Damn hangover. I move to the kitchen where we keep the medicine for situations such as this. I wonder how people lived before clear-x pills were a thing. I take one with some water and feel my pounding headache recede almost instantly. Imagine having to experience that sick hangover feeling for the entire day?

For once I wake up before Emma so I prepare a glass of water and a pill to place on her bedside table. Maybe I should mess with her as she always does? Tickle her feet or something. I sneak up to her bed and prepare to scare her. Her semi-dead appearance kills my mood for mischief so I settle for a shower. We have a training today in a few hours so better get this day rolling. Ugh, what am I to do with Milly? From what I recall we did some things that maybe we shouldn’t have. Emma will absolutely find out, some of those people will notify her about her little sister and best friend being all touchy. I have no clue how she will react or what she’ll think. I doubt she will be mad at all but maybe disappointed? Like, must you do that with my best friend. More plausible that she will be mad at Milly for going after her sister. She is always tricky to predict, well in some ways she is tricky in other very predictable.

That’s an issue for future Alicia. Current Alicia must get ready and mentally prepared to train with the team. I’d rather be out when Emma wakes so I make my escape to VR after breakfast and the precious coffee.

For the first time I’m actually the first one here. I have my own little office, about half the size of Lucianas office. I don’t have any fancy walls that turn into screens so I use a handheld computer to analyse our last game. I need to stay on my toes and be ready to contribute and develop this team. I sat down tapping away for hours before Luciana came in.

“Hey lucy.”

“No.”

“Fine, good morning Luciana.”

“Good morning. You’re here early.”

“I know, I wanted to look over our game in detail.”

“And what is your conclusion?”

“Well, we are not that good.” Hehe I’m great at constructive feedback.

“Cut the crap, what is your real thoughts.”

“Nova Krig, our centre back is a weak link. Nothing really wrong with her attributes but her understanding of the game is sub-par at best. Both wingers are mediocre and fail to challenge 1v1. If we can’t involve Isabella then we are nothing.” Harsh but if she wants real then she will get it.

“You are right about Nova and about the importance of involving Isabella but you are too harsh on our wingers. They get almost no good passes to work with and their left and right backs were good.”

“Maybe I am to harsh on the wingers, the problem can be our system that demand they participate in a possession style instead of using speed.”

“You want me to unleash them and send balls deep for them to work with?”

“Yes”

Luciana sighs audibly at this. “take a look at our previous games too. That is what Isabella tends to do in matches. This was a first where she was marked so heavily that she couldn’t play her normal game.” I should have watched the 3 games they played before me joining the club. That’s an oversight on my part for sure. How did I not think of that?

She continues. “I’m not an idiot I know we need to be more varied in our attacks. Alternate our possession with quick attacks to test their defences.” She stopped but was clearly not done so I wait until she continues.

“I screwed up, I think. I didn’t have a contingency plan for what happened so we lost soundly. Remember this Alicia, it pays to be prepared for anything that can happen.”

I would rather be manager and face issues like that myself but as her assistant I need to support her best I can. That’s my job, no point thinking about a job I don’t have.

“Luciana, I think I can help you. I will train Sasha and with her and Hannah we can create a strong partnership. I’ll have a look at our left and right back too and try, no I will create a strong defence.”

Lucianas authoritative gaze is still a bit freaky, wonder if I can develop something like that. “I look forward to se what you can do. I’ll let you take point on the defensive players but keep in mind how we play. And if you decide to implement something come by me first.”

“Sure thing boss.” I make a snappy salute.

The players eventually show up. Sasha is here as decided despite her injury.

“Sasha, come with me.” I take her to the rehab/medic room.

“Lay down on the bed, I want to look at your back and thigh, just as before.”

She nods and lay down face first. I pull up her shirt and begin a massage of her back and use the medical cream to improve her rehabilitation. The bruise is visible from where she got taken out by a knee.

“Does it hurt?”

“No, not really but it feels off.”

“But it feels better than before I hope?” Otherwise we may have a longer-term problem.

“Yes, much better since you- you know since last time.” Yes since I massaged it last time. Please don’t make this weird.

“This is a necessary and normal thing Sasha. No need to feel weird about it at all.”

“I don’t feel weird! I never said I felt weird or anything.” She is very much 18 years young. She feels weird about it but there is nothing to it, she needs it.

“Good.” We continue in silence for a while until I have to switch to her inner thigh.

“Sasha I’m going to apply the cream to your inner thigh now. I will need to have my hand inside your shorts, are you okey with this?” I think clear dialogue will make her feel more at ease, I hope.

“I know, go ahead.” She manages to say with a normal voice. Good, she’ll eventually get used to it. Best to keep her occupied while I’m at it.

“I have planned a couple exercises for you that will prevent further injury to your groin region and thigh.”

“Just say thigh please.” Sasha says exasperated.

This girl better become one hell of a player to be worth the hassle. Now she moans softly every time I put some pressure on her. I’m not going to comment on it, if I did, she would probably walk away and glare at me for the rest of the day. She is trying to hide it though, I’ll continue to talk so she think I won’t notice.

“By the next practice I’m sure you will feel well enough to participate, assuming you practice the exercises. You should consider coming here of your days off to do some light training, nothing big just move your body around. I’ll send you a menu for how to improve.”

“Mhm.” By god woman. First thing on my to do list is hire a part-time physio that can deal with things like this.

“This is sufficient.” I pull away my hands.

“Thanks, I feel much better now.” I bet you do..

“Lets head to the pitch, I want you to observe and learn from Hannah.”

It still bugs her when I mention Hannah like that.

I gather all the defensive players and begin to test their different skills and application of attributes. I have tactical discussions about positioning and what they did wrong in the last game.

Luciana have the rest of the players practice shooting and dribbling. This is much more efficient when we are two people instead of just one. Hopefully it will be enough to push us forward. It would be cool to get into a promotion race for div 2. We would get much or at least more cash in that league.

I leave for the day with a feeling of accomplishment and optimism. This daily routine is not half bad. Let’s find out what Emma has to say, maybe she sits out there waiting for me. Ugh..