#chapter uno

[ultimatelinguist-blog]

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Sup my dudes, my open will be up tomorrow sorry for that. but if you want to thread smash that mother fcking like 

[hyrulesheroofthewinds]

5 HOURS UNTIL KORRA

[barethgale]

Knocked Out by Love ~Chapter 1~

  (7 years ago):

  I was 14 at the time, didn’t even think about what to do in the future. All I cared about was friends, shopping, and food, but apparently my dad thought otherwise:

“LAYLA YOU ARE GOING TO THIS CLASS AND I DON’T GIVE A SHIT IF YOU SAY NO YOU ARE GOING TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME AN ASSISTANT REFEREE.”

“DAD I DON-“

“YOU’RE GOING.”

My dad is beyond obsessed with football. Even if we’re from Maryland, we never called it “soccer.” I grew up with it as football so we said it like that always. He supports Manchester United, and I just vomit at the fact that he does. I mean I don’t watch a lot of football, but I don’t know it’s just one of those teams you can’t really find to like.

My dad has been obsessed with me into becoming something related to football when I grow up. I tried to play and I played for a few years, until I broke my ankle….twice. Now my dad has this thing that I should be an assistant ref. Like who the fuck gives a shit about an AR in the football world.

He signed me up for classes to see how I would do and if I would like it and I’m 1000% sure I’m going to hate it.

My dad is so sassy until he gets it his way.

I sighed and I took my coat from the closet and we headed out.

The car ride was silent, because I was mad that I even agreed to this. I didn’t need this right now. I could be blogging on tumblr with this precious time for fucks sake.

We finally got there and my dad said “have fun.”

I dead faced him and walked inside.

There were a lot of people that were my age or a few years older than me and I’m pretty sure they didn’t want to be there just as much as I did.

I sighed and took a seat near the door so I can run out when this shit was over.

The class started and no one was paying attention. They were on their phones texting, but my dad being the awesome man that he is *cough sarcasm*, he took my phone away so I could pay attention.

So anyways, they gave us a book about the laws of football. Pretty much the basics.

About a half hour in, I surprisingly was interested in it. I didn’t really know the ARs had so much involvement in the game. I also learned more about the concept of offsides, and what was considered a foul.

After the class was over, I smiled to myself walking out of the building. I then spotted my dad and got into the car.

I smiled at him.

“Dad I think this is something I want to do towards my career in the future.”

“I knew you would.” He gave me a smirk.

Fuck I hate when my dad is right.

It was 9PM and we finally were home.

My mom was already asleep and my dad crashed on the couch. I don’t know why everyone was so tired it’s a Friday night.

I went upstairs and right away went onto my computer. I looked further into AR-ing. The more I researched, the more I was into it.

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I woke up the next day with my dad hitting me with a pillow.

“LAYLA GET UP ITS 3 IN THE AFTERNOON!”

“Wh-at?”

How long was I on the computer until?

Shit.

I was on until 5AM.

“Sorry dad. Long night.” I said in a raspy voice.

“It’s ok. I was just worried about you and wanted to see if you were still alive. I’ll be watching the Man U game downstairs if you need me.”

“Can I join you?” I said jumping out of bed.

My dad took a step back and looked confused.

“Sorry is that this Layla Brighton? Where is my daughter?”

I gave him a dirty look. “Funny.”

He laughed. “Of course you can.”

We went downstairs and I actually really enjoyed the game. Manchester United was playing Liverpool and Liverpool won 2-1. My dad was upset but I thought overall it was a pretty good game.

The next few weeks were exactly like this. I would join my dad to watch matches and even at some point I watched matches on my own. I didn’t really have a favorite team in particular I just really loved watching the game.

The AR classes were coming to an end, and we had the big test. I was more than prepared for this and I knew I was going to pass and I could finally get out there and do something I’ve wanted to do since the first day of classes.

The test was extremely easy. The class waited outside of the room so they could grade all the tests.

The tension was building, my heart was pounding, but after 30 minutes they let the class back in. It was time to announce who passed and who failed.

Everyone took a seat and the teacher started to speak.

“I just want to thank you all for coming out for the past few months to attend these classes. We did have a few failures surprisingly, but on the bright side we did have one person get a perfect score. Will Layla Brighton please come up and get her uniform and badge.”

I almost burst into tears. I couldn’t have been any happier. I took my badge and my uniform and I walked out of that classroom the happiest person on earth.

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It was about two weeks after I got my badge and was considered an official AR. I got assigned my first game. 15 year olds. Which is really not bad at all for my first game.

My mom and I haven’t really spoken about my love for football and how much I loved being an AR because she wasn’t really into those things. She shopped, cooked and slept and that was basically her everyday life.

I arrived to the assigned field and I waved my mom goodbye. I walked over excited and ready to get started. The center ref was already there.

I shook his hand and said “Hello, sir, my name is Layla.”

He smiled back and said “My name is Tom nice to meet you. Now let’s get ready to get this game started.”

The other AR showed up afterwards and I greeted him too. His name was John but he was pretty quiet so I didn’t really talk to him.

The game was exciting I called every foul, offsides, corner kick there was. I knew what I was doing and I really was so proud of myself for having such a great performance.

The game was over. The home team beat the away team 3-0. It was an alright game, but the home team just dominated.

I grabbed my bag and I shook Tom’s hand. I was going to shake John’s but he was already gone.

As I was turning to leave Tom stopped me. He look at me like he was going to say something serious.

“I haven’t seen an AR this young perform so professionally. I’m glad I worked with you. I see something special in you.”

I smiled.

“Thank you Tom that means a lot. I should get going now my mom is waiting.”

I waved him goodbye and I couldn’t stop smiling.

“I see something special in you.” I whispered to myself.

  Present Day:

I’ve put so much hard work, sweat, and tears, and now I’m where I want to be. England.

My AR career has gone so well that it has brought me here. Who knew?

I gave up everything ever since that night. The night when I went to that class and my life changed.

I’ve become a professional AR at the age of 21 and I couldn’t be any happier. I’m the youngest AR and one of the few girls in the business and I need to show who I am and what I know to the field.

It’s my first time away from home. I’m now living alone in a London apartment having no clue where I’m going. This should be fun.

My apartment is actually not that bad. It’s in the heart of London and it’s quite spacious. It has two bedrooms, two baths and a HUGE living room. Like the living room is ridiculous, but I can’t complain.

I anxiously waited for my first assignment here. This is legit. These are the big leagues and one mess up and you could be kicked out.

I sat on the sectional in the living room and just sat there. I did nothing. I was so nervous about the email that I couldn’t even function.

I heard my phone buzz.

Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

I opened my phone.

1 New Email.

Here it is.

My heart is pounding.

I scrolled through the message and yes this was my first assignment.

My mouth dropped. I dropped my phone in shock.

“Arsenal vs. Chelsea?!?!?!!?” I screamed to myself.

I ran to my computer and I accepted the game right away.

I jumped up and down. My first game is a derby. A DERBY. This is insane!

Then I thought to myself. “Fuck I can’t mess this up.”

The game is in 5 days and in these five days I’ll be a nervous wreck.

I called up my dad because I just needed someone to talk to.

“Hello?”

“Dad!”

“Layla I miss you so much. How is London so far? Have you been assign-“

“I’M AR-ING ARSENAL VS CHELSEA IN 5 DAYS DAD” I couldn’t stop smiling.

“WHAT??!?!?!?!? LAYLA I’M SO PROUD OF YOU! Sorry to cut this conversation short but its 5AM here and your mother is screaming at me. I’ll talk to you later honey. I love you.”

Shit I forgot. Time difference.

“I love you too dad. Sorry that I woke yo-“

The call ended. He probably fell into a dead sleep like he always does.

I walked into my bedroom and lied down on my bed and stared at the ceiling.

“I’m going to be in Emirates stadium in 5 days.” I said to myself.

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For the next 5 days I was doing what every tourist would do. Went on bus tours, took photos of everything and went to every landmark possible.

For those 5 days though, I visited the Emirates. I would just stand there in amazement. This is where my professional career will begin.

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I woke up at 6 and groaned. It’s way too early. I got out of bed and went to shower.

It didn’t hit me yet that I’m going to AR Arsenal vs. Chelsea.

I got out of the shower and screamed:

“FUUCK I’M REFING ARSENAL VS CHELSEA TODAY.”

My heart started racing as I put my uniform on. This is real.

I tucked in my shirt into my shorts and put my hair up.

“Shit.” Was all I was thinking right now.

I walked slowly to the shoe rack and put on my shoes.

I took my bag and I left the apartment.

I got into my car and prayed that I wouldn’t get lost.

London traffic is such a pain in the ass oh my god. It took me an hour just to get there. Luckily I left at 7 so I would still be on time.

A security guard showed me where to enter and where the center ref, the AR and where the players would be.

I’m so nervous about meeting the players. Because I watch these men at home every week and now I’m going to be a part of their game first hand. It’s just crazy to me.

I walked into the Emirates and my mouth dropped. I haven’t seen the pitch yet, but I want to be surprised. The corridors are so well organized and clean and just wow. I had no words.

The guard just told me to walk  all the way down and the refs should be there.

I swear I thought I was walking for like an hour.

Finally, I saw two people wearing the same exact uniform as me. I almost fainted when I saw who the center ref.

“So you must be Layla.” The center ref smiled.

“Yes, nice to meet you. You must be Howard.”

Ok I’m going to be refing with Howard Webb??? This is insane as it is, but I’m refing with one of the best center refs in the world.

I shook the other ARs hand as well. We headed towards the gate where the locker rooms were and the entrance to the pitch. We waited there patiently as the players came out of the locker room.

Each player one by one shook my hand and welcomed me to London. I can’t believe they even heard of me.

I felt so welcomed which made me feel so much better about myself.

Another player shook my hand and said to me “Congrats on making it here at such a young age. Best of luck to you!” Then he smiled, winked and walked away.

Well that was definitely the nicest welcoming I got.

I didn’t recognize him, it was weird. Yet again I don’t really know a lot of players by name.

He turned around and I read the name on his jersey.

Ramsey.

My thoughts were broken when we had to get ready to go onto the pitch. We were in the tunnel and then we were there. On the pitch. I almost shed a tear it was so beautiful. The screaming fans, the flags being waved and chants, it was such a great moment.

The players shook hands and Howard did the coin toss. It was time for me to go on my half of the field. I was away from the coaches only because I was new and they thought I wasn’t ready for the criticism that the coaches might give me.

I didn’t really care but it was whatever.

I was in line with the second to last defender, the whistle blew, and it was game time.

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The game was going really well so far. I called everything correctly and none of the players had any complaints, which was a good thing.

Arsenal was winning 1-0 by halftime. Giroud scored from a breakaway made by Wilshere. The way that these guys played was just unbelievable.

Second half started and you could tell that Chelsea wanted this game.

The game was getting a little rough, but I kept up with it.

In the 65th minute, Ramsey had a breakaway. He was dribbling down the side I was and Ivanovic was chasing after him. Ivanovic caught up to him and pushed him off the pitch with all his strength. Into me.

After that, everything was a blur.