Not just a game

The locker room was alive with energy when I arrived the next morning. The nervous tension from yesterday had eased a little, replaced by the kind of buzz you get when you know you're about to dive headfirst into something that could change your life or when you get a huge adrenaline rush.

I wasn't just the "new girl" anymore. I was part of the team.

At least, that's what I hoped.

I walked through the entrance, my boots clicking softly on the tiled floor. The familiar smell of sweat, fresh kit, and minty deodorant filled the air. I spotted Beth Mead leaning casually against a row of lockers, her blonde hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, eyes sparkling with mischief as she chatted with Leah and Kim Little. They all seemed so comfortable in their world — laughing, sharing jokes, comfortable in their skin, and in the bond they had forged over years of playing together.

It was a sharp contrast to the fluttering nerves still twisting in my stomach. I swallowed hard, tried to remind myself that I belonged here too. That my place wasn't just a temporary stopgap, but a future I could shape.

Beth caught my eye and waved me over with a grin. "Morning, rookie," she teased, but the warmth in her voice was unmistakable.

I managed a small smile and approached the group."Hey," I said, trying not to sound too breathless or awkward.Leah looked up from tying her boots and gave me a nod that felt almost like a welcome. "Ready for the day?" she asked, voice calm but commanding.

"As I'll ever be," I admitted.

Beth nudged me with her elbow. "Come on, grab a bottle of water. We're starting with some drills, but first—Leah wants to say a few words."I felt my heartbeat quicken. Team talks always felt serious, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to be the focus of any.---Leah's voice cut through the locker room, steady and confident."We're more than a team," she said, eyes sweeping over everyone gathered. "We're a family. And families stick together."

She looked directly at me. "That includes new players. You're not just here to fill a spot—you're here to grow with us."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded my nerves beginning to grow

"This isn't about being perfect," Leah continued. "It's about showing up. Supporting each other. Learning from every kick, every mistake, and every win."

The weight of those words settled inside me, both comforting and challenging. I wasn't expected to be perfect. I was expected to try. And that was something I could do.---The warm-up drills were intense. We moved in sync, our feet tapping the rhythm of quick passes and sharp turns. The sun filtered through the tall windows, casting long beams of light on the green turf outside, making everything look alive and urgent.I

 struggled to keep up at first — my legs felt like lead, and my brain was overloaded with instructions and tactical jargon. But as the drills progressed, something clicked. My feet remembered the patterns, the passing lanes started to make sense, and I found myself anticipating moves rather than reacting to them.

Kim Little was quick to notice."Step up, come on!" she shouted, her voice sharp but encouraging. "See the space before the ball gets there!"

Her words were like a key turning in a lock. I pushed harder, took more risks, and started communicating — calling for the ball, telling teammates where I was.

For the first time, I felt like I wasn't just surviving the training. I was playing it.---At one point, we broke into small-sided games. I was paired with Katie McCabe, whose speed and sharp instincts made her a force to reckon with and difficult to keep up with. She smiled at me, a look full of challenge and camaraderie.

"Ready to learn how to really boss the pitch like a superstar?" she asked, tossing me a water bottle.

"I'm ready," I said, trying to sound braver than I felt.

"Good," Katie grinned. "Because being fast and strong is just the start. Knowing the game—that's what turns players into legends."

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. It was more than physical skill. It was mental strength, strategy, and heart.---After the scrimmage, Leah came over. Her eyes held that same intensity I'd seen since day one — the fierce determination of a leader who demands excellence but believes in every player under her care."

You're improving," she said, voice low so only I could hear.

"Thanks," I said, trying not to sound desperate for approval. "I try."

Leah smirked. "Trying isn't enough. You're doing."

That little phrase stuck with me longer than I expected. Trying was passive. Doing was active. Doing meant I was *here*, in the moment, fighting for my place.---Later, as the team gathered in the common room, I found myself drawn into conversations about everything — from pre-match rituals to funny stories from international tours. The room was cozy, filled with laughter and the easy energy of people who knew each other's rhythms.Katie nudged me again, this time sitting next to me. "You're fitting in. You just need to keep pushing."

I smiled, grateful. It wasn't just the skill that mattered — it was the bond, the shared moments, the feeling that I was part of something real.

Leah joined us with a tray of drinks, sitting down with a contented sigh."We all started somewhere," she said, her gaze warm. "No one's perfect. But if you're hungry to learn, you'll get there."Her words felt like a promise — not just to me, but to everyone in that room.---That night, lying in bed, I replayed the day over and over.The smell of the locker room.Leah's steady voice.The way Beth smiled at me like I belonged.Katie's fierce encouragement.I felt exhausted but hopeful.Maybe this was more than just a dream.Maybe this was my future.---A/n: How you lot finding it so far?