The call up

Birthday celebrations

It was Layla's birthday tomorrow and she was dreading it. She hated birthdays as of stuff that had happened in the past.

"Hey Layla you exited for tomorrow?" G asked walking into their room. Layla was lying on the bed staring at the ceiling

"I hate birthday g, please can you keep it on the down low?" Layla sat up and looked g in the eyes. She could tell that g wasn't going to keep it on the downlow  at all

"Sorry that's not how the lionesses roll! And you've never had a lioness birthday, it's special trust me" g giglgled and turned on TikTok and started to scroll through the content.

"Layla come here" Leah said and pulled Layla outside

"Your mum is calling. Phil in the room with her now so you better run" Layla suddenly froze and started to shake.leah called for Georgia who came running out.

"I can't go" Layla muttered

"Why not?"

"I haven't spoken to her in 2 years and she doesn't know I'm on england camp?" Leah and Georgia's faces dropped and had to think quickly

"It's fine we will come with you and say we are out for dinner?!" They laughed and walked down the the room. Layla still nervous.thwy day down and Phil left the room.

"Hey mum"

"Hey sweetie, oh I've missed you so much! Do you wanna pop down and see me tomorrow or something ??"

"Why? Ummm and I can't. I'm actually away on camp at the moment"

"Oh like scouts or a school trip ?"

"No mum football"

"Oh don't tell me your still playing football. Come on be a girl have a party kiss boys. Your going to turn out a man or worse like your father if you carry on playing. It's not going to take you anywhere sweetie you might as well get a proper job " she giggled and Layla's leg starting to bounce again but was on stopped by Georgia's hand that was placed on. It made Layla calm.

"I'm actually on england camp mum. I've just broken into the seniors and I had a call from nick Cushing earlier saying that he wants me to train full time with the Man City women" Layla's mums face dropped at what Layla had told her.

"I'm so embarrassed! I can't believe my baby girl is a footballer. Ugh your a disgrace to the family Layla you know that right?" Layla's leg started to shake again.

"Fuck off mum. What family are you talking about? You haven't seen me since I was 6 and where have you been? You don't message me for 2 years, not like you messaged me much before but at least you messaged me once a year and said happy birthday! What did you think I didn't have one last year ? What's been going on?"

"I've been busy" Layla heard crying in the background

"Who's crying mum?"

"Ummmm.... this isn't how I wanted to tell you . You have a sister, she's 2 in a few weeks actually her names lilly" Layla's face dropped and she starting to breathe more rapidly

"What the actual fuck mum. Your not family and you won't be again. You don't need to worry about me or Jackson(her older brother) we will be fine on our own. Enjoy your life and I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment I hope you bring lilly up to be a better daughter then I have become. Don't try to call me again please" Layla hung up and she burst into tears. Georgia pulled her in for a hug and squeezed her tight and didn't let her go. They walked back to the room and Phil asked if everything was okay and Leah went and had a chat when h walked Layla to the room. Everyone once in a while Layla could fell Georgia's hand brush last hers and her eyes looking at her. She would look up and slightly smile.when they arrived in the room Layla layed on her bed and started to take of her jacket and then quickly put it back on. G watched her do this and looked weirdly at Layla who ran into the Bathroom

"Layla it's cool. What are you hiding ?"

"Nothing g. Leave it please"

" no I'm not going to Layla. I want to help please come here"

"There just scars *layla opened the door* fucking scars and they were fine and I must have caught them on something and one has split open" g looked Layla in the eyes and gave her a hug. A connection flew between them and they felt safe in each others arms.

"Come on lets got to first aid we will say you scraped it on a brick wall they will be fine" h took her arm and put it round Layla's shoulder as they walked down to the medical room. Layla rested her head on Georgia's shoulder as they sat on the edge of the seat. The nurse was lovely and could see what really happened but played along with the brick wall story she then informed the mental health team about Layla when they had gone. Layla felt better being with Georgia. They went to sleep and then they got up and wished Layla a happy birthday but didn't make a big deal. Layla called her dad and her brother and then they headed down for breakfast. All the girls had heard about Layla's mum and understood how she may not want a party but they still got her a cake.

"Happy 17th Layla Williams" Steph smiled and all the staff and players sang. She couldn't belive that she was in a room surrounded by her idols and the people she use to look up to!she thanked the players and opened the card from the team. It read :
To Layla,
Even though we have just met, we know your going to achieve many things with this team! Dream big and don't fall for anything less than that! Hope you have the best day with us and we love you!x

Love
Lionesses + staff

Layla smiled and couldn't believe what they had written. She thanked them again and gave everyone a hug before returning to her breakfast.