Matilda's Imagines

Secrets

Y/n didn't mean for it to happen.

She and Luca—her best friend, her first love, her everything—had been reckless. One night where the world didn't feel like it was pressing down on her. One night where she felt normal.

But a few weeks later, "normal" felt like a dream.

Because now her stomach twisted every morning. Her ADHD fog felt worse than usual. Her body ached, and she was always tired. At first, she blamed training. Then stress. Then maybe even her meds being off.

But in the back of her mind, she knew.

It wasn't until she locked herself in a chemist bathroom and stared down at two faint pink lines that reality slammed into her.

She was pregnant. Sixteen. In foster care. Playing pro football.

Pregnant.

⸻

Y/n kept it quiet. She told herself she could keep it a secret until she figured things out. She'd fake stomach bugs and dodge protein shakes and bury the nausea in silence. She could act like nothing had changed.

She'd done it before—masked her pain, her trauma, her scars. She could do it again.

But it didn't take long for the team to notice.

Kyra was the first to say something. "You've thrown up three mornings in a row, and not even for attention. What's going on?"

Y/n rolled her eyes. "Stomach bug. Chill."

But Macca caught her slipping protein bars into her pocket and not eating them. Caitlin noticed she was suddenly avoiding contact drills. Alana watched her excuse herself during every gym session.

And Mini? Mini knew something was off the second Y/n flinched when someone joked about cramps.

Still, no one pressed too hard. They knew Y/n's past. Her walls.

But walls crack.

⸻

It all broke one Thursday morning.

Y/n collapsed on the field during warm-ups. Dizzy, pale, and shaking.

Mini rushed to her side, crouching low. "Sweetheart, talk to me."

Y/n tried to speak, but all she could do was cry.

The team crowded around her like a fortress, everyone shouting her name, everyone terrified.

They rushed her to the medical room, and the team doc—already suspicious—asked the question quietly.

"Y/n, is there any chance you could be pregnant?"

Silence.

Y/n didn't answer. She didn't have to. Her trembling lip and tear-filled eyes said enough.

⸻

The room emptied, slowly. One by one, the girls stepped out. All except Mini.

"You should've told me," Mini said gently.

Y/n sobbed. "I didn't know how. I thought you'd all hate me."

"We could never hate you. But we are disappointed you thought you had to go through this alone."

Y/n buried her face in Mini's chest. "I didn't want to lose everything. Football. You. The team."

Mini stroked her hair. "You're not losing anything. We'll figure it out. But next time? You come to us. No more suffering in silence."

⸻

That night, the truth rippled through the team.

Shock. Worry. A little frustration. But above all—love.

Kyra sat with her on the couch, arms crossed. "You're a menace. But I've got you. Whether you're a soccer player or someone's mum."

Macca slid a packet of ginger chews into her lap. "You're stuck with us now. No matter what."

Caitlin handed her a list of baby name suggestions that were ridiculous.

And Alana offered to go punch Luca if needed. (Until he walked in, white as a ghost, tears in his eyes, swearing he'd be there every step of the way.)

The Matildas were a team. A family. And even in the mess of it all, that never changed.