The First Time

An Unexpected Shock

Later that evening, after a cozy dinner filled with laughter and casual conversation, Alessia excused herself to take a moment in the quiet of Rob’s room. She had received a message from Jonas, her manager at Arsenal Women, and her stomach churned with unease as she opened it.

The message read:

Jonas: Alessia, we need to talk. Can you call me when you get a moment? It’s important.

The knot in her stomach tightened further. It had been a difficult week since the match against Tottenham, where an unfortunate own goal had led to a devastating loss for her team. The media had been relentless, and her performance had come under heavy scrutiny. She thought she had weathered the storm, but deep down, she feared the worst.

With trembling hands, Alessia dialed Jonas’s number, her heart racing as the phone rang. After a few rings, he picked up, and she could hear the tension in his voice.

“Alessia,” he said, his tone unusually serious. “Thanks for calling back.”

“Is everything okay?” she asked, already dreading the answer.

“Not exactly. I wish I had better news,” he began, pausing as if trying to find the right words. “After the own goal and the media fallout, the club has decided to terminate your contract.”

A heavy silence filled the space around her, and Alessia felt the air rush out of her lungs. “What? You can’t be serious,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m afraid so. The club believes it’s in their best interest to move in a different direction. The performance you had that day has overshadowed your previous contributions, and they feel it’s time to part ways,” Jonas explained gently.

Alessia’s mind raced, the shock quickly turning to anger and disbelief. “But that was one mistake! I’ve been a key player for this team! You can’t just throw that all away because of one match!” Her voice cracked, frustration bubbling to the surface.

“I understand how you feel, and I can’t tell you how much I wish things were different. You’ve been a tremendous asset to the club, and I genuinely believe you’ll bounce back from this. But the decision has been made at the highest level. You need to start considering your options moving forward,” he said, his voice steady but sympathetic.

Tears pricked at the corners of Alessia’s eyes as she tried to process the news. “This isn’t fair. I’ve worked so hard. What am I supposed to do now?”

“I know this feels like the end of the world, but I truly believe this can be a new beginning for you,” Jonas replied, trying to offer a sliver of hope. “Take some time to regroup. There will be opportunities out there. I can help you explore options, but you need to be ready to fight for your future.”

After a few more minutes of talking, Alessia ended the call, feeling like the ground had been pulled out from under her. She sat on the edge of Rob’s bed, her heart pounding as the reality of her situation sank in. She had lost her place on the team she loved, and the thought of having to start over was daunting.

With a shaky breath, she wiped her eyes and decided she needed to talk to someone—someone who would understand. She slipped out of Rob’s room, her mind racing, and found him in the living room chatting with his parents.

“Rob, can we talk?” she asked, her voice tense.

He looked up, concern washing over his face. “Yeah, of course. What’s wrong?”

They moved to a quieter corner, and Alessia felt the tears threatening to spill again as she shared the news. “I just got off the phone with Jonas. They terminated my contract.”

Rob’s expression shifted from confusion to sympathy, his brows furrowing in concern. “What? But why? That’s insane!”

“It’s because of the own goal against Tottenham,” she explained, her voice breaking. “They said it overshadowed everything I’ve done for the club.”

Rob reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “That’s ridiculous. You’re so much more than one mistake, Alessia. You’ve been amazing for Arsenal. They can’t just throw you away like this.”

“I know that, but it doesn’t matter what I think. It’s done, and now I don’t know what to do next,” she admitted, her voice trembling as the reality of her situation washed over her.

Rob stepped closer, his gaze steady and reassuring. “You’re not alone in this, okay? We’ll figure it out together. You’re talented and determined, and I know you’ll find a new path. Just don’t give up hope.”

Alessia took a deep breath, grateful for his support. “Thanks, Rob. I just feel so lost right now.”

“Let’s take it one step at a time,” he said, his confidence in her lifting her spirits just a little. “You’ve got this, and I’m here for you.”

As they stood together, Alessia felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. It was a new beginning, albeit an unexpected one, and with Rob by her side, she could face whatever came next.