Kick Off

Chapter 3

"Zoe, wake up." The sound of Luke's voice filled my ears. I groaned and rolled back over only to have a beam of light shine in my eyes.

"Zoella! Up, now!" I drowsily opened my eyes at Luke's command, squinting my eyes at the light that was coming through the window.

The sun was rising outside and a few clouds lurking in the distance. A light breeze flowed through a gap between the window and window sill, all in all a beautiful day. It was summer here in London, which in Australia is equivalent to our late winter and early spring; temperature wise.

"We have two hours to get to the stadium, so up and ready." Luke told me as he poured out a cup of coffee.

I looked at the time, it was 5:34 in the morning. Last night we flew into London and arrived at our apartment around about 3:00 am. Luke an I were a fraction jet lagged but I was okay being that I slept pretty much the whole way here and to the apartment. I haven't seen the sights of London, only lights flashing by the car when I opened my eyes.

This morning I felt alive; nervous but alive. It is Tuesday; the day we commence our first session at the stadium. I was excited to go to the stadium; to walk and play in the same pitch as the greats once played on.

"Morning." I grumble, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"Mor-" just as luke turned around, coffee in hand; be burst out laughing. "Why have a pet lion when you can have Zoella?" He laughed, holding his stomach. Confused, I walked into the bathroom and flicked on the light. I stood staring at myself in the mirror before laughing just as luke did. My hair was sticking out everywhere around my head; it looked like a huge ball of fuzz.

I got out my brush and tidied it all up, tying it back into a high pony tail. My hair was long, I mean 'a few inches from my bum' long, and when I played soccer it had a habit of wrapping itself around my neck, which 9 times out of 10 annoyed the crap out of me.

After what seemed like forever, we were in the car that Luke hired, Driving to the 02 arena. I had my beats headphones on with my music up full blast. People always told me when I played for the state or rep, that what I did was a superstition; and it's not. I never considered my preparation to be superstitious, to me it was only a pre game ritual. Before every game and training session, I would have my red beats headphones on, listening to Eminem. His songs have always been the only songs to play before a game as they were energetic, something that would get me motivated.

Whenever I am listening to my music before a game, everyone knows not to disturb me. Not my coach, luke or my team members. This is the time where I am focused, mentally preparing myself for the game ahead. Thinking over skills and manoeuvres that I will be performing during the game.

Although I am serious before the game; I am known to be quiet the character in the change rooms as well. About an hour before the game when we are changing into our strip and warming up, I can be quite entertaining apparently.

I took a deep breath as Luke parked the car amongst the other cars and busses in the car park. I grabbed my kit from the backseat, slung it over my shoulder and followed Luke to the entrance of the 02 arena. The nerves were getting to me now; I had one headphone covering one ear, and the other behind my ear so that I could hear the instructions of the officials.

"Name please." A man asked.

"Zoella Menzies." Luke says to the official.

"Ross will take you to your destination." With that a buff looking guy motioned us to follow him down the endless hallways of the 02 arena.

I could hear the chatter as we reached the change rooms, whilst along the walls were posters of the greats who have played here. I looked at them briefly as we passed by in adoration. There were posters of male footballers such as Neymar, Ronaldo, Messi, Hart, Cahill, Zlatan and various others. But also female footballers such as Angerer, Prinz, Sinclair and Marta.