Lean on Me || Jill Roord

36. No Cups

April flew by both literally and figuratively, and the next thing I knew, I was in team training by May.

I was entering month seven of recovery, and I felt like a whole new person. My motivation was through the roof because the Olympics were only two months away. It was really the only thing holding me together at the moment though, as we'd been knocked out of both the Conti Cup and the FA Cup, meaning the league title was our only hope for a trophy. We were clear on points with Chelsea, but today was a must win against Arsenal.

Jill was entering her third month of recovery, and she was already on par to start jogging again by month four, which was absolutely mind-blowing to me. And it's the fact that Jill despises training, yet she'll spend the whole day just rehabbing her knee so she can get back on the pitch. Whether she knew it or not, her ability to be so determined is what drives me to be just as determined.

She wasn't awake yet, but I'd been up for a little while now, refusing to leave her comforting arms. The sun had begun to shine through the cracks of the curtains, making Jill's skin practically glow.

I analysed the way her chest moved up and down in shallow breaths; she looked so peaceful in the early morning. Her brow wasn't furrowed from thinking or training; she looked completely relaxed, and that made me content. Enough so that I was slowly feeling the pull of sleep once more as Jill's body radiated warmth and comfort. Her arm wrapped around my torso, and our legs intertwined. My eyes felt heavy, and I couldn't fight closing them and drifting back to sleep.

—

Our last fixture against Arsenal for the season was a home game for us, but that didn't mean we had a home field advantage. Every time we played Arsenal, it was always unpredictable; they were a top team, and so were we, meaning there was never really a clear favorite. One thing is for certain though: it was bound to be a good game no matter the outcome. I'd like a trophy though, so let's hope the girls pull out a win.

Jill nudged me in the side with her elbow as we walked out the tunnel and to the substitute bench; I hadn't realised I wasn't zoned in because I almost ran into one of the refs. I'd just narrowly avoided her, causing her to glance in my direction. I uttered a rushed'sorry' as I walked past, fighting the embarrassment rising in my cheeks. Jill glanced over her shoulder, as she was a bit ahead of me, with an amused look on her face making me roll my eyes. Her smile was bright though, and I couldn't help the smile, which soon replaced my attempted frown of annoyance.

Jill, Ellie, Sandy, and I all sat together, chatting for the duller parts of the match. Though there were really only a few dull moments because when two heavyweights play good football, it makes for an interesting match. None of us could contain our excitement when Hempo scored in the 17th minute to give us the early lead.

It had been a poor clearance effort from the Arsenal defence, and it didn't help that their goalkeeper quite literally watched the ball go by her without moving a muscle. If I were an Arsenal player, I'd be furious, but I'm not, so not really my issue.

"Viv confirmed it," Jill told me in a quieter voice. I glanced over towards her, gauged her reaction, which seemed to be encouraging.

"Did she? So what does this mean?" I turned my attention away from the game in front of us completely; Ellie and Sandy were busy discussing Arsenal's goalie situation, which made sense in my head.

"She's leaving Arsenal for good, but it hasn't been announced yet. She said it'll come probably next week." I hummed as Jill explained what Viv had told her about the situation at hand. It was unfortunate really; a lot of people feared this was coming because of recent coaching issues. Hearing she wasn't happy at Arsenal anymore was heartbreaking because Jill had always told me how loyal Viv had been, and for them not to renew her contract had me baffled.

Though I knew there was more to it, I wouldn't press for details just because Jill's close to Viv. Whatever Jill tells me is whatever information I'd get about that situation. "So what clubs are interested in her? Surely she won't leave the WSL."

"We are." I'd turned my attention half back to the game, but this made me whip my head back.

"Actually?" Jill's grin was growing by the second. "She told me they'd been interested for a while now, especially since there hadn't been any word on renewing her Arsenal contract."

"You mean I might be getting to play with the goat?" I was grinning like a child now; Viv was the goat, and nobody else could convince me otherwise. Jill rolled her eyes in amusement as we slowly turned our attention back to the pitch.

Nothing else came of the first half, and both teams made their way down the tunnel and into their respective changing rooms for a short break before returning to the pitch once more.

All of us seemed to be at ease with where this match was going; it'd been sort of poor from Arsenal as they couldn't finish their chances. Yet that's the thing with Arsenal, and the WSL for that matter; whenever you think you're in the clear, utter chaos begins to unfold.

I watched with my mouth agape as Stina Blackstenius somehow managed to get a foot on the ball, redirecting it into the goal and out of Khiara's reach. My heart dropped, and soon enough a frown took over my features. "That should've been cleared sooner," I muttered, leaning back into my seat and crossing my arms.

Jill was now leaning forward with her full attention on the match; her brows were furrowed, and I knew she was analysing what went wrong. Ellie and Sandy had also gone quiet, all of us sitting in tense silence with the roar of the Arsenal away fans ringing out around us.

Stina's goal had completely shaken up our team, and we began to fall apart, giving Arsenal chances left and right. To make matters worse, Arsenal's captain Kim Little found empty space and was able to send a cross into the box. My heart actually sank in that moment because Stina had timed her run perfectly, putting distance between her and Alex. Khiara had no chance to stop the header that came next, and just like that, our title hopes were ruined.

The only thing that could save us now? Goal difference, and come to find out Chelsea wasn't about to let that slide.

The team was silent. Nobody spoke unless they needed to, all of us thinking about what went wrong and how we got into this situation that could've been avoided. Title hopes gone.

No Conti Cup, no FA Cup, no League Title, no nothing.

It's funny how a team's season can change in an instant, isn't it, just like how injuries happen in a split second? Fate wasn't in our favour apparently; I wasn't sure why.

Jill and I coexisted in silence for the rest of the day, both of us wishing we could've been on that pitch, wishing we could've helped. It'd been nagging at me a lot lately; I just wanted to start playing again. My confidence in my knee was growing by the day, and I knew I'd be in full training soon enough and headed off to the Olympics.

A knock on my apartment door shook me out of my thoughts. Glancing in Jill's direction, her eyes met mine in curiosity; neither of us were expecting anyone. With a sigh, I left the warmth of Jill's arms to answer the door.

Ellie stood with a small smile on her face, trying hard to mask the obvious nervousness in her demeanor. Though maybe that's just because I can see through her so easily.

"Hey Ellie," I gave her a small smile, stepping aside so she could enter. I took a deep breath; it was hard knowing she wouldn't be here next season. Showing up at each other's apartments unannounced wasn't going to be practical anymore, and I'd miss it dearly.

"Hallo, Ellie," Jill called as I followed Ellie towards the couch.

"Hi Jill."

As I sat back down next to Jill, Ellie sat in the smaller chair next to us, and the room fell silent. Nobody spoke, but I could tell Ellie wanted to say something, and I wasn't entirely sure I was ready. Jill must've felt how I tensed up because her hand found the small of my back as she held it there reassuringly.

"I'm sorry to drop this on you after today's disappointment," Ellie began. Her eyes dropped to her hands as she picked at her nails. "But it's confirmed, I'm leaving City at the end of the season, and Barcelona's the likely destination. City's posting something about it the day of our last game."

I sighed in defeat. Silence fell between us once more, and it felt heavy on my chest. As much as I wished this wasn't true, I knew it was for the better.

"I'm so proud of you, Ellie." This caught her attention, and her eyes found mine; they were filled with worry but quickly changed at my statement. "I know this move is what you need, and I'll support you all the way."

"But I'm going to miss you," I added quietly. Ellie's eyes were brimmed with tears, and so were my own. The bond we had formed in such a short time was one I wasn't ready to let go of; I was really going to miss having her in Manchester.

"I'm going to miss you too Mario Kart Legend," Ellie whispered, making both of us laugh through our tears. I pulled her into a hug that both of us needed, catching Jill's eye just briefly as she offered a small smile of encouragement.

When we broke apart, the mood seemed lighter as the sunlight slowly slipped away, leaving us in the warm lamp lights around us.

"Are you staying for dinner?" Jill finally spoke.

Ellie agreed, and we settled in the kitchen to make some pasta. Choosing to forget the loss today and Ellie's exit from the team, instead we focused on simply enjoying each other's company for the rest of the night. Sometimes I wished nights like these could last forever, living in a bubble where nothing bad ever happens. But it doesn't ever work that way, does it?

All's well that ends well though; life goes on.

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hello,

sorry for the lack of updates y'all, I've been really busy lately traveling across the country and I was currently on a plane while writing this. soooooo that's my bad.

(Vote bc this book is almost over.)