Part 1

I'm what you'd call a pretty regular girl. I'm 19 years old, I go to uni and I'm currently working as a physio for the squad. Ok, so it's not exactly regular, but it's fun. I get to muck about with the guys, watch them get all sweaty and rub them down when they get injured. Which is a lot to be honest. They're a pretty rough bunch.

I have one best friend in the squad - . I've known him my whole life and I love him to bits. So much, that I followed him here from . He was my best friend there too, regardless of the fact that he's older than me. We dated for a while when I was 16, but my parents put a stop to that pretty fast. They didn't approve of him. Apparently, he's too old and in the wrong job. 'Footballers are all the same . He cares about you now, and when he finds another girl, he'll forget all about you and move on. Then it's you that'll have to nurse a broken heart.' Of course, wasn't like that, he was my best friend. I knew I could trust him. At least, I thought I could. Not long after my parent's succeeded in splitting us up, he moved to , and it was a full two years before I saw him again. So of course, my parents were right. It would be me stuck at home nursing a broken heart while he went off to live the dream.

By the time I was finishing college, he was a star. All of my friends were madly in love with him and had pictures of him on their bedroom walls. Of course, it didn't bother them at all that he now played for the enemy. He was God in their eyes. None of them ever stopped to think how much he'd hurt me by breaking up with me and moving. Naturally, when it came to applying for universities, was the first place that popped into my head. I knew my parent's weren't going to be happy, but I was past caring. I knew that I couldn't go on like this, I needed to see him in the flesh. I needed things to go back to how they used to be, when it was just me and him without a care in the world.

*Flashback*

"Mum, I'm going next door to see ." "Have you done all your homework?" "Yes, mum!" "Ok, then you have an hour." "But mum..." "No buts . He's bound to be tired and you've got school tomorrow." I rolled my eyes as I left the house and practically skipped across the lawn to next door. I rang the doorbell, tapping my foot impatiently as I waited for him to open the door. He eventually did and I threw myself at him. " ! I missed you so much." He spun me round as I buried my face in his neck, taking in his smell. "Nice as it is to see you , do you think you could let me get dressed?" I let go of him and slid to the ground, only now realising that he was wearing nothing more than a towel. "And preferably let me dry myself off next time I come out of the shower rather than using you as a towel." "Deal." "In that case, come in. I'm just going to get some trousers."

When he still wasn't back five minutes later, I decided to see where he was. I made my way up the stairs, stopping outside his room and knocking on the door. He didn't answer so I pushed it open and stepped in. He was stood at the far end with his back to me. I walked over, wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my head against his back. He loosened my grip on him, turning around and wrapping his arms around me. We stood there in silence for several minutes before a photo on his wall caught my eye. I pulled away from him, stepping closer to inspect it. I gasped as I realised what it was. " !" "What?" "You can't have that photo on you wall! What if my parents see it?" "Babe, what the hell would your parents be doing in my room? Besides, that picture is hot." "You can't say that either." "Why not? It's true. It's a hot picture of a hot girl who happens to be my half naked best friend." I leaned back into his embrace as he kissed my neck. "I thought we agreed that this can't happen." "No, you said it, I didn't agree. And judging by your reaction, neither do you." I turned around to be met with his lips. "Ok, fine, but that photo has got to go. If I have to look at myself in just my underwear every time I'm here, I think I might go crazy." "Can I carry it around with me then?" "As long as no one else gets to see it. Ever!" I hugged him, sneaking a quick peek at the clock. "Shit! I have to go, mum's expecting me home in five minutes, if I'm not back she'll come here." "Ok. If you have to go..." "Come and pick me up from school tomorrow?" "Alright, but it's gonna have to be quick, cos I've got training." Ooh, can I come?" "So I can watch the rest of the squad flirt with you. I don't think so." I fluttered my eyelashes. "Please! I haven't seen the guys for ages, I miss them. And we'll just have to find a way to stop them flirting, won't we?" "Oh yeah? Anything in particular?" I shrugged. "Just this." I stood on tiptoes, pressing my lips firmly against his. "I'll see you tomorrow." "Bye ." I ran down the stairs and out through the front door, turning briefly to blow him a kiss as I rushed to get back home before my hour was up.

*End of flashback*

Part 2

I closed my eyes, trying to squeeze out the unshed tears as I remembered what it had been like back then. I loved spending time with the guys, I loved spending time with . He made me so happy back then, and all I’d wanted was the feeling to last. How was I supposed to know that my parents were planning on stopping me from seeing him? How was I supposed to know that they knew about my relationship with him? I didn’t think it was any of their business, but never dared tell them that. I thought I was old enough to make my own decisions, and that I could stop myself from getting hurt by him. Instead, they did everything they could to make sure that was exactly what happened, so I’d never want to see him again. And it very nearly worked.

I know I have fun with the squad now, but it’s just not the same. The only one I know from before is , and even he’d changed. I missed the days when it was the guys and me just mucking about during training, and their manager getting pissed off with me but never saying I couldn’t go to anymore training sessions. Like the last training session I ever spent with them as a team before the unthinkable happened and they went down. The last time I saw wearing a kit, and with a real smile on his face. The last time I had a real smile on my face. Him kicking the ball around and having fun. Him getting jealous over the other guys talking to me. Him booting a ball straight into 's stomach because he gave me a hug. That's the times I want to go back to.

*Flashback*

had promised to pick me up from school today, so where was he? Just as I was getting ready to walk home, his skidded round the corner and came to a stop in front of the school gates. He got out of the car, pulling his cap down even further and gave me a quick hug before opening the door for me. “Sorry I’m late, I overslept.” “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten. And what are you doing sleeping at 3 in the afternoon?” “I was tired. Come on, we’re late already, the gaffer’s gonna blow his top.” “That’s not my fault. You’re the one who overslept.” I got in the passenger seat and fastened my seatbelt. “you don’t need a seatbelt love, it’s only two minutes down the road.” “ , I know what your driving’s like, k, babe. I’d like to live to see my 17th birthday if it’s all the same to you.”

Ok, so the training ground is slightly more than two minutes away, but with his driving, he could probably get us there in less than one. And very nearly did. So obviously, the minute I got out of the car, everything was spinning and I felt a bit sick. Which he knew, so he helped me stand up straight and wrapped an arm around me, walking me in until I got my bearings back. “You ok?” “Yeah, I’ll be fine. No thanks to you, mister.” “Sorry. I’ll make it up to you later.” “Oh yeah? I like the sound of that.” I leaned towards him, and our lips were just about to meet when a shout interrupted us. “ ! You’re late! Get your backside in training or you’re doing 20 laps on your own. Good to see you again .” I smiled as bit his lip and gave me a scared look. “you’ll be fine. Now, you’d better do as he says or you’ll be in trouble.”

After two hours of hard work, the guys were finally allowed to muck about and just kick the ball around. Which naturally meant that I was allowed to go and join them rather than watching from a distance. I love training with them, despite the fact that they’re all pro’s. they go easy on me cos I’m the only girl and cos they know would kill them if they hurt me. As I placed the ball on the spot, I could feel their eyes on me, willing me to miss. I took the run up, swung my foot at the ball and held my breath as it flew into the back of the net. “And she scores!” I giggled as I was mobbed by the entire squad, then screamed as I felt my foot get caught under them. “Ow, guys, foot!” They all got up and came over, giving my ankle a quick rub. “Better?” “Yeah, thanks.” I smiled at him as he helped me to my feet. “heads up!” I turned around to see standing over the ball. He took a huge run up and blasted the ball. I watched in shock as it flew through the air, smacking straight into . “Sorry mate.” waved away and he came over to me, giving me a quick hug. “That was cruel!” “What?” “He was only being nice. No flirting involved! Green eyed monster anyone?” “I apologised. He knows there’s no hard feelings. Now come on, before your parents kill me twice over for dragging you down here when you’re meant to be studying."

Part 3

He drove me back home and i was just about to jump out of the car and run down the driveway into my house when i felt his hand on my arm. "oi, don't i get a kiss for driving you home. i didn't have to you know, i could have just left you there." "sorry babe." I leaned over and pressed my lips firmly against his. his arm hooked around my neck, not letting me pull away and i raised my hand to his face, feeling the rough stubble on my fingertips. i then placed both hands on his chest, pushing him back slightly so i could talk. "as much as i'd love to stay here forever, my parents are waiting for me. i'd better get back before world war three breaks out." he smiled at me, nodding his head slightly as he pulled away.

*end of flashback*

god, that smile had the power to make me go weak at the knees even back then. what made it even more special was that i knew it was just for me. everyone else got the trademark cheeky grin. i was the only one that got the heartfelt, genuine smile that was on his face every time we were together. the smile that told me i didn't need to worry about anything, he was mine and no-one else's. from the first time i saw that smile, i was hooked. i knew i had to get with this guy somehow and the age gap didn't bother me at all. it only bothered everyone around us, which is the main reason we were so careful when we were together. the only place we could really be ourselves was the training ground. the other guys didn't care what we got up to. it was our business. shame my parents couldn't take a leaf out of their book.

" , came and help me in the kitchen please." "Ok, mum. i'll be right down." i pulled my hair back into a ponytail and ran downstairs to help my mum with the dinner. "you and seem to be spending a lot of time together. i don't mind, but you need to keep up with your studies." "i am. i just hardly ever get to see him these days, what with him being away with the squad all the time." "that must be hard for you. him being away all the time." "yeah, but its not like he'll be gone forever. its only for a few days at a time." "i don't want you going round there anymore." i stopped chopping the onions and looked up at her in shock. "What?" "the whole street knows . everyone but me and your father." "knows about what?!" i snapped, exasperated, bu scared at the same time. "that you and him are together." i gaped at here, my mouth opening and closing while i thought of something to say. how had she found out about us, we were so careful! "Marcie across the road saw you earlier in his car. she called me up right away and told me." "well, marcie can mind her own bloody business. i'm 16, i can do whatever the hell i want." "yes, and i'd like to point out that he's 21, and a lot more experienced than you are. it'll end badly and i want you to stop seeing him right away." "no! i like being with him, i like the way he makes me feel. i'm not breaking it off." i heard the slap long before i felt it, and cursed myself as i felt the tears stinging my eyes. "you will do as you're told, or i'll make sure you never see him again." "you can't do that!" "Just watch me! you're 16 years old . you're not old enough to know what you want. i'm not standing by and watching my only daughter throw her life away for some lowlife thug of a footballer." "don't call him that!" i screamed, long past caring how much of a beating i was going to get for this later. "i want to be with him and you can't stop me." "I can and i will. you bring shame on this family." "i'm not the one that had an affair with my best friend's husband. i don't know why dad took you back. you're just a lying whore. i hate you!" "for your sake, i'm going to pretend i didn't hear that. now get back to your room, and if i find out that you've been in touch with , i'll make you wish you'd never been born."

*end of flashback*

of course, i was never going to listen to what she said. i was never going to break it off. we just had to be more careful about when we were together. we couldn't afford any more 'marcie' incidents.

"Hey you! where are you off to all dressed up like that?" I turned around to face my best friend, trying hard to ignore the fact that his tongue was hanging out of his mouth and he was in serious danger of tripping over it. "if you must know, i have a date." "a date?!" i rolled my eyes and laughed as his face suddenly turned serious. "you're not going out with one of this lot are you? because that would just be so wrong and highly unprofessional." "relax. i'm just meeting the girls for a few drinks. you're welcome to come along." "but i don't drink. you know that!" "so you don't want to spend time with me? that's fine, i'll see you back home then. well, actually, if there's any cute guys there..." "I didn't say i wasn't coming. i just said i don't drink." i ruffled his hair playfully and he grabbed me around the waist to stop me doing any further damage. "then i'll buy the baby a lemonade, ok?" "whatever. but no going home with strange men." " , babe, i go home with you everyday, don't i?" "shut it, you!" his arms were still tightly wrapped around me as he walked me to his car. "yo might have to let me go now." he shook his head, sticking his bottom lip out in a typical sulky pout. "well, you can't drive with me sat on your lap, we wouldn't fit." he simply shrugged and hugged me even tighter. "Oi, get a room. you two are so obvious! got, could you just like, screw and get it over with." let his arms drop from my waist and we both turned around to see who had shouted. " , mind your own mate, or i'll boot the ball at you again! remember that?" "i was only joking, jeeze. anyone would think that you two were serious about each other or something." he walked off to his own car, shaking his head and supressing the occasional snort of laughter as me and continued our conversation about the drinks.

meanwhile, seemed to have completely forgotten about me meeting the girls and wrapped his arms around me again, kissing my neck. "you know, for all the bullshit that comes out of his mouth, makes some good points. how about we go back home now?" "we can't, i'm meeting the girls remember?" he gently nibbled my ear lobe and pushed me further towards the car, slipping his hand under the waistband of my skirt. " !" i hissed, feeling embarassed that he was doing this in public where anyone could see. "what? i'm horny as hell and you won't come home. it has to happen somewhere." "not here! get in the car." "promise we're going home?" "yes. now get in the damn car!" i marched over to the other side of the and got in, my face flushed with embarassment. he got into the driver's seat and closed the door, leaning across for a quick kiss before putting his seatbelt on and turning the key in the ignition. "you're gorgeous when you're embarassed." "just drive. i don't want to be late." i smiled at him and rested a hand on his knee to show that there were no hard feelings. As soon as we got home, it was a frantic race against time to actually make it through the front door before anything happened. once we were in though, it was a different story. his shirt was already half off before we'd even closed the door and my skirt was casually discarded among the pile of clothes in the landing. i heard my mobile ringing from somewhere in that pile and tried to reach it, but slammed a hand on the doorframe either side of me to stop me moving as his lips once again angrily searched out mine. "Leave it!" "it might be the girls." "i don't care. you're not leaving me in this state." he kissed my neck, gently biting down on the sensitive skin and i moaned as i raked my nails along his smooth back. "you know, those two years were the worst of my life." "then why did you leave?" "i had to. but that doesn't mean i didn't miss you like mad." "i missed you too."

Part 5

Me and had been through a lot togather. We'd been through a lot apart as well. We always knew we'd end up sorting our differences out and fix it all. Being apart from him made me realise just what i had. It made me see that i never wanted to lose him, regardless of what happened in our lives. I'd come too close to losing him once, i wasn't going through that again. I didn't care what my mum said or did. If I had listened, I wouldn't be here now.

*Flashback*

"Hey you." "Where are we going?" "It's a secret. But you'll like it, I promise." I let him put a blindfold on me, trusting him completely. It didn't make me any less curious though, and i carried on pestering him to tell me where he was taking me. " !" "No! You'll just have to wait and see." After what seemed like an eternity, he finally let go of my hands and pulled the blindfold away. "You brought me to ? , I've been here a million times before." "look closer!" I sighed, slightly disappointed that after all the secrecy, this was the best he could come up with, but I did as i was told. "Oh my god! ! That's...how did you manage that?" The seats in the main stand spelled out 'I love you'. "I was owed a favour. They're keeping them like that until the end of the season." "I love you too." We stood in the middle of the ground, arms wrapped around each other until the sun started setting. "I'd better get you back home before your parents get back. It wouldn't do us any good to get caught now, would it?"

*End of flashback*

I smiled at the memory, wondering when he was going to have enough favours to do the same thing in . "What's so funny?" "Nothing. I was just thinking about what you did at with the seats. You never do anything that romantic anymore." "Well, maybe i just dont feel like being romantic anymore. Look, , you know I love you. I don't think you need a bunch of seats in a footbll stadium to spell it out for you." "No, but it would be nice to have the whole world know it too." "The whole world already knows. I tell you often enough in front of the guys, they tell their girlfriends, and their girlfriends tell some friends. Women talk, you know. Ow, what was that for?" "Being cheeky. And you'll get another one if you're not careful." "I was only telling the truth. Ow, , stop hitting me." He grabbed my arms, pinning them to my sides and wrapping his own tightly around me. "Let go of me." "only if you promise you won't hit me again." " !" "Say it, or I won't let go." "no!" "Fine, have it your way."