Interlinked- Kyra Cooney-Cross

*FOUR*

The atmosphere was electric as the sea of red and white from both our loyal gooners and the Manchester United fans wearing their home kits greeted us with a gracious roar as we stepped out of the tunnel and onto the turf.

Our Arsenal team was as follows: Sabrina d'angelo, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Steph Catley, Katie McCabe, Evie Townley, Kyra Cooney-cross, Kim little, Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo.

As my studs hit the vibrant green of the pitch, I couldn't help my eyes wondering. I know I had played at a sold-out emirates before but the feeling was never alter. The way my hairs immediately stood on end and how I would choke on my tears in seeing a little boy or girl, sporting a jersey with MY NAME on the back. It was unreal. Incredible. The chanting and the screams would fuel that desire within me. To reward and please the fans who have travelled many miles to see us in real life or the fans who have grown up pure gunners. It was my duty. It was crazy to think that me, such an insignificant person in this large world, could be inspiring the next generation.

As North London forever echoed around the ground, we got into positions, my heart racing when me and Kyra exchanged a final grin. Bring it on.

50"- Manchester United- Arsenal: 0:0

"What a game this has been. Full of missed opportunities and chances, proper end to end stuff." Gabby Logan gushed, turning to Alex Scott for her opinion.

"I agree Gabby. What's excited me most is the individual battles. Especially the one between Lisa Naalsund and Evie Townley in the middle, it's captivating to watch." Alex Scott replied, speaking calmly into the microphone.

"Let's hope Naalsund doesn't get on the wrong side of her." Gabby laughed.

"For her sake, I hope so also." Alex chimed in.

It had been a frustrating game. Loose passes galore and shots that should of been buried skied. It would help if I actually was given a few seconds on the ball to pick out a beautiful pass over the top. My specialty. But no, Naalsund had been all over me like glue. Sliding this way or that way but annoyingly never conceding a foul. It was starting to wind me up and my teammates could tell.

During a break of play in which our goalkeeper required slight medical treatment, Steph Catley found her way over to me in the middle.

"You okay?" She asked, readjusting her bun.

I nodded, breathing heavily with my hands on my hips, "Yeah, it's just that we should be playing so much better."

Steph gave me a reassuring pat on my back, "You're having a stormer though. Don't let that midfield girl put you off."

I offered her a grateful smile, "Thanks Stephy, I'll try not too."

The game continued and I had felt surge of confidence from Steph's words. All I ever sought was validation, probably from a mix of my personality traits growing up in a foster home. I received a stunning ball which I complimented with a perfect touch, before turning and driving at United's defense. As I ran, I mentally took notes of the way Millie Turner was defending, If I should try to personally 1v1 one or send it round to Caitlin on her left. I was given no time to do either as I was clattered.

"WHAT THE FUCK." I screamed, my vision filled with fierce red, and not because of the concerned players surround me, with slight anxious expressions on their faces. They knew what I was capable of.

"Get up, nothing in that." Naalsund rolled her eyes and started to walk off, without a kind hand.

She clearly hadn't watched me in previous games. Or did and was just aiming for me to get sent off. When I feel angry, I struggle to push it down and conceal it. I have to act on it or it eats me alive. Unfortunately, the best way for me to get rid of it is through verbal and physical confrontation. My divide in morals between right and wrong becomes uncertain and blurred.

Without a second thought, I leapt off the ground, forgetting about the gushing pain on my calf. I wanted to scare her, make her regret being such a bitch. But before, I could approach her, grab her by the shoulder and shake her into having some respect, an Australian came into my line of sight. Usually, I storm through my teammates, but for some reason I stopped.

"Evie, stop." Kyra said, concerned look on her face, juxtaposing her usual friendly smile. It threw me.

"She disrespected me. As if I would ever dive." I try to reason with her, avoiding eye contact.

"I know, but don't get sent off just because she's pathetic." Kyra stated, grabbing my chin so I could get lost in her eyes, not for the first time.

The way her eyes softened, lips pursed, freckled dappled and shimmered in the sun. It made me forget my anger or even where I was. I had never felt so.....calm.

"Okay." I mumbled out, before walking off, not stomping. Walking.

The game finished a tight draw: 1:1.

Solemnly, we all returned to the team bus, mood low but not entirely negative. For one, I felt somewhat happy, I had never been able to walk away from an angry challenge like that before. Was I maturing or was it just because of Kyra? If so, it slightly worried me how reliant I was becoming on her.

"Hey" Kyra smiled upon at me from her phone. Even an electronic light could reflect her absolutely gorgeous skin perfectly.

"Hi." I replied, trying not to reveal the true speed of my heart.

"Well well well." Katie piped up from the four seater beside us.

"What?" I quipped back, collapsing into my seat and resting my head against the soft pillows.

"I've never seen the lion been tamed." She smirked at her own clever joke, "I never thought I would, but alas, today is the day."

Caitlin giggled at her girlfriend, giving her a small teasing punch on her arm, "What has Kyra got that we haven't?"

I paused, feeling my words getting jumbled in my mouth. It's not like I could exactly say the truth, she had me in an absolute chokehold. Anything she thought, I would think too. Anything she didn't like, I would fucking despise. Kyra brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and prodded me, her face blemished with blush, expecting an answer.

I laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck, "I don't know, honestly maybe I've just matured."

Beth opened her mouth to speak, probably an obscene comment that would send my reputation spiraling, but I was grateful to see Viv's hand jump to cover her lips. After seeing Katie's curious raised eyebrow, Viv interjected, "I'm so glad you have Evie, it will make you a better player."

Everyone luckily seemed satisfied with her smart comment and became involved in their own business again. My heart was beating at a million miles an hour so I shut my eyes and took deep breath to regain my previous confidence from the bus trip here.

"Tired?" Kyra whispered in my ear, her lips touching my lobe, sending electric shocks down my spine. I swiftly opened my eyes and locked with hers.

"A little, I always feel like it after a game." I explained.

"You can sleep if you want, I don't mind." She added before looking back down at what seemed to be instagram.

I gave her an appreciative nod and closed my eyes. The slow rumbling of the bus, heavy breathing of Kyra and quiet chatter from my teammates easily aided me into succumbing to sleep.