Lover II- ML

309. Speculative Precaution

AN: just to paint a picture, Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead are NOT in this England team. No disrespect to them, but with Kaia and Emilia in the conversation, they didn't get into the squad.

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The first day of recovery went about how Kaia expected.

Slow, tedious, examining the extent of her bruising and swelling while trying to immobilise her foot as much as possible.

Kaia respected the hell out of England's medical staff, so although it was infuriating to not be able to move, she listened to all of the instructions given to her and agreed on the set out plan.

Sarina wasn't thrilled, but she focused on making sure Kaia felt relaxed and not pressured to come back too soon, offering her a piece of toast at lunch like that would cure all her disappointment.

The injury itself wasn't career threatening or even too serious, it was simply an awkward fracture on Kaia Morelli's infamous left foot.

Hayley Ladd had DM'd Kaia and apologised when news got out that she had to have a scan, but Kaia left Mapi to reply to that at breakfast while she wallowed in self pity.

It was maddening, having this clunky boot on her foot and having to walk with crutches while watching her teammates jog during their own recovery session.

She couldn't even bring her cup of tea to the lunch table, but Leah and Lucy acted like fretting mothers and got her everything she wanted before sitting on either side of her.

Both of them had seen the scan, both of them had heard the injury detail, but the only cared how Kaia was currently feeling.

"I can wiggle my toes and rotate my ankle without any real pain." Kaia informs the with a proud smile, scooping up some Greek Yogurt with her spoon.

"You're not supposed to move it yet." Lucy reminds her.

"I did it this morning after the scan." Kaia explains. "The doctor wanted to see if I had any nerve damage, but I don't because I can move and feel my toes fully."

"That's good I guess." Leah says hopefully, glancing over to the TV which was showing the quarterfinal list.

Norway v Italy. 

England v Sweden.

Spain v Switzerland. 

France v Germany.

"You're worried." Kaia states, not bothering to look at the TV behind her.

"I'm... aware that you're our top goal scorer." Leah counters slowly. "Your place is going to have to go to Hempo or LJ."

"Mm." Kaia hums slowly, knowing those two players were a complete different build to her with completely different styles. She was better to combat Sweden's height and speed. "Sweden is going to be very attacking, maybe Sarina will line up more defensively."

"Play Emi and Less upfront together?" Lucy suggests.

"Good target players." Kaia agrees. "And a switch in formation isn't what Sweden will be expecting, even with me out."

"They don't know you're out, not 100% anyway." Leah points out. "It's still just speculation."

"Yeah," Kaia chuckles and scoops up more of her yogurt. "But being pictured hobbling around the park on my crutches this morning, that paints the picture."