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Leah leaned against the wall of the locker room, arms crossed tightly over her chest. The distant sound of laughter and celebration fading away. She should have been happy—they’d won the match, Alessia had scored twice, and the team was buzzing with energy. But Leah couldn’t shake the weight pressing down on her. The sight of Alessia wasn’t enough to lift Leah’s spirits. Not after him.
She stared at her boots, trying to drown out the memory of Patrick walking onto the pitch, arms open, that easy grin plastered across his face as he congratulated Alessia.
Leah had seen him before, of course. Heard about him. Alessia always mentioned him casually, like it was nothing, just a small part of her life. But seeing them together, Patrick placing his hands on Alessia’s waist, leaning in to kiss her—Leah had felt the ground shift beneath her feet.
She had been in love with Alessia for as long as she could remember. But Alessia didn’t know. And why would she? Leah had always been so careful, hiding behind casual smiles and light banter. Alessia was radiant, untouchable, and surely oblivious.
Alessia had never looked happier.
And Leah had never felt worse.
The dinner invitation was tucked under a pile of letters on Leah’s kitchen table. She hadn’t planned on going, but Steph had called her out during training. “Don’t be boring, Williamson. You’re coming. End of story.”
Leah regretted it the moment she stepped into the restaurant. The room was filled with familiar faces, teammates and their partners laughing and mingling under the golden lights. Leah spotted Alessia almost instantly.
She was wearing a gorgeous dress. A silky, beautiful emerald-green colour, that hugged her figure in a way that made Leah’s breath catch. Her hair was down, loose curls tumbling over her shoulders, and her smile lit up the entire room.
Leah didn’t notice Patrick at first. Not until Alessia turned, laughing at something he’d whispered in her ear, her hand brushing his arm. He stood there, with his hand resting at the small of Alessia’s back.
Leah quickly turned toward the bar, ordering something stronger than she normally would. She felt Kim’s eyes on her but ignored it, muttering an excuse about being fine.
Alessia noticed Leah’s strange mood almost immediately. She always did. Leah had been quieter than usual, her smiles thinner and her laughter forced.
Even now, as Alessia caught glimpses of her across the room, Leah seemed distant, avoiding her gaze. Alessia excused herself from Patrick’s side, weaving through the crowd until she reached Leah, who was nursing a drink in the corner.
“Hey,” Alessia said, touching Leah’s arm lightly.
Leah startled, almost spilling her drink. “Hey, Less.”
“You okay?” Alessia asked, tilting her head.
Leah’s eyes darted past Alessia, catching sight of Patrick a few feet away. He was talking to one of their teammates, seemingly unaware of Alessia’s absence.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Leah said, her voice tight. “Just a bit tired.”
Alessia frowned. She wasn’t convinced, but Leah’s gaze was so guarded that she didn’t push.
“You look amazing, by the way,” Leah added after a beat, her voice softer.
Alessia flushed, caught off guard. “Thanks. So do you.”
But Leah only nodded with a small smile, her eyes flickering to Patrick again before she excused herself, disappearing into the crowd.
Finally home after the dinner ended, Leah lay sprawled on her bed, staring at the cracks in the ceiling. The room was dark except for the faint glow of her phone screen, which she hadn’t touched in hours. The soft hum of rain against the windows filled the silence, a sound she usually found soothing, but not tonight.
She replayed the scene from the dinner over and over, Alessia in that emerald dress, her smile brighter than the lights in the restaurant. Leah had caught herself staring too many times. And then there was Patrick, with his hand on Alessia’s back. He had it all. The girl, the confidence and the security to hold Alessia close without a second thought.
Leah groaned, turning onto her side. She hated this feeling—the ache in her chest, the helplessness. She’d tried everything to distract herself. Scrolling aimlessly through Instagram, flipping channels on the TV, even mentally running through formations for their next match, but none of it worked.
Her phone buzzed, dragging her out of her thoughts. A message from Lia popped up: “Movie night at mine tomorrow? You’re bringing snacks.”
Leah ignored it, tossing the phone onto the nightstand. She couldn’t face Lia right now, couldn’t face anyone. Another groan escaped her lips as she pressed a pillow over her face, her frustration bubbling over. “Get over it,” she muttered, her voice muffled. “She’s happy. That’s what matters.”
But it wasn’t enough. Not when she’d spent years swallowing her feelings, telling herself it wasn’t the right time or she didn’t have a chance.
The rain outside intensified, the rhythmic patter turning into a steady downpour. Leah shifted again, her blankets tangling around her legs. She couldn’t sleep, couldn’t think straight. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Alessia—her smile, her eyes, her everything.
And the thought of Patrick kissing her goodnight, of him being the one to hold her, was like a weight crushing her chest.
Leah sat up abruptly, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She couldn’t stay like this, trapped in her own head. She had to do something.
Before she could stop herself, she was on her feet, grabbing her hoodie and slipping into her trainers. Her car keys sat on the kitchen counter, she hesitated for half a second, the rational part of her brain telling her to sit back down, to breathe, to wait until morning.
But she was done waiting.
The rain hit her full force the second she stepped outside, the cold drops plastering her hair to her forehead, but she didn’t care.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, Leah started the car, her hands gripping the wheel tightly. The windshield wipers worked overtime as she navigated the dark and empty streets. Each turn felt automatic, her mind blank except for one thought: Alessia.
Leah didn’t even realize she’d arrived until she saw the familiar outline of Alessia’s house. The porch light was on and Patrick’s car wasn’t in the driveway. A wave of relief washed over her, followed quickly by a jolt of fear.
Her knuckles turned white against the steering wheel as she sat there, the engine still running. What was she doing? Showing up unannounced in the middle of the night, soaked to the bone, and pouring her heart out like some dramatic film character? Alessia might laugh, she might pity her.
But the alternative, keeping her feelings locked up forever, was worse.
Leah killed the engine, the sudden silence deafening. The rain still pounded against the car roof, but her mind was made up. She stepped out, the cold biting at her skin, and made her way up the path to the door.
Her heart hammered in her chest as she raised her fist, hesitating for a moment.
This was crazy.
But then the door swung open, and there was Alessia, standing in sweatpants and a hoodie, her hair damp from a shower, and with a confusing look on her face.
“Leah?” she said, her voice laced with concern.
“I can’t do this anymore,” Leah said, her voice breaking. “I can’t stand by and watch you with him.”
“What are you—”
“I love you,” Leah interrupted, the words spilling out in a rush. “I’ve loved you for so long, and I tried to bury it, to ignore it, but I can’t. I see you with him, and it’s killing me, Alessia.”
Alessia stared at her, shock written all over her face.
Leah’s heart pounded. “I can’t keep pretending. I’ve loved you for so long, and I know I should’ve said something sooner, but I was so scared. I didn’t think I had a chance.”
“Leah…” Alessia’s voice was barely a whisper.
“I know you don’t feel the same way,” Leah continued, her voice breaking. “And I don’t want to ruin things between us, but I couldn’t stay quiet anymore. I had to tell you I love you.”
Alessia stepped forward, the rain splashing around her bare feet. Her eyes were glistening, her breath shaky. “You… you love me?”
Leah nodded, tears mixing with the rain on her cheeks. “I always have.”
For a moment, Alessia just stared at her. Then, before Leah could say another word, Alessia surged forward, wrapping her arms around Leah’s neck and kissing her like it was the only thing she’d ever wanted to do.
Leah froze, her mind struggling to catch up, but then her hands found Alessia’s waist, pulling her closer. The rain poured down around them, soaking their clothes, but neither of them cared.
The kiss was urgent, tearful, and all-consuming. Leah felt the weight of her heartbreak lift as she held Alessia close.
When they finally broke apart, Alessia’s forehead rested against Leah’s, her lips trembling with a smile. “I thought… I thought you’d never feel the same way,” she whispered.
“How could I not?” Leah replied, her voice thick with emotion.
Alessia laughed softly, a sound filled with relief and joy.
“I’ve been in love with you forever,” Alessia said, her hands still cupping Leah’s face. “I just didn’t think you’d ever…”
Leah kissed her again, cutting off her words. This time, it was slower, deeper, as if they had all the time in the world.
“Come inside,” Alessia murmured, when they reluctantly pulled apart again.
Leah nodded, following her, her heart lighter than it had been in years.