Footsteps on the Field || a woso story

4. Ice breaker

I feel her eyes still on me, I clear my throat and look away, uncomfortable from the attention I was receiving.

"Okay!" Ms Reynolds, another pe teacher, clears her throat and we turn our attention back to her, before she begins to talk. I tune most of it out, the boring admin etcetera, whilst I focus on the burning sensation on my cheek- whether it be my physical wound, or my previous incident embarrassment still rife, it was very painful. I reach up to touch it, and hiss slightly at the touch, and Sarah puts her arm on my shoulder whispering "you okay?".

"Yeah, It's just a little bit painful" I whisper back.

"Girls" Ms Reynolds hands clap at us, "please be quiet" she says, before continuing her boring speech. Everyone looks at us, and I groan silently, why me again? Sarah starts to silently laugh, as I feel her shoulders and body shake lightly against mine.

I then again reach up to feel my cut this time, the sensation becoming even more painful. However, I yet again feel eyes on me. I turn my head to the back, to see not only the Leah Williamson looking at me, but also the Katie McCabe.

Quickly turning back my head, I feel nerves and anxiety course through my body, as thoughts jitter and collide in my head.

No.
I'm not letting anxiety, nor a panic attack ruin this for me.

Trying to strangle and push down those dangerous feelings, I try to focus on what Reynolds is saying.

"Now, time to get into the fun stuff!" She shouts, everyone applauds, including a few cheers from the team in the back.

I don't dare to turn and look.

"Okay girls! Now we've paired you up with a player initially- however this may change! Lots of your activities include working in a team as a whole, or small groups. We did this so that you can talk with someone, find out more about them- but they said if you have anything you ever want to talk about, the players have kindly said you can convene in them, or just to talk." FG says.

We all clap in response, although I will not be talking, that's a really nice offer.

"Okay, so for your pairs..." we all look around at each other nervously, as she holds out her clipboard.

I don't know who I'm hoping for, probably with my luck I'll end up with Leah or Katie. Don't get me wrong- they are incredible players, and I look up to them everyday, yet I still feel their gaze on me.

"Annalise and Beth Mead" I look to see her, literally losing it. She's a little year 9, and was picked since she joined from a new school recently and has struggled to make new friends.

I know this because I help to coach the U15s team, and I had a chat with her after practice one time, talking to her about everything.

"Bless her, look at her little face" Iris nudges me, and I look at her and laugh.

"She's literally a year younger than us, what are you on about" I nudge her back jokingly.

"Freya and Lotte Wubben Moy"

"Iris and Lia Walti" We all look to her and she answers with an excited face and kicked her feet about like a child.

"Flo and Leah Williamson" FG says, and pauses, looking up from her clipboard and at me very briefly.

Fuck me.

Well fuck me sideways actually.

Just my luck, huh?

All the girls around me pat me excitedly, to which I respond with my well thought of and regular, fake smile.

Of course I'm excited. The fucking England Captain is my mentor and buddy, yet I feel she's going to dig. Dig in my personal life. I bet she'll keep on asking me about my face too.