The Final Touch | Trent Alexander-Arnold

7

The next few days at the England camp were some of the busiest in Nia's career. With the international break in full swing, she found herself juggling a packed schedule of content creation, interviews, and behind-the-scenes shoots with the players. Despite the initial tension with Trent, she maintained her professionalism and kept the focus on the job. The rest of the players, many of whom she hadn't worked with before, were welcoming and cooperative, making her role easier than she'd anticipated.

Her ability to get players to open up on camera was shining through. Whether it was a light-hearted Q&A session or a more serious sit-down chat about the pressures of playing for England, Nia was proving once again that she could handle whatever was thrown her way. Her knack for making people feel comfortable, especially in front of the camera, didn't go unnoticed by the FA's media team.

It wasn't long before she was approached by one of the senior media coordinators.

"You're doing an amazing job with the interviews," he said, catching her in the hallway after one of the shoots. "The players are really responding to you, and that's exactly what we've been looking for. We've got a couple of more high-profile pieces planned, and I think you'd be perfect to lead them."

Nia smiled, feeling a surge of pride. "Thank you. I'd love to help out."

The work was demanding, but it felt rewarding. Every interview, every segment, was another step forward in her career. And even though there were moments of doubt—whether about her place in such a male-dominated space, or about how far she could go—she pushed through. This was what she had always wanted: a chance to show she was more than just a pretty face in front of the camera. She had the skills, the knowledge, and the drive.

Still, no matter how focused she tried to stay, there was the occasional reminder of her earlier interaction with Trent. She had kept her distance, but there were moments—whether passing each other in the hallways or catching a glimpse of him during training—when she could feel his eyes on her. It was like a lingering tension, always just beneath the surface.

Then, on the final day of her assignment, Nia found herself assigned to one of the most important interviews of the week: a sit-down with Trent and a few of the senior players to discuss the pressures of playing for England, especially as a young player. It was a more serious topic, one that Nia knew she was perfectly suited to handle.

When she arrived at the set for the interview, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety. She had been avoiding any real one-on-one conversations with Trent, but now they were about to be thrown into a pretty deep discussion.

As the interview started, Nia slipped into her professional mode, keeping her focus on the questions and the players' responses. Trent, for his part, was composed and thoughtful, talking candidly about the mental and emotional challenges of being in the spotlight at such a young age. It was one of those interviews where the players really let their guard down, and Nia could feel the authenticity in the room. It was exactly the kind of moment she thrived on—raw, real, and connecting with the audience on a deeper level.

When the cameras finally stopped rolling, Nia thanked the players and began to gather her notes. She was proud of the way the interview had gone. But as she packed up, she noticed Trent lingering by the door, clearly waiting for a moment to talk.

"Nia," he called softly, walking over to her. "Can I have a word?"

She sighed inwardly, not really in the mood for another tense conversation, but she nodded. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to say thanks for today," Trent began, his tone sincere. "You really know how to ask the right questions. I think that was one of the best interviews I've done."