(Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead)
Vivianne Miedema stood at the edge of the pitch, her eyes fixed on the scene unfolding just a few yards away. The match had ended in a thrilling 3-2 victory, and the atmosphere was electric with celebration. Teammates hugged and fans cheered, but Vivianne could only focus on one thing: Beth Mead laughing and chatting with her ex-girlfriend, Emily.
Vivianne's heart twisted with a pang of jealousy as she watched Beth touch Emily's arm, a playful smile lighting up her face. It had been months since Vivianne and Emily had broken up, but the wounds were still raw. Seeing them together now, so comfortable and happy, made her feel like an outsider in her own team.
Beth and Vivianne had always had a complicated relationship. On the field, they were a formidable duo, their chemistry undeniable. Off the field, however, things were more complex. They had shared moments of camaraderie, but there was always an unspoken tension between them, a simmering competition that went beyond their roles as teammates.
Vivianne clenched her fists, trying to keep her emotions in check. She didn't want to be the jealous ex, but seeing Beth with Emily was like salt in a fresh wound. She took a deep breath, hoping the feeling would pass, but it only seemed to intensify as Beth leaned in closer to Emily, whispering something that made her laugh.
"Hey, Viv! Great game today!" One of her teammates slapped her on the back, breaking her out of her thoughts. Vivianne forced a smile and nodded, mumbling a quick thanks before turning her attention back to the pair.
Unable to stand it any longer, Vivianne marched over to them, her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to appear casual, but she could feel the heat of her jealousy burning through her. "Hey, Beth, Emily," she said, her voice tighter than she intended.
Beth looked up, her smile faltering for a moment before she regained her composure. "Viv, hey! Great match, right? Emily was just telling me about this amazing goal you scored."
Vivianne nodded, barely hearing the compliment. "Thanks. Just doing my job."
Emily smiled warmly at Vivianne, but there was a hint of awkwardness in her eyes. "You were fantastic out there, Viv. Really."
"Thanks," Vivianne repeated, her gaze shifting between Beth and Emily. She wanted to say something, anything, to break the tension that was building inside her, but the words wouldn't come.
Beth seemed to sense the awkwardness and cleared her throat. "Anyway, Emily and I were just about to head out for a drink. You should join us, Viv."
Vivianne's eyes widened in surprise. The last thing she wanted was to be a third wheel in this scenario. "I... I don't think that's a good idea."
"Nonsense," Beth said, her tone insistent. "We're all friends here, right?"
Vivianne bit her lip, feeling cornered. "Maybe some other time," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I've got some things to take care of."
Beth's smile faded slightly, but she nodded. "Alright, some other time then."
Emily gave Vivianne a sympathetic look. "Take care, Viv."
As they walked away, Vivianne felt a surge of emotions she could barely contain. Anger, jealousy, and a deep sense of loneliness washed over her. She watched them disappear into the crowd, her heart aching with a longing she couldn't quite name.
Vivianne knew she had to find a way to move on, to let go of the past and focus on her own future. But in that moment, all she could think about was the painful reality of seeing someone she cared about with someone else. The pitch that had felt like home moments ago now felt like an empty, echoing space, amplifying her sense of isolation.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Tomorrow was another day, another match, another chance to prove herself. But tonight, she would have to face her jealousy and find a way to come to terms with it. Because no matter how skilled she was on the field, matters of the heart were a different kind of game altogether.
