The Voice In The Crowd | A Leah Williamson Fic

12. The Party

Leah's POV.

I stood in front of my wardrobe, flicking through the endless array of shirts and dresses. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt this nervous about picking an outfit. My mind kept wandering to Sophia, her infectious smile and the way her eyes lit up when she laughed. She had a way of making me feel like the most important person in the world, and tonight, I wanted everything to be perfect.

"Sophia," I said, trying the name out loud. It rolled off my tongue like a secret. We'd only been on a few dates, but there was something special about her. Something different. And tonight, I wanted to introduce her to my world.

I finally settled on a simple, elegant blouse and my favorite pair of jeans. Casual, but nice enough for Beth's party. Beth's parties were legendary among the Arsenal Women's team. I'm sure Viv hated them; they were always a mix of fun and chaos, with plenty of games, laughter, and sometimes a bit too much to drink.

As I drove to Sophia's place, I rehearsed how I was going to invite her to the party. It shouldn't have been a big deal, but it felt like one. This was the first time I was bringing her to a team event, and I wanted her to feel included.

Sophia opened the door, looking effortlessly beautiful in a sundress. Her face lit up when she saw me, and I felt a rush of affection.

"Hey, you," she said, leaning in for a kiss. "You look amazing."

"Thanks," I replied, feeling my cheeks heat up. "You do too. Ready for tonight?"

"Definitely. Where are we going?"

I took a deep breath. "Beth Mead is throwing a party, and I'd love for you to come with me. It'll be a great chance for you to meet the rest of the team."

Sophia's eyes widened with excitement. "I'd love to! I've heard so much about Beth and the rest of the girls. This is going to be fun."

We arrived at Beth's place, and the party was already in full swing. Laughter and music spilled out onto the lawn, and I could see my teammates mingling, drinks in hand. Beth greeted us at the door, pulling me into a hug.

"Leah! You made it," she said, her eyes twinkling. "And this must be Sophia."

Sophia smiled and shook Beth's hand. "It's so nice to finally meet you. Leah's told me so much about you."

"All good things, I hope," Beth joked, leading us inside. "Come on, let's get you both a drink."

We wove our way through the crowd, stopping to chat with my teammates. I introduced Sophia to everyone, feeling a swell of pride as she charmed each person she met. She fit in perfectly, and I couldn't help but feel like this was a glimpse into a future I wanted.

But then I spotted Jordan across the room, and my stomach tightened. Jordan and I had a history—a complicated one. We had dated for a while, and though things ended amicably, there was still a lingering tension between us. Seeing her now, looking as stunning as ever, brought back a flood of memories.

"Leah, hey!" Jordan called, making her way over. "Long time no see."

"Jordan, hi," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "This is Sophia."

Sophia extended her hand, and Jordan shook it warmly. "Nice to meet you, Sophia. I've heard a lot about you."

"All good things, I hope," Sophia echoed Beth's earlier joke, and we all laughed.

The night progressed smoothly, with drinks flowing and the games starting. We played a round of charades, followed by some light-hearted trivia. But as the games went on, I couldn't help but notice Jordan's lingering glances and the way she seemed to gravitate towards me. I did my best to focus on Sophia, but it was hard to ignore the undercurrent of tension.