Ellie's pov:
It was six in the morning when I felt the sun shining into my eyes, making me groan. I wanted to get up to close the curtains but when I wanted to, I felt something hold me back.
When I opened my eyes I was shocked to find myself in Alexia's tight embrace. For a small moment I panicked. She was laying down on her back and I was laying on top of her. Her arms were securely wrapped around my waist, holding me in place.
I carefully wiggled myself out of her hold. It felt like I could finally breathe again. I had to admit that this was the best sleep I had in awhile. Nala sleeping with me helped but it was not the same as Alexia was with me.
I was not going to complain though because I had fewer nightmares with the small dog beside me so she would have to do for now.
Going back to sleep wasn't an option so I decided to go for a walk. I put on some joggers, a comfy sweater and grabbed Nala's leach. Five minutes later we both were out the door.
It was still dark out but it wasn't so cold. Nala and I walked peacefully to a nearby park. They had a small piece of land that had a fence around it where the dogs were allowed off the leash.
Alexia and I would come here often. We would sit on a bench while Nala would run freely, having the time of her life.
I was watching Nala running around, chasing a bird when my phone went off.
Bibi 🤍
Hola chica, do you have plans tomorrow?
Queenie 👑
No I don't.
Bibi 🤍
Well you do now.
Queenie 👑
I'm guessing that I have plans with you.
Bibi 🤍
Jup. We're going to the beach. I'll force the others too. See you in a bit 😘
Queenie 👑
See ya ✌️😘
In the process of putting my phone away I noticed that it was time to go back home. I called Nala over and put her leash back on so we could make the walk back.
Once we approached our building Nala suddenly got really excited. It was only when I spotted Maria at the entrance that I got why.
"Hey there cutie, how are you doing?" She bent down to give the small dog all her love and attention.
"Well, thank you." I smirked at the older lady.
"I was talking to the dog mija." She stood back up with a smirk that matched mine.
"Figured."
"Buenos días mija. ¿Cómo estás?" María closed the gap between us and pulled my into a motherly hug.
"Buenos dias." I mumbled into her shoulder. "I'm good you?" I let go so I could properly look at her.
"Are you sure?" She held me at arms length and inspected my features a little bit closer this time.
"It looks like you've been hit by a bus. Did you sleep enough?" She said joking but with a hint of seriousness and worry. She tried to place her hand on my forehead to check for any temperature.
"Why thank you." I glared at the lady. "But I'm fine, don't worry. I just didn't sleep well last night. Tomorrow we have a day off. Me and the girls are going to the beach, I can rest there." I swatted her hand away and I tried to speak in the best Spanish I could manage. As of lately I've been trying to speak more Spanish so I can learn faster which my friends found hilarious.
"You're going with the team?"
"Yeah, some of them at least. The plan is to probably rent a boat and to chill on the beach. We'll get dinner after." I explained our plans to her. This apparently got her curious.
"You've already got a boat?" She curiously asked me.
"Uhm no, I don't think so." I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Well I have a friend and he has a boat. He's a big fan so I'm sure that he will lend his boat for free. Besides, he owns me."
"You sure?" I asked, surprised. Okay, not gonna lie but that would be so cool.
"Yes, of course. I'll fix you the boat. You, go have fun with your friends and you can bring this cutie around as well. I'll watch her for you." Maria petted the dog one more time before I noticed the time.
"Thanks Maria but I've got to go. I have practice in two hours." I kissed her cheek and we both said our goodbyes.
We were closing in on the opening day of the league so training became more and more intense with each day we got closer. Today we started our training off with a session in the gym.
Even though Alexia and I stopped ignoring each other since this morning, I was slightly relieved that Mapi and Leila were fast enough to pair up with me instead of her this session.
When both defenders whisked me away from the midfielder, I couldn't help but cast her a quick look. She looked a bit disappointed but I didn't get a lot of time to dwell on it with these two clowns dragging me to the other side of the gym.
We grabbed our equipment and got started on the exercises. Leila and I were assisting Mapi with one of them, when I remembered Maria's offer. Leila apparently had the same thought.
"So are we still on for tomorrow?" Leila looked at Mapi and me.
"Of course we are." Mapi breathed out, focusing on her workout while I nodded in agreement.
"I fixed us a boat by the way." I smiled proudly at the others. They were slightly surprised at my comment although Mapi didn't have much time to react because of the heavy weights she was pushing.
"How? You're new here. You barely know anyone." Leila looked at me for answers.
"It's called being charming. Want me to teach you?" I smirked.
"I know how to be charming, thank you very much." The raven-haired girl scoffed at me.
"Sure you do. I'm still waiting for you to sweep me off my feet."
"There is only one person in this world that could do that and we both know that's not me but her." Leila let go of the weights and pointed at Alexia.
"Really?" I glared at the girl, letting go of the weights as well.
"Wow, guys! A little help here if it isn't too much to ask!" Mapi yelled, struggling with the weights. Both Leila and I jumped into action and helped our friend place the weights down.
"Oops sorry." Leila sheepishly laughed at the blonde defender.
"You see that's what you get for being such a show off. Who presses so many weights anyway?" I sassed at her but Mapi wouldn't be Mapi if she didn't have a comeback ready.
"You." She told me as a matter of fact, making me laugh. We continued our exercises but it was the midfielder across the room who always seemed to be the one to catch my attention no matter how hard I tried.
"I made a mistake." I mumbled while keeping my gaze locked on Alexia. She was currently on the other side of the room laughing at something Jenni had said and I couldn't help but to be a little jealous.
"What?" Leila, who was standing closest to me, asked. She hadn't really heard what I had said and neither did Mapi.
"I think I made a mistake." I said clearer this time so the other two heard it.
"Yeah, that sweater that you bought a couple of weeks ago makes you look old and fat." Mapi bluntly said without really looking up but staying focused on her posture.
"Yeah, not what I meant but thanks." I deadpanned.
"Ooh." Mapi looked up from what she was doing. "Woops." She sheepishly smiled at me while she got up. Leila hit her on the shoulder.
"What did you mean?" Leila glared at Mapi and then looked at me again with a soft smile.
"Last night when I was over at your place, it was Alexia at the door." I looked down at the ground. My feet became very interesting because I knew how they were going to react.
"What?! How did I not know that?!" Leila yelled out in surprise grabbing the attention from the others around us, including Alexia's.
Mapi glared at Leila, shutting her up. "What did she want?" Mapi carefully asked.
"You guys were all joking around and hadn't heard the doorbell so I went to open it." I answered Leila first. "She told me to tell her not to go on that date. She told me to fight for her." I sighed, not looking up from my feet.
"What did you say?!" Leila yelled yet again, making everyone look at us.
"Please tell me you didn't tell her to go?" Mapi groaned but I remained quiet and kept staring at my feet. This answered her suspicion.
"Queenie! Why would you do that? Why do you keep torturing yourself?!" Leila yelled, groaning. She didn't understand but when I looked up for the first time since this conversation, I knew Mapi did.
"Because that's what she thinks she deserves, isn't it?" She intently looked at me with soft eyes, making me sigh.
"She's Alexia Putellas Segura. She's… I can't even describe it because there simply are no words that do her justice. She deserves the world and I'm just me. What if I'm not good enough?" I tried to explain myself and my actions. I never talked about them, only Maria knew because of our talk last night.
"Don't say that! Don't you ever say that again. You, Eleanore Queen are most certainly good enough. Not just for her but for everyone." Leila grabbed me by my arms and sternly told me.
"Leila's right and if they don't see that then that's their loss. You are an incredible football player and an even better person. We all love you to pieces. Don't ever doubt that." Mapi placed her hand on my shoulder.
"But I'm too late. She already went on that date. I missed my chance." I looked down again, regretting not stopping her when I had the chance.
"I refuse to believe that. We're going out tonight with the team and you're going to take a shot and get the girl." Mapi chuckled.
"Agreed. Yo, listen up!" Leila moved away a bit and yelled, successfully grabbing the attention from everyone in the gym.
"What? Leila no." I whisper yelled at her but to no avail.
"Team Building tonight. We're going out, everyone be there!"
Murmurs of agreement were heard amongst the players when everyone continued with their task at hand. I on the other hand didn't and glared at the defender while Mapi was smiling like an idiot.
"Sudle." I glared at her.
"What? It worked, didn't it? You're welcome." Leila proudly smiled at me.
"And remember, dress to impress." Mapi wiggled her eyebrows.
"Ouahabi, Leon and Queen! Less talking, more working!" Our coach yelled at us.
"Yes sire!" The three of us yelled and scrambled to get ready for our next exercise.