Skip a few days and Atletico had just played Barcelona....
Yn slumped down on the bench, tugging her water bottle from her bag and taking a long, frustrated sip. It had been a hard game—a crushing 3-1 loss to Barcelona. Atletico had fought hard, but their efforts hadn’t been enough. Yn felt the weight of disappointment settle on her, making her feel even more like a stranger in this new place.
As the rest of the team packed up, murmuring among themselves, Gio gave her a nudge on the shoulder. “Hey, don’t look so down. We’ll get them next time,” Gio said, trying to brighten the mood.
Yn mustered a weak smile. “I know. It’s just... I don’t know, I feel so out of place sometimes. I wish I could just call it a day and head back to London.”
Gio gave her a sympathetic look. “That’s normal. Moving here was a big decision. Just take it one game at a time.”
Yn nodded, grateful for the words, but as she packed her things and left the stadium, the ache of homesickness felt heavier than ever.
---
Later that evening, Yn sat curled up on the couch in her apartment, staring blankly at the screen of her phone. Summer had left to catch up with a few modeling friends in the city, leaving Yn alone with her thoughts. She knew she could use the company, but tonight, she needed something more familiar.
With a deep breath, Yn opened her phone and started a video call with Katie McCabe. She hadn’t planned it—just something in her urged her to reach out.
Katie’s face popped up on the screen, grinning as usual. “Well, well, look who it is! How’s Madrid treating ya, superstar?”
Yn tried to smile but knew it came out weak. “Not the best, Katie. We just lost to Barcelona. And… I don’t know. I just feel like I’m a million miles away from everything.”
Katie’s smile faded, her eyes softening. “Oh, love, I get it. Moving’s never easy. But you’re doing something amazing. Just think how proud Arsenal is of ya.”
Yn sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I guess I just thought being here would feel different by now. Like I’d feel like I belong. But all I can think about is you, Leah, Beth—everyone back home.”
Katie let out a small laugh. “Trust me, we miss ya too. And if I could, I’d hop on a plane and come see ya right now.”
As Yn chuckled, Leah Williamson’s name suddenly popped up on the call, joining with her usual bright smile. “Oh, Yn! Katie told me you were calling. How’s it going?”
“Leah! You’re just who I needed to see,” Yn said, feeling her spirits lift.
Leah’s smile softened. “Rough day, huh?”
Yn nodded. “We lost to Barcelona, and I just… I feel like I’m failing. Maybe I wasn’t ready to move after all.”
Leah’s gaze was steady and calm. “Listen, you’re doing incredible things out there. Moving somewhere new, somewhere outside your comfort zone—that takes courage. You’re not failing, Yn. You’re just growing.”
Katie jumped in. “Exactly! And anyway, you know where we all are. You could call us at any hour. We’re your fan club, all of us.”
Yn managed a smile. “You two don’t know how much that means to me.”
Leah leaned closer to her screen. “You’re tougher than you think, Yn. Take it from someone who’s had her fair share of bad days on the pitch. You don’t need to be perfect—just keep showing up.”
Their words filled Yn with a warmth she hadn’t felt in days. As they talked about the match, Arsenal, and everything back home, her apartment in Madrid felt just a little less lonely.
Finally, Yn let out a breath. “I needed this. Thank you, both of you.”
Katie grinned. “Anytime, love. Now, get some sleep and show them what you’re made of next match. You’ve got this.”
Leah added, “Remember, we’re all rooting for you back here. And hey, send us a picture of you in that Atletico kit, alright?”
Yn laughed, promising she would, and ended the call. For the first time in days, she felt something like peace settle in. She could do this.
---
The next morning, Yn felt more determined than she had in a while. She got up early, took a jog around the city, and grabbed coffee from a local café, determined to embrace life in Madrid a little more.
When she arrived at training, Gio noticed the change immediately. “Hey! You look a little more like yourself today.”
Yn chuckled. “Yeah, I think I just needed a reminder that I’ve got a whole support system back home. I was talking to a couple of friends last night, and they set me straight.”
Gio gave a knowing smile. “Glad to hear it. You know, we’re here for you too. I know it’s different, but we’re your teammates too now.”
Yn’s face softened. “Thanks, Gio. Really.”
As training wrapped up, Gio invited Yn to join a group of players who were going out for dinner. “You need a good meal with good company,” Gio insisted.
The dinner was lively, filled with laughter and new stories from her teammates. For the first time since she’d arrived, Yn felt like she was part of the team—not just an outsider passing through.
---
Later that evening, Yn returned home to find Summer curled up on the couch, scrolling through her phone. Summer looked up with a warm smile. “Hey, you look like you had a good day.”
Yn flopped onto the couch next to her. “It was. Hard, but good. I think I’m starting to feel like I belong here. Slowly.”
Summer looked relieved, brushing a strand of Yn’s hair behind her ear. “I knew you’d get there. You’re stronger than you think.”
Yn rested her head on Summer’s shoulder, smiling. “Thanks for sticking with me through all of this. I know I’ve been a bit of a mess.”
Summer wrapped an arm around her. “Hey, I signed up for it, didn’t I? Plus, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
They sat there in comfortable silence for a while, and Yn found herself smiling. Madrid was beginning to feel like home, thanks to people like Summer, Gio, Katie, and Leah reminding her that she wasn’t alone.
---
Over the next few weeks, Yn continued to build her place in the team, feeling more connected with her Atletico teammates and pushing herself in training. The more she embraced her new environment, the less she felt the ache of homesickness.
One day after training, as she packed up her things, Gio walked over. “You’ve come a long way, Yn. Honestly, I didn’t think you’d stick it out.”
Yn raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? Thought I’d be packing up and heading back to London?”
Gio grinned. “Hey, you had that look! But I’m glad you stayed. The team’s better with you here.”
Yn’s chest swelled with pride. “Thanks, Gio. That means a lot.”
Gio patted her shoulder. “Alright, now don’t let it go to your head. You’ve still got a lot to prove to us, Arsenal girl.”
Yn laughed, feeling more confident than ever. “Bring it on.”
---
That evening, back at the apartment, Yn video-called Katie and Leah to fill them in on the latest. Katie grinned when Yn shared her progress. “Look at you, Ms. Atletico! Proud of you, Yn.”
Leah chimed in, “Told you it’d get better. Just wait till you’re the one leading the charge.”
Yn laughed, feeling warmth fill her chest. “Thanks, you two. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Katie winked. “Oh, we know. Just don’t forget us when you’re Madrid’s new favorite.”
Yn grinned. “Never.”
As she ended the call, Yn felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She wasn’t just surviving in Madrid; she was thriving. And with the support of friends, near and far, she knew she could handle anything this journey threw her way.
