London, once blue, now red

First cap for England

Isla's Pov

Leah and I entered the dining area, and I immediately spotted Alessia. She waved me over with a bright smile.

Alessia: "Morning, Isla! Let's grab some food."

We walked over to the buffet together. Alessia knew about my struggles with eating, and her presence was calming. We chatted about trivial things, her lighthearted banter helping to distract me from my usual anxieties.

Alessia: "So, did you hear about Millie's latest prank on Rachel?"

I laughed, grateful for the distraction.

Isla: "No, what happened?"

Alessia: "She swapped out Rachel's shampoo for some glittery concoction. Rachel's hair was sparkling all day!"

I giggled the image of Rachel with glittery hair lifting my spirits. We found a table and sat down with a few other teammates. I made light banter with them, slowly easing into the group dynamic. After breakfast, we headed to our first tactics meeting. The atmosphere was serious, everyone eager to hear what Sarina had to say. She stood at the front, her presence commanding the room.

Sarina: "Good morning, ladies. This training camp is crucial for our World Cup preparations. We need to stay focused and work hard. We have a closed-door friendly with Sweden coming up, and I want to see how well you all play together."

I felt a surge of pressure. The thought of being the team's downfall weighed heavily on me. I was lost in my thoughts, and my anxiety started to spiral. I didn't even realise I had picked the skin around my nail until it bled. Leah, sitting beside me, noticed immediately. Without a word, she reached over and gently grabbed my hand, holding it to stop me. Her touch was comforting, grounding me in the moment.

Leah: "You're not alone," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "We're in this together."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. Her support meant everything to me.

The meeting continued, and I tried to focus on Sarina's words. She emphasised the importance of teamwork and communication, qualities that I knew I could contribute to. As the session ended, I felt a mix of nerves and determination.

After the meeting, Leah pulled me aside, her expression serious.

Leah: "Are you really okay?" she asked, her eyes filled with worry.

I hesitated, then shook my head.

Isla: "It's just...a lot. I don't want to let anyone down."

Leah's eyes welled up with tears, her voice breaking.

Leah: "Isla, you are the strongest person I know. You've been through so much, and you're still standing. You're not going to let anyone down, least of all me."

Her words hit me hard, and I felt a lump in my throat.

Isla: "I'm so scared, Leah. What if I mess up?"

Leah pulled me into a tight hug, her voice trembling.

Leah: "You won't. And even if you do, we'll face it together. I love you, Isla, and nothing is going to change that. Not a bad day, not a mistake, nothing. You hear me?"

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I nodded.

Isla: "I hear you. I love you too, Leah. Thank you."

Leah: "Always," she whispered, kissing my forehead.

As we headed out to the training field, I felt a renewed sense of determination. This was my chance to prove myself, not just to the team but to myself as well. With Leah by my side and the support of my teammates, I knew I could face any challenge that came my way.