unexpected love (Leah Williamson)

A Night Out, A Hidden Struggle

The night had started off just like any other after a game. Leah had invited Ella to come along with her and the rest of the Arsenal girls to a local bar, a casual celebration after their big win. Ella, who had been working hard at the hospital all week, was hesitant at first. The idea of a crowded bar, full of loud music and strangers, felt like too much. But Leah's persistent smile and the thought of spending time with her teammates won her over.

"Come on, Elle," Leah had said, her eyes full of warmth and encouragement. "It'll be fun, just us girls. You deserve a break, too."

Ella had smiled faintly, adjusting her jacket as they headed out into the cool evening air. She wasn't sure if she was ready for a night out, but she'd told herself that she needed to push through it. She wanted to be there for Leah, and maybe, just maybe, she could forget about the pressures of her own life, if only for a little while.

The bar was lively, the low hum of chatter blending with the upbeat music that spilled out from the speakers. Leah immediately found a spot near the back with a few of her teammates. The familiar faces of the Arsenal squad made Ella feel slightly more at ease, and she found herself smiling and laughing, even letting herself relax just a bit.

Ella stood at the bar for a moment, waiting for her drink, when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning, she was face to face with a woman who she didn't recognize. The woman had a flirtatious smile, her gaze too intense for comfort, but Ella gave her a polite smile anyway, trying to remain friendly.

"Hey," the woman said, leaning closer than Ella had expected. "You look familiar. I think we've met before."

Ella shook her head slightly, unsure if she had ever seen this woman before. "Sorry, I don't think we have," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

The woman didn't seem to take the hint. Instead, she stepped closer, her fingers brushing against Ella's arm in a way that made her skin crawl. "Well, it's nice to meet you now," the woman said, her voice low and almost seductive. "What's your name?"

Before Ella could respond, Leah appeared beside her, sliding into the conversation like she always did—like she could read the atmosphere instantly.

"Hey, Elle," Leah said, her hand resting lightly on Ella's back. "Everything okay?"

Ella flashed a nervous smile, grateful for Leah's presence. She glanced at the woman, who now seemed to be eyeing Leah with a look Ella couldn't quite place.

"I'm fine," Ella said, giving a small shake of her head. "Just a little tired."

Leah smiled, seemingly unfazed. "Well, we're going to dance. Want to come with us?" She turned to the woman with a polite but firm smile. "Thanks, but we're good. Enjoy your night."

The woman's smile faltered for just a second, but then she leaned in again, much too close for Ella's comfort. "It's all good," she said, her breath warm against Ella's ear. "You should come find me later."

Before Leah could react, Ella turned quickly, shaking her head and stepping away. "Let's just go dance," she muttered, almost too quickly.

Leah, sensing something was off, kept close as they made their way to the dance floor. Ella felt a wave of relief, but it was short-lived. The music, the flashing lights, and the crowd suddenly felt overwhelming, like the walls of the bar were closing in on her. She tried to push the feeling aside, focusing on Leah's voice as she spoke.

"Are you okay?" Leah asked softly, her hand finding Ella's again. "You don't seem like yourself tonight."

Ella hesitated, the panic creeping in. It was hard to breathe, the air feeling thick and constricting. "I think I just need a minute," Ella said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll be fine, I promise."

Leah didn't push, simply nodding as they moved to a quieter corner of the bar. But as soon as they reached it, Ella could feel the tightness in her chest growing. Her heart was racing now, too fast, too erratic.

"Ella," Leah said, her voice more urgent this time. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

Ella could feel the room spinning, the world blurring in and out of focus. Her breathing became shallow, and every noise around her felt too loud, too jarring. The sensation was suffocating, and despite her best efforts, she couldn't seem to regain control.

"I—" Ella gasped, struggling to form words. "I can't breathe."

Leah's face dropped, and her hand instinctively gripped Ella's arm, guiding her toward a nearby bench. "Ella, hey, stay with me," Leah said urgently, her voice trembling slightly. "Just focus on me. Focus on my voice."

But Ella's vision was swimming, her thoughts a whirlwind of panic. The world was spinning faster and faster, and she couldn't stop it. She could hear Leah's voice, but it was distant, fading as if Ella were underwater. The noise, the lights, the touch from earlier—everything was colliding, overwhelming her senses.

And then, everything went black.

Leah's heart pounded as she watched Ella slump against her, her body going limp in her arms. Panic seized Leah's chest as she tried to rouse her. She shook Ella gently, her voice growing frantic.

"Ella? Ella, stay with me. Please. Don't do this."

A few of the girls from the team had gathered around now, their faces showing concern, but Leah couldn't focus on anything except Ella's still form.

"Call an ambulance," Leah shouted to one of the girls. "Now!"

It felt like an eternity before the paramedics arrived. The bar had gone quiet, everyone standing back, their eyes wide with fear and curiosity. Leah didn't care about anyone else. She was focused entirely on Ella, her breathing shallow and uneven, her face pale and drained of color.

Finally, the paramedics began to assess Ella, one of them glancing at Leah. "She's going to be okay," they said, their tone reassuring. "It looks like a panic attack. We're going to take her in for further checks, just to be safe."

Leah nodded, her throat tight as she stayed by Ella's side, watching as the paramedics gently lifted her onto the stretcher. The others were asking questions, trying to comfort Leah, but nothing could break her focus.

"Stay with me, Ella," Leah whispered again, her heart breaking as the ambulance doors closed.

She followed them to the hospital, not letting go of Ella's hand. All she wanted was for her to wake up, to be okay, to be safe again.

But the truth was, Leah knew that this was just the beginning. Ella's struggles weren't something she could always see or fix, but she was ready. Ready to fight with her, side by side, and not let her go through anything alone.

They were in this together. And Leah would make sure Ella knew that every single day.