London, once blue, now red

Did you get the call-up?

Isla's Pov

The following couple of days were a whirlwind. The media was buzzing with accusations and misinformation as fans tried to speculate who would be at the next England camp. I tried my best to ignore my own personal thoughts and doubts about my abilities to be selected for the senior national team. I may have let it affect me a little bit. The stress was making it harder to eat, sleep and perform as an athlete, but I was hoping that as soon as I got the call, whether I made it into the team or not, it would elevate some worry and stress off my shoulders.

Sam: "You look realllllllyyyyy rough." she hesitates a little at her own words.

Isla: "Thanks, Sam." I say as I close the door behind her and follow her into the kitchen, where Millie is making dinner. Sam sits down on one of the bar stools while I stand a little to the side of her.

Sam: "What are you making?" she says as she sits down.

Millie: "Usually, when you see someone, you start with hey, hello, how are you."

Sam: "Yeah, but I just saw you a couple hours ago, so I have already touched on all of those today at some point."

Isla: "Well, you have seen me, and you didn't start with any of those."

Sam: "Well, when you have known someone for so long, sometimes you just skip the surface-level questions."

Isla: "So saying you look really rough to the person who opens the door and is having you over for dinner is the right way to greet someone."

Millie: "I mean, you have been looking a little tired lately."

Isla: "I didn't expect an intervention."

Millie: "Not an intervention, just maybe go to bed earlier tonight."

Sam: "So what is for dinner?" she says, staring intently at Millie mixing stuff in a pot.

Millie: "Pasta."

Sam: "Seriously, I came all the way here for pasta."

Millie: "You walked down the hall, just relax, you like my pasta anyways." she says as she plates up some and hands it to sam.

Millie: "Isla, how much do you want.'

Isla: "I'm alright, I might take your advice and get an early night." I say as I turn to walk away.

Millie: "I don't think so; you haven't eaten yet today.'

Isla: "Yes, I have."

Millie: "You haven't." she says, sliding a bowl towards me and telling me to take a few bites. I hesitate as I look at the pasta in front of me. I take a couple bites before I feel completely ill. I walk towards the bin putting the leftovers in the bin and putting my bowl in the sink.

Isla: "Thanks for dinner, I'll see you guys tomorrow." I say as I walk towards my room and jump under the covers before I fall asleep.

I suddenly bolt up at the sound of my phone all I can think is seriously how early do people get up to call other people. I pressed the answer on my phone and put it to my ear.

Isla: "Hello, Isla speaking." I say it as nicely as possible.

Sarina: "Hello Isla, this is Sarina, i just wanted to call you to talk about the national team."

Isla: "Okay." I am not sure what else I could say to respond to that.

Sarina: "My team and I have been watching you closely over the past couple of years and specifically this year, and you have really shown your work ethic and how technical you are within the sport, and that is why I would like to ask if you would join us at this upcoming camp."