The following day, as I lay in the hospital bed, surrounded by my family, my phone buzzed on the bedside table. Alessia picked it up and glanced at the screen, a smile spreading across her face.
"You've got a message from the team," she said, handing the phone to me.
I unlocked it and saw a video message from the Arsenal girls. I took a deep breath and pressed play, my heart warming as their familiar faces filled the screen.
First up was Katie, her fiery red hair and bright smile instantly lifting my spirits. "Hey, Lily! We're all thinking about you and sending you all our love. Get well soon, okay? We need you back out on the pitch with us!"
The camera panned to Leah, who gave a warm smile. "Take all the time you need to recover. Your health is the most important thing. We're here for you every step of the way."
Then, Vivianne appeared, her calm and confident demeanor reassuring. "We miss you, Lily. The team's not the same without you. Stay strong, and remember, we're all rooting for you."
More teammates followed, each offering their words of encouragement and support. The video ended with Jonas Eidevall, our coach, stepping into the frame. His expression was serious but kind.
"Lily, we are all behind you. Your health and well-being are our top priority. Take the time you need to recover fully. The team will be here, ready to welcome you back whenever you're ready. Best of luck, and stay strong."
By the time the video finished, tears were streaming down my face. I hadn't realized just how much I needed to hear their voices, to feel their support.
"That was really sweet," my mom said, her voice choked with emotion. "You have an amazing team."
"Yeah, I do," I replied, wiping my tears away. "They're like family."
Alessia smiled, her eyes shining with pride. "We all know how strong you are, Lil. With all this support, you'll get through this."
I nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. The road to recovery would be challenging, but knowing that my team, my family, and my friends were behind me made it seem a little less daunting.
"Thanks, everyone," I said, my voice filled with gratitude. "I'm going to give it everything I've got."
As I lay back in bed, the warmth from the video message lingering, I felt a newfound strength rising within me. With the love and support of those around me, I knew I could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
A few days later, the doctors informed me and my family that I needed to undergo an operation to implant devices that would help control my heart rhythm. The news was daunting, but I knew it was necessary for my health and future.
The night before the surgery, I lay in bed, trying to calm my nerves. Alessia was sitting beside me, holding my hand. "You're going to be okay, Lil," she said softly. "The doctors know what they're doing, and this will help you get better."
"I know," I replied, squeezing her hand. "I'm just scared."
"It's okay to be scared," she said, her eyes filled with empathy. "But you're one of the strongest people I know. You've got this."
The morning of the operation, my parents and Alessia accompanied me to the hospital. As I was prepped for surgery, I tried to focus on their faces, drawing strength from their presence.
"You're in good hands, sweetheart," my mom said, her voice steady but her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "We'll be right here waiting for you."
"We love you, Lily," my dad added, his voice gruff with emotion. "Stay strong."
