Don't Tell Anyone! (Talex/USWNT related)

Chapter 18

Izzy ran out of the stadium with tears running down her face. She didn't know where to go next, she was in a foreign country! She felt bad for leaving the team like that, Alex and Tobin will be so worried, but she had to do it.

She had been to London before, so she knew how to get the underground. She had £200 (about 300$) on her, that would easily be enough to get a train out of London and get a hotel stay for a couple of nights. She went to the nearest train station and bought a ticket to Manchester, £30. She didn't know why she chose Manchester, but she did. She got on the train and sat down at a window seat, until this large group of drunk men came on,

'Oi you, can you move? We want this seat!?' In a noticeable English accent.

'Ok!' Izzy said worriedly.

The men laughed at her accent before pushing her off her seat. Izzy found another seat, but she didn't know England could be this rough!

After three hours on the train, the train pulled to a stop at Manchester Picadilly. It was only then she realised how Alex and Tobin would already be out looking for her. She felt so bad, but what could she do?

As she walked out of the station, she saw a billboard advertising Manchester City Women's next match, 17th August. Today was the 15th! Tickets were £2, and you were able to buy them on the gate. She would definitely be doing that then!

She needed somewhere to stay, and found a cheap motel with rooms at £20 a night. This was perfect, she would have to get a job at some point, and she didn't need much food.

The next few days were spent worrying about Alex, ignoring phone calls, and trying to find directions to the Manchester City Academy Stadium, where she would be watching Man City Women later that day.

She walked to the Academy Stadium, it wasn't far. When she got there she bought her ticket and sat down in a very good seat on the half way line, and watched Lucy Bronze, Steph Houghton and other world class players warm up. The stadium was getting full, and this blonde haired girl came and sat down next to her. They both smiled at each other. The girl kept looking at her bandage, but Izzy was used to it.

At half-time, the game was 1-0. Toni Duggan had scored a fantastic overhead kick to put Man City ahead of Chelsea.

The blonde girl spoke up, 'hey, I'm Ruby!'

'Oh hi, I'm Izzy'

'Are you American! That's so cool,'

'Yeah, I am, but I live in Manchester and have done all my life,' Izzy wanted to avoid any questions.

'What's the bandage for?' Ruby asked.

'Oh, sprained wrist,' Izzy was so used to lying by now.

Ruby pulled up her sleeve to show a similar bandage

'Yeah I'm used to that 'sprained wrist' lie now...'

Izzy was shocked, Ruby cut herself as well!

'What makes you do that to yourself?' Ruby asked.

'Oh, just some bullies, you know.'

'I do it because of my parents,'

'Are they divorced?'

'No, but they just ignore me, it's horrible at times...'

'Oh dear, that doesn't sound good, how long has this been going on?'

'A year, they don't seem to notice that I do it and I can't stop,'

'Oh dear, I've been doing it around 8 months,'

'Are your parents nice?'

'They can be!' Izzy laughed, telling another lie,'

'IZZY!!!!' Izzy heard a voice bellow, it was Ashlyn Harris!

'Er, I'm sorry, got to go!' Izzy said to Ruby, and ran towards Ash.

'Where tf have you been? Everyone has been so worried!'

'It's complicated Ash! You know it is! You've been through similar stuff!'

'Yeah, I get it, now let's get back to London before the plane takes off for the US,'

'Wait, is Imogen there?'

'No, her parents were called and they picked her up yesterday...'

'Oh good! Let's go...'