Arsenal Womens OneShots

Falling to Pieces-Kyra Cooney-Cross×Leah Williamson

Kyra Cooney-Cross walked off the Arsenal training ground, her chest tight and her eyes burning with unshed tears. She'd never imagined it would be like this. Playing for one of the top clubs in the world should've been a dream, but lately, it had turned into a nightmare.

The snickers, the subtle digs, the "accidental" shoulder bumps—she could handle that. But today, it escalated. During a simple passing drill, Beth and Katie exchanged looks, whispering before sending a careless ball her way, which bounced off her shin and rolled out of bounds.

"Guess that's why they call her the Aussie Wonder," Beth sneered, not bothering to lower her voice.

Kyra bit her lip, fighting back the stinging words she wanted to throw back. But it didn't stop there. When they broke for water, Viv walked by with a sarcastic smile. "Maybe next time, Kyra, try using both feet? Or are you still getting used to European football?"

That was it. Kyra couldn't take it anymore. She knew there was an unspoken hierarchy in the squad, but why did they have to make her feel like an outsider? She stormed to the locker room, her vision blurred with frustration.

She didn't go back to training the next day. Or the day after that. The thought of facing them, of enduring the constant whispers and looks, made her stomach churn. What was worse was the silence from her teammates. No one reached out, not even a text.

It wasn't until the fourth day that her phone buzzed. Kyra almost didn't check it, but the name on the screen caught her attention: Leah Williamson.

Can I come over?

Fifteen minutes later, Leah was at her door, concern etched on her face. Kyra let her in, unsure what to expect.

"I've been where you are," Leah said softly, taking a seat on the couch beside her. "This place can be tough when you're new. Especially when you're talented. Some of the girls... they don't mean it the way it comes across, but it doesn't excuse it."

Kyra stared at her hands, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "I just... I didn't think it would be like this. I thought we were all supposed to be a team."

Leah nodded. "We are. And we will be. But sometimes people need to be reminded of that." She paused, meeting Kyra's eyes. "You don't have to go through this alone. I'll talk to them, and we'll fix this. But you need to come back. You're too good to let this stop you."

Kyra hesitated, her emotions a swirl of doubt and relief. "What if they don't stop?"

Leah smiled gently. "Then I'll make sure they do. You have me on your side."

For the first time in days, Kyra felt the weight on her chest lift just a little. Maybe it wasn't perfect yet, but with Leah's support, she felt like she could step back onto that pitch. Even if it meant facing the girls who had made her feel so small.

"Alright," she said quietly. "I'll come back."

Leah squeezed her hand. "Good. We need you, Kyra. Don't forget that."

And maybe, Kyra thought, she needed them too—just not in the way she'd first imagined.