𝙄𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙚𝙩 𝙈𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 - 𝘊𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘥

𝙎𝙞𝙭𝙩𝙮. 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴

Caitlin and I arrived at the training facility just as the sun was beginning to fully rise over London, the cold January air biting at our skin as we rushed from the car into the warm building. It was our first day back after winter break, and the energy in the room was a mix of grogginess and excitement. As we made our way to the breakfast area, I couldn't help but smile at the familiar sight of Steph, Beth, Katie, and Viv already seated at one of the long tables.

"There's the lovebirds," Beth calls out, her eyes sparkling with mischief as Caitlin and I approached. It had been 2 months since her acl and she was beginning to do physiotherapy at the club again, slowly but surely. "Did you two even leave each other's side during break, or did you just fuse into one?"

Caitlin rolls her eyes but grinned. "Jealous, Beth?"

"Please," Beth scofs. "I love you both, but not enough to be stuck with either of you that long."

Katie smirks, taking a bite of her toast. "Yeah, but I bet Elena would make you a nice cuppa every morning."

"Exactly," I chime in, sitting down next to Steph and nudging her with my elbow. "See? Beth just knows I'd spoil her."

"Oi, don't go stealing my girl," Caitlin teases, sitting across from me and giving me a playful wink. "She's mine."

"Relax," Steph says with a smirk. "No one's stealing anyone. Besides, Beth's too much work."

Beth shoots Steph a glare but doesn't argue, instead reaches for her coffee. "You're all just bitter that I'm the best looking one here."

Viv, who had been quietly sipping her tea, finally spoke up. "It's definitely the confidence, Beth. Keep telling yourself that."

The table erupts into laughter, and I feel a wave of warmth wash over me. I really loved this team because of these small moments. Houston would forever hold a place in my heart, but I'd grown attached to Arsenal. It had given me people like Steph, Katie, Viv and, of course, Caitlin.

But the moment is interrupted when one of the staff members approaches me.

"Elena? Jonas wants to see you in his office."

My stomach drops instantly. I nod, excusing myself from the table. The laughter and banter continues behind me, but it all sounds distant as I make my way down the hallway, the weight of dread settling over me.

When I step into Jonas' office, he's already seated behind his desk, his expression serious. My heart thuds in my chest. This couldn't be good.

"Elena," he begins, gesturing for me to sit. "I need to talk to you about something important."

I sit, nerves buzzing under my skin.

"We're sending you on an emergency loan," Jonas says, his voice gentle but firm.

I blink, my mind reeling. "What?"

"It's to London City Lionesses," he continues. "It's only until the end of the season, but they're in desperate need of players right now."

"But... we just moved in together," I stammer, thinking of Caitlin. "I thought—"

"I know," Jonas sighes, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't want to have to do this. I know what it means to you and Caitlin, but the club needs to do what's best for everyone. London City is only 45 minutes away, but traffic gets rough, and they've arranged for you to stay in temporary housing closer to their facilities."