The King Of Arsenal

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The park's jogging path wound through lush greenery, its serenity broken only by the occasional chirp of birds or the crunch of gravel underfoot. Francesco picked up his pace slightly, enjoying the steady rhythm of his breath and heartbeat. He felt strong, focused, and in tune with himself—a far cry from the uncertain boy who had once doubted whether he could ever make it at this level.

After thirty minutes of jogging, Francesco found himself completely absorbed in the peaceful scenery of the park. The fresh morning air filled his lungs as sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the path with soft golden light. His thoughts wandered, revisiting the highs and lows of his recent journey into professional football. He felt a sense of calm—a rare break from the constant pressure of his budding career.

Just as he rounded a bend in the jogging path, lost in his thoughts, he suddenly collided with someone. The impact startled him, and he instinctively stopped, his heart sinking as he heard a feminine voice cry out, "Ouch!"

He quickly turned to see who he had hit. A young woman sat on the gravel path, brushing her hands off and wincing slightly. She had striking blonde hair tied into a ponytail and sharp, bright eyes that carried a mix of surprise and irritation. Francesco froze, recognition dawning on him almost immediately.

It was Leah Williamson.

Not the future Arsenal Women's team captain he knew from watching interviews and matches on television, but the younger version of her—a 17-year-old prodigy who had just made her debut for Arsenal Women during the 2014/2015 season. Francesco had always admired her, even as a young footballer himself, for her technical skill and maturity on the pitch.

"I'm so sorry!" Francesco blurted, stepping back to give her space as she got to her feet. "I didn't see you there. Are you okay?"

Leah brushed some dirt off her leggings and looked up at him, her eyebrows furrowed. "Clearly you didn't," she replied, her tone sharp but not overly harsh. Her expression softened as she fully registered who she was talking to. "Wait a second… You're Francesco Lee, aren't you?"

Caught off guard, Francesco blinked. "Uh, yeah. That's me. And you're… Leah Williamson."

"That's right," Leah said, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her annoyance. "Guess I can't really be mad. How often do you get bowled over by someone who scored for Arsenal's first team the night before?"

Francesco laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Still, that doesn't excuse me for not paying attention. I'm really sorry. Did I hurt you?"

"I'll live," Leah said, rolling her shoulders to stretch them out. "You caught me off guard, but I'm fine. Guess I wasn't paying much attention either."

There was a brief pause as they both assessed each other, the tension from their collision beginning to fade.

"So," Leah began, folding her arms, "what's a big deal first-teamer like you doing out here at this hour? Don't you get a day off after a match like that?"

Francesco smiled, his confidence starting to return. "I like running in the mornings—it clears my head. What about you? Shouldn't you be recovering too?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Leah shot back with a grin. "But seriously, this is my go-to spot when I'm not training. The park's peaceful, and I like getting out of the house for a bit."

Francesco nodded, feeling a growing sense of ease. "Yeah, I get that. It's nice to step away from all the noise sometimes."

Leah tilted her head slightly, studying him. "You seem pretty grounded for someone who's just broken into Arsenal's first team. That's good—you'll need it if you want to stick around."

Her comment carried the weight of experience beyond her years. Francesco smiled, grateful for the compliment. "Thanks. That means a lot, coming from you."

"Don't let it go to your head," Leah said, smirking. "Now, what do you say we finish the jog? You still owe me for nearly knocking me out."

Francesco laughed. "Deal. But I'll make sure to keep my distance this time."

The two of them set off at a light pace, the awkwardness from their initial meeting melting away as they talked. Leah was surprisingly easy to talk to, her quick wit and down-to-earth demeanor making Francesco feel at ease.

Their conversation quickly turned to football. Francesco shared what it felt like to score his first Premier League goal, while Leah talked about her experience debuting for Arsenal Women earlier that season.

"I was so nervous," Leah admitted. "It's one thing playing in youth matches, but stepping onto the pitch for Arsenal Women felt like a completely different world. I kept thinking, 'Don't mess up. Don't let the team down.'"

Francesco nodded, understanding the feeling all too well. "That's exactly how I felt during my first game with the first team. It's like everyone's watching, waiting to see if you belong there."

"Exactly," Leah said, her tone thoughtful. "But once the whistle blows, it all disappears. It's just football again."

"Yeah," Francesco agreed. "It's like everything clicks into place."

Leah glanced at him, a teasing glint in her eyes. "So, what's next for the wonder boy? Going to score another stunner in training?"

Francesco laughed, shaking his head. "I think I'll leave the stunners for match days. Training's for working hard and staying humble."

"Good answer," Leah said with a grin. "Wenger must love you already."

Francesco felt a swell of pride but kept his expression modest. "I'm just trying to learn as much as I can. Being around players like Özil and Sánchez is incredible. You pick up so much just by watching them."

"I bet," Leah said, her admiration genuine. "Must be surreal, though, going from watching them on TV to sharing a pitch with them."

"It really is," Francesco admitted. "But it's also motivating. It makes you want to push yourself even harder."

As they continued jogging, the conversation flowed effortlessly. They talked about their favorite players, the challenges of balancing football with life, and their hopes for the future. Leah's ambition was evident in the way she spoke about her dreams of winning titles with Arsenal Women, and Francesco couldn't help but admire her determination.

By the time they completed their loop around the park, both were slightly out of breath but smiling. Leah stretched her arms above her head, letting out a satisfied sigh. "That was a good run. Thanks for the company, Francesco."

"Anytime," Francesco said, genuinely meaning it. "And thanks for not holding the collision against me."

"Let's just call it even," Leah said, smirking. "But next time, watch where you're going."

"I'll try," Francesco replied, grinning.

As they prepared to part ways, Francesco hesitated. He felt like he'd made a genuine connection with Leah, and he didn't want the moment to end. Summoning his courage, he said, "Hey, Leah. Would it be alright if I got your number? You know, in case I ever need a running partner again."

Leah raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable for a moment before she smiled. "Sure. But only if you promise not to knock me over again."

"Deal," Francesco said, handing her his phone.

After they exchanged numbers, Leah gave him a playful salute. "Catch you later, wonder boy. Try not to get too famous too quickly."

"I'll do my best," Francesco said with a laugh.

As he watched Leah jog away, he felt a sense of gratitude for the unexpected encounter. It wasn't every day you got to meet someone who understood the highs and lows of chasing a football dream.

The jog back home felt lighter somehow, his steps buoyed by the connection he'd made. As he reached his street, Francesco couldn't help but smile. It was shaping up to be a good day.

After arriving back home, Francesco pushed open the front door, his body feeling pleasantly warm and his mind buzzing with the events of the morning. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and a faint hint of bacon greeted him as he stepped into the hallway. He slipped off his shoes and called out, "Mom! I'm back!"

From the kitchen, Sarah's familiar voice rang out, "Welcome back, sweetheart! How was your run?"

"Great, thanks!" Francesco replied, making his way toward the kitchen. As he entered, he saw his mom standing by the counter, wiping her hands with a dish towel. Her expression was as warm and welcoming as always.

"Did Dad already leave for work?" Francesco asked, glancing around the kitchen for any sign of his father.

"Yes, he left about an hour ago," Sarah said, gesturing toward the dining table. "He had an early meeting today. Hungry? I made some omelets and bacon. There's plenty left."

Francesco's stomach rumbled at the mention of food. "Starving, actually," he admitted with a grin, taking a seat at the table.

Sarah quickly plated up an omelet and a few strips of crispy bacon, setting them down in front of him. "Here you go. Eat up—you've earned it after all that running."

"Thanks, Mom," Francesco said, picking up his fork.

As he began eating, the morning's events replayed in his mind, particularly his unexpected encounter with Leah Williamson. Her quick wit, confidence, and down-to-earth nature had left a strong impression on him. And then there was the exchange of numbers.

Francesco glanced at his phone resting on the table, debating whether to send her a message. After a moment's hesitation, he picked it up and typed a quick text.

Francesco: Hey, hope you're not too sore from earlier! Thanks again for the run—nice to have someone to talk football with.

He hit send and returned to his breakfast, trying not to overthink it. Less than a minute later, his phone buzzed with a reply.

Leah: Hey! Nah, I'm good—don't worry. And yeah, it was fun. You're not too bad to talk to for a first-teamer 😉.

Francesco chuckled softly, a grin spreading across his face. He quickly typed a response.

Francesco: Not too bad? High praise coming from you, Leah.

As the exchange continued, his grin only widened. He could feel a lightness in his chest, a happiness he hadn't experienced in a while. It wasn't just about football or his career; it was the joy of connecting with someone who truly got it—someone who understood the world he was navigating.

Across the kitchen, Sarah had been watching him with growing curiosity. She noticed the smile that hadn't left his face since he'd picked up his phone. Finally, unable to resist, she spoke up.

"What's got you smiling like that, Francesco?" she asked, her tone teasing. "Are you watching something funny, or is there someone special you're talking to?"

Francesco looked up, his cheeks flushing slightly at being caught. He quickly shook his head, trying to play it cool. "Nothing, Mom. Just chatting with a friend."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Must be some friend to make you grin like that."

Francesco gave her a playful smile but didn't elaborate. "It's nothing, really."

"Uh-huh," Sarah said, her tone suggesting she didn't quite believe him. But she let it go, turning back to her tasks.

As Francesco finished his breakfast, his phone buzzed again.

Leah: So, when's the next jog? Or are you going to ditch me now that you've made it big?

He smirked, quickly typing back.

Francesco: Ditch you? Never. Same time tomorrow?

Leah: Deal. But if you knock me over again, I'm charging you for my medical bills.

Francesco: Fair enough. I'll bring a first-aid kit, just in case.

He set his phone down, still smiling as he thought about their back-and-forth. Leah was different—refreshingly honest and full of energy. It was a stark contrast to the polished, sometimes superficial interactions he'd experienced in the football world.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of light training and downtime. Francesco stayed mostly indoors, catching up on some tactical videos Arsenal's coaching staff had sent him and sneaking in a few rounds of FIFA on his console. But his mind kept drifting back to Leah, their jog, and the ease with which they'd connected.

As evening fell, Francesco found himself looking forward to the next morning. It wasn't just the jog he was excited about—it was the chance to see Leah again. For the first time in a long while, his world felt a little less like the pressure cooker of professional football and a little more like the life of an ordinary teenager.

When bedtime came, Francesco lay in bed staring at the ceiling, his phone resting on the nightstand. Before drifting off to sleep, he sent Leah one last text.

Francesco: Don't forget to set your alarm for tomorrow. I'm not carrying you if you oversleep.

Her reply came almost instantly.

Leah: Don't worry about me, wonder boy. Just try to keep up this time.

Francesco laughed quietly, setting his phone down and closing his eyes. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

Francesco woke up the next morning to the soft hum of his alarm. The early sunlight seeped through the blinds, casting a warm glow across his room. He stretched lazily, feeling a sense of anticipation bubbling in his chest. It wasn't the kind of pressure he usually felt before a game or training—it was something lighter, almost energizing. The thought of meeting Leah again added a spark to his usual morning routine.

He got ready quickly, slipping into his running gear and grabbing a bottle of water on his way out. As he stepped outside, the crisp morning air greeted him, waking him up fully. He checked his phone for any messages before heading to the park.

There was one from Leah, sent just five minutes earlier: "Don't keep me waiting, Francesco. I'm already here."

He smiled, locking his phone and breaking into a jog toward the park. His steps felt lighter, his mind clear. Francesco realized how rare it was to find someone who made him feel grounded despite the whirlwind of his professional life.

As he rounded the familiar bend in the park and spotted Leah waiting by the trail, her ponytail bouncing slightly as she stretched, Francesco couldn't help but think about how life had a funny way of surprising him. It was shaping up to be another good day—and, for once, he wasn't in a rush for it to end.

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Name : Francesco Lee

Age : 16 (2014)

Birthplace : London, England

Football Club : Arsenal First Team

Championship History : None

Match Played: 3

Goal: 12

Assist: 2

MOTM: 3