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Trent could feel the weight of the week ahead, the familiar mix of anticipation and nerves building in his chest. Liverpool had a crucial match on Wednesday, and he knew the city would be buzzing with excitement. But as much as he was looking forward to stepping back onto the pitch, his thoughts kept drifting back to Imani.
She had become a constant in his life, grounding him in a way he hadn't expected. They had spent the last few days together, enjoying each other's company, laughing, talking about everything and nothing at all. Now, the thought of leaving her behind, even for a few days, didn't sit right with him.
As they walked through the park, the crisp autumn air nipping at their cheeks, Trent took a deep breath. "So, I have a match on Wednesday," he began, glancing sideways at Imani to gauge her reaction. "It's at Anfield, back in Liverpool. I was thinking... maybe you'd like to come with me?"
Imani's eyes widened in surprise. "You want me to come to Liverpool? To the match?"
Trent nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah. I mean, if you're up for it. I'd love to have you there. Plus, it's about time you saw the real Trent Alexander-Arnold in action."
She laughed, a sound that sent warmth spreading through him. "Alright, I'm in. But only if I get to wear one of your shirts."
"Deal," Trent grinned, already picturing her in the famous red jersey. He couldn't wait to show her off, to have her there, cheering him on.
---
Match day arrived quicker than either of them expected. Imani woke up to the sound of Trent moving around the room, already dressed in his tracksuit, a look of focus on his face. He handed her one of his Liverpool shirts, a proud smile on his face as she slipped it over her head.
"Perfect," he said, pulling her into a quick kiss before heading out for pre-match preparations. "I'll see you at the stadium, yeah?"
Imani nodded, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in her stomach. This was a big deal, not just for Trent, but for her too. She wasn't used to being in the public eye, and the thought of all those eyes on her made her anxious. But she pushed the fear aside, determined to support Trent the way he always supported her.
At the stadium, the atmosphere was electric. Imani could feel the energy of the crowd as she made her way to her seat, Trent's shirt proudly on display. She was excited, but a little part of her was still worried about how people might react to her being there.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her attention away from the pitch. She glanced down and froze. A notification from the notorious football gossip account, Football.Baitz, was blowing up her mentions. They had posted a picture of her arriving at the stadium, captioned with something snarky and full of insinuations.
Imani's heart sank. The comments were harsh, some people questioning her intentions, others mocking her appearance. She could feel the walls closing in, the excitement she'd felt earlier fading into a cloud of doubt and fear.
