The warm afternoon sun streamed through the windows as Chloe Kelly walked into the small café nestled in the heart of London. She’d been out of action for months now, recovering from the ACL injury that had halted her rise at Manchester City and with the England Lionesses. The silence had been deafening, the pressure of rehabilitation heavy, and the isolation of her injury had made the world feel even more distant. But today, something felt different. A fresh start, maybe.
Chloe had agreed to meet Alessia Russo, the talented striker from Manchester United who had recently made headlines with her strong performances on the international stage and in the Women's Super League. They had exchanged messages here and there, mutual respect for one another as athletes, and eventually, Chloe had invited Alessia to meet.
As Chloe entered the café, her eyes quickly found Alessia sitting by the window, her blonde hair catching the light as she scrolled through her phone. She looked up and smiled, her expression warm and genuine. The two women had never met in person before, but there was an immediate sense of camaraderie between them—a shared understanding of what it was like to be in the spotlight, to push through pain, and to constantly strive for more.
“Hey, you!” Chloe greeted with a grin as she made her way over to the table. Alessia stood up, giving her a hug, and Chloe could feel a sense of relief. There was something about meeting someone who truly understood the pressure and the struggle of elite women’s football.
“Hi, Chloe! It’s so good to finally meet,” Alessia said as they both sat down. “How are you feeling?”
Chloe chuckled lightly, looking down at her knee. “Better. Slowly but surely. I mean, I’m not back to full fitness, but I’m getting there. It’s just taking time.”
“I can’t even imagine what that’s like,” Alessia replied sympathetically. “But I know you’ll bounce back. I’ve been following your journey, and you’re so strong.”
Chloe smiled, appreciating the support. “Thanks, Alessia. It means a lot. I’ve seen you play too, and you’ve been brilliant—especially after all the changes at United. I’m really impressed.”
The two women chatted for hours, talking about everything from their journeys into professional football to the challenges they’d faced in the public eye. It was easy to talk to Alessia, someone who knew exactly what it was like to feel both the pressure to succeed and the joy of playing for a team you loved. The conversation flowed effortlessly, the laughter coming naturally as they shared stories from their respective teams.
At some point during their conversation, a photographer, clearly having noticed them from outside the café, snapped a picture through the window. The flash was quick, barely noticeable, but it was enough. As Chloe and Alessia continued to chat, unaware of the photo being taken, the world outside was about to find out about this new connection between two of the biggest stars in women’s football.
Alessia’s phone buzzed quietly in her pocket, but she didn’t think much of it until it started buzzing more frequently. She pulled her phone out, glancing at the screen. Her heart sank slightly as the notifications piled up. It wasn’t just the usual fans reaching out with support or admiration—it was something bigger.
The picture of Chloe and Alessia was already circulating on social media. Headlines flooded her feed: “Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo: New Friendship?” “Are They More Than Friends? The Picture That’s Sending Fans into Overdrive!”
Alessia’s eyes widened in shock as she opened her Twitter feed. It wasn’t just the picture—there were rumors already flying. People speculating about everything from a potential collaboration between their teams to gossip about their relationship. It was clear that the media had already turned the friendly meet-up into something it wasn’t.
“Oh, wow,” Alessia muttered, her heart racing. She glanced at Chloe, who was scrolling through her own phone now. Her expression was blank, but Alessia could tell the media storm had reached her too.
“Is that...is that us?” Chloe asked, her tone a little more incredulous as she gestured to the screen.
Alessia nodded slowly, her fingers hovering over her phone. “Yeah. Looks like it. The media’s already spinning it. People are assuming things. I didn’t even think about how this would blow up.”
Chloe frowned, visibly uncomfortable. “I should’ve been more careful, I guess. I didn’t think a simple catch-up would turn into...this.”
Alessia sighed. “It’s not your fault. We’re both in the public eye. Everything we do gets dissected. But... this is a little much for a casual meet-up.”
Alessia’s social media exploded. The rumors of a potential partnership—both on and off the pitch—began to swirl. Fans had already begun speculating, some in support, others in disbelief, fueling the fire of rumors. The attention was overwhelming.
A text from her brother Luca flashed on the screen. “Are you and Chloe okay? This is everywhere right now.”
Alessia quickly responded, telling him it was fine, just a misunderstanding. But she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, the weight of expectations pressing down on her.
“Well, this is definitely going to be interesting,” Chloe said dryly, scrolling through her phone. “I mean, I expected some attention, but this... This is ridiculous.”
Alessia managed a small laugh. “Yeah, we’re going to have to get used to this kind of attention now, aren’t we?”
Chloe raised her eyebrows, her tone joking but tinged with reality. “I guess so. Next time, we’ll have to have a secret meet-up. Maybe a rooftop, sunglasses, and no phones.”
The two women shared a laugh, the tension easing slightly. But even as they sat there, the notifications kept flooding in, each one a reminder that nothing was ever just a simple conversation in the world they lived in. They would have to learn to navigate the spotlight, and the rumors that came with it.
But in that moment, as they exchanged one last smile before parting ways, both Chloe and Alessia knew that despite the media frenzy, they had made a real connection. And no amount of online noise could change that.
YOU ARE READING
WSL Oneshots
FanficA story of various one shots from across the WSL with some Lionesses and Matildas ones included too
