Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a random day in July. Leah was sat on the couch in her living room with her dog, Bella. Usually when there is a trade or loan Jonas let’s the girls know before the official announcement. However this time it was left to be a surprise.

It was 3pm. Leah decided to open up Instagram to just see what was going on. It was 3 posts down.

“We are pleased to announce that Jordan Nobbs has made the move from Aston Villa and signed a contract for Arsenal.” Leah’s eyes widened at this.

She opened up the comments to see hundreds of pleased fans. Others were mad because they doubted Jonas would treat her right. Leah must admit they are probably right. If the way he treated Vivianne (and also honestly Jordan herself) was anything to go by, they are absolutely definitely right.

But Leah herself can’t leave. This club is her family, her life. Some people would sacrifice everything for love, but Leah undoubtedly has to say that she would sacrifice love for everything. No matter how much she loved Jordan.

After scrolling through the comments for a bit, Leah leaves Instagram and goes onto her contacts. She scrolls until she finds Katie’s name — which isn’t too far down — and presses the little phone call button.

It rings for a few moments before she hears Katie’s Irish voice on the other end.

”Leah?” She asks.

”Did you see the announcement?” Leah speaks.

”Well hello to you too.” Katie remarks.

”Yeah hey, did you see it?”

”What the one about Jordan? Course. I knew already, anyway.” 

“Well that’s just great.” Leah replies.

”Are you okay with it?”

”What, am I okay with my ex girlfriend and ex best friend moving back to be in the same club as me after being able to avoid her for over a year? Of course I am.” Leah says sarcastically.

Katie laughs sarcastically in reply. “Okay. Well, I’ve got to go. I have wag duties to attend to.” Katie jokes.

”Oh that’s right. Wish Caitlin luck for me.” Leah says kindly.

”Will do, bye.” Katie hangs up.

Leah exhales.

This is absolutely fine.

Leah can live with this. Definitely.

She can, can’t she?

Chapter Text

Leah walks into the changing room to be greeted with the girls being noisy as usual. It gave her a sense of comfort. She scanned the room quickly, with no sign of Jordan.

She walked over to where she usually kept her stuff, next to Lia. Leah put her bag down as Lia greeted her. “Hey,” she said with a smile.

“Hey,” Leah replied, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Lia stayed silent for a few seconds. “So…how’re you feeling about Jordan coming back?” She wonders.

This question makes Leah’s blood boil momentarily. She wants to say “how the fuck do you think?” at the top of her lungs, she wants to scream. But instead, Leah settles for squeezing her water bottle that hard her hand is almost shaking, the bottle is on the verge of breaking and her knuckles are turning a ghostly white.

”Yeah, no, i’m-i’m happy for her.” Leah gets out through a false smile and gritted teeth.

Lia doesn’t 100% believe her. Actually, she doesn’t believe her at all. Lia is one of the two people that absolutely understand how upset yet angry Leah was after her and Jordan broke up. The other being Kiera Walsh.

After tearing her ACL, Lia was always by her side. One night, Leah drank some wine (which she quite frankly really shouldn’t of) and got slightly drunk. Okay, more than slightly. She ended up sobbing onto Lia’s shoulder, saying the one person she wants to comfort her more than anything is Jordan. But she also said she hates her endlessly.

A few minutes go by, filled with small chatter between the two girls before the door opens again.

Leah looks over her shoulder to see who is walking in. Her eyes fall on Katie with her arm around Jordan's shoulder.

There’s only two lockers/cubbies left, and Leah prays to any and all God’s that Katie might just put her stuff next to her so that she has a few extra minutes to prepare herself for this awkward and absolutely terrifying interaction, but the other locker/cubby is next to Caitlin so all hope is lost.

As expected, Katie and Jordan nod and say something to eachother before splitting up and walking to opposite sides of the locker room.

Before she can be caught staring, Leah turns her head back so she’s not looking over her shoulder now and meets Lia’s knowing gaze. Leah tries to give a reassuring smile but fails.

When Jordan finally makes her way over next to the younger blonde, silence falls. She doesn’t dare speak, doesn’t dare screw up. She’s not going to let the ice crack, and Jordan doubts Leah will either.

Leah moves carefully and quietly. She makes sure their arms don’t touch, she makes sure she doesn’t get too much with-in Jordan’s proximity. She doesn’t make a single sound besides her light breathing.

After many long, silent minutes, Jordan clears her throat. Leah almost turns to look at her.

”So, Leah…how’ve you been?”

This question makes her blood boil. “How the bloody hell do you think, Jordan? you broke up with me because you didn’t think the distance would work. As if it wasn’t bad enough, you waited until the day before it was announced to the public to tell me, aswell.” Leah wants to say. Instead, she bites her lip, still refusing to look at the shorter woman. She’s rehearsed the conversation atleast a hundred times since she found out about the news.

”Yeah, I’ve been alright. Tearing my ACL wasn’t the best, but Y’know. I made it work. Besides that, I’ve been good.” Leah says eventually.

”I’m pleased. It’s nice to hear you’re happy. And I get the whole ACL thing, believe me, I do.” Jordan let’s her eyes flick to Leah’s face for just a second. Just as Jordan thought, she wasn’t met with those blue eyes that she loves loved.

Silence falls between the pair again and thankfully it’s only a few minutes more until Jonas comes and announces it’s time to hit the pitch for training.

They started basic, doing that weird warm-up where they kick their legs about whilst holding onto each-others arms.

Jordan and Katie went to eachother across the pitch from Leah, which slightly surprised her because usually Katie and Caitlin do this one together, but Caitlin also automatically went to Teyah.

Leah spotted Alessia near by so she made a beeline for the younger player.

”Do you wanna do this one with me?”

Alessia looked mildly unsure. She met Kyra’s eyes across the pitch, but she just nodded and began walking towards Steph.

”Sure.” Alessia smiles.

As the pair begin, Leah feels bad. “I’m sorry for taking you away from Kyra, Lessi. I panicked. I saw you straight away and you were furthest from where…Jordan is.” She apologises.

”It’s fine, i understand.” Alessia nods. Leah smiles and they continue doing the warm up.

Leah can definitely handle this. She just needs to avoid Jordan at all costs, and keep everything strictly professional, keeping her feelings buried deep inside her. Simple, right?

Chapter Text

It’d been over two weeks, and they’d barely even uttered a word to eachother. Leah didn’t know if that was a good thing, or a bad thing. She didn’t know if she’d be able to handle it. She could handle the casual “hello’s” and “how are you’s”, but only because she was professional. Anything not required due to her job, she couldn’t do. No small talk, nothing.

So, Leah spent the majority of those two weeks with Lia and Mariona. It felt like third wheeling a bit, but most of the rest of the team gravitated toward Jordan.

Katie and Caitlin of course did, meaning so did Kyra.

Leah expected Beth to, and she did, so Steph usually ended up with Jordan as well.

Laura, Alessia and Lotte were sort of 50/50. Sometimes Laura just followed Beth around, other times she did not. Alessia mostly just stuck with Kyra, but she also felt guilty, so she sometimes stayed with Leah. Lotte really changed who she went to every second day. She didn’t totally mind where she ended up. It was all the same to her, anyway. Viv was gone.

Most of the others didn’t really care where they go, they just ended up with Jordan, or on their own.

That day at lunch, Leah was sitting with Lia, Mariona, and Codina. Leah ate wordlessly, throwing a glance toward Jordan’s table every few minutes. Usually she’d be laughing with Katie or Caitlin. What is seriously so funny? The fact that Jordan left her for more game time to have a higher chance at going to the World Cup, just to get no minutes?

Lia tried to include Leah in the conversation, but she really couldn’t care less. She tried to involve herself, to actually pay attention to the words being said, but she just couldn’t.

Why was she being so petty, so annoyed? I mean, she knew why. Jordan left. But it’s been over a year, she should be over it. Jordan’s got Erin, she’s got Elle… They both moved on. What’s the point of being petty if the result is still the same?

“Listen, guys, I appreciate you always having room for me given… that situation, but I need to try and move on. I’m going over there.” Leah smiled.

”Oh. Are you ready for that?” Lia furrowed her brow slightly.

”Probably not. But what’s the point of being petty? The result remains the exact same.” Leah shrugged. She looked at the other three once more before getting up, grabbing her plate and walking away. There was a spare chair at Jordan’s table, so she made her way over. Once over there, all the table stared at her.

”Leah?” Beth asked.

”Yeah. Um, hi.” Leah paused. “Can I sit here?”

Katie and Caitlin looked at Jordan as she was sandwiched between them, an unsure look in their eyes. But to their surprise, Jordan responded.

“Yeah, of course.” Jordan said, a smile following.

As leah sat down, a grateful grin tugging at her lips, she felt a sense of… comfort. Sure, it’s not the same as it was, and may never be, but it’s normal. Comforting.

”We were just talking about our chances of winning something other than the Conti Cup this year.” Steph spoke up.

”A girl can dream.” Leah laughed, continuing to eat her lunch.

“That’s what I said!” Jordan exclaimed, surprised at how in sync they still were. Leah chuckled in surprise.

”No matter the outcome, this’ll always be my club, my home and my family, though.” Leah smiled.

”I’d say the same, but I left. I gave it all up.” Jordan looked down at her hands.

The table looked at her sadly, not saying anything. Why weren’t they saying anything? Do they blame her? Before Leah could stop herself, words were coming tumbling out of her mouth.

”Don’t do that to yourself, Jordan. You’re only human. You did the right thing. You left to a club where you’d get game time, so you could go to the World Cup. Maybe you got no minutes, but you still put in the effort. We don’t blame you, do we?” At all the scattered murmurs and collective nods, Leah continued. “See? So don’t blame yourself. We care for you just the same.”

Jordan looked at her, glossy eyes slightly wide.

”Do you mean that?” Jordan asked.

Leah looked back into the teary eyes, and smiled warmly. “Of course.”

Jordan smiled at that, and they got on with lunch and cheerful chatter.

Afterwards, they were in the locker room before making their ways to the gym. Leah was trying to make sure her and Jordan were the last two in the locker room. Of course she expected it to be a difficult task. Everyone would want to be with Jordan, and it’d be weird for them to be in a room on their own. But she still tried to give them privacy.

Eventually, pretty much everyone made an exit. So, Leah jumped at the opportunity infront of her.

”Jordan.” Leah said firmly, turning her whole body to look at the older woman.

”What?” Jordan asked, looking back at Leah.

”It’s just- I’m sorry, if it seemed I was giving you the cold shoulder. Maybe I was. But I’m still sorry. It’s just- you left me — us — behind, and I couldn’t ignore that fact, or put it aside to have normal conversations with you. I was just professional. But now, I’m ready to put in the work to… mend our friendship, kind of? I mean, we won’t get back to where we were straight away, but we can work our way to being somewhat like it. Just…not the girlfriend thing.” Leah rambled on.

Jordan raised her eyebrows. “I mean, I was almost certain we silently agreed to do that, with you sitting with me and that speech and all that. But anyway, it’s okay. I get it. I left you, I left my friends, I left this club. And if it hurt me how much it did, I can only imagine how it felt for you. After I left, I replayed the whole situation in my head but each time had the same outcome. Both of us heartbroken. But I’d be happy to try and fix the problem I caused. I’d be rather over the moon to be friends with you again.”

Leah smiled warmly. “I don’t want anything more.”

”I’m so glad.” Jordan grinned.

The both of them grabbed their water bottles and began the walk to the gym together. There was no tension, there was no unsaid words (except, maybe there was), there was no hurt feelings, and certainly no pettiness. Just Jordan and Leah, walking the halls like old times.

”So how’s Blu?”

Chapter Text

Leah walked into training the following day, met by Lia.

“Hey, Lia.” Leah smiled.

“Hi, Lee.” Lia responded.

They walked in silence.

“How did the whole Jordan thing go yesterday? I heard you talking after some silence, and it sounded like you were… defending her?” The Swiss woman looked puzzled.

“I suppose I was.” Leah shrugged. “We were talking about the chances of winning silverware other than the Conti Cup this year, and I said the chances are slim or something or other. Afterward, I said I’ll always love this club and this’ll always be my home. She said she wanted to say the same but she couldn’t because she left. She looked like she was about to cry, but everyone stayed dead silent. So, I took matters into my own hands.”

“Fair enough.” Lia nodded. “They don’t actually blame her, do they? I could never imagine Katie or Caitlin being mad at her.”

“If their nods in agreement are anything to go by, no, they are not mad at her. I’m still kind of bitter they stayed quiet, though.” Leah turned to Lia.

“Yeah, that’s a bit weird.” She agreed. There was a pause, and Leah stopped looking at the Swiss woman, before Lia spoke again. “So, anything else?”

Leah shrugged once more. “Well we were the last two in the locker room, so I spoke with her. I apologised for my cold shoulder and said I wanted to try and form a friendship with her again. She said she wanted that too.” A smile spread over her face, recalling the conversation she had with her ex.

“Oh.” Lia spoke. “I mean, that’s good. I’m glad. And it seems your ready, so, not too concerned on that front.”

“What exactly do you mean by that?” Leah wondered as they entered the locker room.

“Well, just, she’s your ex-girlfriend and all. I know how you were and what you said when fresh out of your ACL and stuff, you know.” Lia shrugged, putting her bag away.

“Well, it’s been over a year now, Lia. We’ve both moved on. There’s no hurt nor hard feelings. There’s an understanding between us, that being we’re ready to forgive each other for how we hurt the other. I know what I said during the early days of my ACL recovery when you moved in with me… but it’s different now.” Leah smiled once again.

Finally, Jordan walked in the door.

“That’s my cue.” Lia said.

“Your cue? Why? What do you mean?” Leah spoke hurriedly.

“Well, your friend is here. Also, I haven’t seen Mariona yet.” Lia quickly walked away.

As Jordan walked over to where her cubby was, Leah’s mind wandered. Why was Lia acting like that? So… bitter? She assumed her friend would be happy they were working their crap out opposed to being very awkward. But on the other hand, she understood. Her friend was worried. She did hear what Leah was saying when fresh out of her ACL. But Leah was right. There was understanding, and forgiveness, and no romantic feelings. History wouldn’t be repeating itself any time soon. Also, Lia can’t really talk. She’s friends with her ex.

“Lee?”

Jordan’s voice snapped Leah out of her thoughts.

“Hm?” She hummed in reply.

“Are you alright?” Jordan asked. “You’ve been staring at your bag silently for, like, thirty seconds.”

Leah looked at her… friend. “I’m sorry. Just… thinking.”

“I don’t really know why you’re apologising, but, it’s fine.” Jordan grinned. “I was just kind of concerned.”

“Oh. Right. Yeah. I’m fine.” Leah nodded and offered a smile.

“You sure?” Jordan’s quirked an eyebrow up.

“Positive.” Leah assured Jordan. She could never tell her exactly what she was thinking about.

“Alright. If you say so.” Jordan turned around and began walking away. She quickly stopped and turned back around. “You coming?” She asked, gesturing with a crook of her finger. Leah looked puzzled for a moment before shrugging and following.

To absolutely no one’s surprise, Jordan was going over to where Katie and Caitlin were. Caitlin’s head was resting on Katie’s shoulder, one of Katie’s hand was resting on Caitlin’s thigh, and they were quietly chattering to each other.

“Late night last night, was it?” Jordan teased.

“You can say that.” Katie nodded.

“What exactly were you doing?” Leah smirked.

“Not what you have in mind.” Katie chuckled.

“If you don’t want to admit it, we could just check your whoop band. See if it says any late night cardio.” Jordan shared a glance with Leah. They both tried to hide their smiles as they continued teasing the couple.

“If you really must know, we were up until half past ten playing Uno.” Caitlin said, looking up at the two blondes.

“And you just so happen to be tireder than her, Cait?” Leah raised her eyebrows.

“I may or may not have been up an extra two hours doing something else…” Caitlin hid her face in Katie’s shoulder. Speaking of her girlfriend, she was a smirking mess.

“Oh. I thought maybe you were just the more active, passionate one…” Jordan looked at her feet.

“No!” Katie exclaimed louder than intended. “I mean, no.” She spoke quieter that time.

“Even if I was, do you really think we’d be talking about it with you guys?” Caitlin wondered.

“Probably not.” Leah answered.

“Exactly.” Caitlin replied.

The two other girls admitted defeat just in time to be called outside toward the training pitch.

They all walked outside, Leah, Jordan, Katie and Caitlin remaining in a small group.

The quad walked along the path, quietly chattering to eachother. Some bantering and teaisng words followed, then some more serious conversations.

“Jordan, do you think you’ll get playing time?” Katie wondered.

Jordan’s smile faltered, but she quickly replied. “Well, that’s what Jonas promsed me when he asked me back. So.”

Leah took note of that reaction and changed the subject.

Soon enough they reached the pitch and switched out their trainers for cleats. Jonas announced paired warm ups, followed by some paired training, and then proper training. Jordan was gonna go with Katie once again, but her feet took her elsewhere.

“Leah.” She spoke, walking up to the other blonde.

“Jordan?” Leah raised her eyebrows,

“Wanna be my partner?” Jordan offered with a smile. Leah smiled back.

“Course.” She replied. Not the reply Jordan was anticipating, to be fair.

“Great!”

Jonas announced their first usual warm up, and Jordan and Leah grabbed onto eachother’s arms. As their legs started swinging about, Leah started speaking quietly.

“What Katie asked earlier, about you getting playing time…” she trailed off. “You’re more worried than what you let on, aren’t you?”

Jordan thought for a moment, considering her answer. “Yes. I am. I left here to get guaranteed playing time, which I wasn’t getting here, but I was able to get at Villa. And that’s what happened. I wanted to get called up for England more so I could get a spot in the World Cup squad, and I did, but I didn’t get playing time. It’s been, I guess, almost a year since I last got called up for country. So over the summer, whilst watching you guys qualify for the Euros I thought; what’s the point? And Jonas offered me a contract. He promised me playing time, so I signed it. But I’m worried what he said isn’t truthful. I’m worried I won’t get played.”

Leah pursed her lips, looking at Jordan carefully. They switched legs. “He’d be stupid not to play you, you know. You’ve got such talent, Jordan. And you’ve got such a legacy here… why wouldn’t he want to play you, besides being stupid?”

Jordan smiled. “You’re right. Of course I’ll get played.”

But Jordan still had her doubts. He got rid of the Vivianne Miedema. Why would he play her?

Training sailed by smoothly, and soon enough the players were told they were to head back to the building to get ready for gym time. They put this trainers back on and all got on the patch again.

Jordan, Leah, Caitlin and Katie walked together again, but were joined by Kyra this time.

“Oh, looks who is here! The pest!” Caitlin announced with false annoyance.

Katie wrapped her arm around Kyra’s shoulders. “Nice pest, though.”

Kyra grinned cheekily.

“You’re only saying that because she’s the younger version of you, Katie.”
Leah deadpanned.

“So what if I am?” Katie asked with a grin.

Jordan made her way to the other side of Kyra.

“Hey, Jordan.” Kyra greeted as if it was the first time she’d seen her since training ended.

“Hi.” Jordan said skeptically.

In reply, Kyra simply stuck her tongue out.

“Cheeky!” Jordan’s eyes widened. “You are so lucky I like you, mini McCabe.”

“Oh believe me, I know.” Kyra smirked.

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.