The Final Touch | Trent Alexander-Arnold

6

Nia's career had steadily gained momentum since that awkward encounter with Trent. Her superiors were taking notice of her work, particularly her knack for interviews that delved deeper than the usual banter. While the fun content pieces were still part of her job, she had found a niche in sit-down, real-talk interviews. Players opened up to her in ways they rarely did with others, and that had become her signature style. She wasn't just asking them about goals or tactics—she was getting them to talk about the pressure, the personal sacrifices, the mental toll that came with being in the spotlight.

As a result, she was being given more and more opportunities to lead these kinds of projects. Every new assignment was another step forward, another chance to prove herself. Her confidence had grown, and she'd become a trusted face at the studio, known for getting players to drop their guard in a way that felt authentic, not forced.

Then came the international break.

The office was buzzing with activity as players left their clubs to join their national teams. Nia was in the middle of editing footage from her latest project when her boss, Daniel, called her into his office.

"Nia, got a minute?" Daniel asked, leaning against the doorframe with a grin.

"Sure, what's up?" she replied, putting her laptop to sleep and following him into the office.

Daniel sat down behind his desk and gestured for her to take a seat. "So, I've been talking to a few people, and I might have a great opportunity for you. The FA is doing a big content rollout for the international break, and they need some help on-site with the England camp."

Nia's eyes widened. "Wait, you're talking about the national team camp?"

"Yeah. I recommended you for the role," Daniel said, a hint of pride in his voice. "They're looking for someone with your kind of interview style, someone who can get the players to open up. It's a short gig, but it'll be high-profile and could lead to more opportunities down the line."

Nia felt a surge of excitement. This was huge. Working with the national team meant rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in football and branching out beyond her usual role. She'd gain more connections, more experience, and more visibility.

"I'm in," she said without hesitation. "When do I leave?"

"Tomorrow," Daniel replied. "I'll email you the details. It's going to be a hectic few days, but I think you'll do great."

The next day, Nia arrived at the England training camp with a mix of nerves and anticipation. The energy was palpable, with media teams setting up, players arriving, and coaches prepping for the upcoming matches. She had her camera crew with her, but this was a much bigger production than she was used to. The FA's media team was there, along with a few high-profile reporters, but Nia knew her job was different. She wasn't there to push the usual narratives—she was there to get real moments, the kind of content that connected with fans on a deeper level.

As she walked through the training ground, clipboard in hand, she was already mentally preparing for the interviews she'd be leading over the next few days. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted someone familiar: Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Her stomach tightened. Of course, she thought. It made sense that he'd be here, but she hadn't really prepared herself for the possibility of seeing him again. Their last interaction had left a sour taste in her mouth, and she hadn't seen or spoken to him since. She wasn't going to let that get in the way of her work, though. This was a professional environment, and she was here to do a job.

As she made her way past him, Trent glanced her way and gave her a slight nod. She responded with a polite but clearly distant smile, not slowing her pace.

Later that afternoon, the FA team gathered everyone to discuss the content they'd be creating over the next few days. To Nia's dismay, she found out she would be helping with a video that Trent was taking part in. It wasn't an interview—just a light, behind-the-scenes segment with a few of the England players—but she'd have to work closely with him.

As they gathered to shoot the video, Trent approached her, his expression cautiously friendly. "Hey, Nia. We good?"

Nia kept her response brief but polite. "We're fine."

Trent seemed to pick up on her tone, but he didn't push it. He gave her a small nod and stepped back into the group for the shoot.

Throughout the day, Nia remained professional, though her interactions with Trent were laced with a thin layer of tension. She was polite, but her walls were firmly up. She'd caught him watching her once or twice, but she didn't let it faze her. She was here for work, and that was all that mattered.

Despite the awkwardness, the video shoot went smoothly. Nia found herself falling into her usual rhythm, coordinating the crew, keeping the players comfortable, and ensuring the content was as engaging as possible. Even with Trent in the mix, she managed to keep things running efficiently. By the end of the day, she was proud of the work they had done, though she was relieved when the shoot wrapped.

As she packed up her equipment, Trent walked over again, his expression softer this time. "Look, I didn't mean for things to get weird between us."

Nia straightened up, not really wanting to have this conversation, but knowing it was probably necessary. "It's fine, Trent. I just want to keep things professional, that's all."

He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I get that. I'm sorry if I crossed a line before. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

Nia looked at him, her expression softening slightly. "I appreciate that. But, let's just keep it focused on work, alright?"

"Yeah, of course," Trent said, giving her a small smile. "Thanks for giving me a chance to clear the air."

Nia nodded and turned back to finish packing. As she left the training ground that evening, she felt a strange mix of emotions. The day had been productive, but that underlying tension with Trent was still there. She wasn't sure where things would go from here, but one thing was certain—she wasn't going to let anything or anyone derail her focus.

This opportunity with the national team was too big to get distracted. And if she had to be polite but distant with Trent for the rest of the week, so be it. She had bigger goals in mind.

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