Chapter Text
Leah was watching the Man City vs Arsenal game from home. Alessia accidentally kicked her in the head with a ball during training, resulting in a slight concussion. She wanted to watch from the sidelines but stubbornly enough, Jonas disagreed and didn’t allow her to even think about entering the stadium.
The game was going alright. Leah teared up slightly as Viv scored against them, tears both of sadness and pride. She was glad the Dutch woman was doing good at her new club. Her spark was coming back.
But, much to Leah’s annoyance, Jordan had remained on the bench. It got the the 75th minute, and Leah realised Jordan really wouldn’t be coming on. Jordan must’ve realised it as well, because the camera panned to her with her arms crossed and a disappointed look on her face.
Leah had too high hopes, and more faith in Jonas than she should’ve. Of course he wouldn’t play her.
As the game wrapped up and the final whistle blew, it ending in a draw, Leah tried to dismiss Jonas not subbing Jordan on as it being too early. I mean, it’s only one of her first game back, right? Maybe next game.
The footage cut off, and Leah turned her telly off. Her phone buzzed so she picked it up, and a notification from Jordan was displayed across the screen. It was the first time she’d received a message from her since she returned to the club, and also the first message in over a year and a half.
Leah scanned her eyes over the message.
“I really don’t want to be right. But I think I might be.”
Of course, Leah understood what the older woman was referring to. Their conversation the other day, discussing playing time. She quickly typed a message back.
“It’s like I said, Jords. He’d be stupid not to play you. It’ll happen next game.”
Leah quickly switched over to Katie’s contact.
“I know you’re sad, but can you look after Jordan? She’s upset about not getting played. Don’t over do it, maybe just stay nearby and put an arm around her shoulders or something.”
The message was sent and Leah’s phone was back down, not even letting a reply come through from either of them. Leah decided what she thought and said was true. He would be stupid not to play the legend, and it would happen next game.
The next game rolled around, and Leah was once again watching from her lounge. This time, Elle was curled up next to her.
The champions league game was going smoothly, the gunners being up 2-0 at half time. Leah hoped Jordan would be subbed on when they were back from half time, but to no one’s surprise, she wasn’t.
The 80th minute, Leah realised Jordan would definitely not be subbed on. They didn’t need a big game changer like her, they were up 3-0.
When the game wrapped up after extra time, Leah turned off the telly once again. She hoped that would be the last game she had to watch from home.
Elle turned to Leah, a small smile on her face. “You happy?”
Leah nodded, a smile also creeping on her face. “Yeah. I am.”
Elle leaned in, pressing her lips to the blonde’s. Leah began to deepen it when they both felt her phone vibrate beneath them from where it was on the lounge. Leah pulled away, groaning as she reached for it. By instinct, she faced her phone screen away from her girlfriend. Privacy and all.
Similar to after the previous game, a notification from Jordan was on her screen. Leah pressed the notification, opening the chat.
“Who is it?” Elle asked curiously.
“Oh, um, Lia. Stoked about her first goal back from injury, you know.” Leah fibbed. She didn’t know where the need to lie came from, it’s fine that she is messaging Jordan. They’re teammates. Elle surely would’ve understood.
“Are you still sure I’ll get playing time?”
Leah let a sigh escape her mouth.
“Jordan, he’d be stupid. The moment they need help, you’ll be there, and he’ll realise how needed you are.”
Leah didn’t let another reply come through. She turned her phone off and set it back down. “Now were we?”
Leah smirked as she leaned back into the kiss.
The next game Leah was allowed back in the stadium by Jonas. She was sitting sort of near the bench, so Jordan was in her eyeline throughout the game.
Each time Jonas said they were making subs, she could see a flicker of hope go through Jordan. Not once was she called for, though.
The final whistle blew and the game resulted in their first WSL win of the season. Leah made her way to the bottom and waited a few moments before making her way onto the pitch.
The blonde, of course, made her way over to Jordan. She was going to head over toward Lia first, but thought it’d be a good idea to comfort Jordan.
“Lee.” Jordan said, her tone slightly surprised.
“Hey, Jordan.” Leah smiled. Jordan smiled too, masking her true feelings. “How’re you feeling?”
“Oh, you know.” Jordan looked down as they began walking.
Leah did know. What she was feeling was sadness, and frustration. Leah was also feeling something along those lines, and that feeling was anger. Anger at Jonas for telling Jordan she’d get playing time, lying straight to her face. She had been riding the bench for a few games, and Leah was close to having enough.
“Yeah. I know.” Leah looked at the woman beside her. They shared a knowing look.
It took everything in Leah to not reach out and hug her. But she knew the press would be hot on their necks, the fans would be going crazy, and their partner’s would likely not be happy. So she postponed the hugging. Instead, she wandered behind Jordan a little and grabbed out her phone.
She messaged her manager and requested a meeting with Jonas the following day.
The next day, Leah was waiting outside Jonas’ office. Her hands were inside her pockets as she waited slightly anxiously.
Leah heard her voice being called from inside the office and put her hand on the door knob. She opened the door and began making her way in before shutting it behind her. She sat across the desk from her coach.
“So, Leah Williamson. Why are we having this meeting? There was no explanation when I was contacted.” His Swedish accent leaked through, covering his words.
“This is regarding Jordan Nobbs.” She said, keeping her face neutral. “And her lack of playing time thus far.”
“It’s still early days, Leah. She only just came-“
“Don’t you dare give me that bull crap.” Leah cut off her coach. Her voice remained of normal volume, though sourness was dripping from every word. Jonas opened and closed his mouth, but no words came out, so Leah continued.
“Before she left, the both of you discussed the chances of giving her more regular playing time. Why you couldn’t just give it to her? I don't know. Maybe because you’re dumb. If Jordan Nobbs isn’t “in her prime anymore”, you help her back into her prime. You don’t just drop her based on her performances in a few games. Alos how do I know all this? Jordan told me when it first happened late 2022. She would genuinely continuously cry to me, thinking it was her fault. The whole thing is honestly giving me Miedema vibes, but one was continuously rushed back from injury and simply not given a new contract, whilst one wasn’t good enough for you and you couldn’t be bothered to help. One is also being given another chance to prove herself. She is being given the chance to prove herself, but you won't even bother giving her a go.” Leah stopped talking for a few moments. She took calming breaths, trying to remain calm.
Jonas glared at the woman sitting across from him. He was still trying to find the words to respond, so Leah took the opportunity to keep going.
“You offered her a spot back in the squad, promising her game time. It’s been a handful of games now, and she hasn’t stepped foot on that field for a mere minute. Do you know what that is doing to her mentally, Jonas? The effect that it has on her? I bet you don’t.” Leah looked even more cross. “The whole thing rather gives me deja vu to Viv, you know. I wish I had said something then.”
Jonas looked down at where his hands were resting on his desk, continuing to stay silent.
“But anyway, here I am requesting as the vice-captain for Arsenal that you give one of our players playing time. She deserves to show her worth just as much as everybody else.” Leah shrugged.
Finally, Jonas broke his silence.
“Listen, Leah.. I know what your relationship used to be. And I don’t want that to affect your decision making here.”
Leah clenched her fists where they were in her lap. “Oh, don’t you dare, Jonas. That has nothing to do with this. I would do this for any of our players, whether I used to date them or not. That is not affecting this at all.”
Leah began getting up, not throwing as much as another glance toward Jonas. When she finally reached the door, her put her hand on the door knob and looked back.
“Oh, and while i’m at it… Cooney-Cross deserves more playing time as well. She is under-appreciated, and under-played. She can’t make an impact in the last five minutes of a game.” The blonde woman paused. “Choose your next actions very carefully, Jonas. My next move is filing a complaint against you.”
And with that, Leah exited the office knowing she dominated that meeting. All she had to do was wait and hope that it would work.