The season had started with a bang, but as weeks went by, Alessia Russo found herself struggling to keep up the momentum. Dubbed "Star Girl" by her fans, she'd been the focal point of her team's offense, and expectations were high. But the goals hadn't been coming, and each missed opportunity weighed heavier on her shoulders.
At first, Alessia brushed it off, chalking it up to just a rough patch, as every player experiences. But as the matches passed with no goals in sight, the nagging voice of doubt began creeping into her thoughts, whispering that maybe she wasn't as good as everyone thought. With every glance at social media, the voice grew louder as she read comments questioning her skills, calling her overrated, and speculating if she'd lost her spark.
You could tell something was wrong from the start. Alessia's sparkle, usually so bright and infectious, had dimmed, replaced with a tension that hovered around her. She grew more withdrawn, her usual jokes and smiles disappearing, replaced by furrowed brows and quiet sighs. At home, she was quick to snap, each small thing seeming to irritate her. You allowed her to vent her frustration, understanding that she just needed an outlet.
One evening, as the two of you sat at home after a long day, you watched Alessia sitting across the room, lost in thought, her fingers tapping anxiously on her knee. She stared blankly at the TV, her mind obviously elsewhere.
"Lessi, you okay?" you asked softly, your voice cutting through the silence.
She looked over at you, startled, before nodding, her answer far from convincing. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, her tone curt as she turned back to the screen.
You knew better than to push her, so you let it go, but worry gnawed at you. You missed the Alessia who'd come home with stories of training sessions and teammates, who'd laugh with you over dinner, who'd pull you into her arms and dance around the kitchen for no reason other than pure happiness. This Alessia was distant, her mind always elsewhere.
Then came the big game. It was an important match, one she'd been preparing for all week, determined to break her dry spell. She took the field with a fierce determination, her blue eyes focused, her body taut with anticipation. But as the game went on, it became clear that things weren't going her way. She missed several shots, each one seemingly slipping further from her grasp. The harder she tried, the more frustrated she grew, her movements growing desperate, and it showed.
When the final whistle blew, her team had lost, and Alessia hadn't scored. You watched her from the stands, her shoulders slumped, her face etched with disappointment as she walked off the field. Your heart broke seeing her so defeated, and you hurried down to the locker room to wait for her.
Inside, the usual post-game energy was subdued, but Alessia's frustration was palpable. She stood off to the side, her head down, avoiding her teammates. You saw her wiping at her eyes, blinking furiously to keep her tears at bay. You quietly made your way over, reaching for her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Come on," you whispered, guiding her out of the locker room, away from the hustle and noise.
You led her to a quiet corner down the hall, away from everyone else, where she finally let her guard down. Her shoulders began to shake, and tears spilled down her cheeks as she tried to speak.
"I... I don't know what's wrong with me," she choked out, her voice thick with frustration. "I can't... I just can't seem to score. I'm letting everyone down. My team, the fans... you."
You pulled her into your arms, cradling her close, your hand gently running up and down her back as you pressed a soft kiss to her temple. "Alessia, you're not letting anyone down," you whispered, your voice full of warmth. "Least of all me."
"But I... I'm supposed to be good at this," she said, her voice breaking as she clung to you, her hands clutching at your shirt. "I used to be good. And now... I don't know. Maybe everyone was right. Maybe I'm not as good as they thought."
The weight of her words hit you, and you tightened your hold on her, wishing you could take away her pain. "Lessi, listen to me. You are an incredible footballer. You're still that 'Star Girl' that everyone adores. You've just had a rough patch, that's all. It doesn't define who you are or how talented you are."
She shook her head, her face still buried against your shoulder. "You don't understand. Every time I get close to the goal, it's like there's a wall there. I get in my own head, and I feel like I'm just... not good enough." She pulled back, looking up at you with tear-filled eyes. "And everyone online keeps saying it too. That I'm overrated, that I'm a flop... it hurts, you know?"
Your heart broke hearing the raw pain in her voice, and you cupped her face, wiping away her tears. "People will always have opinions, but they don't know you, not really. They don't see how hard you work, how much heart you put into this. You are an incredible player, Alessia, and that's the truth. And I'm not the only one who sees it."
"But what if I can't get back to where I was?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Then we'll figure it out together," you said gently. "You don't have to go through this alone. I'm here with you every step of the way, no matter what."
She looked at you, her blue eyes filled with a mix of vulnerability and gratitude. Slowly, a small, tentative smile appeared on her lips. "You really mean that?"
"Absolutely," you replied, pulling her close again and pressing soft kisses along her jaw and down to her neck. "I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me, Star Girl."
She chuckled softly, a small, shy smile breaking through her tears as she leaned into your touch. "I don't deserve you," she murmured, her voice laced with affection.
You shook your head, meeting her gaze. "You deserve all the love and support in the world, Alessia. You're amazing, just the way you are. Whether you're scoring goals or not doesn't change how incredible you are as a person."
She let out a shaky breath, her fingers tracing gentle patterns along your back as she let herself relax in your embrace. "Thank you," she whispered. "I don't think I could do this without you."
"Lucky for you, you don't have to," you replied with a smile. "I'll be here, through the highs and the lows."
You stayed like that for a while, holding each other in the quiet of the hallway, the world fading away as you gave her the comfort she so desperately needed. You could feel the weight lifting off her shoulders as she took a deep breath, her body slowly relaxing against yours. And in that moment, you knew she'd be okay.
The following week, things were different. Alessia was still working through her frustration, but she was starting to regain her confidence. She spent hours practicing, pouring her heart into each session, determined to get back on track. And every day, you were there to support her, cheering her on, reminding her of her worth.
Eventually, the day of another important game arrived, and Alessia took the field with a renewed fire in her eyes. You watched from the stands, your heart swelling with pride as she played, her movements sharper, her determination unwavering. She missed a few shots, but she didn't let it shake her; instead, she kept pushing, kept fighting.
Then, in the final minutes of the game, Alessia saw an opening. She seized it, charging forward, her eyes locked on the goal. And this time, as she kicked the ball, it soared through the air and found its mark. The stadium erupted in cheers, and you felt a wave of pride and joy wash over you, your own cheers joining the crowd's.
As the final whistle blew, Alessia looked up into the stands, her gaze searching for you, a radiant smile lighting up her face as she spotted you. She blew you a kiss, her blue eyes sparkling once more with that unmistakable "Star Girl" shine.
After the game, you waited for her in the tunnel, and when she finally emerged, she ran into your arms, laughing with pure joy. She pulled back, looking at you with a grateful, almost awestruck expression.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "For everything."
You smiled, pulling her close and pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "I'll always be here, Lessi. Through it all."
And as she hugged you tightly, her laughter filling the air, you knew she'd found her way back to herself, and that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she'd never have to face them alone.
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FanfictionWoso imagines!! Leah Williamson Alessia Russo Alexia Putellas Mapi Leon Ingrid Engen