter comes back with the bill.

"Thank you." I say to the waiter as he walks away. I immediately grab the bill.

"No. You've been to kind. I'll pay." Alessia says and try to grab the bill. I pull it back and raise my eyebrows.

"I don't think so Russo." I say with a laugh.

"Please." She says with a smile. Putting on an innocent face. It almost works but I would never let my company pay.

"Hmm let me think about it... no." I say and Alessia groans but laughs a bit, myself as well. I put some cash down and stand up pushing my chair in.

"Come on. It's really not that big of a deal." I say with a laugh as Alessia pouts. She laughs and stands up.

"Your to kind." Alessia says.

"I'd like to think so." I quietly say.

*time skip*

"Thank you for everything Iz. I really appreciate it. I've honestly had a lot of fun as well." Alessia says with a big smile as i open her car door.

"No need to thank me. I should be thanking you really." I say completely serious. I honestly should be thanking all of the arsenal girls. They've all welcome me with open arms and have just been great.

"This could go back and forth for awhile." Alessia says with a laugh.

"Probably." I say with a laugh.

"Well I'll see you in... a day." I say with a smile.

"Yup. See you at training Iz." Alessia says with a smile and she starts walking up to her apartment.

"Bye Alessia." I say with a wave as I get into my car. Alessia waves back and I watch to make sure she gets in alright before I start driving back home. I can't wait for training...