Through the pain

The first few weeks

The first few weeks at home were tough. Natalia lived alone in a small, cramped flat, the best solo place she could afford on her salary in London.

She had started physiotherapy and it was not much fun. Who knew it could be that hard to bend a leg? But physiotherapy was the only time she would leave the house. Natalia wouldn't go to the matches as it just made her miss playing and she wasn't close enough with anyone on the team to go and see them outside of work, besides Jordan. But Jordan was busy enough.

She was also missing the Lionesses games. All she wanted was to get a chance to train with the best players from her country, and to spend time with a certain blonde.

A few days before the Lionesses were due to meet for camp Nat was on the physiotherapy table trying small exercises.

"Come on Tali, 1 more rep! You can do it!" Leah was keeping her company, the defender had picked up a slight knock in their last game but was still fit enough to play. She could see Natalia needed a friend and someone to take her mind of the injury.

"Yes Tali! That's fucking brilliant mate! You'll be back on the pitch in no time!" She offered the brunette a small smile. She was trying, on Jordan's request, to befriend the midfielder. She had only realised that Natalia didn't seem to have any friends on the team when her girlfriend had told her. "What are your plans for the rest of the day?"

"Going back to bed. Don't have anything else to do." Nat shrugged as she stood up, putting weight through the crutches to support herself. "What about you?"

"Jordan wants to go shopping for some shit for the house so we're doing that and then heading out for dinner. Want to come?"

"Come and intrude on your date? I'm good. I'm feelin a quiet night in." She offered Leah a small smile.

"Well Rachel's arrived a bit early for camp, why don't you give her a call?"

...

FLASHBACK SUMMER 2019

Natalia had been in France for a week now and was loving it. She had watched her teammates beat Scotland from the sidelines and now everyone was focused on Argentina. Everyone but Nat.

She couldn't get Rachel Daly off her mind. She had only spoken to her very briefly twice since that first night but she still set of butterflies in Tali's stomach.

She'd been avoiding her, Rachel had a girlfriend! She couldn't mess that up. She had been down to breakfast early most mornings as she knew Rachel was one of the latest down, everyday but today.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" A voice asked. She didn't need to look up to know who it was.

"Of course, it's a free country you can sit anywhere." She forced a chuckle, why had she said that? It would make things so much more awkward! Or so she thought. Rachel let out a laugh and took the seat next to the midfielder.

"I feel like we havent had a proper introduction yet. Hi, I'm Rachel Daly"