Weeks had passed since I left the hospital, and today was the day I finally got my cast taken off. I sat in the clinic, nervously fidgeting as the nurse prepared the tools. Leah was by my side, holding my hand and offering silent support.
When the nurse began cutting through the cast, I winced at the odd sensation but kept my focus on Leah. She smiled reassuringly, squeezing my hand gently.
"Almost done," the nurse said, working quickly. After a few moments, the cast came off, revealing my pale, slightly withered arm. "You'll need to keep it in the sling for a few more weeks to ensure it heals completely, but you're making great progress."
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and excitement. My arm felt incredibly light and strange, but it was a step forward. "Thank you," I said, flexing my fingers gingerly.
Leah helped me adjust the sling, her touch gentle and careful. "You're doing great, Maddie. Just a little longer, and you'll be as good as new."
As we left the clinic, the sun shone brightly, and I felt a sense of renewal. My head, too, was healing well. The stitches had been removed, and the wound had begun to scar over, a reminder of everything I had been through.
"How do you feel?" Leah asked as we walked to the car.
"Better," I admitted. "It's good to have the cast off. I can't wait to be fully healed and back to normal."
Leah nodded, her eyes filled with encouragement. "You're getting there, one step at a time."
When we arrived back at Katie's place, she greeted us with a big smile. "Welcome back, champ! How does it feel to be free of that cast?"
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. "It feels amazing. I still have to keep it in the sling for a while, though."
Katie nodded. "That's okay. You've come so far already."
The next few weeks passed in a blur of recovery and gradual improvement. I followed the doctors' advice, keeping my arm in the sling and taking things slow. Leah and Katie were with me every step of the way, their support unwavering.
One evening, as we sat on the couch watching a movie, Leah glanced at me with a proud smile. "Your head is looking a lot better, too," she said, gently touching the scar.
I nodded, feeling the smooth, slightly raised skin. "Yeah, it's finally starting to scar over. It's been a long journey, but I'm getting there."
Leah kissed my forehead. "You're stronger than you know, Maddie."
With Leah, Katie, and my family's support, I felt ready to face whatever came next. The road to recovery was long, but I was determined to walk it, one step at a time, surrounded by the people who loved me.
One afternoon, as I was resting on the couch, my phone buzzed. I picked it up and saw Gareth Taylor's name flashing on the screen. My heart skipped a beat. Taking a deep breath, I answered the call.
"Hi, Gareth," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Hi, Maddie. How are you feeling?" he asked, his tone warm and genuine.
"Better, thanks. What's up?"
"Well, Maddie, we need to discuss your contract," he said, getting straight to the point. "You have a few options. You can either renew your contract with Man City or explore opportunities with other clubs. There's some interest in you, and we need to sort this out."
I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me. "Okay. I'll come to Manchester to discuss it. Can we set up a meeting?"
"Absolutely. How about tomorrow morning at the training ground?" Gareth suggested.
