We arrive at the airport with a little time to kill.
"I don't want to leave you," Kai said.
"I'll be fine," I laugh.
"Will you though ?" He asks. "I feel like Frankie has put too much faith in you."
"What's that supposed to mean ?" I feign offense.
"Do you want my honest opinion as a friend ?" He asks.
"Well yeah," I say unsure.
"I don't think you're handling this João situation right," Kai said.
"Kai," Sophia smacks his arm.
"Well, I can say that from an outsiders point of view, but I suppose it'd be different if I was going through what you are," he shrugs.
"Trust your gut baby, it'll never fail you," Sophia tells me while she hugs me.
"I agree, as long as your gut tells you to talk to João," he says and I roll my eyes.
We carry on talking about something else and soon enough their gate is being called.
"Fuck, we gotta go," Sophia says getting up.
I walk with them as far as I can before it's only passengers. I hug Sophia and give her a kiss on the cheek.
"Turn your airdrop on," Kai tells me, "quickly."
I do as told, "for what ?" I ask but my phone dings and I accept whatever Kai sent me. "What is this ?" I ask as he hugs me and kisses my cheek.
"The list," he say, "consider it a parting gift," he winks at me as they walk away.
"But João is number one on this list," I say confused, "since when ?"
"Since I made it, seeing how you two were together reinforced it," he smiled at me. "Don't self sabotage, talk to the boy Sofia please."
I blow them both kisses as they disappear from my view. I pull my phone out as I head back to the car and text Christian.
Christian 🤍
Me: Where are you ?
Christian: Out, the boys and I decided to come for a few drinks.
Me: Ughhh are you okay ?
What time will you be back ?
Christian: Yeah, all good, just bummed, but we gave it our all
I don't know, probably late, why ?
Me: I wanted to check up on you >:(
Christian: Don't worry your pretty little head about me, how are you ?
Me: Surviving, I don't know how I will manage without you and Kai :(
When do you guys leave ?
Christian: You'll survive 🤍
Not tomorrow morning, but the following morning, like at 3AM
Me: Ughhh, okayyyyy I'll see you tomorrow !!
Do you need a ride back to the hotel ?
Lmk !!
Christian: We should be fine, but I'll keep the offer in mind just in case ;)
I'll see you tomorrow Sofia
Me: Goodnight Christian, have fun !! Not too much, but enough !! Take a shot for me, or two !! <33
I exit out my messages with Christan, and open the ones with Kaká, I promised I'd check in.
Kaká 🫶🏼
Me: Ricardoooooo
Kaká: Yes bird ?
Me: This is me checking in, I just dropped off Kai and his girlfriend at the airport, and I lied, I'm not going to see the Argentinians, I'm going back to my hotel now
Hang with my friends and Cris
Kaká: Have you spoken to your father ?
Me: No :( I'll shoot him a text later because I don't like going to sleep upset with him, but I think it's best if we give each other our space.
Kaká: Maybe that's for the best
You know I'm here for you, whatever you need
Me: Yes, I know, thank you <3
I love youuuu 🫶🏼
Kaká: And I love you
You know I see you like a daughter
Me: Ewww don't say that 😭
It's so weird because I used to have a crush on you
Kaká: Very flattering Sofía 🤣
Used to ?
Me: It's more platonic now
It's best if I focus on men my age 🫣
Kaká: Men that look like me ?
Me: You're making this weird 😭
Kaká: I mean like João 🤣
Me: Ewwww
He's a whole different situation
I'll tell you about it tomorrow
But he is pretty to look at 🫣
Kaká: Deal
Are you going to practice tomorrow ?
Me: No, I'm giving my dad and I space
Kaká: You wanna get some practice in with me ?
We can talk then
Me: Deal
Early thoughhh
I hate when I'm practicing in the sun
Kaká: Yes ma'am
Me: Okay I'll talk to you later, heading to the hotel now !!
I make the quick drive to the hotel and head over to mine and Cris' room. I walk in and walk over to Ruben and João's room hoping João isn't in there to rerun the keys to Dias.
"Thank you," I say leaving the keys on the nightstand.
"Have you seen João ?" He asks.
"No, not since practice," I shrug, "why ?"
"I haven't seen him since yesterday, we'll yeah I saw him this morning, but I mean I basically didn't because he kept to himself and then after practice he disappeared," he said. "I thought he'd be with you."
"Why ?" I ask.
"You guys are always together," he shrugs. "Did something happen ?"
"Yes," I say looking down at the floor, "we're done," I say looking up and meeting his gaze.
"What ?" He says confused, "you two seemed unbreakable."
"Yeah, well we broke," I sigh.
"Before you even got together ?" He asks in disbelief.
"I'm hurting Dias," I sniffle, "and I don't feel like crying now, I'm sorry, but I don't want to talk about it," I say exiting the room.
"What happened to Christian ?" Nessa asks.
"He's getting drunk with the team," I laugh.
"What are we up to ? Where's Hugo ?" I notice he's missing.
"He went to check up on João," Cris rolls his eyes. "Why is he acting like he got eliminated already ? I mean I didn't see any of the other teams take it that hard, not even the ones that left."
"I suppose everyone process things differently," I say trying to keep his mind away from why João is currently the way he is. "I mean look at the way I took Mexico losing to Argentina, the players didn't react that way."
"Yeah but you're you," he sighs, "strong, you never show pain," he huffs, "I just miss my friend."
"You have us," Cooper tells him, "and we won't abandon you over a loss."
Okay this is going too far. "Why don't we focus on something else ?"
"Yes, why don't we turn on the Argentina game ?" Nessa asks.
"That's not a bad idea, they should be closing in on halftime," I say checking my phone.
"Can we order room service ?" Cris asks and I nod.
The food arrived, and we ate while we watched the second half of the Argentina game. Before halftime, the score was 1-0 in Argentina's favor, and in the second half of this game, there were two goals scored, both by Argentinian players, unfortunately one was scored in the wrong net... oh Enzo.
The game still ended in Argentina's favor meaning they'd be moving on to the quarter finals, surprise surprise. We continue talking for a bit longer until I yawn.
"Okay, that's time for me because I have practice in a few hours," I say getting ready for bed.
"Boooo," Cooper groans.
"Coop it's late, we can hang out tomorrow," Cris laughs.
Everyone else begins to get ready for bed and I take my phone out to text my dad.
Papi <3
Me: Hellooooooo
I know things are kinda shaky between us, but I just want to let you know that I love you, and I appreciate everything you do for me. I didn't go meet Hayes, I know that's not important now, but just to ease your mind. I'm really sorry for the way I spoke earlier, I'm tired of being hurt and I lashed out on you, I'm sorry. I know this isn't how I should be apologizing, but I really don't want to see your face, I know I've hurt you and I'm sorry. I don't like going to bed upset with you, so I just wanted to make amends until we talk in person. I love you, and regardless of what I said, I'll always, ALWAYS be your little girl.
Papi: Baby, I owe you an apology too. I said some hurtful things that I didn't mean, just the heat of the moment because I was upset, I know that doesn't excuse anything, but I'm sorry. I love you so much, you're always gonna be daddy's little girl, like it or not. Before any of this, it was just you and I, now our little family has grown, and I'm so happy, but doesn't matter how big it gets, I'll always need every single one of you by my side. You know I don't have favorites, but I will always need you, your journey has always been by my side just like mine has, I can't imagine doing any of this without you.
I love you
Are you going to practice tomorrow ?
Me: Daddy :(
I love you.
No, I'm not, my head is all scrambled and I think it's best if I give you and I some space for a bit, I don't want to lash out on the wrong person again.
Papi: I respect your decision baby, I love you and contrary to what I said earlier, I'll always be here for you.
Don't stay away too long though.
Goodnight, I love you. ❤️
Me: I won't
Goodnight daddy, I love you <3
With that out of the way, I go to sleep peacefully. My peaceful sleep didn't last long, because I suddenly wake up in the middle of the night. I leave a note for when the group wakes up and let them know I've gone off to practice. I get my stuff and exit the room making my way to Cooper's room since it'd be empty. I needed to cry. There was so much I needed to release that I just haven't, for Cris' sake, for everyone's sake, but if I didn't release it, I'd explode in front of them all.
I arrive at Cooper's and begin to cry. I cry because I can't believe I got into an argument with my dad. I cry because Hayes can't just let me be happy, let me move on. I cry because I'm heartbroken again. I cry because I feel so stupid, how could I let myself be vulnerable enough to trust a man again. I cry because I thought he was different. I cry because I love him and I can't stop; I want to hate him, but I just can't.
The adjoining door swings open and I mentally curse myself because I remember Hugo and Cooper are next door to each other.
"I'm sorry Hugo, I didn't wake you did I ?" I ask.
"I've been crying too," the voice speaks but it's not Hugo.
"Go away," I say to him as I lift my head and meet his eyes. God those eyes, although red an puffy from obviously crying, they're still mesmerizing, I can stare at them all day. I break away knowing that my love for him hasn't just vanished, and if I stare at them a second too long I might give in. I want to give in. No, I don't deserve to be hurt again.
"Please Sofia," he says stepping closer to the bed.
"No," I say sternly, "don't get any closer," I say wiping my tears.
"Please Sofia," he begs, "what do you want me to do ? Huh ? Get on my knees and beg ? Because I will. Tell me what to do to make this right and I swear to you I will," he croaked.
"I want you to stay away from me," I say, "that's all I want. After that, I couldn't care less, run to Magui if you please."
He scoffs, "what do I have to do to prove to you I only want you ?" He cries out, "fuck Magui."
" oh what a splendid idea João, why don't you go fuck her, and leave me the fuck alone," I spat.
"I don't want her," he said getting annoyed. "I only want you," he whispered.
"When did you want me João ?" I ask. "Because it seems you're only interested when she's not around."
"What are you talking about ?" He asks.
"Before the first Portugal game, she showed up, and you forgot all about me, or did you want me when you two were all over each other ?" I ask annoyed. "And this time, this time you practically begged me to speak to you and once I'm released from the stupid room I was locked in, who do I see you with ? What did you want me to meet you for ? To catch you two in the act ?"
"Stop being so stubborn for a second, there's so much you don't know," he argues.
"I know what I saw," I roll my eyes.
"Please just let me explain," he cried out, "let me talk."
"Your actions were very loud and clear," I say grabbing my stuff and exiting the room.