In the middle (Jesse Lingard/ Marcus Rashford fanfic)

Chapter 1

12 June 2018
Amanda POV-
I had finally landed in Russia after the 3 hour flight from Stockholm. I hated traveling alone, I had to leave a day later then all my co workers due to booking issues. Reporting on the World Cup was my first big task since becoming a sports journalist. I was so exited to take this task on and hopefully see my country win the World Cup. Even tho I was exited I was very nervous about it all, what if I mess up? What would happen if I say the wrong thing on live tv? What if i mess up while interviewing a player?
I shook my head and pushed all my doubt to a side. I walked towards baggage claim, the airport was deserted, didn't surprise me since it was 5 AM. I couldn't wait to get to the hotel and get a few hours of sleep. After waiting for about 15 minuets I got my 2 large suitcases and walked out. I saw a older man holding a sign saying my name in bold letters.
"Hey I'm Amanda" I said stretching my hand out to shake his hand.
"Hello, I'll be driving you to your hotel" he said with a bright smile.
He insisted on taking my suitcases out to the cars and I trailed behind him. I never felt comfortable sitting in the backseat while someone was driving me.
"Is it okay if I sit up front with you?" I asked the older man
"Yes If you'd like that" he answered
The first couple of minuets were quite until I started making conversation with the driver.
He told me about his life and how he and his wife, it was such a cute story. He then asked me what was doing in Russia as we pulled up outside the hotel.
"I'm a sports journalist following the World Cup" I told him
"Oh that's great, I'm a big fan of football" he told me
"Me too, I'm guessing your money is set on Russia this year?"
"Yes I have hope we'll win this time around" he said with a glint of hope in his eyes
"Well I guess will have to wait and see" I said to him with a smile.
We then both stepped out the car and he helped me carry my luggage into the hotel. I said bye to Alexander after he helped me inside.

I walked to the front desk with my suitcases in tow, there was no one there, maybe no one is working I thought to myself. I rang the bell a couple of times to see if any one would appear from the room in the back. I let out a sigh and put my head down on the front desk, I was just so tired.
"Hello Mam?" I heard someone say
I snapped my head up and put my hand over my heart.
"Im sorry did I scare you" he asked me concerned
"No it's okay I'm sorry" I told him with a smile
"Sorry for the wait we're trying to get everything ready before England's national team arrives later on" the man told me
"They'll be staying here?" I asked in shock
"I was not suppose to tell you that" he said I could see the fear in his eyes.
"It's our secret" I told him with I smile
"Thank you, you saved my job" he said with a smile
"So what under what name is your room booked in" he asked me in hopes of changing the conversation topic
" it's either under the name Amanda Andersson or kanal 4" i told him
"Ah here you are miss Anderson, you're on the 14 floor, the highest floor, room 1406" he said giving me a key card.
"Thank you so much" I said to him
"Do you need help with your bags?" He asked
"No thank you I'll manage" I said with a smile.

I took my bags and walked over to the elevator, after stepping on the elevator and pressing the button for the 14th floor, I let out I sigh of relief. I could finally get some rest. I was surprised that the England national team were staying in the same hotel as me. My coworkers were staying across the street form me, the hotel was fully booked so this was my last option. Highly doubt I'll see any of the players, they'd probably be busy training most of the time.
I finally got to my room and opened the door, I walked in dragging my suitcases behind me. The room was quite big, it was 2 separate rooms, one consisted of a living room sort of area and a kitchen. Then a glass door leading out to a balcony overlooking the city. I the walked over to the second room and entered the room,that was going to be my bedroom for the next month. The room consisted of a king sized bed, a couple of closets and a vanity. Then there was a door that lead to the bath room, which was stunning. I got my bags and placed them on the bed. I wanted to get settled as soon as possible, I unpacked and placed my clothes in closets. I placed all my makeup on my vanity and then proceeded to put my toiletries in my bathroom. I'm not gonna lie I'm sort of a neat freak, I can't relax if everything isn't in order. I put the suitcases under the bed, I put my hands on my hips and look around the room. Everything looked in order so I decided to change into more comfortable clothes. I flopped onto my bed and soon enough I fell asleep.
13:21 PM
I woke up to my phone vibrating,I was so confused. What was the time? I wondered. I picked up my phone to see 13:21. I slept longer then I thought, around 5 hours, I guess I makes up for the sleep I lost last night.
I took my phone and to see a multiple texts from co-workers and my best friend.
"Yo did you land?
- Stina"
"Are you alive
- Stina"
"Guessing your asleep, text me when you wake up
- Stina"
(A for Amanda. S for Stina)

A- hey I'm alive just woke up
S- yea figured you were asleep
A- you won't believe what I found out when I arrived at my hotel
S- what!?? Spill!!
A- England's national team are staying the same hotel as me
S- you didn't know? I thought you knew, biiitttccchhh hit me up when you have better tea to spill
A- what how did you know im so confused, probably won't see them I'll be working they'll be practicing all the time
S- true dat
A- I'm coming over I'm bored out of my mind
S- yes room number 607
A- be there soon darling
S- k

I got out of bed and entered the bathroom to brush my teeth and do my business. I wasn't bothered to get all dressed up or anything, I put my hair in a ponytail, i then changed out of my pjs and put on a black flowy dress and sandals. I looked at myself in the mirror it was as good as it was gonna get today. I was barefaced and I had put minimal effort into my outfit. I took my phone and purse, left the room and pressed the elevator button.
I pressed the lobby button and took out my phone to text Stina that I was on my way. As I was on my phone the elevator came to a halt on the 11th floor right before the doors opened I heard someone yell
"Yo guys hurry up the lift is here, we ain't go all day"
As the doors opened there stood English National team player and Manchester untied player, Jesse Lingard . I looked up and we got eye contact, I was so surprise to see him standing there in front of me.
I smiled at him and he smiled back, he had the cutest smile I'd ever seen.
He then yelled out
"Guys Im gonna wait in the lobby"
He then stepped on to the elevator and smiled at me for a second time.
"Hi I'm Jesse" he said stretching his hand out. I shook his hand and said "Hi " with a smile. I couldn't believe this was happening, I was so sure I wasn't going to meet any of the players staying here. I then realised I never said my name, how stupid am I? It was too late to say anything
"You staying here?" He asked with a cheeky smile
"Yes I am, guess you're staying here too" I said as the elevator doors were opening.
I walked and headed towards the door as fast as I could I was so embarrassed so i was practically speed walking out of the hotel.
I quickly crossed the road and straight to Stina's room. I knocked on the door and a couple of seconds later one of my best friend Pontus opened the door.

"Oh my god hey baby" I pretty much yelled while hugging him
"Hey baby, how was your flight?" He asked
"So boring, stared out the window most of the time" I told him as I pushed passed him into the room.
I saw Stina laying on the couch and I jumped on her, even tho we've only been apart for 2 days I missed her still.
"Can't believe all of you get to be here together while I'm stuck in that hotel all alone" I said with a pout
"You're always welcome, but what do you have to complain about you have 23 hot guys over there" Stina said
"Speaking of, I just had the most awkward encounter with the one and the only Jesse Lingard" i uttered barely above a whisper
"WHAT??" Both Pontus and Stina yelled
"Yea it was in the elevator and he said his name and I spaced I guess and forgot to say my name, and His smile was just so cute and dreamy, why am I like this?" I said with a sigh
"Someone is starstruck" Pontus said in a singy voice
"Imagine when your gonna have to interview stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Leonel Messi and so on" Stina said knowing how nervous I was
"Please don't remind me it's torture" I said
"Okay no more sulking, get up, we're going out" Pontus said dragging both me and Stina off of the couch.
" I look like a mess Pontus" I said sitting back down again
"We're in Russia come we gotta live it up a little, drink some vodka and you're beautiful Amanda" Stina said
"It's like 2 PM and you want to drink at this hour, you alcoholic" I joked to Stina
They both gave me the "come on" look
"Fine let's go" I said giving in
4 hours later
After exploring, trying new foods and drinking we were finally back in Stina's room and me feet were killing me. There's nothing I wanted more than to be in my bed resting.
"Should we watch a movie?" stina asked
"Yes and we can order room service" Pontus added
"I'm down if I can borrow some clothes" I said, desperate to change out of the clothes I was in.
Stina handed me som pjs I could wear, I quickly changed into them.
We then spent the rest of the day watching movies with my 2 favourite people in the world
——
Hey guys hoped you enjoyed the first chapter to this fanfic. This was more of a background chapter, I know there wasn't a lot of Jesse in this chapter but there will be soon. Hang in there.
Also Amanda and her fiends are Swedish but for the purpose of the book they're talking in English so you'd all be able to understand. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter