Like Real People Do - Jill Roord

Someone's In A Mood

Hunter's POV

After hours of delays, I'd finally arrived at the hotel where the Spanish national team were staying for a couple of weeks before the World Cup begun; it was in Nice, France. 
I was beyond exhausted but relieved to finally see the car pulling into the hotel. 

The valet helped me with my bags, insisting on bringing them to my room for me and then I strolled up to the reception desk, awaiting my room number so I could finally find out my roommate.

"Hi I'm Hunter Putellas, I was hoping you could tell me my room number" I asked the receptionist.

"Oh of course," he nodded, "I'll show you the way."

"Thankyou," I nodded, relieved at the idea of being able to crash onto those ridiculously luxurious hotel beds. 

The receptionist led me down the hallways, it was a beautiful hotel and it made my heart so happy to know that the entire Spanish team would be together again. We were all family and when brought together in times like these we had so much fun, the pressure never seemed to mount because we had such a good support system in each other. 

"And here is your room key Miss Putellas," He handed the keycard to me and pointed to the door on my left reading room 187.

"Thankyou," I smiled at him. 

"If you need anything, reception is always open and available," He informed me before walking back down the halls. 

I took a deep breath, wondering who I'd be stuck with for the entirety of the tournament. Opening the door, I peeked into the room, seeing a suitcase already set onto one of the beds, as I walked further into the space I heard someone humming in the bathroom. 

"Hello?" I called out. 

The humming stopped.

"Hunter Putellas is that you?" They chuckled and as soon as they begun to speak, I knew exactly who they were. Actually, I probably should have known who they were since I heard the humming; this girl never stopped singing. 

They opened the bathroom door, pulling me into a tight hug, "Ona Batlle is that you?" I joked. 

I was beyond grateful to have been paired with Ona, she was one of my best friends on the team and she always found a way to make me laugh and smile, which was something I needed at the moment. 

"I was wondering when you'd finally arrive," Ona chuckled, sitting on the end of her bed.

I rolled my eyes, noticing my luggage which had somehow arrived before I had, "I am never getting on a plane again!" I exclaimed, burrowing my head into a pillow. 

Ona laughed, "Travelling for the tournament might be difficult then."

I sat up, frowning at the smiley brunette, "I'll walk."

Ona widened her eyes, "someone's in a mood."

I huffed, "No, I just need a coffee and dinner."

"Well dinner's starting now so you're in luck," Ona stood up, trying to brighten my mood which had been so quickly brought down just by the mention of flying. 

I brought myself to my feet, feeling the weight of everything on my shoulders, as Ona and I left the room walking towards the dinner hall. 

"So how's North London, treating you well?" Ona asked, grinning over at me and clearly talking about someone particular in North London. 

Ona and I were the two youngest on the Spanish national team, everyone called us the pequeños problemáticos (small troublemakers), because we'd always play pranks on everyone, which were almost always with innocent intentions, and we certainly never shut up. I already knew that we'd get very little sleep because neither of us usually ran out of energy, we were the little kids on the team that Aitana and Alexia were always mothering. 

"Yes," I chuckled, "Treating me very well, we're doing good."

"Good," Ona nodded, "I'm happy for you two, I really like Jill."

I always felt awkward talking about my relationship, I think I'd forever feel watched when I was with someone, I'd never quite shake that feeling from my past, "I like her too."

"I'd hope so," Ona scoffed, opening the door for me. 

My eyes searched the room and found my sister the same moment she found me. Alexia immediately stood up, leaving her conversation behind and bounding towards me, she didn't say a single word but pulled me into the tightest hug you could imagine. 
Whenever Alexia and I met after being separated we shared a massive hug, but this time it was different, this time it was so different. Alexia and I were closer than ever now, our bond had tightened over the past weeks, where all we had was each other, obviously we had Jill, Mapi and Leah there as well, but Alexia needed me right now, she'd shown that. And not that I'd told her, but I really needed my older sister too. 

"Come sit with us," Alexia rubbed my shoulder, inviting both Ona and I over to the table where Mapi also sat. 

Of course I agreed, quickly walking over to Mapi though she got to me first and pulled me into a hug, "How are you amor?" She asked me, pulling out the chair besides her. 

"I'm good," I nodded, careful about my tone so they wouldn't worry. 

"Excited for camp?" Alexia asked all three of us. 

Ona quickly nodded, "Not looking forward to Vilda again though."

I rolled my eyes at the name of that man; Jorge Vilda, the name of of our head manager and hands down, one of my least favorite people in the world. 

"Do not mention that name," I glared at Ona, "I would like to forget about that man for as long as possible."

Alexia chuckled at my dramatics, though my hatred for the man was understood by the entire team, "You missed his welcome speech."

I sipped my coffee, "What a shame," I pouted sarcastically. 

"He went on and on about us being a family and the high expectations on the squad for the world cup," Alexia explained. 

"Maybe we'd all feel like a family if he just left!" I widened my eyes. 

"Forgot how much you hated him," Alexia laughed.

"Don't we all?" I looked around the table.

Mapi rested her arm around my shoulders, "We definitely all do," She agreed, "though I think you and I might be the most vocal about it."

I frowned, "I just hate him, okay?"

The three of them all chuckled, "I gathered that," Ona joked.
At least we could still find some humor surrounding the awful topic of Vilda. 

The Spanish camp sped up after that first night and only night of relaxation. 

Training sessions were long and strenuous, breaks were few and far between. Normally I'd be complaining about the fact we were clearly overworked but staying busy was my goal for the next few months so it worked well; my brain barely ever had to leave that pitch. My mind was consumed by football, everything revolved around the upcoming tournament and doing my country proud. Most importantly, doing Nana proud. 

___________________

author's note

I was going to write all the speech in Spanish but I thought it would be more difficult for most people to read and take longer, so I hope this is okay!

I was also wondering if you would like me to make playlists for this book? I did it for another and people seemed to enjoy!