Chapter Text
The roar of the Etihad Stadium was electric, a living, breathing pulse of blue and white. Lisa Swain had been coming to City games for years, scarf wrapped proudly around her neck, singing her heart out with the rest of the die-hards. But today felt different.
Today, her eyes were fixed on one player.
Number 11. Carla Connor.
Carla wasn’t just playing — she was commanding the pitch. Gliding past defenders, making impossible passes look effortless. Fast, fierce, utterly magnetic. Lisa had followed her career from the moment City had announced her signing, but seeing her live was something else entirely.
“Go on, Carla!” Lisa yelled, leaping to her feet as Carla ghosted past two defenders and whipped in a perfect cross. The crowd around her exploded in celebration, but Lisa barely noticed, her eyes glued to the woman who had made it all happen.
By the final whistle, City had bagged a 3-1 win, with Carla claiming two assists and a stunning goal of her own. Lisa was buzzing with the kind of adrenaline that only came from a match like that — a match where something special happened.
As fans began to file out, Lisa hesitated. Her cousin nudged her, laughing.
"Go on then, you might as well try for a selfie."
Lisa rolled her eyes but wandered down toward the players' exit anyway, heart thudding. She wasn’t usually one to hang about like some starstruck teenager — but today wasn’t usual. Today, something had shifted.
The players trickled out in small groups, chatting and laughing amongst themselves. Lisa was about to lose her nerve when she spotted her — Carla, fresh from the showers, hair damp and curling around her face, training gear slung over her shoulders.
Carla was laughing at something one of her teammates said, but as she moved past, her gaze caught Lisa’s. There was a flicker — a brief, curious pause — and Carla slowed.
“You alright there, love?” she called over, her voice low and rough, the Manchester twang unmistakable.
Lisa stepped up to the barrier, suddenly bold. “You were brilliant today. That goal — and the skill down the wing — absolutely unreal.”
Carla’s smile widened into something real, genuine. “Finally, someone who watched the build-up, not just the finish.”
Lisa laughed, feeling her nerves settle. “Course I did. Been following you since you signed. Best move City’s made in years.”
Carla chuckled under her breath, adjusting the strap of her kit bag. “Got a good football brain on you then.”
For a moment, they just stood there — not speaking, but not needing to. There was something easy about it. Natural.
“Well, keep coming,” Carla said, casual but kind. “Always good knowing there’s a proper fan out there.”
Lisa nodded, grinning. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Carla gave a cheeky little wink before jogging off after her teammates, and Lisa stayed rooted to the spot, her scarf clutched tight in her hands, the sounds of the stadium slowly fading around her.
She hadn’t expected anything today. Not really.
But now... she couldn’t help but look forward to the next match just a little bit more.