Who Knew Rugby Could Be So Complicated?

Finally

Weeks went on and the spirit of winning the cup had died down. I got back to my normal routine. Dragging myself out of bed for my usual under 5s practice. This morning I actually bothered to put a tiny bit of makeup on. I have no idea why. I looked more rough than normal. The bags under my eyes were darker and my skin was a little bit paler than normal. So I suppose a little bit of make up wouldn't harm. Once I applied a little foundation and mascara, suppose I looked presentable.

A Nike tracksuit, with one of my England training shirts on. As I got into my little citreon, I blasted out some 90s throwback playlist singing every song on the way. I love my car its nothing special and it's not big but it was perfect to me, the only people i have in my car was the girls anyway. I was greeted by some of the children who were already there waiting for me to start. "Good Morning, whose ready to play Rugby?" As the kids cheered and followed me into the stadium. Of course Oliver was late as per usual. It was just expected now. His wife really hasnt took a liking to me already and she barely knew me. I couldnt bare to say his name so he was just 'Oliver's dad or the wife' "His Dad will be up later to pick him up" her voice was sharp and agitated so I nodded and smiled. She might as well have ran out the training ground. Then a pit of dread filled my stomach. Owen Farrell will be here later. No way. We play the same position and everything. Is he going to be a nice person? A jerk like his wife? Who knows? He seems nice in interviews but is that really him? Please tell me hes not that bad?

The practice went by very slowly. It felt like hours before it ended. I felt sick. I couldn't do this! Practice wasnt even over and I could see parents starting to come in. Oliver stopped in his path shouted and waved "Daddy" I immediately needed to throw up. That's him here. I couldnt even focus, I didnt want to turn around or anything. No pressure at all. I kept telling myself to stay calm and focused. But of course that wasnt happening. I've played in the same stadium as him, surely he has seen me play. I'm an amateur compared to him.

I felt someone stood next to me, I couldnt bare to look and see who it was. They smelt so good! Paco Rabone Million just oozed off their body. I was in a trance. "Hi I'm Owen, Oliver's Dad" the sweet smelling silhouette spoke breaking my trance. "Hi I'm Ame-" "Amelia Smith, I know" he chuckled nervously. I was speechless, how did he know who I was? We shook hands and I got back to the kids. I couldnt make eye contact with him. Why does he know me? Obviously rugby, but why would he want to know who I am? Questions kept filling my mind.

I carried on coaching trying to ignore him stood less than 6ft away from me. I could hear him muttering "go on son" my heart melted. He sounded so proud of his son. Imagine if his son became the next captain of the England Squad. Imagine if I coached the next england captain! I shouldn't have favourites but Oliver was definitely my favourite, we bonded over the last few weeks.

Practice wrapped up as Oliver went running over to him, I couldn't even say his name. My whole body went weak. Ever since I watched him play the other year in the world cup final against south Africa I had the biggest crush on him, he was one of my idols. I just couldnt help it. He is one of the best rugby players and he still looks so beautiful while doing it. Even with the weird faces he pulls when he scores a penalty or a conversion.

"Dad, can we go for ice cream now? Can Amelia come? Please?" Oliver whined at his Dad. Please say no please say no "of course she can, I think she deserves ice cream" I gathered up the cones and training equipment pretending not to hear.

"Amelia, would you like to come for ice cream? Oliver wants you to come" Oliver gave me puppy dog eyes "please Amelia" How could I say no? But why would I say yes? "Yeah of course i will come" what am i doing? Why am I doing this? I pinched myself to try and wake myself up from this trance I was in.

I dont know him, I've never spoke to him properly. We only exchanged a hi. What do I say? Anxiety filled my body. I kept focusing on my breathing before. My heart was racing. I'm going for Ice Cream with Owen Farrell! It's not a date were doing it for Oliver. I tidied up the equipment from practice and headed out the stadium with Owen Farrell himself. I couldnt form words. Luckily he just rambled on. How am I going to form words while I'm with him? I cant even remember how to breathe now.