Leah's Girl - Bless the Broken Road

'Ivy'

Ivy's POV
As I scrolled through the comments on Washington spirits latest TikTok staring the one and only ... me. It was just me. I noticed that one of Leah's, my heart skipped a beat as I replied back quickly 'you'd be more than welcome ! Btw I will hold you to this 😅'

Here's a bit about me -
Growing up in England was amazing, I made it into scout groups and eventually got offered a place in the youth age group at Chelsea football club, despite being a Everton fan through my Liverpudlian father I enjoyed every minute until I wanted to venture out of the woods, ending up in the university of South Carolina where I broke through 'soccer' in America, I had always watched the way Leah Williamson had composed herself on the pitch and ended up using some of her techniques on the ball to help improve my game. Moving to America was possibly the best decision of my life. I managed to gain total confidence. Football didn't ever feel like a chore to me but always a pleasure and growing up in a male dominated career, only made the moments in which we won things or achieved high reward better for everyone around us. I've always wanted to move to the WSL as it's growing and over the last couple of weeks i've had to reconsider my future out here in washington, as much as playing football in USA is amazing, part of me always wanted to go home and play on pitches that were in my area of football. I also recently split from my ex, we were together from the ages of 19 and after 5 years together we decided to call it quits as we wanted different things. He was an amazing boyfriend to me but for some reason I'd never felt like I could give him all of me. I'm not an emotional person, and sometimes that reflects within me. I'm not emotionally available to everyone. That sometimes affects me and those who surround me. But regardless of this my best friend in England, Alex Greenwood, has always been my biggest supporter and I've always been her's !

Today was just another day at training, and socialising with the girls who had become some of the most important people in my life. Although throughout the session i couldn't help but think what a move to the WSL would do for me as a person. Would it increase my chances of making it into sarina Weigmans Lioness squad. As much as i have a lot of admiration for Leah i had kind of hoped that whilst she was out through this injury Sarina might give me a chance to prove myself. As the day went on I couldn't help but want to move back home. As i rang my agent Charlie.

C- Hi Ivy what's up ?

I - Hi char, I want to leave America, I want to go home and I want to play for one of the big 3 in the WSL (arsenal, chelsea and city)

C- Well you have to see out the season Ivy, but your contract does end soon, i'll ensure that they know you'll be a free transfer and we will see what we can do. On the other hand I know Washington want to renew your contract, I am happy to sit down with you and talk through the options that could be available within the next week ?

I - Char that would be amazing! I am free after training maybe we could discuss it over a coffee, in an open space ?

C - I'll see what I can do, Goodbye Ivy.

I - See Ya Charlie.

Well that phone call went better than expected, hopefully I can eventually move back home, taking the confidence I have gained from being in America with me. Part of me will always be thankful for this opportunity but I want to get out now.

As I lay in bed back at my apartment I can help but notice an unread DM from the one and only Leah Williamson, it was just a small exchange but now the GOAT is messaging me. Sorry on earth is this possible, I'm not going to lie to you or anything I am slightly overreacting but there is a pretty girl in my DM's who I may or may not have obsessed over for more than a year with the way she plays football as i take a deep breath and open her message

leahwilliamsonn - Hey! Firstly thank you for those kind words Ivy you do not realise what they mean to me, also the dinner party thank you for the invite ;) Did I forget to mention, I'll only go if i'm the one sat opposite beyonce ;)

ivysmith78 - hi Williamson. I am definitely down to have you at my dinner party however I might have trouble actually getting beyonce there for you :) however ... never say never! How's the injury recover going ? x

leahwilliamsonn - Have you not seen our little interaction absolutely pop off in the woso world Ivy Smith the mayhem you have caused !!! Yeah the injury is a little tough if i'm being honest it's both emotionally and physically draining, football shaped me you know ? Gave me this platform and now I'm stuck here (literally) x

ivysmith78 - I haven't will go check that out now haha. You know its difficult but the comeback is always stronger than the setback! Don't let it get you down too much leah, the platform you have is made of good and bad moments right? Also is it not 2am in England right now ? x

leahwilliamsonn - I like that ! Yes it is 👀 however I haven't been able to sleep since the injury :(

ivysmith78 - no matter how big or how small the injury is Leah, you need to sleep. So I will NOT be replying til you get some 😂 I promise you things will become easier don't rush a slow process x

leahwilliamsonn - hey no that's not fair I was enjoying this conversation 🙃😕 but as you asked so nicely I will go to sleep I need the beauty sleep I look horrendous 😅 thank you ivy ❤️ x

Omg did she just send that. I am well and truly reporting from the grave right now. Okay so maybe obsession was a little crush on her. I mean how could you not like Leah !

ivysmith78 - Good Girl. And yeah I wondered where that beauty came from 😂👀. Goodnight Williamson x

leahwilliamsonn - you said you weren't going to reply 😏

ivysmith78 - you goofball ! Just go to sleep. My DM will still work the same when you wake up Yknow 😌 x

leahwilliamsonn - goofball ? I'll put that to the test Miss Smith. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening x

*ivysmith78 liked the message*

Okay so that got flirty right. I just hope that she is ok. And I hope she does put it too the test.