Matilda's Imagines

Autism

The locker room was eerily quiet after the game. Y/n sat on one of the benches, her head in her hands as her thoughts spiraled out of control. The game hadn't gone the way she wanted—it wasn't even a bad performance, but in her mind, every missed pass, every lost ball, felt monumental. Her teammates had all gone to the media zone or the recovery room, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Y/n was alone.

The thoughts became louder, harsher. She pressed her palms against her temples, trying to drown out the noise, but it wasn't enough. Frustration bubbled to the surface, and before she could stop herself, she stood and walked toward the wall. Maybe if she hit her head, the thoughts would go away. Maybe it would silence the chaos.

She started lightly at first, leaning her forehead against the cold surface, but the pressure inside her felt unbearable. Her movements became more forceful, the sound of her head hitting the wall echoing in the empty room. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered to herself, "Stop thinking. Stop. Please stop."

A staff member passing by heard the dull thuds and hurried into the locker room. Their heart sank at the sight of Y/n, her head hitting the wall repeatedly, her body trembling with each impact.

"Y/n! Stop!" the staff member called, rushing over and gently pulling her back. Y/n fought against the touch, her movements frantic as she tried to break free.

"No! Let me go!" she cried, her voice high-pitched and filled with panic. "I need it to stop!"

Realizing they couldn't calm her down alone, the staff member grabbed their radio and quickly called for help. "We need Mini on the field now—emergency in the locker room. It's Y/n."

Out on the field, Mini had been finishing up a post-game interview when a staff member sprinted over to her, their expression urgent. She didn't even wait for an explanation; the word "Y/n" was all she needed to hear before she took off running toward the locker room.

When Mini burst through the door, she froze for a moment at the sight of Y/n sitting on the floor, her knees pulled up to her chest, rocking back and forth. The staff member stood nearby, looking helpless. Mini immediately softened, her heart breaking at the sight of her baby girl in so much distress.

"Y/n," Mini said softly, crouching down to her level. She didn't reach out yet, knowing sudden movements might overwhelm her further. "It's me, Mini. I'm here, sweetheart."

Y/n's tear-streaked face lifted slightly, her eyes locking onto Mini. "I'm sorry," she whimpered, her voice barely audible. "I can't make it stop."

Mini's heart clenched, but she kept her voice calm and soothing. "You don't have to apologize, baby. I'm here, and we're going to get through this together."

Slowly, Mini moved closer, sitting down on the floor beside Y/n. She didn't touch her yet, instead mirroring her movements by rocking slightly herself. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed," she said gently. "But we're going to find a way to help, alright? You're safe now."

After a few minutes, Y/n's rocking slowed, her breathing starting to even out. Mini waited until she seemed calmer before carefully placing a hand on her shoulder. "Can I hold you, love?" she asked softly.

Y/n nodded hesitantly, and Mini wasted no time pulling her into a warm, protective hug. She cradled Y/n's head against her shoulder, her hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. "You're not alone, okay? You'll never have to go through this alone."

"I... I didn't mean to—" Y/n started, but Mini cut her off.

"You don't have to explain," Mini said firmly. "Your feelings are valid, Y/n. It's okay to have bad days. It's okay to feel like this. But next time, you come to me, alright? No matter what. Promise me."

Y/n nodded against her shoulder, clinging tightly to Mini as if she were a lifeline. "I promise."

By the time the rest of the team trickled back into the locker room, Y/n was calmer, still wrapped in Mini's arms. Kyra immediately dropped her bag and rushed over. "What happened?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"She just needed some support," Mini replied, giving Kyra a pointed look that said, Let's not overwhelm her with questions right now.

Kyra nodded, kneeling beside them and placing a hand on Y/n's arm. "Hey, squirt. We're here, okay? Whatever you need."

The rest of the team followed suit, creating a protective circle around Y/n. Caitlin handed her a bottle of water, while Macca draped a blanket over her shoulders. Alanna offered quiet reassurances, her calm presence helping to ground the room.

Y/n looked around at her teammates, her family, and felt a small flicker of warmth in her chest. She might have bad days, but with Mini and the rest of the Matildas by her side, she knew she would never have to face them alone.