My Girl ~ Alessia Russo

Mistakes

Alessia was buzzing with excitement as she stood in front of her mirror, applying the final touches to her makeup. Tonight was the big welcome party thrown by Beth Mead and Katie McCabe, a tradition at Arsenal to celebrate the start of a new season and welcome the recent additions to the team. The thought of finally letting loose after weeks of intense training had her spirits high.

She went with a cute, fitted top in a rich burgundy shade, tucking it into her favourite black jeans. Tiny stud earrings added just the right touch of sparkle, and she slipped on her go-to trainers that were both comfy and stylish. After a quick glance in the mirror to check her look, she grabbed her leather jacket and headed out the door.

---

When Alessia arrived at Katie's place, the party was already in full swing. The sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and music filled the air as she walked through the door. The living room was packed with her teammates, some of whom were already dancing, while others were gathered around the kitchen island, chatting and sipping on cocktails.

Katie spotted her almost immediately, waving her over with a grin. "Alessia! You made it! Come on, grab a drink."

Alessia smiled and made her way over, accepting a glass of wine from Katie. "Thanks. This place looks great!"

"Yeah, well, we do know how to throw a party," Katie said with a wink, clearly proud of the atmosphere she and Beth had created. "Make yourself at home. We're just getting started."

Alessia took a sip of her wine and surveyed the room. Beth was holding court by the stereo, curating the night's playlist with a mischievous grin. Lia was deep in conversation with a few of the other players, her relaxed demeanour as steady as always. And then, of course, there was Kyra, standing near the kitchen, chatting with Caitlin Foord. As their eyes met, Kyra flashed Alessia a warm smile, which she returned before turning back to Katie.

"Where's the rest of the crew?" Alessia asked, referring to the few players she hadn't spotted yet.

"Viv's around here somewhere, probably off scaring the newbies with her intense stare," Katie said with a laugh. "And you'll find Lotte and Steph commandeering the snacks."

Alessia chuckled, her initial nervousness about the evening melting away as she settled into the relaxed atmosphere. She moved around the room, chatting with her teammates and soaking in the camaraderie. The night felt special, like the beginning of something truly great.

---

A couple of hours later, the party was in full swing. The living room had turned into a makeshift dance floor, with players dancing together, laughing, and singing along to whatever song was currently blasting through the speakers. Alessia had lost track of how many glasses of wine she'd had, but she was definitely feeling the effects. Everything seemed to be a little brighter, a little funnier, and her usual shyness had faded into the background.

She found herself dancing with Kyra, their movements syncing effortlessly. Kyra was in her element, her playful energy infectious. Alessia felt herself relax even more as they moved together, the music guiding them.

"This is so much fun!" Kyra shouted over the music, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Alessia laughed, feeling the same rush of joy. "Yeah, it really is!"

As the night wore on, the party began to wind down a little. The music became softer, and the groups scattered around the house, some players sitting in clusters on the floor, others outside on the patio, talking in quieter voices. Alessia found herself gravitating toward Kyra, who had grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge and was now sitting on the couch, a slight flush on her cheeks from all the dancing.