𝙄𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙚𝙩 𝙈𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 - 𝘊𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘥

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘴

Caitlin's POV

I'd noticed a change between Elena and I. Although it was still awkward between us and I hated it, I could see her slowly opening up again. I was trying my best to show her I wouldn't hurt her again because I wanted her. I wanted her to be mine, so badly. I think she was starting to realise I was being truthful when I said I'd try for her, one day at a time, because it was taking longer than I'd hoped, but I understood why. I'd hurted her and there was no way I could mend all of those broken pieces at once.

I was going to mend them all though. No matter how long it would take.

The team buzzes with energy in the changing rooms, getting ready for our game against Manchester City. I was happy to be able to see Alanna again because I think I wanted to finally tell someone about what had happened between Elena and I. I'd kept it as weights dragging me down over the summer, but I knew it was best I talk about it and I trusted Alanna to give me some good advice.

I watched Elena talk to Beth from across the room, not even bothering to hide my gaze on her. She glanced over at me every now and then and each time our eyes would meet, but she'd still do it again. I didn't know exactly what was going through her mind, but I had an idea that she wanted to open up to me again, but was trying to fight it on a defensive mode.

I watch as she speaks to Beth and how Steph joins them and pulls Elena closer to her while the girl leans into her hold, kind of like she used to do for me. I missed being that close to her, both physically and emotionally. I missed how she used to wrap her arms around my waist whenever she could, how she'd come over to my apartment with the intention to go back home but she'd still end up falling asleep in my arms and how she'd do the small things that made me feel that small bit closer to her.

I pull my attention away from the girl when Katie sits next to me. "You alright?" She asks me, seeing my distant eyes.

"Yeah, all good." I give her a small smile as I draw my attention to my boots. I pull my left foots shin pad, socks and then lastly boot on. I didn't know exactly why, but I had the habit of putting my left foots boot on before my right. I couldn't do it the other way around.

'Elena had noticed that.'  I think to myself.

The changing room dynamics change as Katie leaves my side and I see her pull Beth into a playful headlock. Viv pulls them apart from one another and my eyes drift along to where I see Elena approaching Steph who sits beside Lia on the other side of the changing rooms.

She hesitates for a moment, her eyes glancing at Lia, and she turns and walks over in my direction. I feel my heart beating quicker in my chest, the nerves settling in. She was actually about to engage with me herself.

"Cait, can you do my hair?" She asks, quietly, her comb and hairties in hands. My heart flutters at what she called me. She hadn't called me 'Cait' in so long.

"Yeah, sure." I say as I pat the spot on the bench next to me. She sits down hesitantly and passes me her comb. I begin on her hair, gently parting her hair.
"I have to admit, I didn't expect braiding hair to be so relaxing."

Elena laughs softly as she sits perfectly still. "Yeah, it's kind of therapeutic. Back at my grassroots team, the older girls used to braid my hair for me."

"That's really sweet. Do you miss those times?" I ask.

"Sometimes." She nods. "We've all grown up and moved on, but I have good memories. It's nice to have something that reminds me of simpler times."