Leah's POV:
I was worried about y/n. We lost our game to Chelsea today and all the girls took it pretty hard, including me which I expected, but I could tell y/n took it harder than anyone else.
the changing room was filled with quiet murmurs, I didn't know if the girls would appreciate me playing songs right now, so I chose not to.
As I got changed my eyes kept drifting to y/n. She was standing in front of her cubby, aggressively throwing her clothes into her bag, her actions drawing concerned looks from a few of the girls around her.
When Beth came up behind her, saying something I couldn't quite hear, obviously trying to ease the frustration y/n was clearly feeling, I knew she was going to react badly. I know y/n, and I know when she gets like this it's best to leave her alone because she struggles to hold her emotions in. I've learnt from experience that if you approach her in these situations she will blow up on you. I know she didn't mean to but she's told me before she can't help it.
She shrugged Beth off telling her to 'go away' as she continued to roughly pack her bag. Beth's face fell as she walked back to Steph, she was trying to lift her spirits, something she is known for doing in the changing room but y/n wasn't someone who enjoyed laughing after loosing. She liked to analyze every minute detail and blame herself until she's blue in the face. I hated the way she was so hard on herself but no matter how many times I told her the loss wasn't only on her shoulders she never listened.
As the girls started trickling out of the changing room, exchanging quiet goodbyes as they left,I stayed behind. Me and y/n we're the only ones left and before she stormed out to the car park I approached her
"I'll bring you home" I told her firmly, not listening to her protests as we made our way outside. She came to the match with Alessia and kyra and I knew she would not be in the mood to engage in their conversations right now.
I unlocked the car and nodded towards it, silently telling her to get in while I told Alessia that I was bringing her home.
I got in the car and glanced towards y/n, she was looking out the window, clearly deep in thought
"Hey" I said, trying to get her attention, when she looked at me I continued
"It wasn't you're fault. we're a team, we win and loose as one" I say sincerely, trying to get the words to sink into her brain
She gives me half a smile that doesn't reach her eyes and I know that's the most I will get out of her. Sighing i turn the car on and start the drive home, the soft murmur of the radio being the only sound filling the space between us
Y/n's POV:
We sat in silence in the car, i stared straight ahead as i relived the missed plays and dropped passes in my mind. The weight of the loss felt heavy on my shoulders. I felt so disappointment and frustrated at my performance. I blamed myself for the outcome of the game, and I felt so guilty considering how my poor performance had impacted the team.
Leah had told me it wasn't on me, but it felt like it was, I could've been better, I should have been.
I mumbled a quick thanks to Leah as I got out the car, only met with her concerned eyes in return.
Unlocking my front door, I slipped off my shoes and headed straight to the sofa, discarding my kit bag on the way. I collapsed onto it, feeling as though my legs could no longer hold me upright.
As I sat alone staring at the ceiling, I couldn't stop replaying the game in my mind. every lost opportunity, every mistake i made, played over and over again like a broken record. I scrutinized every detail, second-guessing every decision i made and analyzing every move I could have made differently. I picked apart my performance ruthlessly, dissecting each moment and analyzing it from every angle.
