Like Real People Do - Jill Roord

Everything But Hatred

Hunter's POV

I'd been brushing Nala's fur when the doorbell rung, I heard my sister and Mapi rush to welcome in the fourth and final person of the group we'd all consider family. I heard their laughter and that warm voice my sister always used to speak with those she truly loved, the way Mapi instantly began to ramble and ask about a thousand questions; they were in a world of their own. 
They were in a world of their own until I stepped into the hallway and Ona's eyes fell onto me. Then there was just silence. Silence for a moment or two until the brunette rushed towards me and pulled me into a hug, finally letting out a breath which I hadn't seen her hold in.

"Hunter," Ona sighed, her arms tightening around my waist, "I'm - I'm sorry I didn't come home sooner."

"No, don't be," I shook my head as I pulled away from my dear friend, "I'm glad you played, Nana would be proud."

Ona smiled, she looked me slightly up and down, I saw the spark in her eyes flicker but still that grin remained on her face, "Nana's proud of you too," She assured me, rubbing the tip of her finger along my cheek. 

I just looked to the floor, I might have been able to talk more in the past days and take a walk along the beach but I wasn't ready to accept everything that I'd ever felt. Not yet anyway. "Yeah," I breathed, noticing Alexia walk past me, brushing her hand along my shoulder and then lead everyone into the kitchen. 

"Mapi and I have been making paella for dinner," She told Ona proudly.

"That sounds lovely," The brunette nodded. 

"So," Alexia leaned her chin onto her elbow which rested on the island, "Tell us about camp, how is everyone?"

I was grateful that my sister had quickly diverted the topic from myself because we all knew Ona would be full of questions and concerns, she saw me as a sister of her own, but now wasn't the time to address everything, now was the time to try and enjoy one another's company and for me to take those baby steps into the life that would soon be mine - or already was. 

Ona took a seat at the island then Mapi and I sat down on the stools besides her, Alexia leaned over the island as she passed glasses of water around and it was like something had changed in the air. Something within me felt warm, my fingertips were a comfort to my cheeks, I leant forward to watch Ona speak and I saw the brutal yet hilarious reactions of my older sister and the way Mapi's eyes creased whenever she laughed.
Ona told us about the dressing room before their match against Australia and what she'd done afterwards - who she'd been with afterwards. She spilled the secrets of any camp gossip and exposed a few of our national teammates for their harmless pranks or immature ways - though Ona said they'd never quite matched mine.

I watched Ona talk, I heard her words and for the first time in a long time, it didn't require any effort to be in the moment. I was just there. Here. With the people who loved me most, the ones who'd never leave my side whether I recognized they were there or not.

Soon Alexia and Mapi continued to cook dinner so my sister suggested Ona and I go for a walk on the beach while they finished up. For a moment I'd thought of everything I'd already done today; I'd talked, I'd gotten up and dressed, I'd taken a shower and brushed Nala's fur. It was more than I'd done in weeks, but Alexia suggested Ona and I going to the beach and I felt I could do more so we both put on our shoes and climbed into the lift. 

Just as the doors were about to close, a hand slipped inbetween the metal to open the lift once again. A blonde stepped in, tossed her hair onto her shoulder and went to give us an apologetic smile before her face fell slightly. The girl had a familiar face, one that I was certain I knew but after the past few months, most of the past was a little fuzzy. Maybe I'd run into her before whilst visiting Alexia? Maybe she was just one of those people who had generic features? But that didn't seem to be true because in the short moment I'd spent looking at her, she had this face which deserved to be seen and a spark in her eyes that couldn't be faked or bought. 

"Oh my god," She muttered, I now heard her English accent.

"Alana!" Ona stepped forward, pulling the girl into a hug and I'd finally realized who she was. 

Alana Foden. Barcelona's recent singing and one of England's star strikers. Also my older sisters sworn arch nemesis; I'd always thought that word was rather funny but Alexia was adamant the girl was bad as the devil, it's all she ever spoke about when we used to call. 

"How've you been?" Alana brushed her hair behind her ear, I couldn't help but notice her eyes swaying in my direction every moment or two. I assumed it was because I was Alexia's sister and she was not the fondest of her, I guessed that I was already hated by association. 

"Good," Ona nodded coolly, "When did you get back?"

"Just now," Alana quickly answered, "I'm just going to the shop to buy some food for Gabby and I tonight."

Ona turned back to me, her arm snaked around my shoulders, "You'd love Gabby, Hunts. You'll have to meet her soon, she's the sweetest."

"Everyone loves Gabby!" Alana chuckled with an awkward raise of her eyebrows. 

"Oh, I didn't introduce you two to each other," Ona suddenly realized. 

I didn't particularly want to be introduced to this bubbly blonde who apparently wasn't quite so golden underneath that pearly smile and confident manner. Alexia was the person I trusted most in the world, if she said Alana was bad news then it must have been true.

Nevertheless, Alana extended her hand to me, "I'm Alana," She introduced herself. 

I slowly shook her hand, "I'm Hunter," I replied, my voice was awfully dull and I hadn't at all prepared myself for this encounter. 

"I've heard a lot about you," Alana smiled.

"From who?" Ona laughed. 

Alana furrowed her eyebrows, turning silent for a moment, "Leah. Leah speaks about you all the time."

My heart dropped for a moment at the mention of Leah's name; she was just one of the many people I'd left behind in London and I couldn't help feeling awful about it, I couldn't help but feel like I'd abandoned them. 
"Right," I whispered, just as we were all saved by the lift doors opening into the lobby. 

We all took a step out, it felt as if Alana was waiting to ask something more, she swayed ever so slightly and clutched onto that brown, suede bag of hers before finally clearing her throat, "Well have fun with whatever you're doing tonight."

"You too," Ona gave her another quick hug, "I assume you'll be spending the evening with Gabby?"

"Ingrid's also joining us," She tried to smile, though I wasn't convinced by the sincerity of her expression, "And wish everyone the best from me."

"Mapi and Alexia are with us tonight," Ona chuckled, I'm sure to make a point that Alexia wouldn't exactly want to hear Alana's wishes. 

"Send them the message," Alana gulped, "Both of them," Her smile grew thin though the air only became thicker, eventually she nodded her head and continued her journey to the shops. 

I looked to Ona who shook her head and chuckled, "We all make fun of their little fight," She explained as if that's what I was confused about.

"I've heard," I hummed, digging my hands into my pockets as we reached the cool air of outside.

"It's nothing to worry about though," Ona quickly assured me. 

I looked to the floor, thankful to be out in the open air and hear the waves lapping at the sand because that knot was growing in my chest again, "I know," I muttered, though I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more, something more to that interaction with Alana.

 I was probably going crazy. Well, I'd clearly gone crazy long ago and maybe my mind was running away from me again, but even as Ona and I continued our walk along the beach and I heard about everything I'd missed, I couldn't forget the feeling that Alana had meant something when she sent her wishes to Mapi and Alexia.
I'd seen the look in her eyes and that nervous tension before she'd walked away, I'd seen that look before in my life and I knew it meant everything but hatred. 

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what's everyone's thoughts? And what's the opinions of the overlaps in storylines and all characters being somehow in each other's lives?