In Emma's 21 years of living she has been to hell and back. She relies on a handful of people to keep her going. When one of them breaks her who will be there to pick up the pieces?
"This Matches right?" I ask as I smooth down the retro jersey I'm wearing.
"Yeah." Ali says. "Green jersey, black skinny jeans, and green and white shoes to match."
"What are these shoe's called again?" I ask.
Ash has tried to get me to be a sneaker head and it's sort of worked, but I don't know the names of the shoes.
"The Retro High Pine Green Jordan 1's." Ash says.
"You bought shoe's without knowing the name?" Pinoe asks.
"I just buy the shoes I like." I say. "I'm not a sneaker head so I don't really care about the names."
"Anyways." Tobin says. "What are you doing for dinner tonight Emma?"
Our quarter-final game against France was last night and we won 2-1.
This morning we took a train from Paris all the way down to Lyon then once in Lyon we did recovery before we were free for dinner.
"I'm gonna go to a sports bar and meet my cousin there to have dinner and watch the Germany v Sweden game." I say as I put my phone and wallet into my chest bag. "And I need to leave now so I'll see you all later."
My friends nod so I leave the hotel lobby then walk down the street a few blocks to the sports bar.
Along the way I run into a few fans so I take pictures, sign some stuff, and talk for a minute or two then I head on my way.
When I get to the sports bar I look around the bar for my cousin from my father's side.
Jordan and the rest of her family basically disowned my father after he murdered my Mom, but I've stayed close to them.
When I find my cousin sitting near a tv showing the pre-match stuff I walk over to her.
"Hey Emma." Jordan Nobbs says and stands up.
"Hey Jordan." I say and hug my cousin
"Where the hell did you find that?" Jordan asks as she points to my 1994-95 Nigeria Home Shirt.
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"Online." I say.
"Okay I need to know how you find all these." Jordan says. "You always have the sickest one's.
Jordan and I are both huge retro football kit people.
"I got you." I say then we sit down and look at the menu.
A minute later a waiter comes over and takes our orders then he grabs our drinks and brings them back to us.
"So what clubs have contacted you about signing for them?" Jordan asks.
"A lot." I say then I get out my phone and type up all the clubs that have contacted me.
Arsenal Chelsea Man City Man United Wolfsburg Bayern PSG Lyon Barca Juventus Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC FC Rosengård Linköpings FC
There's some reporters in this bar and I don't want them breaking a story and fucking up my chances of signing for a team.
Once I've typed out all the clubs that have contacted me, I hand my phone to Jordan.
"Geez." Jordan says. "Looks like you have a big decision to make."
"I don't think I'll be joining any club after the World Cup" I say. "I kinda want a break from all the stress."
"That's probably a good Idea." Jordan says.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course." Jordan says so I lean over to whisper to her.
"Do you think I should switch nationalities and play for England?"
"Unless Phil leaves I don't think you should." Jordan says. "You'd hate him."
"Kinda already do." I say.
"Can you still switch?" Jordan whispers.
"Yeah." I say. "I haven't played in Olympic game, an Olympic qualifier, a World Cup Match, or a World Cup qualifier so I'm not cap tied."
"You're coach is stupid." Jordan says.
"Tell me about it." I say as our food arrives. "But enough about that. Let's eat."
- - - - -
"We're here Emma." Ali says as we pull up to the stadium in Lyon for the semi-final game against
Once the bus stops I follow Ali off it then I follow her to the locker room.
When I walk into the locker room I I take my AirPods out, take out my nose ring, take off my necklaces and my rings, then I put my jewelry and AirPods in my bag.
Once I'm jewelry free I put on my short sleeve yellow undershirt, my warm up top, then I put on my game shorts. I then sit down in my locker, put my long long curly brown hair up in a ponytail, put on my socks and put on my black and gold boots.
After my boots are on I tape my wrists, hands, and fingers then I put on my black and white keeper gloves before I head onto the field with the other keepers.
When I get on the pitch I run through my warm ups with the keepers for a while then head back to the locker room
As I'm walking back into the tunnel I look over towards the BBC area, find my cousin, then wave at her. Jordan smiles and waves at me then I head back into the locker room
Once in the locker room I change out of the training top and change into my yellow keeper jersey while the coaches do their last minute talks.
After the last minute talks are over we are told to head to the tunnel so I grab my towel then I head to the subs bench with Ash.
A minute later the teams come out for the anthems so we do all the prematch shit then I get pulled down to sit in-between Ali and Ash while watching the game
"What?" I ask.
"We never got to ask how the date went?" Ash asks.
"It was great." I say and smile.
"Think you'll go on another one?" Ali asks.
"We have plans to go on another one in America." I say then involuntarily smile.
"Aww." Ali says then she pinches my cheeks. "Young love."
"Ali." I whine then Ali removes her hands from my face.
"If you two get serious then I guess I'll need to give her the talk." Ash says.
"You will do no such thing" I say.
"But you gave Ali the talk." Ash says.
"...............Fine." I mumble. "Better not scare her off."
