My Therapy [ ON HOLD ]

Chapter 2

September 18th, 2022

Madison's POV

We had the day off today since we played Reading yesterday, we won 4-1, I had 2 goals and an assist and Ella had a goal and an assist, and got home late.

Well, it's midday now, and I slept until 9 and just ate a bagel and fruit from Ella's because I slept there last night.

We were talking about the game when my phone started to ring.

"Sorry, Ella. Let me get this," I said, answering the call. "Hello?"

"Hello. Is this Miss Madison Lewis?" Asked the voice on the other line.

"Yes, it is,"

It was the attorney that was supposed to help us with our assault case. She said a bunch of attorney stuff I didn't know, even though I took a law class in uni, and I just kept responding with 'okay', 'mhm' and 'yes'.

"And I would suggest inviting Miss Rachel Daly, Miss Lucy Bronze, Miss Ella Toone, Miss Georgia Stanway and Miss Alessia Russo as your witnesses," She said.

"All of them?" I asked.

"As many as can make it,"

"Alright,"

Then she gave the details of the case and how my parents had handled most of the stuff somehow. I figured I could just ask my parents for the details over text after this call, because I wasn't retaining any information, except that the hearing was on June 12th, and it was back home.

After the call, I checked the schedules of our teams and it doesn't conflict with any games, but does Alessia really want to travel all the way to Wigan for this?

Ella already agreed to do it, I knew she would. Now was the task of asking the others. It was more of a chore because we were in different time zones.

"Just text them all. Set up a time in the next few days because you probably have to say something fast," Ella said.

"You're right. I should probably ask them separately," I said, texting Georgia. "I'm sorry you have to come do this. All of you guys, really,"

"I'm sorry you have to go through this at all. You still have huge bruises on your arms somehow,"

"I don't care. If it was up to me, I would just skip this trial and let her get out of jail. She was just high. Drugs do crazy things. But it's not her fault that they influenced her to do that kind of stuff," I said sitting on the sofa.

"Madison. It's her fault for taking the drugs," Ella said sitting next to me.

"There's a million things that lead her there. Somewhere along the way, there was something that was accidental,"

"But there's also gotta be something that was on purpose too,"

"But what if there wasn't?"

"Listen, Madison. I completely understand that she was your best friend growing up, and I know you still think you look up to her, and you still love her. You still think she can do no wrong, which unfortunately isn't true. She hurt you, and she hurt you badly. And it has to be addressed and sadly disciplined,"

I completely understood what she was trying to say, but for some reason I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that this was really bad.

That's when I cried, for the first time since I got to Manchester. And I bawled my eyes out because I realized this was a part of life and something I should have realized sooner.

"But it's okay to forgive too, right?" I asked.

"If that's what makes you happy," She replied.

"Well, it is,"

"Then that's good for me too," She said kissing me on the head.

"I think I can forgive, but I don't think I can forget,"

--------

This international break is from June 18th to June 29th, then the season starts up again on July 30th.

But I'm playing under Midfield.

I haven't played midfield in years, but Sarina said she would talk to me about converting to one, even if it was just for the national team. 

"You're quick, have great foot skills, and defend better than any forward I've seen. And you played the full 90 against the USA, never stopped, and didn't look tired. I think you could be a great attacking midfielder,"

"You really think so?" I asked.

"I believe in you. And if it doesn't work out, you have no shot at losing your spot,"

"Really?"

"No way. You'll be the next big thing. I can't believe I didn't call you up sooner.

"Well, the timing was right. I wouldn't have it any other way,"

"I don't think anyone else would have,"

When I told Ella about that, she told me that she was completely right.

"It shocked me that you never played there before, now that I'm thinking harder about it," She said.

"I guess,"

"I think you'll do great,"

"Thanks, Ella,"

As time went on, it was harder and harder for Ella and I to keep quiet, especially as we got more and more touchy and very comfortable with each other.

It was only a matter of time before Aoife said something or someone literally just figured it out. And what do we even say when that day comes?"