Chapter Text
We are into extra time. Only a few minutes to go. The score is equal and I'm doing everything I can to pull Arsenal ahead in the dying moments of the game vs Man Utd. I watches as Beth chases the ball to the touchline before falling to the ground, holding her knee and screaming. My world stops. Everything goes quiet as I watch my love lying on the floor in pain. Everyone in the stadium instantly knows that its bad. I want to run over to her and comfort her like I know she needs but I cant because she is off the pitch and so play continues.
The final few minutes go by in a blur as all I can think about is Beth. My mind is foggy. I feel sick.
Beth hobbles to the bench. United score. The ref blows the final whistle. We've lost but that's not on my mind at all. I breathe a sigh of relief. All I want to do is want to grab Beth and run into the tunnel, get in our car and drive to the safety of our home. I want to make everything better for me, her and the team. But I cant. I have to stay. I have to have good sportsmanship and shake every other players hand as well as having a team talk.
Once we are into our huddle, I am standing opposite Beth. She has tears running down her face and is breathing slightly raggedly. My heart hurts for her. I want to take her into my arms and hold her until everything goes away. Unfortunately that is not possible right now.
By the time Jonas finishes his team talk, Beth has had to limp down the tunnel due to her pain and I am left to see all the fans. I get halfway round when Katie McCabe comes up behind me and tells me to go see Beth. "I'll cover for you, don't worry." I thank her and slip away down the tunnel and head straight for the medical room. Once I arrive, my eyes are drawn straight to my girl. I go over and engulf her in to my embrace. I hear her take a few deep, shuddering breaths. "It' ok Lieverd. You can cry, I've got you." with that assurance, Beth broke down into tears. I have to stop myself from also falling apart. My only motivation to do that is that I know I must be brave and strong for my girlfriend.
The medical staff come in to check on Beth. its quick. We are told to keep weight off her knee, ice it, when her scan is and to just be careful. With that, she is given some crutches and we slowly make our way towards the changing room. I sense Beth's mood drop as we approach the door and can hear our teams subdued chatter. One look at Beth and I tell her that I'll get her stuff and meet her in the car. It is clear she isn't ready to face the girls, the pitying looks and their questions.
Once Beth is safely down the further corridor, I cautiously enter the Arsenal changing room. Everyone's eyes immediately draw to me and I suddenly feel unbelievably self-conscious. I can tell they have questions but I know I wont be able to talk about it without crying. Not yet. "She's ok, all things considered. She'll talk to you guys when she's ready." I quietly go over to our individual lockers and gather both our things. While I'm packing our stuff away, all talking is silenced and I feel many prying eyes burning into my back. While I am not facing the entire team, I take a moment to take a few deep breaths and compose myself fully. When I turn around, everyone hurriedly tries to make it look the weren't just staring at me, but I know better. "I'll see everyone in a few days. Bye."
I make my way through the changing room and to the doors where my friend Lotte Wubben-Moy is waiting for me. We exchange a sad smile and she rubs my shoulder affectionately. "Message me once you're home and settled, ok?" I nod and exit the room. As I begin to walk down the corridor and towards the car park, I do my best to drown out all the voices that grew in volume as soon as the door closed.
Eventually I make it to mine and Beth's car and put our bags in the boot. I make my way round to the drivers seat and look and Beth in the review mirror. She is silently crying. I reach back and grab her hand, squeezing it three times. 'I love you'. She looks up at me with an expression that can only be described as pure love. I know that I am reflecting that look right back at her. We begin to make the quick drive back home. it is silent besides the radio playing quietly in the background. I find myself constantly checking on Beth through out the entire 20 minute drive. I just want to make sure she is ok and not in too much pain. Beth is just looking out of the window with a black look on her beautiful face. Once we make it home and are parked in our driveway, I take the time to fully look at Beth. She is upset with tear marks slowly drying on her cheeks, no doubt about that, her leg is completely wrapped up and her hands are fidgeting in her lap. "Are you ok Beth?" I ask softly. Beth nods quickly without looking at me before taking a deep, shaky breath then covering her face and beginning to sob. I have to take some more deep breaths myself so I don't break in front of the person whos deserves to be so sad. I bring her hand up to my mouth and kiss is. She hesitantly looks up at me and I give her a soft smile. "It's ok my love, we'll get through this together."