It All Leads Back to You

Chapter 2 - Leah

Sweet Caroline

"When does it end?" Georgia groaned.

"It doesn't." I laughed. "It's going to be like this for a bit. All of the interviews won't stop for a while. Just be glad you can wear those stupid goggles."

"She does look stupid." Keira added.

"Shut up. You both are horrible."

Georgia placed her AirPods in her ears and started her music. She tuned us out...again. I swear she was probably still drunk.

"Did you see the news?" Keira asked.

"There's a lot of news right now." I half-joked. I knew what she was talking about.

I didn't want to talk about it.

"Leah..."

"I saw it. No need to bring it up and ruin the mood." I stated. "Please. She's screwed herself over. Let's be honest."

"Yes, but did you see what she did this time?"

She did something new?

"No." Keira handed me her phone.

Danielle Cruz speaks on punching referee.

Danielle Cruz, the American superstar for the United States Women's Soccer Team punched a referee in yesterday's match. The United States played Columbia in an International Friendly, beating them 3-0 (Goals scored by Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe.) But there was nothing friendly about this match.
     The game got off to a rocky start. The Columbian attack was strong and put a few shots off on goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher. Cruz received a yellow for a late tackle in the thirtieth minute, and the game was tied 0-0 at the half.
     The second half was better for the team. Alex Morgan got a shot off and found the back of the net. Danielle Cruz had a couple shots then assisted Megan Rapinoe with her goal.
     Within the closing minutes of the match, Cruz was fouled. She argued with center referee, Katie Mills, over it, claiming it was a penalty. Then we saw the midfielder ball her fist and send Mills to the ground. For her behavior, she was sent off and we didn't see her until she was walking out of the stadium with her teammates.
     Reporter, Bill Michaels, asked her what was going through her head when hitting the referee. Danielle said, "It was a clear, in the box foul. A referee like her shouldn't be in the position she is in if she's not going to do her job correctly." And didn't comment further.
     We've seen this out of the twenty-three year old since her downfall at club. She used to play in England with Arsenal. Then she was suddenly dropped from the roster and we saw her party lifestyle and heard she went to rehab.
     We've attempted to reach out to ex-girlfriend

I stopped reading. I couldn't read further.

"Crazy, right?" Keira asked as I handed her the phone.

"Yeah," I nodded. "She hasn't changed. I doubt she ever will."

"Maybe not. But maybe she will. Time will tell."

I laughed at the irony of time. "She's only gotten worse with time."

"Leah—"

"No, Keira! Just no. She left."

"I'm sorry. I'll drop it."

"Thank you." The rest of the ride was spent in silence. We arrived at Trafalgar Square and wow. There were so many people. "There's no way they're all here for us." I said to Keira.

"Bu—But they are." She stuttered.

"This is wild!" Georgia's head appeared next to mine. "We did this."

I smiled. "We did this."

We moved off the bus and we stood as a group behind the stage. A video started. One showing all that we'd been through. I tried not to cry, but I teared up. I know I did. One of my best mates stood on the stage with a microphone. Sarina and I were both handed a microphone.

"And that was how it was won everyone." Alex said with a laugh. "So, without further ado, it's time to welcome to the stage, your winning team. So, everyone here in Trafalgar Square, everyone at home, everyone around the country, please welcome to the stage, your victorious England Lionesses everyone!" The crowd began clapping and cheering. "Led by Sarina Wiegman and the captain, Leah Williamson." The crowd's cheering never died down as we walked on. I wanted to say I was blown away, but the game against Germany spoke for itself there as well. "Taking it in, Leah?"

"I—Yeah. Wow."

England flags waved about in the air as people cheered. Our own girls clapped to the crowd. All of them carried huge smiles on their faces. None of us had experienced a joy like this before.

"Boss. Sarina. Have you had time to take it all in yet? How are you feeling today?"

"Pretty good." A typical Sarina response. Witty.

And that's how the conversation started. Sarina laughed and thanked the crowd as though it were the most casual thing she'd ever have to do.

Alex turned to Lucy. Even with those stupid goggles, she looked hungover.

"Throughout the tournament, you've been pretty calm. But yesterday, any dancing, Lucy?"

"Oh, she's got some good moves." Then an even more hungover Lucy brought the microphone closer. "Come on, Sarina! Give the fans what they want!"

More banter went around and Sarina talked about us as a group. I looked around at the girls while she talked. That was until Alex said my name.

"Leah, I've got to ask you what you've noticed about Sarina because she always talks about the team. Sum up the manager please."

Try to be coherent. Speak slowly.

"Um, I think this is the missing ingredient England's was looking for and she's brought us together." I wrapped an arm around Sarina, who was too humble to admit to her own greatness. "Yeah, I mean, special person. She puts us all first as human beings and allows us to be who we are and you've seen us enjoy this tournament for what it's been, and finally win."

The girls began chanting for Sarina to dance, and she was taking no part in it other than laughing.

"Leah, I need to ask you; yesterday, lifting that trophy with this team, how do you sum up the last twenty-four hours?"

I looked at the crowd, a smile was forming. I looked back at Alex. I sighed into the microphone in my hands.

"I think we've um, partied more than we actually played football in the last twenty-four hours." As I formulated my next thought to speak, I glanced at the crowd.

Life couldn't get any better than this.

~~~~~
AN: Chapter 2 !! I still haven't figured this book's 'thing' out yet, so hang in there.

I thought this song just made sense.

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