The apartment door creaks open, and I step inside, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. The match was grueling, the emotional highs and lows leaving me drained. I can barely keep my eyes open as I drop my bag by the door.
"Maddie?" Emily's voice calls from the living room, filled with warmth and concern.
I manage a tired smile as she appears in the doorway, her eyes lighting up when she sees me. "Hey, Em," I mumble, my voice heavy with exhaustion.
She steps forward, wrapping me in a gentle hug. "You were amazing today. I watched the whole game. You must be exhausted."
I nod, resting my head on her shoulder for a moment, savoring the comfort of her embrace. "I'm so tired, Em. I just want to sleep."
She pulls back slightly, her eyes full of understanding. "Of course, babe. You need your rest. Let's get you to bed."
I don't protest as she leads me to the bedroom. I barely have the energy to change into my pajamas before I collapse onto the bed. Emily pulls the covers over me, her touch soothing and tender.
"Sleep well, Maddie," she whispers, brushing a kiss on my forehead. "I'll be right here if you need anything."
I mumble a thanks, already half-asleep as she tucks me in. The last thing I see before I drift off is her loving smile, a reminder of the support and love waiting for me, no matter what happens on the pitch.
As I sink into the mattress, the events of the day fade away, replaced by the comforting presence of Emily beside me. In this moment, I know that no matter how tough the battles on the field may be, I have a safe haven to return to, and that thought brings me the peace I need to finally rest.
The morning light filters softly through the curtains, and I slowly wake up, feeling the warmth of Emily beside me. She's still asleep, her breathing steady and peaceful. I lie there for a moment, savoring the quiet and the comfort of her presence. Carefully, I reach for my phone on the nightstand, trying not to disturb her.
Unlocking it, I'm greeted with a flood of notifications. Curiosity piqued, I open social media to see what's being said about the game. My timeline is filled with clips of my rainbow flick over Katie and the goal that followed. There are countless messages of praise and admiration, fans calling it one of the highlights of the season.
But then, mixed in with the positive posts, I see the darker side. Hate messages, comments filled with vitriol, and a few homophobic slurs. My heart sinks as I scroll through them. The words are harsh and cut deep, questioning my worth, my character, and my relationship with Emily.
I feel a wave of anger and hurt. I've faced criticism before, but the personal attacks, especially the homophobic ones, sting in a way that's hard to describe. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but the negative comments stick in my mind, refusing to be ignored.
Beside me, Emily stirs, her eyes fluttering open. She notices the tension in my face and props herself up on one elbow, concern etched in her features.
"Maddie, what's wrong?" she asks softly.
I hesitate, not wanting to burden her, but she's always been my rock. I show her the screen, the hateful comments glaring back at us.
Her expression hardens as she reads them. "I'm so sorry, babe," she says, her voice firm yet comforting. "People can be so cruel. But remember, these are just words from people who don't know you. They don't define you."
I nod, appreciating her support, but the hurt lingers. Emily takes my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"You're an amazing player and an even more amazing person, Maddie. Don't let them get to you. Focus on the good, the people who love and support you."
