A/n: For this Chloe is going to be captain cause I said so 😁
I always love the pre game atmosphere, pretty much everyone is chatty other than the more reserved ones on game day and all the boots clatter against the tile floors which I find weirdly soothing.
However, today is very different to normal, there was a tension everyone could feel and the source of the tension was obvious, Chloe was sitting quietly on the bench, an ice pack wrapped tightly around her knee. She had injured it during warm ups and it was becoming more and more clear that she wouldn't be able to play the match, arguably one of the most important of the season.
Everyone had concern on their face, many not being able to hide it other than the odd few who kept a neutral face but their eyes gave them away. Chloe is normally the one that holds us together before a tight game, she keeps us calm and focused no matter what else is happening. I suppose the thought of her missing such a crucial game is causing the rest of us to be on edge.
I was sitting on the bench, tying the laces on my boots, when Chloe made her way, hobbling, over to me. She winced slightly as she adjusted her leg, trying to hide the pain that was obviously bothering her. When she sat down beside me, I could tell from the look on her face that she had something important to say, most likely something I didn't want to hear.
"Hey," she greeted me, her voice calm but serious. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm good," I replied, though my concern for her was obvious. "But what about you? How's the knee?"
Chloe sighed, her gaze dropping to the ice pack. "Not great. The physio says it's most likely just a strain, which means I'm out for today. Maybe longer, depending on how it heals."
Hearing those words felt like a punch to the gut. Chloe was the standing point of our team, the one who always kept us grounded, focused and ready. The idea of playing without her was nerve wracking. "But we need you out there," I said, worry creeping into my voice. "You're our captain, you keep our team together, we cant do anything without your help."
She nodded, but there was something else in her eyes—something determined. "That's actually why I came over to talk to you," she said. "I need you to step in as captain today."
I blinked, not sure I had heard her correctly. "Me?" I asked, my voice laced with surprise. "But Chloe, I'm not—"
"You are," she cut in firmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "You're more than ready for this, (Y/n/n). The team respects you, even if you don't realise it. They look up to you, and so do I. You're a natural leader and right now., right now I am counting on you to help us win this game, counting on you to make the difference we need."
I shook my head, already feeling the weight of the responsibility she was trying to place on my shoulders, the responsibility I don't want. "Chloe, I don't know if I can do this. I'm not you. I don't know if I can handle the pressure, I don't know how to handle a team."
Chloe leaned in closer, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made it impossible to look away. "You don't need to be me," she said. "You just need to be yourself. You're strong, you're smart, and you know this game inside and out. The team needs someone they can trust to step up when things get tough, and that's you, (Y/n), have some more faith in yourself like we all do, you'd be surprised at how well you can do."
I looked away, my mind racing. The thought of leading the team, of being the one everyone would turn to in such an important game, I'm terrified of messing up while having that type of responsibility. Chloe is the one who always knows what to say, how to stay calm under pressure. I don't know if I can fill those shoes. "But what if I mess up? What if I let everyone down?"
Chloe squeezed my shoulder, her grip firm and reassuring. "You won't," she said, her voice filled with certainty. "And even if things don't go perfectly, we'll figure it out together. That's what being a team is all about. But you have to trust yourself, (Y/n). We all do."
I stared at her for a long moment, letting her words sink in. Chloe had always been the one to push me, to believe in me even when I doubted myself. And now, here she was, telling me that I could do this. That I was ready. I took a deep breath, trying to push down the nerves that were bubbling up inside me. If Chloe believed in me, maybe I could believe in myself too.
"Okay," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do it."
Chloe's face broke into a relieved smile, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "That's the spirit," she said. "You're going to be great, (Y/n/n). Just play your game, lead by example, and the team will follow."
She reached into her bag and pulled out the captain's armband, the familiar fabric that she had worn so many times before. As she handed it to me, the weight of it felt heavier than I had expected. I slipped it onto my arm, the pressure of the role settling in even more. Chloe gave me a nod, the kind that told me she was proud of me, even before the game had begun.
As we stood up, getting ready to head out onto the pitch, Chloe gave me one last piece of advice. "Remember, being a captain isn't about having all the answers. It's about being there for your team, no matter what. And I know you'll do that better than anyone."
With that, she patted my back and limped toward the bench where she would be watching from the sidelines. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and walked out to join the team.
The nerves are still there, but now they were mixed with determination. Chloe believed in me, and I can't let her down. I can't let the team down.
As we lined up for the match, I glanced over at Chloe, who gave me a thumbs-up from the sideline. I turned back to the team, raising my voice over the pre-game noise. "Alright, everyone, let's show them what we're made of!"
