The next few weeks came and gone and now we are reaching the tail end of the season, this is what's left:
Manchester Derby in league
3 more League games
Manchester Derby in Conti Cup final
FA Cup final vs Arsenal
My time at City is slowly coming to an end. These next weeks are the biggest of the season. If we win our next four league games, we will win the league. If we don't, Chelsea could win.
We can't mess up now and today is the start of these final weeks. But before we get into that let's talk about my future..
I have a verbal agreement in place with Barcelona over a three year deal with the option to extend for a further year as does Ona. Once this season ends we will head over to Spain and sign our contracts as Barcelona players. Me and Ona will achieve our dream together.
Just two Spanish rivals about to live their dream.
Today is Derby Day. The third derby of the season and this one is in the league. Today we need a win because Chelsea won yesterday so if we don't win, they will stay first, a draw isn't good enough either. It's a win or nothing.
******
The first half of the game was quick and pretty open. No one had scored and i wasn't starting. But at half time Gaz put me on for Hayley. Time to do this.
"Manchester City have made the first change of the game. Jessica Lopez in, Hayley Raso out"
"This is a smart substitution to make. I'm really surprised that Jessica didn't start this game. Her game time since she announced she would be leaving has been fairly limited and has came from the bench nine times out of ten"
"More on her move. What do you think about it, Alex?"
"I'm really pleased for her. I've spoke to her a few times about her dreams and ambitions and Barcelona has always come up. She's a teenager who grew up with a dream to play for Barcelona one day and at Sixteen she decided that if she wanted that she had to show that she deserved it, so she did, she moved over here and three years later she's getting her dream move. I think she will smash it over there! She has an incredible partnership with the Spanish Barcelona players and i can't wait to see them link up. I'm really, really happy for her"
"Will this Manchester City side struggle without her?"
"Quite possibly, yes. Although they have the likes of Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Jess Park, Janine Beckie and Hayley Raso who are able to take up any position on the wing, Jessica will be a huge miss. Her determination to drive at players and take them on is amazing. Her technical ability is breathtaking and her decision making is second to none! She's such a mature player at such a young age and i think any team in the world would be lucky to have her. She's received a lot of offers and that's why. She is a special, special player"
The game didn't change much until the 55th minute. I was driving at Ona and she took me down on the edge of the box as she clipped my ankle.
"Shit. Are you okay?"
A slightly panicked Ona asked.
"I'm alright. Don't worry, you didn't hurt me"
I smiled and took her hand as she helped me off the ground. I patted her back and gave her a smile before she went and made a wall with some of the other United players.
I placed the ball where the ref had marked and stood beside it with Alex and Caz.
"Who's taking it?"
Alex asked as we huddled around the ball.
"I will"
"Go for it. Make it count"
Caz gave me an encouraging smile before leaving me to it. I picked the ball up and placed it perfectly.
I took a few steps back and one to my left. I took a deep breath and waited for the ref to blow her whistle.
3...2...1... I ran to the ball and hit it with the side of my foot, aiming towards the top right corner of the goal. The ball curled around the wall and landed perfect into the top right corner of the goal. That's definitely a personal best for me.
I ran to the City fans and blew them a kiss before my teammates piled on top of me.
"JESSICA LOPEZ, OMG, THAT WAS FLAWLESS"
After my teammates eventually got off of me we began walking back to our half.
"When i said make it count, i didn't expect you to go that hard"
Caz said as she threw her arm around me.
"Got to give the City fans something to remember, don't i?"
I smiled at the Scottish girl.
"Don't worry, no one here will ever forget our Spanish Magician. You're in the record books here. Fastest goal scored in City's history" Yeah i scored a goal 7 seconds into a game. Don't ask how because i don't actually know. "City's youngest ever player to score in ever competition. The youngest player to score a hat trick, and not to forget you're one of the top goal scorers in the history of this club. Don't worry about being forgotten because i can guarantee you that you won't ever be forgotten over here"
I smiled at Caz sweetly before she ran back to midfield.
The game ended 1-0 to us and i scored the match winner. I celebrated with my team and spoke to some of the United players before i approached the one and only Ona Batlle.
"Heyyy, looks like you will be telling me something tonight"
I smirked at her and she just playfully rolled her eyes and blushed.
"I guess so. Where do you want to go?"
"How about your place and depending on what happens we could maybe go somewhere else"
"That's fine by me. I'll meet you outside?"
"I'll be there"
I began to walk away but Ona grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. I fell into her arms but didn't move and either did she. We were in the middle of the pitch and i was in her arms, the fans around us were watching with smiles on their faces and our teammates were smirking at us.
"That was one hell of a goal"
"Thank you for giving away the free kick"
I smirked and she playfully slapped me.
"It won't happen again"
"Let's hope not for your sake"
I ran away from her and was told i was wanted for an interview.
******
"Tough first half, even tougher second half but your team came out on top, how would you sum up todays performance?"
I feel like a manager right now. This is a manager question.
"I thought the girls worked hard and we got the well deserved three points"
"What was the message at half time?"
"To keep going, don't give up and put the ball in the back of the net"
"A little on your goal now, where did that come from?"
I chuckled lightly.
"I couldn't tell you. That was definitely one of my better goals. I was surprised by it and so were my teammates, it was a good finished, eh?"
"It was indeed. When you celebrated you blew a kiss towards your fans, why?"
"Because i love them and i hope they will continue to love me. The fans here are the best i've ever seen and they will always hold a special place in my heart"
"Getting into the tail end of the season, what's next?"
"We keep winning and hopefully end the season with a few trophies to our name"
"Will the goodbye be emotional?"
"Goodbyes are always emotional but this one will be hard"
"Thank you for your time"
"Welcome"
After my interview i went into the locker room and quickly got changed.
"Going somewhere?"
Vicky said as her and Ruby came over to me.
"Yeah, home"
"With anyone in particular?"
Ruby asked while smirking.
"Maybe a certain Spanish fullback"
Both girls smirked.
"Guys! Jessica is going home with Ona!!"
Ruby said which caught the attention of everyone in the room.
"Awwww. Why don't you make it official already?"
Asked Lauren.
"Because i don't know how she feels"
"Girl, please. Ona looks at you like you're the only person in the world. That girl is so in love with you. Even when you were in her arms after the game, her eyes were sparking as she looked at you, not to forget how panicked she was when she fouled you"
Keira challenged.
"Go get your girl, Mini Spain"
Janine yelled.
"Mini Spain?"
"Yeah, like me, Alexia, Jenni, Patri. We're all big Spain and you're mini Spain"
Vicky said.
"But who am i most like? There can only be one big Spain"
I asked which made all of the girls stop what they were doing and think.
"Aitana or Alexia"
Lucy said first.
"Why? They're both midfielders"
I said arguing against Lucy's answer.
"You can play in midfield and both Aitana and Alexia know how to score"
Keira said sticking up for her girlfriend.
"Okay, i guess you guys are right. Anyway, i really need to go"
"Have fun with your girlfriend!"
Everyone yelled as i left the locker room to meet up with Ona.
...