Like Real People Do - Jill Roord

The Truth Of Reality

Jill's POV

Today was the day, the day that I was playing Hunter in the semi-finals of the World Cup. Well, I was also playing the rest of the Spanish national team but as Viv and I walked out of that tunnel ready for the pre-match walk on the pitch, hers was the only face I searched for.

"I haven't seen Hunts since that night," Viv sighed, talking about it like many years ago.

"Same," I sighed, "She left that morning and I haven't properly heard from her since."

Viv's head whipped towards me, "Are you two okay?" 

I gulped, "Yeah," I couldn't even pretend to sound sure, "We're just both busy."

Though I didn't feel all too busy, I spent half my free time messaging Hunter or checking if she'd replied to my many updates, which she hadn't. She never did. But perhaps she was overly busy, I already knew their manager massively overworked them so I told myself that must have been the reason. Hunter and I would be fine soon as this tournament was over, there was less than a week until we'd be back to living our normal lives. 

Finally I caught sight of Hunter, she was stood with Ona and Mapi, the three of them having a conversation. Her two companions seemed loud and animated whereas Hunter stood still, her arms crossed and eyes on the floor; it wasn't the girl I recognized.

I began to walk over to them though someone stopped me, resting their hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see Alexia. 

"Hey Alexia," I smiled at the girl; I'd heard more from the older Putellas sister than the younger one recently.

"Jill," She nodded, her eyes trailing towards Hunter as well, "I was just wondering, was Hunter with you last night? I knew she's visited you a few times lately, so I just assume she's with you when I can't find her."

I gulped, I knew that Hunter had lied about it once but how many walks did she need to be taking alone? "Yeah, we were together," I replied, covering for Hunter and trying to sound truthful though I'd never been the most convincing liar.

Alexia seemed to buy it though, "Do you think she's okay?"

See, that question would be answerable if I'd spent any of this apparent time with Hunter but just from seeing her standing there, I thought not. I shrugged, "I don't know really."

Alexia hummed, "I agree, something's been off lately."

I could feel the knots in my stomach tightening, my lungs suddenly refusing to take in the oxygen they needed, "I'm sure it's just tournament stress."

"Hunter doesn't normally get stressed about tournaments, but maybe she feels the pressure because of Nana."

I gently nodded, "That might be it."

Did I believe it could be? Possibly, but something in my gut told me that more was going on here, I couldn't imagine Hunter getting stressed about this tournament and from this distance, she didn't seem to be stressed, but she just seemed to be gone.

Alexia and I said our farewells as Jenni was calling her over, so I made my way over to the Spanish trio. Ona and Mapi caught sight of me, their smiles bright and waves very excited, though when Hunter finally looked up, her eyes widened slightly and she didn't say anything before leaving them and walking towards me. 

"Hey!" I jogged over to her, not waiting a second before pulling Hunter into my arms, where she buried her head into my chest. "Are you alright?" My arms tightened around her waist, trying to keep that smile on my face but as Ona and Mapi watched anxiously from afar, I knew I wasn't the only one to worry.