Le's Soldier

Part 48

The snow from the night before had mostly melted by morning, leaving the training pitches slick and cold under a pale London sky.

At Arsenal Training Centre, boots hit the grass in steady rhythms as the team warmed up.

Leah jogged out onto the pitch with the rest of the squad, shoulders loose, captain's band snug around her sleeve. Her breath fogged in the air as she glanced around the field.

Kim Little was already stretching near the center circle, calm as always.

Nearby, Katie McCabe slammed a ball into the net during warm-ups like she was personally offended by it.

"Morning, captain," Katie called out.

Leah rolled her eyes. "You're in a mood already?"

"I'm always in a mood."

"That's because you tackle like you're settling personal grudges."

Katie grinned. "Works, doesn't it?"

Across the pitch, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema were arguing about something over a cone drill.

"You moved it," Beth insisted.

"I didn't," Viv replied calmly.

"You did."

"You're dramatic."

Leah shook her head with a quiet laugh.

Then she spotted Lia Wälti jogging toward them with a ball tucked under her arm.

"Ready?" Lia asked.

"Always," Leah said.

From the sideline, Caitlin Foord shouted, "Can someone explain why Katie just tried to tackle a training cone?"

Katie pointed at her. "It looked at me funny."

The team burst into laughter.

⸻

Meanwhile

Across the city, Lilly stood in the park again.

Her breath came out in short white clouds as she stretched carefully.

Her knee still felt tight from yesterday's attempt.

But today wasn't about running.

Today was just about moving.

She rolled her shoulders slowly, then began walking along the cleared path.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Each one felt stronger than the last.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Leah:
Training started. McCabe already committed assault on a cone.

Lilly snorted quietly.

Lilly:
Sounds accurate.

A second later another message appeared.

Leah:
Did you run again?

Lilly hesitated.

Then typed back.

Lilly:
No. Just walking today.

Leah:
Good.

Leah:
Don't overdo it soldier.

Lilly stared at the word for a moment.

Soldier.

For months it had felt like something she wasn't allowed to be anymore.

Now it felt... different.

Not a job.