Keep It Between Us (Alessia Russo x Williamson!Reader)
“You’re sure they asked for me? You’re not getting me confused with Leah?” You frowned.
“Do you want to see the email yourself?” Keith laughed. Keith worked with the Arsenal community hub and usually came in to let the team know when you were required to attend community activities.
“They’ve reached out to a few clubs and asked for players under 23 who have played at club and international senior level” he explained.
“Oh, well Leah is too old for that” you laughed.
“I’m sending you over the details now” he said, banging on his laptop. He’d passed the details all to your email and you had a quick scan through. You saw there were a few people from different clubs also going to be in attendance, a few of your England teammates from other clubs. It seemed like it was one player from each team in the league.
“Where is this on?” You asked, raising your eyebrows.
“Thankfully for you, it’s in London” he smiled.
You’d been playing for Arsenal for two years now and were really starting to come into yourself. Your form at club level had got you into the squad during the Summer for the Euros and even got you a few minutes on the pitch throughout the tournament. Your sights were set this season on making sure you were in that World Cup squad, and fighting for a first team place.
-
The event was for primary school girls, getting them interested in playing or staying in football. You were one of the last to arrive, and immediately a flock of young girls ran over to you, trying to hug you and grab at you.
“Girls, please. Not again” a teacher pleaded, trying to shoo the group back to the centre. “Sorry, they are just very excited” she laughed.
“It’s okay, don’t worry about it” you chuckled, walking towards the rest of the footballers. You noticed Niamh from Chelsea, Hannah from Villa and Alessia from United were all lumped together chatting and made your way over to them.
“Hey” you smiled at them.
“Oh, you got stuck doing this too then?” Niamh laughed while the four of you looked around at the literal hundreds of kids running about with teachers trying their best to keep them still.
“It’ll be fun” Alessia giggled, punching Niamh into the arm.
“I’m with Less on this one” you smiled at the blonde.
“I’m with Less on this one” Niamh mocked you as her and Hannah laughed and you rolled your eyes at her. “You always side with her”
“I liked it better when you were at Liverpool and out of my face for the majority of the season” you squeezed her shoulders as you ran off towards a group and started high fiving all the little kids.
You and Niamh were together a lot since her move to London. You got on well and usually were roommates on England camps and had been since you were kids. Alessia always shared with Ella, but you two were close enough as well. You got on with Alessia and Ella, you just never normally got to spend time with just one of them.
There was 12 groups and each one of you were positioned at 1 of the 12 stations with a different exercise each set up to coach. Each group got 10 minutes with a player and then moved on to the next one. You had Niamh to the left of you and Alessia to the right of you. Hannah was over towards the goal.
To anybody that didn’t know you, they probably would have said you weren’t so great working with kids. You had the signature Williamson frown perfected and you were a bit bigger than your older sister. But you were hands down the best coach on the day. You were joining in on the drills, getting their teachers involved. You were making the kids laugh their heads off and just have fun playing football. The kids would all start moaning when the 10 minute session with you would end and they’d have to move on.
“Come on, you’re going to Alessia next. She’s way more fun than I am” you’d shout each and every time making them all cheer and run towards the blonde, who only matched their excitement. Alessia would spend most of her session dishing out high fives and excited cheers which was all the encouragement the young girls needed.
The school’s had been told that you all wouldn’t have time to stay and take pictures or sign autographs individually for each child, but could do group ones with classes. Only, you were more than happy to sign or do whatever. It was just in your nature, you were a genuine good person. It was something Leah had drilled into you early on to always be kind, especially to little kids. Eventually all the kids had been collected and a few of the girls with long drives had headed off.
All that was left now was you, Alessia, Niamh, Esme and Hannah, as well as a few teachers and people from the FA.
“Do you need a hand?” You asked the same teacher who’d dragged her class off of you this morning. She was clearly new to teaching, she was no older than you were.
“Would you mind?” She asked as you shook your head with a smile. You got her to hold open the ball bag as you booted the balls into it, making sure to do it gently so as to not accidentally hit her with one.
“I wish I had one of you every week” she laughed.
“I’m sure England wouldn’t mind loaning me out to the school” you shrugged with a chuckle.
“You were actually great with them. I’ve never seen them so happy” she smiled. She had a nice smile.
“It was definitely easier dealing with them for two hours than it was dealing with my teammates in fairness” you joked.
You two were chatting and flirting a bit as you walked in from the Astro to the store room in the PE hall.
“She just can’t help herself” Niamh playfully sighed as the group all watched you walk into the school with the teacher. Niamh was well aware, after one too many nights out together in London, that you weren’t looking to settle down with anyone. She joked that you should get it’s nothing serious tattooed across your forehead.
“She’s just helpful” Alessia shrugged.
“When the person is attractive” Niamh bit back, as they followed you inside.
“I know you probably don’t give it out, but would I be able to get your number or something?” She asked.
“Yeah, gimme your phone” you smirked, typing your number into her phone.
“I’ll text you” she smiled as you dropped the bag into the storeroom and headed out of the PE Hall.
“Come on, Romeo” Niamh shouted as you said goodbye and jogged over to the group. “Did you just get that teacher’s number?” She laughed.
“For educational purposes” you shrugged with a smirk.
You’d all walked out to the car park to where you and Niamh’s cars were parked.
“See you at camp in a few weeks, mate” Niamh said.
“I’ll see you on Wednesday you muppet” laughing at the girl who’d clearly forgotten you’d agreed to go for lunch.
“Oh, yeah” she chuckled. “See you then”. She headed off with Hannah and Esme, agreeing to drop them to the train, all of you shouting your goodbyes to each other.
“You waiting for someone, Less?” You asked. You and the Man United forward got on well. Not well enough you’d call yourselves friends, but work colleagues you’d occasionally text or do things in a group setting.
“My agent was meant to be picking me up but is held up somewhere. I’m staying in London tonight cause I have a photoshoot in the morning. I’m just waiting on a taxi to bring me to a hotel” she sighed, gripping onto her suitcase which they were obviously holding at the school’s reception for her.
“Come on, I’ll drive you” you smiled.
“No no, don’t worry, honestly, I’ll-”
“Get in the car” you opened the passenger door as she eventually gave up arguing and got in. “What hotel?” You asked.
“He hasn’t booked it yet, I’m waiting on him to send me the details” she groaned.
“You want to just stay in mine? I have a spare room” you asked as she looked at you funny.
“I couldn’t ask you that” she shook her head.
“I’m offering” you shrugged. “Even if you want to just come and chill until he’s sent you the details of the hotel”
“Yeah, okay” she smiled.
“So, how’s Manchester? How’s your boyfriend?” You teased. Alessia was a really affectionate person, and when she was in love, she’d never shut up about the person.
“Manchester’s good. Patrick’s good” she giggled. That set her off on a tangent for the entire drive home about holidays they had booked, and they were planning on buying a house together in the next few months.
“You’re not seeing anybody right now, are you?” She asked as you laughed.
“Nah, I’m good” you smirked.
“Did you not get that teacher’s number back there?” She snickered, punching you lightly in the arm.
“Yeah, but you know, it’s nothing serious” you shrugged, pulling into the driveway of your house. You grabbed Alessia’s suitcase from the back, and tossed her the house key, gesturing her up towards the door. You got her stuff in, and showed her the spare bedroom and bathroom if she wanted to shower and have a nap.
“I’m just gonna make dinner, do you want some?” You asked as she frowned.
“You can cook?”
“Yeah?” You raised your eyebrows with a chuckle.
“Leah could learn something from you” she laughed, walking off into the bathroom to take a shower.
You’d just thrown dinner into the oven when a text chimed in on your phone.
Alessia
Big favour
Bigger than letting me chill in your house and not abandoning me in London 😂
I forgot to pack clothes for sitting around in, could I borrow something?
You walked upstairs and grabbed a few different things from your wardrobe and left them outside the spare bedroom’s door.
“They’re outside Less, take whatever you want” you shouted as you jogged back downstairs, hearing a distant thanks being shouted back.
A few minutes later, she surfaced back down in the kitchen, now wearing a pair of your shorts and hoodie.
“Arsenal gear looks good on you” you smirked as she rolled her eyes at you.
“What are you making? Can I help?” She asked. Alessia was Italian in some way shape or form, so when she saw pasta, she was straight over to the pot you had boiling to pour it in.
“Oh I love this song. Turn it up” she giggled. You pulled your phone out of your pocket to increase the volume, turning it up on the speaker it was blasting from. The two of you were just messing around, cooking, dancing and singing.
“Be back in a second, keep your eye on this while I’m gone” you said, excusing yourself to go to the bathroom.
She waltzed across the kitchen to take over what you had been cooking and felt her phone buzz in her your hoodie pocket.
“Hello?” She answered.
“Lessi, I’m so sorry I got stuck in a meeting. I will get that hotel sorted for you now. Where are you?” Her agent shouted, clearly in a car using his Bluetooth. She bounced on the balls of her feet for a few seconds. She was having a really nice time with you, and didn’t really want it to come to an end.
“I, um, I’m in Y/n’s house” she whispered.
“Y/n? As in Williamson?” He asked.
“Yeah” she nodded, despite him not being able to see.
“Okay, well text me her address and I’ll come and get you” he said.
“If it’s okay, I think I might just stay”
“You sure?”
“Yeah”
“Okay, well send me the address anyway. I’ll pick you up in the morning” he called out as Alessia nodded. You’d came back in just as she hung up and she’d turned back to the cooking.
“You alright?” You asked, giving her a scare as she’d not heard you come in.
“Jesus Y/n” she giggled, trying to catch her breath. You laughed back, but stayed silent, waiting for her to answer your original question.
“My agent just called” she said, stirring the vegetables.
“Oh yeah? He picking you up?” You asked. You’re not sure why, but you felt a bit deflated that she was going to be leaving. Alessia doesn’t really know why she wanted to stay either or why she lied to you, but she did it anyway.
“He couldn’t sort a hotel, but I told him you said I could stay here, if that’s still okay?” She smiled as you nodded back at her.
“Well, if you’re staying and you seem to have a better grasp of cooking than me, I might nip to the shops and grab some bits then” you said, as you headed to the hall to put your runners on.
“What do you like?” You asked.
“You don’t need to get me anything” she waved her hands with a chuckle.
“Well, I’m coming back with something, so it would be better if it was something you liked” you shrugged with a smirk.
“Just a Pepsi max and a dairy milk” she smiled as you nodded and headed out.
You weren’t gone long, but she’d plated up dinner and was already tucked up comfortable on your couch, waiting for you.
“Honey, I’m home” you laughed as you walked through the living room door and threw her a bag filled to the top with dairy milks. You also placed a full crate of Pepsi max infront of her.
“I asked for a Pepsi max and a dairy milk, as in one Pepsi max and one normal sized dairy milk” she giggled, throwing one of the giant dairy milk bars back at you from the bag.
You laughed at her with an awkward shrug, heading into the kitchen and grabbing both of your plates of dinner that she’d left in the oven to keep warm. The rest of the night was pretty much spent cooped up on the couch watching movies.
The first one you both sat on opposite sides of the couch, the second one you’d eventually agreed to let Alessia cuddle into you. Whenever you were with her on any mode of transport she was always tucked into whoever she was beside. Like you already knew, she was affectionate around people she was comfortable with.
You’d drifted off during the third film, and woke to the feeling of Alessia pushing off you to answer her phone.
“It’s Patrick” she said, but you noticed her perky tone.
“Yeah, go ahead. I’ll catch you in the morning” you smiled as she headed off and up to the spare room.
-
She left the next morning, hugging you goodbye at the door and thanking you for last night. You threw the rest of the crate of Pepsi max in the back of her agent’s car, as there was no use in you keeping it.
You and Alessia now seemed to be friends, texting or talking on the phone everyday. But she lived in Manchester and wasn’t easily accessible to hang out with.
She was in Manchester with Patrick and you were in London with your new girlfriend. You eventually got a text from the teacher, who you learned was called Jamie. You ended up really liking her, and asked her out, officially, after a few dates.
It was just annoying the next time you saw Alessia, she was wheeling away in celebration after scoring the winner against you at a packed out Emirates. You punched the ground in frustration as the ball hit the back of the net, knowing that goal could be her ticket to the World Cup and the reason you would stay at home. But you couldn’t be angry with her when she came up behind you and wrapped her arms around you.
“Hello stranger” she giggled against your shoulder.
“Boo, get off” you huffed, gently pushing her away.
“Oh don’t be mad, you’d much rather see me win the league than Chelsea, wouldn’t you?” She smirked.
“I’m not answering that” you shook your head.
“We still on for later?” She asked as you smiled and nodded at her. “Not too busy with your girlfriend?” She teased.
“Fuck off, Lessi” you groaned, releasing a slight laugh.
“We will get through the third one tonight” she laughed as she squeezed your shoulder and headed back towards the changing rooms. She was referring to the third instalment of the movie you never finished due to Patrick interrupting.
“You and Less seem close all of a sudden?” Leah frowned as you shrugged. “You know she has a boyfriend?” She asked.
“Yes I’m aware, seeming as he is all she talks about” you laughed. “We did some community event together awhile ago and she ended up staying in mine because of some issue with her hotel. We’ve just been talking since then”
“You know she has a boyfriend though?” Leah repeated.
“I’m not into her” you groaned. “I’ve actually been seeing someone” you shrugged.
“And you haven’t told me? What type of a sibling are you?” Leah frowned and punched your arm. “Who is she playing for?” Leah asked.
“She’s not a footballer” you shook your head. “She’s a teacher. We met at the community thing and have been on a few dates”
“I’m waiting for you to say your typical ‘it’s nothing serious’ line” Leah laughed.
“Well, it is serious. She’s my girlfriend” you shrugged.
“What the hell has happened to you?” Leah shouted after you as you both walked towards the changing room.
It took a few months, but you and Alessia eventually finished that third movie you’d started when she’d stayed over. Only this time, it wasn’t Patrick that interrupted, but Jamie. It also wasn’t a phone call, but a knock on the door.
“Oh, hey Jamz” you smiled as you opened the door. You weren’t taken aback even slightly by the unexpected arrival.
“Hi baby, sorry for showing up. I was on the way home and my phone died and you were closer than-” she explained.
“You don’t need to make up an excuse up because you wanted to spend the night” you teased, earning you a playful scowl which very quickly turned to a kiss.
“I’ll go grab you a charger, make yourself comfy” you jogged upstairs to grab your phone charger as Jamie headed into the living room, not expecting anybody to be here.
“Um, hi” Jamie frowned at the sight of another girl your house, until she realised who it was.
“Oh, hello” Alessia smiled. “I’m Alessia” she stood up and stuck out her hand.
“Jamie” she smiled back and shook the blonde’s hand. “Nice to finally meet you”
“You too” Alessia replied. “Y/n didn’t say you were coming”
“I wasn’t meant to, but-” she tried to explain.
“Her phone died so now she has to spend the night” you smirked, handing her the phone charger.
“My phone did die” she protested.
“Yeah, yeah” you laughed, gripping her waist and kissing her cheek. Alessia noticed you and Jamie were very well suited together. She was just surprised how naturally you took to affection.
“Sit down, I’ll get you some tea. Less, want something?” You asked. “Let me guess, a Pepsi” you laughed, speaking in her tone of voice and walking to the kitchen.
“God, how do you put up with her all the time?” Alessia giggled.
“With great difficulty” Jamie replied sarcastically. “What are you guys watching?” She asked.
“Pitch perfect 3” Alessia explained. “Will we put it back to the beginning?”
“No, no, don’t worry. I’ve seen it before” Jamie smiled, as she plugged her phone in and sat down beside Alessia.
You came back into the room, placing the cold can of Pepsi against Alessia’s neck, making her jump out of her skin. Your approach with Jamie was a lot nicer, handing her the mug of tea with a kiss.
“Up Russo and sit in the single person chair” you threw her can onto the chair, almost like you were asking her to fetch it.
“Hey, I’m not single” She shouted with a laugh.
“Oh you have a boyfriend? You’ve never mentioned him before” you rolled your eyes, thinking about every second word out of her mouth being his name.
“Oh sweet, you have a boyfriend? What’s his name?” Jamie smiled.
“Oh, here we go” you groaned, earning a gentle shove from Jamie.
After a 25 minute conversation about Patrick, eventually, you restarted the movie, giving in to Alessia’s protests to put it back to the beginning so Jamie could get the full experience.
You dropped Alessia back to the team hotel the next morning. She made you promise you would never have to share a wall again when Jamie was over and you just laughed at her for the entire car journey.
-
England camp was only a few weeks later and the minute she saw you she practically sprinted from Ella’s side and jumped into your arms.
“Hey bestie” she giggled.
“Hey loser” you grinned, placing her gently back on the ground.
Lucy started gesturing with her hands to Ella and Lotte, teasing them both about being replaced as Alessia’s best friend.
“You’re not going to hug the better Williamson, no?” Leah smirked.
“She just did” you shrugged.
“Shut up man, you’re so annoying” Leah groaned.
“I’ve put you two down to share this camp, is that alright?” Leah asked. You never really cared who you shared with. Sometimes you shared with Leah, but it was mostly with Niamh, who was taking this adjustment harder than you were.
“What’s this?” Niamh shouted, holding a piece of paper. “Less, can we swap?” She asked.
“Stop being a baby, Niamhy” you laughed. “You’re sharing with Hempo, you two are mates” you shrugged, pointing to both of their names on the sheet she was holding.
“Leah Williamson, how could you do this to me?” Ella snapped. “You’ve taken Less away from me for what? And put me by myself?”
“Jesus Christ, do whatever you want” Leah groaned, walking back towards Georgia and Keira.
“Can you two grow up?” You frowned. “Who cares who’s sharing with who?”.
“Well, if you don’t care, then swap with me” Ella bit back.
“Fine. Give me your stupid fucking key” you held out your hand and she placed the key to your new room in it.
You didn’t even look at Alessia as you stormed off and up to your room. Ella didn’t actually have a room mate, as her room just had a double bed, which suited you. You just spent all your downtime on the phone to Jamie.
You’d been pretty much sticking with Leah throughout camp. You were trying to stick with the senior players to learn from them and let Sarina see you slotted in well with the starting XI.
It was after a couple of days on camp, a match day gone already, that you were in a bit of a better mood. You’d seen Jamie at the game, and you’d been put in the starting XI. You’d also just received a message from the person you loved to see pop up on your phone.
Lessi 🐻
Have you forgotten I exist?
Y/n/n 😎
Unfortunately not.
Lessi 🐻
Sooo funny
Open your door
You smirked as you got up to open the door, revealing the smiling blonde forward on the other side.
“Fancy seeing you here” you teased.
“Shut up” she groaned. “You haven’t spoke to me all camp” she poked your collarbone harshly.
“Your friends are annoying” you shrugged.
“I wanted to share the room with you” she sighed.
“Why didn’t you say that then?” You frowned as she was the one to shrug now. You could tell she looked sad, so you softened your tone.
“Is there a pitch perfect 4?” You asked as she looked at you with a smile and shook her head. “You wanna pick something different then?”. Alessia stepped inside and immediately felt a sense of comfort.
“Can I take a hoodie?” She asked as you smirked.
“Yeah, the one on the chair” you mumbled back, trying to contain your laughter.
She jumped onto the bed and took the remote from the stand. It hadn’t been touched since you checked in. You got ready for bed in the bathroom and came back out to find the girl in your hoodie and under the sheets, on her phone with a movie paused. You moved to sit on the armchair in the room as she looked at you funny.
“I’m not going to bite you, get into bed” she giggled.
“Oh no, how would Patrick feel?” You teased as you got in beside her.
Patrick and Jamie had met you both now. They liked that you two were friends. You were different to any of Alessia’s other friends and she was different to yours. Alessia being straight with a boyfriend meant Jamie didn’t have anything to worry about and you having Jamie meant Patrick had nothing to worry about. And they didn’t. You and Alessia were strictly friends, and neither of you saw the other in a different light, not even in the slightest.
You’d both maybe made it 20 minutes into the movie before you’d drifted off, with Alessia snuggled into you.
You woke the next morning, her back pressed to your front and your arm wrapped around her, holding her hand.
“Fuck, Less, wake up” you groaned, although you didn’t move.
“Mmm?” She mumbled tiredly.
“You slept in my room” you grumbled. She checked her phone, using her other hand as you’d still yet to let go of hers, and realised you had enough time to go back to sleep for another two hours.
“Go back to sleep. I’ll text Tooney and tell her I’m in here” she cooed. You mindlessly squeezed her hand as she squirmed in your hold, trying to push herself further against you.
Your alarm went off two hours later, and startled the two of you as you woke. You’d finally released the grip on her hand to turn the alarm off.
“Sleep okay?” You hummed.
“Yeah, you?” She smiled and you nodded back at her. “I’m going to head back to my room to get ready for breakfast. Follow me down?” She ordered as you shot her a thumbs up.
You noticed a few texts from Jamie and you replied quickly to let her know you’d fallen asleep due to Alessia putting on a boring movie. You got up and into your training gear, although it was not a requirement to wear it to breakfast. People could wear whatever they wanted to breakfast as there was a mix of early and late risers. Meanwhile, Alessia had gotten back to her and Ella’s room, to find her best friend dressed and ready to go.
“Oh, nice of you to come back” Ella moaned.
“I fell asleep” Alessia scowled.
“Come on, I’m not waiting” Ella scoffed, pulling the blonde out the door and down the hall.
“Although you could have done with changing that” she laughed, pointing to Alessia’s chest. Alessia obviously didn’t care when she was around you, but now in front of the England team, she was about to walk into breakfast in an Arsenal jumper, your Arsenal jumper, initials and number splashed on the other side of the crest.
“Have a good day at work, don’t let them torment you” you chuckled at your phone, appearing from your door. “Oh, look who’s here” you smiled, catching up to the Alessia and shoving the phone in her face.
“Morning Lessi” Jamie smiled.
“Good morning” Alessia beamed back.
“Alessia Russo, is that an Arsenal jumper? Have you got something to tell us?” Jamie teased.
“Your stupid girlfriend gave me a hoodie to borrow when I was tired and obviously took advantage of me in my moment of need” Alessia glared at you as a smirk grew on your face.
“I did no such thing” you unsuccessfully pleaded your innocence. “Babe, we’re just about to get into breakfast” you slowed down your walk and continued talking to Jamie for a few more minutes before hanging up.
“She seems nice” Ella said.
“She is, they suit each other really well. Just like me and Patrick. Oh actually-” Ella regretted saying anything now as Alessia began to spiral.
Alessia got a right slagging off for wearing your jumper down to breakfast, nearly everyone getting in on the joke, except for one.
“Y/n” Leah frowned, gesturing you over to her.
“What?” You huffed at her, as she had interrupted your conversation with Alessia and taken you away from your breakfast.
“What did I tell you?” She began.
“About what?” You scrunched your face as you spoke.
“Alessia has a boyfriend. You’re making her look bad parading around in your clothes. You’re making yourself look bad, you’ve got a girlfriend” Leah frowned.
“Leah, there’s nothing fucking going on” you shouted, causing a few heads to turn, including the person who was currently the topic of conversation.
“Take it off her then” she snapped.
“You’re an idiot” you mouthed.
You turned on your heels and walked back towards Alessia, taking a seat beside her and going back to your breakfast in silence. You felt Leah’s eyes burn into the back of your head, but you didn’t care. There was nothing going on with Alessia and you didn’t need to keep explaining that.
“Everything okay?” Alessia asked but was only met with a nod and you going back to eating.
-
England camp was over in a flash and all of a sudden you were back at your clubs, preparing to face each other in a few weeks time.
You and Jamie were also becoming more solid and you’d planned to ask her to move in with you, as you’d now been dating for a good few months. Alessia and Patrick were also finalising everything to buy their house in Manchester, after she’d been promised a big contract at United when she stayed in January.
You spent New Year’s in Manchester with the couple, along with Jamie, Ella and her boyfriend, Joe. When pictures of the six of you went up online, that was when Leah came to the realisation that you were actually just friends with Alessia. You were both happy with different people, and not to mention, again, Alessia is straight.
You’d just pulled up to the team hotel in Manchester, when you got a call from the United striker herself.
“Keeping tabs on me Russo? How’d you know to ring when I just arrived at the hotel?” You laughed with a smirk. But the smirk was quickly wiped off your face when you heard her sob on the other end of the phone.
“Less? What’s wrong?” You pouted, pulling away from the group and over to somewhere quiet.
“Patrick broke up with me” she sobbed on the other end of the phone.
“Fuck Less, are you okay? Fuck, I’ll come over” you said, sprinting off to find Jonas and trying to keep her calm on the phone.
Jonas allowed you to leave due to training already being done this morning and the rest of the day was for rest. You needed to be back at the hotel for latest 9pm. A few other girls were also leaving, off to get food or coffee with mates that lived nearby. You’d got a tram and then sprinted to Alessia’s house that she shared with Ella and Millie. You practically banged the door down trying to get someone’s attention, and Ella finally gave in.
“Where’s Less?” You huffed at the smaller girl, who just pointed towards the living room, a bit shell shocked you were actually stood at the door.
You rushed inside, instantly finding Alessia lying on the sofa crying, being consoled by Millie.
“Less” you sighed as she now realised you were here. She didn’t say anything and neither did you, she just stuck her arms out for you to hug her, moving out of Millie’s hold and swiftly into yours. Ella and Millie headed into the kitchen to make tea and food and leave you two alone.
“Thank you for coming over” she sniffled.
“I need to be back for 9pm, but I’ll stay with you tomorrow night okay?” You whispered as she nodded against you.
“You deserve better than him Lessi, you deserve someone amazing” you rubbed the lower part of her back as she continued to cry against your shoulder.
“Could you try help me get to sleep?” She asked. You both headed off to her bedroom, she was clung onto your back as you practically carried her there.
“Have they gone to bed?” Ella asked and her and Millie walked back into the room with enough snacks for four.
“Could they be anymore obvious?” Millie laughed as both girls flopped onto the couch.
“Can I have this?” Alessia asked, tugging the strings of your hoodie
“Yeah, of course. Whatever you need” you smiled, lying down beside her and letting her get comfortable in whatever way she needed.
“I wish you were staying tonight” Alessia mumbled softly.
She pulled your hand around her waist and continued to hold yours, just like the way you woke up at camp a few weeks ago. You’d stayed still for about an hour and a half before you checked your phone. Leah had text saying Jonas needed everyone back and Jamie had sent multiple texts asking if you were alive.
You gently removed yourself from Alessia, careful not to wake her, and groaned at the fact you were not getting the hoodie back. You grabbed one of hers that was on the ground and threw it on before you jogged quietly down the stairs. You poked your head into the living room to say goodbye to the United duo.
“Uh, I need to go but I’ll see you both tomorrow” you announced to the girls who were watching TV.
“Wait” Ella shouted. “Do you have a minute?” She asked as you nodded.
“Are you two-“ Ella continued.
“Mates” you shrugged. “We just became really close really quick, but Less is straight and me and my girlfriend are quite serious” you explained.
“So you don’t like her?” Ella asked.
“I love Less, but just as mates” you stated.
“You’re wearing her jumper” Millie pointed out with a smirk.
“She asked for mine, and I need something to wear to get back” you shrugged. “Speaking of, I do actually need to go” you stood up, taking your phone out of your pocket.
“See you in the morning” Mille smiled, nudging Ella as they both started giggling over something.
You shot Jamie a message explaining the situation on the way back to the hotel. When you got in, you were instantly pulled away from the lobby where the team were by your sister.
“What the fuck are you doing?” She snapped.
“What?” You huffed, pushing her hand off your arm.
“Is that Alessia’s?” She frowned as you looked down, only now realising you’d grabbed the striker’s United hoodie, and just walked into the Arsenal team hotel wearing it.
“Just take it off” Leah grunted as you walked away and went off to your room.
You didn’t budge until the bang at the door the next morning, waking you up to come get breakfast. You trudged down, deciding not to wear Alessia’s jumper as it would definitely cause arguments. You bumped into Jonas on the way there, letting him know you wouldn’t be travelling back on the bus tonight.
You did a walk of the stadium and headed in to get changed. You weren’t in the starting XI today, at this stage you’d probably need something drastic to happen to make it to the World Cup squad. You were sitting opposite Leah in the dressing room who looked more stressed than usual as you both were getting kitted up.
“Lee, you alright?” You asked softly, walking over and bending down to be eye level with her.
“I don’t feel good about today” she shook her head. “I don’t know why” she shrugged. Although Leah was a protective older sister, and the two of you annoyed the shit out of each other, you two were very close.
“You’ll be great. You always are” you smiled, pulling her up and giving her a hug.
The game started lively, both team’s had good chances. You were on the sidelines with your eyes glued to the game, and you weren’t sure why, but they kept wandering to Alessia. Maybe it’s because you were worried about her.
You didn’t see the play, but you knew who the scream belonged to before your head even turned. You shot to your feet, looking at Leah screaming in pain, clutching onto her knee.
“Leah” you shouted, instantly being pulled back by Jen. You knew you couldn’t go on the pitch, but you didn’t care in that moment.
You heard the physios on the sideline talking to the one on the pitch with your sister through their headsets. You heard the three letters fall from their mouth. Your heart sunk and you began breathing heavy, trying to fight back the scream you wanted to let out for her.
“Williamson, get ready” Jonas shouted.
“She’s in no state” Jen tried to explain but he didn’t care.
Your sister was helped to the side of the pitch as you stood pale as a ghost on the sideline watching her limp towards you. Your number was displayed in green on the board, while hers was shown in red.
“Come here” she whispered, pulling you against her and leaning all her body weight against you. “You go and show Sarina it’s you” she poked your chest as she put her arms back around the physio and Kim who helped her down the tunnel.
“You okay?” Alessia asked, when you jogged next to her.
“I don’t know” you replied honestly. Your head was all over the place after watching Leah in that much pain.
“We can go to the hospital when we’re finished, I’ll bring you okay?” She brushed her fingers against your hand as you nodded.
The ball was thrown in and it was game on. United had made it 1-0 just before half time, Alessia scoring the goal. You still weren’t even all there yet to be annoyed you’d went behind. You knew Alessia needed that goal too, you couldn’t get your head into the game at all.
After a pep talk from Kim at half time, you came out all guns blazing in the second half. You didn’t let anything get by you. United didn’t register a singular shot in the second half. Unfortunately, your strikers just couldn’t get you back into the game. Leah had left to go to the hospital, so when the match had ended you and Alessia rushed off to her car and towards the hospital. You both sat in the waiting room all night, her head pressed on your shoulder while you were both drifting in and out.
“You want a cup of tea?” She asked and you nodded. When she headed off, you called Jamie.
“Hi babe, is everything okay?” She asked and you shrugged.
“I’m just at the hospital waiting for Leah” you sighed.
“You played so well under the circumstances” she smiled softly.
“She’s not going to pick me” you shook your head.
“You don’t know that” she pouted. It was all that had been playing on your mind, and she knew it was affecting you every time you saw your name on the bench.
“This isn’t helping either, it was fucking awful” you raised your voice slightly in frustration, referring to Leah’s situation.
“I know baby, I know” she cooed, trying her best to keep you calm, despite your conversation happening through a phone.
“Do you want me to drive to Manchester?” She asked. You debated it for a minute, but you knew the hassle of her having to come up with work to send in for her class so last minute would be too complicated.
“It’s okay. I’ll stay in Alessia’s tonight and come home tomorrow” you shook your head. “I love you” you breathed out.
“I love you too” she said before you both ended the call.
A nurse had just gestured you over before Alessia arrived back, to let you know Leah could leave. You spoke to Leah briefly, she told you she was heading back to London now and had scans in the morning.
“You staying with Less?” She asked and you nodded. She looked over your shoulder to see the blonde was waiting for you at the door.
“God, you two really are attached at the hip” she laughed as you shrugged. You gave her a hug goodbye, as did Alessia, before the United player drove you both home and Leah headed back to London.
“Just go straight up, I’ll be up in a minute” Alessia smiled when you got in, and you nodded, starting to walk towards the staircase.
“Is Leah okay?” Ella asked, as her and Millie jumped out of the living room door like a double act.
“Uh, it’s the ACL” you pouted, pointing at your knee.
“You alright?” Millie asked and you nodded. “We ordered food for you both” she added.
“You didn’t need to do that” you stuttered. “How much do I owe you?” You asked, starting to root through your bag for your wallet.
“Nothing, that’s what mates do for each other” Ella smiled as Millie pulled you into the room.
Alessia eventually followed you in, thanking both of them for the food. The couch in their house was an L shaped one, so you and Alessia lay on the corner stretched out with her pressed against you when you’d finished eating and switched your focus to the TV. The other two didn’t seem to take any notice now of the two of you. When the movie had ended, the three of them stood up, cleaning up and rejecting your offer to help. You pulled out your phone to text Jamie goodnight, before saying goodnight to Ella and Millie as they headed off to their bedrooms.
“You okay?” Alessia asked as you slipped your phone back into your hoodie and stretched out on the couch.
“All good” you smiled. “I’ll see you in the morning?” You asked as she frowned at you.
“You’re not coming to bed?”
“Oh, I just, uh, I just thought I was sleeping here”
“I’d prefer if you were with me” she shook her head at you. You weren’t one to argue, so you jumped up off the couch and followed her upstairs, assuming the usual position and drifting off.
Millie T
I heard 2 sets of footsteps come up 🕵️
Tooney
Did you see them downstairs? 🧐
How long til y/n and her girlfriend break up?
Millie T
I give it a few weeks, max
You told Alessia before you headed home to London the next morning about how you planned to ask Jamie to move in with you in the next few weeks, and to say she was over the moon for you was an understatement. Despite her own relationship breaking down, she loved you and Jamie together.
She sometimes thinks back to the day you and Jamie first met and can’t help but see why Jamie fell for you. Although, she would refuse to let herself think about if someone else could fall for you, someone that had a boyfriend she was in love with, someone who’s never looked at a girl that way before, someone like her.
You decided to wait until all club matches were done and after the final England camp, before there was nothing else you could do to change Sarina’s mind. You invited Jamie over for dinner, and tonight was the night you were going to ask her to move in. You hadn’t told anybody that tonight was the night, not even Alessia or Leah knew. You took a deep breath, before you answered the door with a huge smile plastered on your face.
“Hi” she giggled, stepping in and instantly kissing you.
“Hello” you mumbled in between kisses. “Dinner is just ready” you said, taking her jacket off her shoulders and hanging it up, while she headed towards the kitchen.
You chatted over dinner, laughing and joking like always, before your heart started thumping and your face seemed to be giving you away.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” Jamie frowned, placing her hand over yours.
“Jamz, you know, I’m really happy with you and I’m sick of doing this back and forth of your place and my place. I want to move in with you” you blurted out.
“Oh” she breathed out after a few seconds.
“We can live here, or in your place, or somewhere else entirely. I just want to be with you all the time. I’m in love with you and I’ve never felt like this about someone before” you smiled.
“Y/n” she sighed. You knew from that moment it was a mistake. “I think you’re a really great person and I do love you, a lot. I just don’t think I’m ready to take such a big step when in a year or two when your contract is out, who knows where you might end up?” She stated.
“I could get another club here” you shrugged. “I’m working hard to try and get another contract here” you squeezed her hand a little harder this time.
“It’s just a big risk, Y/n. You could have to move away or we might break up and then one of us needs to find somewhere else or I’ll be here on my own” she pouted.
“Just forget I asked okay? You’re right, it’s probably too soon to jump in and then I might be gone all Summer” you smiled weakly, trying to hide how upset you were.
It was silent for a few minutes, both of you no longer touching, and staring at opposite walls in the kitchen.
“Y/n, I’m so sorry” she shook her head. You knew by the look on her face that she wasn’t apologising for not wanting to move in.
“I don’t think-” she began but you waved your hands in the air.
“You don’t need to say it” you interrupted.
“I’m sorry” she repeated.
“Me too” you sighed.
She got up from the table, kissed your cheek and headed out of your house. The kiss was a kiss goodbye. You were single again, and remembering now why you decided dating was a bad idea.
Although you and Alessia were friends, you were very different people. When Patrick broke up with her, she needed you, Ella and Millie. You, however, decided to shut out the world and not speak to anybody.
You’d seen a few calls and texts the last few days come in from different people, just checking in to see if you were okay despite not knowing about the break up. You hadn’t replied to anybody, it was just too painful to look at your phone and see nothing was coming through from Jamie. No calls, no texts, nothing.
Your agent had emailed on the day of the World Cup squad announcement that calls were being made to everyone who had made it and even to those who had not made it. You sat on the couch all day, numbing your brain with shit TV and by the time it reached 8pm, you gave up hope. You weren’t even worth a phone call. You’d just shuffled to get up when Sarina’s contact flashed up on your screen requesting to FaceTime. You pressed answer.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Y/n? It’s Sarina” she announced like you couldn’t see her face right in front of you.
“Hi Sarina, how are you?” You asked.
“I’m good, how are you?” She replied.
“Yeah, I’ve been-” you stuttered. “Yeah” you nodded, but she noticed the look on your face was one of misery.
“Do you need to talk?” She asked as you shook your head. “Well, I’m sure you know why I’m calling” she smiled as you nodded at her this time.
“I do”
“So, obviously the squad, I can only bring 23 players and we have a very competitive squad. We have a lot of players that this might be their last World Cup and we are pushing to reach the final” she explained.
“Yeah, absolutely” you nodded.
“It was a very difficult decision, due to us having a lot of quality players competing for your position, so I ultimately had to make the right choice for the team and the demands of this tournament” she continued.
“Yeah” you sighed. Maybe you could do the Euro’s squad in 2025.
“I’d like to inform you that you have been selected to represent England this summer at the World Cup, if you would like to join us?” She smiled.
“I’m sorry, what?” You rushed out.
“Your performances haven’t gone unnoticed with us here. We think you’d be an integral part of the squad in Australia” she told you.
“Sarina, I don’t know what to say. Thank you so much. You’ll never understand how much this means to me” you shook your head in disbelief.
“Go on, go and tell that sister of yours the good news. I will see you next week” she smiled as you both said your goodbyes and ended the call.
The phone rang and rang until she answered at the final one.
“Y/n what the hell? Where have you been? You’ve been ignoring me for over a week” Leah started shouting and continued until you cut her off.
“Lee, I made the squad”
“And I am sick to death, wait, what did you say?”
“I’m in the squad. I’m in the World Cup squad”
“Holy shit” she shouted. “Have you told Jamie?” She asked.
“Yeah, um, me and Jamie broke up last week” you sighed.
“What? Why didn’t you call me? Are you okay?”
“I just needed a few days to mope around. But I’m okay now”
“Have you told Alessia then?” She asked and you shook your head. “I’ll come by tomorrow, go call her. I think you two need to talk” she smirked. You ended that call with Leah and rang Alessia who answered fairly quickly in comparison to your sister.
“There you are” she took a breath of relief. “I have been worried sick about you” she huffed.
“I’ve just been a bit all over the place” you shrugged. “Did Sarina call you?” You asked as she nodded, with a guilty expression on her face.
“I’m in the squad” she whispered.
“I’m proud of you” you smiled. “You won’t get sick of me in Australia, will you?” You smirked.
“Wait, you’re in? We’re going to a World Cup together?” She shouted as you laughed.
“Are you at home?” She asked as you nodded. “Would you mind if I came over?”
“Why are you in London?” You frowned.
“I’ll explain when I get there” she giggled.
“Yeah, come over” you nodded.
It was a little while later when the girl knocked on your door and instantly fell into your arms.
“It’s so good to see you” she hummed against you.
“You too, Less” you replied softly.
“Is Jamie here? Have you asked her yet?” She smirked.
“Uh” you rubbed the back of your neck awkwardly and bounced on your toes. “Me and Jamie broke up last week” you admitted.
“What? Y/n, oh my god, no” she pouted, pulling you in for hard hug. “I’m so sorry”
“Don’t be, it’s okay. Things happen” you shrugged. “Why did you want to come over? And why are you in London?” You asked.
“Well, you know my contract at United finishes this Summer” she began as she took your hand towards the living room and you both sat down.
“I was interested in staying because me and Patrick were going to buy a house in Manchester, but obviously now we’re not, so I was offered a contract with a London club so I am here to sign that” she smirked.
“You’re moving to London?” You shouted enthusiastically at the idea of your best friend being with you all the time.
“I’m moving to Arsenal” she giggled as your jaw dropped.
“Lessi, holy shit” you shouted, pulling her off the couch and up into your arms. “You can stay with me, you know?” You smiled.
“I was hoping you’d suggest that” she giggled.
“You’re staying tonight, right?” You asked as you both sack back down. She nodded at you before kicking her shoes off and throwing her legs across your lap.
-
At the World Cup, you and Alessia never left each other’s sides for the entirety of the tournament. You’d been going off on walks, to get coffee, and to do something sightseeing together, usually alone. You both were getting game time throughout the tournament and spent most of your nights sneaking off to the other person’s room for a cuddle.
When the whistle blew in the final game of the tournament, you sunk to your knees and punched the ground. You couldn’t believe you’d lost. You felt a pair of hands on your shoulders and instantly knew they were Alessia. You didn’t move or push her off, you just let her do whatever she wanted.
The team had decided to drown their sorrows and you were definitely both packing away more than necessary. You’d both been through serious break ups and now losing the final, you felt like the world was ending.
“You want another one?” You mumbled to Alessia as you stood up and she reached out for your hand.
“Take me back to your room” she slurred, dipping her hands down and into yours. You pulled the girl through the crowded room, through the lobby and up to your bedroom.
“You okay?” You asked as she shook her head.
“We deserved more, we were so close” she mumbled, throwing herself against you to get a hug.
“We’ll be back, you know we will” you tried to smile as you gently rubbed her back. “Why don’t we have a drink, just us two?” You asked, rooting through a bag you’d carried up from downstairs and pulling out a bottle of champagne.
“Obviously these were for if we won” you smirked.
You had just normal glasses in the room, which Alessia held up and you poured the champagne into them, both clinking them off each other before swigging from them. You’d both had a few glasses before the topic of conversation changed to a more serious one. You were both too drunk to have this conversation, but maybe it was all the courage you two needed.
“You never said why you and Jamie broke up” she whispered.
“You never said about you and Patrick” you quipped.
“There was someone else, for him” she explained as you gripped her thigh to try and be comforting.
“She just found my lifestyle too hectic” you sighed as Alessia took your hand.
“Can I tell you something funny?” She asked as you nodded. “The day we did that community event, when I stayed in yours, my agent was going to bring me to a hotel-” she began as you cut across.
“I remember, but there was some type of issue so you stayed with me” you recited.
“There was never an issue, I just didn’t want to leave” she giggled.
“Well, lucky you, you have a key and your own bedroom in our house now” you laughed. Alessia had decided to move in with you on her return to London, just until she found her feet.
“That last part of that sounded good” she whispered.
“Now?” You frowned, repeating the last word you said.
“No, you idiot” Alessia rolled her eyes. “When you called it our house” she explained, running her fingertips along your arm.
“Oh, well, it is our house” you stuttered.
“I want everything with you to be ours” she whispered as she looked you dead in the eye. You’d never looked at Alessia as anything other than your friend, but right now, you couldn’t see her as just that anymore.
“I don’t want to just be friends anymore, Y/n/n” she blurted out.
“Are you sure you want this?” You asked as you saw her lean in with a nod.
The kiss was hungry and you both melted into it. Her hands cupped your face, while yours instantly fell to her ribs. You both needed this, it was obvious that feelings have been there throughout the whole friendship, but this is what you needed to really know. You loved her and she loved you. She pulled away after a few seconds, looking so flustered you thought she was going to run out of the room, or tell you this was a mistake and it was because of the alcohol. But instead, she said
“I think I’ve been in love with you for awhile”
“Yeah, I think that makes two of us” you nodded.
“This can’t be just for fun, especially not if we’re living together” she explained.
“Be with me then” you stated boldly. “Be my girlfriend, and we can keep the spare room for storage for all your stupid clothes” you laughed.
“Did you just ask me out and then ruin it by calling my clothes stupid?” She huffed with a smirk, making you only laugh harder.
“I want to be with you” you hummed.
“Then that’s what we’ll be” she smiled, pressing her lips against yours.
-
Arsenal training was like heaven when you got back home from the World Cup. You were waking up beside your girlfriend every morning, going to training together, coming home together and repeating the next day. It was like this had been in front of you both the entire time, you were just too naïve to see it. Your teammates all knew you were living together, but none of them knew you were dating. You weren’t just going to start announcing it in the changing room, but if someone asked, you wouldn’t lie. That was the agreement you both made.
Leah usually stopped around a lot more when Alessia wasn’t living with you, but she didn’t want to intrude in Alessia’s space, so she’d started stopping around less and less. She’d knocked around on her way home from being out with some girls on the team, of which you and Alessia backed out of due to being preoccupied with lying on your couch watching TV together.
“Anybody in?” Leah shouted, letting herself in the front door.
“Yeah, in here” you called back. You and Alessia were tucked into each other, with her leg draped over you.
“Aren’t you two cosy?” Leah laughed when she walked in and sat down on the armchair in the room.
“Very” Alessia giggled. “Want a cup of tea?” She asked your sister.
“I’d actually love one, thanks Less” Leah smiled. A smile that was quickly wiped off her face when Alessia pushed herself up and off you, and quickly kissed you before shuffling off to the kitchen. “Did you two just kiss?” She frowned at you.
“Yeah” you shrugged, starting to scroll on your phone.
“You’re still trying to convince me you two are just friends and nothing has been going on?” She laughed sarcastically.
“We’ve been dating since the World Cup final” you said like that wasn’t several months ago, and this wasn’t a big deal.
“And you’re only telling me now?” Leah shouted, jumping off her armchair and over to the couch to punch you in the arm.
“What have I missed?” Alessia giggled at the sight of you two.
“You two are dating and neither of you thought to tell me? Haven’t I been through enough with my injury?” She exclaimed as you just laughed and Alessia’s eyes shot to the ground, a guilty expression plastered on her face.
“Do you not approve or something?” You teased with a smirk as Leah hit you again. Alessia looked like she was going to cry.
“Do you not like me, Lee?” Alessia asked, as Leah’s face softened and you looked at her with an instant worried expression.
“What?” Leah replied.
“She thinks you’re being fucking serious” you hit your sister back, and not playfully like she had been doing to you.
“No Lessi, of course I like you” your sister said. “I just thought my ACL was the worst thing that could happen to me, but someone I thought was so smart and had such a bright future ahead of them, decided to date my sister” Leah smirked as Alessia started to giggle.
“Fuck you” you shouted, springing up off the couch as Leah sprinted out of the living room and into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. “Shes such a pain” you moaned as your giggling girlfriend pulled you into a hug.
“Yes, but she is your sister. Your sister that now knows I’m your girlfriend” she smiled.
“I’ll never get sick of hearing you say that” you said softly.
“Maybe we should tell the team, before she does” Alessia laughed as you nodded.
Your phones both buzzed simultaneously as you both check the notification on your watches.
AWFC ⚽️❤️
Leah: Guys you will never guess who are together
Beth: Alessia and y/n
Katie: Less and y/n/n
Viv: Alessia and y/n
Lotte: Less and Y/n
Caitlin: less and y/n
Vic: less and mini Williamson
Lia: Lessi and y/n/n
Kyra: who?
Steph: Kyra, read the replies 🤦♀️
Leah: wait, was I the only one that didn’t know?
Katie: It’s so obvious
“Too late” Alessia giggled.
“Leah you’re dead” you shouted, stomping towards the bathroom door.
