CHAPTER TWENTY SIX!
⤷ ❝ NOT OKAY. ❞
♔♛
TOUR IS NEAR. alessia stands in front of one of the full-length mirrors, excitement bubbling within her as she admires the array of outfits laid out before her. today is one of the days for fitting for the upcoming tour, and she can't wait to see how everything will come together.
she runs her fingers over the soft fabrics and ponders all the different things she can do. there are sleek leather jackets, adorned with studs and zippers. flowing dresses in vibrant colors and bold prints catch her eye.
this tour is a dream come true, a chance to share her music with the world and connect with her fans in a whole new way. she's entering a new era and she's rebranding herself as she enters into her adult life.
she'll be 21 in two months!
"alright, alessia, let's get started!" calls out her stylist, daisy, a friendly smile on her face as she bustles over with a tape measure draped around her neck.
alessia grins back eagerly. she steps into the first outfit, a sleek jumpsuit in deep scarlet red, and holds her arms out as the tailor begins taking measurements. the fabric hugs her curves in all the right places, accentuating her figure without being too tight.
it doesn't exactly fit the vibe she's going for though. as good as she looks in it, it doesn't scream 'guts'. she wants something that will scream like... rockstar energy. she loves the color, but she needs something with a little more.
with a nod of understanding, she slips out of it and moves on to the next ensemble—it's still red and it's still a one piece, but this one is better. as she slides into the outfit, she feels a surge of energy coursing through her veins. this is more like it.
the fabric hugs her hips, accentuating her curves, while the top part is open just the right amount. alessia twirls in front of the mirror, feeling like a true rockstar. but there's something missing, something that will take the outfit to the next level.
"alright, what do you think?" daisy asks, eyeing alessia's reflection with a keen eye.
alessia considers for a moment, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "i love the energy of this look," she begins, "but i think we need to take it up a notch. i want something that screams bad bitch."
daisy nods, understanding immediately. "maybe stars on the stockings? combat boots to go with it?"
alessia grins. "do you think you could make that happen?"
daisy tilts her head at alessia and puts her hands on her hips. "we can make anything happen for you, lessy," she replies with a confident smile, her tone filled with reassurance.
with a sense of excitement bubbling within her, alessia can hardly contain her anticipation. stars on the stockings and combat boots? not to toot her own horn, but she knows that she is going to look absolutely incredible.
"go try on the next outfit," daisy says as she jots down the notes in her notebook. alessia nods as she admires herself in the mirror, ready to try on the next outfit. but as she catches zach's reflection in the glass, his expression tells her that something is wrong. his usual upbeat demeanor is replaced by a solemn look, his brow furrowed with concern.
"hey, lessy," her manager begins, his voice serious, "i think you should sit down for this."
alessia's heart skips a beat at zach's words, a knot forming in her stomach. first words out of his mouth is that she should sit down? who died?
"okay..." with a furrowed brow, she moves towards a nearby chair, her mind racing with worry. whatever zach has to say, she knows it's serious.
zach takes a deep breath before continuing, his gaze fixed on alessia with a mixture of concern and sympathy. "i just received some concerning news about chris," he says carefully.
alessia's stomach churns at the mention of chris's name, her thoughts immediately jumping to the worst-case scenarios. as she mills over possible things it could be, she realizes that it probably isn't anything concerning his health.
she wouldn't be hearing about that from her manager. that's what makes the situation worse. that means it has to be something career based.
"what happened?" alessia asks, her voice barely above a whisper, her heart pounding in her chest. zach hesitates for a moment before pulling out his phone. with a heavy sigh, he opens a news article and hands the device to alessia.
what she sees makes her blood run cold.
this isn't good.
♔♛
the practice field is alive with energy as chris, along with his ucla teammates, gear up for the allstate sugar bowl game against washington. after winning the pac-12 championship against oregon, the only other final they're worried about in the national final.
this game is a make-or-break moment for ucla's season, and chris knows that every play, every route he runs, could make a difference. if they lose, they're done.
chris hasn't announced officially that he is declaring for 2024 nfl draft at the end of the season, but it would be much better if he could do it as a national championship. he would hate to leave ucla without winning it.
as the sun beats down on the field, chris takes his position, his cleats digging into the turf with each stride. he can feel the weight of the upcoming game pressing down on him. he can feel the weight of the media and all the things he's saying about not just his football, but also about his relationship.
it has been a lot for him recently, but he channels that pressure into focus, determination evident in every movement.
coach kelly blows the whistle, signaling the start of the drill, and chris explodes off the line of scrimmage, his muscles coiling with power. with precision and agility, he executes each route flawlessly, cutting and pivoting with speed.
first, it's a quick slant route, chris accelerating off the line before making a sharp cut inside, his hands reaching out to snatch the ball from the air with ease. then, it's a deep post route, chris streaking down the field like a bullet, his eyes locked on the quarterback as he adjusts his speed to get into position for the catch.
chris hasn't had time for jokes the last few weeks. it's all been go, go, go.
he doesn't want to get into anymore team drama after all!
the intensity of the practice matches the stakes of the upcoming game, and chris pushes himself to his limits with each repetition. he knows that every route he runs now will pay off when it counts, under the bright lights of the sugar bowl.
as practice comes to an end, chris is dripping in sweat, his muscles burning from the intense workout. he peels off his soaked shirt, exchanging it for a fresh one before heading towards the exit. his mind is already racing ahead to his post-practice routine—shower, dinner, and then some much-needed downtime on the phone with alessia.
but as he nears the gate, he spots a group of reporters waiting for him, their cameras poised and microphones at the ready. his heart sinks a little at the sight. another interview means more questions about his performance, his relationship with alessia, and the rumors swirling around the team.
reluctantly, chris approaches the reporters, plastering a fake smile on his face as he prepares to face the barrage of inquiries.
"chris! chris! over here!" one of them calls out, waving frantically to get his attention.
chris takes a deep breath, steeling himself for what's to come, and strides over to the group. "hey," he greets them, his voice a careful blend of warmth and professionalism. "what can i do for you?"
the reporters immediately launch into their questions, firing them off in rapid succession. they want to know about his preparation for the sugar bowl, his thoughts on facing washington's defense, and whether he's feeling any pressure heading into the game.
chris answers each question with practiced ease, careful to keep his responses neutral. he knows that every word he says will be scrutinized and analyzed by fans and media alike, and he can't afford to slip up.
but amidst the sea of inquiries, one question stands out from the rest.
"chris, can you comment on the recent altercation between you and tj in the locker room?" one reporter asks, their voice cutting through the air like a knife. "after the usc game?"
chris's heart skips a beat at the unexpected question. he struggles to mask his surprise, his mind racing as he tries to recall if that incident had been made public yet. his brow furrows in confusion as he searches for an appropriate response.
"i... uh..." chris stammers, caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events. that information was not made public. it was kept under wraps for a reason. how did it get out?
before he can gather his thoughts and formulate a response, dante, appears at his side. dante intervenes, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"sorry to interrupt, folks," dante says, his tone firm but polite. "but chris has an important team meeting to attend in a few minutes."
chris breathes a sigh of relief at the timely intervention, grateful for dante's quick thinking. "sorry guys. i'll see you soon," chris offers a rushed goodbye to the reporters, his mind still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, before allowing dante to guide him away from the crowd.
as dante steers chris away from the reporters, the persistent journalists continue to follow, firing off questions as they go. chris's mind races, his heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and frustration at the unexpected turn of events.
as they navigate through the throng of reporters, one journalist's voice cuts through the clamor. "chris, do you have anything to say about the rumor that the fight was over alessia?" they inquire, their tone filled with curiosity and anticipation.
chris's eyes widen in disbelief at the mention of alessia's name. how did they know about that? he exchanges a worried glance with dante, who tightens his grip on chris's shoulder, urging him to keep moving.
coach kelly steps in, creating a diversion by engaging the reporters in conversation about the upcoming game. it buys them a few precious moments as dante hurries chris towards his car, the journalists still trailing behind, their questions becoming more insistent.
as they pick up the pace, chris finally can't hold back any longer. "dante, what the hell are they talking about?" he asks urgently, his voice tinged with frustration and concern.
dante shoots him a grim look, his expression betraying a hint of worry. "lets just get to the car," he replies cryptically, his focus on getting chris safely away from the relentless reporters.
chris's mind races with questions, but he knows now isn't the time for answers.
as they reach the safety of dante's car, the noise of the reporters fades into the background, replaced by the low hum of the engine as dante starts the car. chris can't shake the unsettling feeling gnawing at him, and he turns to dante, desperation evident in his voice.
"dante, seriously, what's going on?" he presses, his hands trembling slightly as he fumbles to take his phone out of his bag.
dante sighs as he shakes his head. he pulls out of the parking spot. "just check your phone."
with a heavy sigh, chris unlocks his phone and navigates to instagram, his heart sinking as he sees the headlines splashed across the screen.
the first post he sees confirms his worst fears—a grainy photo of him and tj in the locker room, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, their expressions tense and hostile. chris's heart sinks as he scrolls through a barrage of comments and speculation, the weight of the situation settling heavily on his shoulders. he feels a wave of disbelief wash over him, the reality of the situation hitting him like a ton of bricks.
"what the fuck," chris says as he navigates off of instagram and to safari. he searches his name and everything he sees is just article after article about what happened.
immediately, chris is wondering how this will affect not only his reputation but also his relationship with alessia.
this wasn't supposed to come out. especially not like this.
espn
500,251 likes
espn Breaking: UCLA star Chris Sturniolo and teammate TJ Pickett got into a locker room fight following the USC game, a source tells adamschefter.
No comments from either party, but photos of Sturniolo with a black eye following the incident have surfaced.
tagged - ///
user who punched my glorious king chris sturniolo bro we're fighting
user totally unprofessional.. should never be putting your hands on a teammate!!
user and we let this mf rob marvin from the heisman 🥲 boy got beat up by tj pickett
user notice how chris gets called the star and this no one just gets the teammate
user MONEY that tj leaked this himself just to be relevant
user tj i'm on your side i want to fight chris for dating alessia every day
user who is tj pickett ?
user all this and chris will STILL get drafted first round then go home to alessia flores
user if my king didn't punch first then idc LMFAOOOO
user always knew something was off with chris LMFAO
user could NEVER be anyone off usc btw
user and chris has still been lighting up the ncaa after this so who gaf 😂😂😂
user usc game was almost a month ago we don't care
user caleb williams prob leaked ts out of spite
user tj was never getting drafted anyways.. now word out that he has anger issues
UCLA Star Chris Sturniolo in Locker Room Fight with Teammate TJ Pickett
Weeks after the huge UCLA win over USC, Chris Sturniolo and teammate TJ Pickett seem to have gotten in a fight after the win.
By TREVOR BLIND DEC 17, 2023 1:21 PM
Turns out Heisman winner Chris Sturniolo can box too!
In a stunning development following UCLA's triumph over USC, tensions boiled over in the locker room as UCLA's star wide receiver, Chris, found himself in a heated altercation with teammate TJ Pickett.
The incident, which occurred behind closed doors, has sent shockwaves through the entire football community, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the team's unity heading into the crucial postseason.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that emotions were running high in the aftermath of the victory, with celebrations quickly turning sour as a verbal exchange between Chris and TJ escalated into a physical confrontation. Sources close to the team indicate that the altercation was fueled by long-standing tensions between the two players, exacerbated by the pressure of the high-stakes matchup against their crosstown rivals.
Despite attempts to contain the situation, the altercation reportedly became heated, with both players exchanging blows before being separated by teammates and coaching staff. The incident has cast a shadow over UCLA's victory, raising concerns about the team's cohesion and discipline heading into the postseason.
In the wake of the altercation, both Chris and TJ have refrained from commenting on the incident, choosing instead to focus on preparing for the upcoming Allstate Sugar Bowl against Washington. However, their actions on and off the field will undoubtedly face increased scrutiny in the days leading up to the game.
Speculation has begun to swirl regarding the underlying causes of the confrontation. While neither player has publicly commented on the incident, rumors have surfaced suggesting that Chris's frustrations may have stemmed from hearsay about his rumored girlfriend, Alessia Flores.
Alessia, a star in the music industry, has been linked romantically to Chris in recent months, even being seen kissing him in public, sparking intense media scrutiny and fan speculation. While the pair have remained tight-lipped about the nature of their relationship, some sources allege that Chris may have heard unsettling rumors about Alessia's personal life, leading to heightened tensions and a volatile reaction in the locker room.
However, these claims remain unsubstantiated, and both Chris and Alessia have maintained a steadfast silence in the face of intense media scrutiny. Nevertheless, the mere suggestion that Chris's emotions may have been fueled by concerns about his rumored girlfriend has ignited a firestorm of debate among fans and analysts alike.
Critics have been quick to condemn Chris's alleged behavior, questioning his ability to maintain composure both on and off the field. While the Heisman winner's athletic prowess is undisputed, some have expressed concerns about his temperament and whether he possesses the maturity to handle the pressures of fame and romance.
Some are starting to question if this is the kind of player that NFL teams want on their roster.
In contrast, supporters of Chris and Alessia have rushed to their defense, dismissing the rumors as baseless gossip and urging the public to respect their privacy. Many argue that it is unfair to judge Chris based on unverified reports and that his actions on the football field should be the sole focus of attention.
As rumors continue to swirl about the altercation between UCLA's star wide receiver, Chris, and teammate TJ, speculation has turned to the possible implications for Chris's rumored girlfriend, Alessia Flores.
Alessia, often hailed as "America's Sweetheart" in the music industry, has captured the hearts of millions with her angelic voice and down-to-earth persona. However, her association with Chris has raised eyebrows among some fans and analysts who question whether the "bad boy" image portrayed by Chris is indicative of Alessia's true character behind closed doors.
While Alessia has remained tight-lipped about her relationship with Chris, opting to keep her personal life out of the public eye, some critics wonder if her association with Chris reflects poorly on her own character. They argue that Alessia, known for her wholesome image and positive influence, should be cautious about aligning herself with someone who has been involved in such a public altercation.
As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear: the public's perception of Alessia Flores may be forever intertwined with her relationship with Chris, regardless of the truth behind the rumors. Only time will tell how Alessia chooses to navigate the challenges of fame, romance, and public scrutiny in the spotlight.
Only time will tell how the Bruins will respond to this adversity and whether they can channel their emotions into a successful postseason campaign.
d1 athletes & nick
d1 athlete #1 ─── matt
d1 athlete #2 ─── chris
camera guy! ─── nick
d1 athlete #1
chris what is going on rn
camera guy!
mom is so worried she's been calling us since everything came out
where are u
why aren't u home
d1 athlete #2
i'm at dante's
talking to some teammates to find out who leaked it
d1 athlete #1
dude holy shit
i know u said he punched u
but these articles are making it seem like it was a full fight
d1 athlete #2
this is what they do
they lie for a few clicks
the fight happened a month ago and it is just now coming out to ruin my life
camera guy!
://
have u talked to alessia yet
she's getting brought up a lot
especially since the fight was about her
d1 athlete #2
she texted me but i've been avoiding her
i don't think i'll be able to talk to her rn
camera guy!
why?
doesn't she already know what happened?
d1 athlete #1
knowing chris he prob never told her
d1 athlete #2
funny story actually..
camera guy!
chris..
why the fuck didn't u tell her
d1 athlete #2
she was already concerned about us getting leaked
i didn't want her to worry about it
i thought i had it under control
d1 athlete #1
so u were an idiot and thought that u were bigger than the media
chris u have been in the game for too long to be acting like this
d1 athlete #2
don't need to remind me!
i know i'm royally fucked
but hearing that my character is being questioned too is the worst part
like i'm not even sure i'm gonna be able to get tj to corporate
camera guy!
do u think he leaked it
d1 athlete #2
no way
tj is stupid but not that stupid
but idk who else would do something like that
especially right now
no one wants negative attention on the team
camera guy!
i feel like u should talk to alessia
this is a lot coming to her at once
d1 athlete #2
i don't have anything to say
there's nothing i can say to her to make this better
d1 athlete #1
chris even i know the first thing u should do is apologize
what did u tell her about your face if u never told her
camera guy!
he obviously lied to her
chris why are u stupid
i thought matt already took up the being stupid in relationships role
u didn't have to lie to her
d1 athlete #2
i didn't want things to get ruined between us
we haven't even been together long
d1 athlete #1
well now ur cooked so
good luck to u my friend
camera guy!
go talk to her
ghosting her will just make it worse
d1 athlete #2
i'm scared
me and her have never gotten into a fight
d1 athlete #1
wow u guys were that healthy
couldn't be me
i don't even have advice for u because i would just say avoid her for now
but since i'm on my growth behavior for zara
i encourage u to talk to her and not run away
camera guy!
matt u are just sick
chris u will be sick if u don't talk to alessia
she's an understanding person
she knows this what comes with the package of dating in the public eye
d1 athlete #2
shit
okay i'm leaving dante's now
i'll talk to her when i get home
nfl baby 🤗
america's sweetheart 😊 ─── alessia
nfl baby 🤗 ─── chris
america's sweetheart 😊
hey chris
saw the article
call me when u are free
nfl baby🤗
hey i'm home now
can u talk now?
america's sweetheart 😊
yeah call me
nfl baby🤗
okay calling
alessia sits in her car, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as she stares at her phone, willing it to ring. the silence in the car is suffocating, broken only by the sound of her own ragged breaths. she bites her nails nervously, a habit she thought she had kicked long ago, but the anxiety gnawing at her now proves otherwise.
it's been hours since the news of the altercation between chris and tj broke, and alessia hasn't heard from chris all day. the weight of the situation hangs heavy on her shoulders, leaving her feeling helpless and alone.
the heavy amounts of negative comments and hurtful speculation on social media has only added to alessia's distress. people questioning her judgment, her character, and even her relationship with chris. it's as if the world has suddenly turned against her, and she's left scrambling to make sense of it all.
but for her, she doesn't really care about any of that. there's one thing that cuts deeper than the rest—the fact that chris lied to her. when he came home that night with a bruised and swollen face, he brushed off her concerns with a flimsy excuse about crazy celebrations. and now, seeing the truth plastered across headlines and social media feeds, alessia can't shake the feeling that lingers like a bitter taste in her mouth.
she wants answers. she wants to know why chris felt the need to hide the truth from her, to shield her from the reality of what was happening behind closed doors. especially over something so stupid. a fight with his teammate really? is that really something for him to be lying about?
she's mad at him. more than mad actually, but still, she just wants to hear his voice, to know that he's okay.
as the minutes tick by, alessia's patience wears thin, her anxiety mounting with each passing second. just as she's about to give in to the overwhelming urge to call him herself, her phone lights up with an incoming call.
her heart skips a beat as chris's picture lights up on her phone screen, signaling an incoming call. she hesitates for a moment, her thumb hovering over the answer button, unsure of what to expect. but ultimately, she swallows her pride and accepts the call, putting the phone on speaker and placing it on her lap.
the line is silent for a few moments, the tension thickening with each passing second. alessia can hear the sound of her own heartbeat echoing in her ears as she waits for chris to speak up first. she knows she should be the one to break the silence, to demand answers and confront him about his lies. but the words stick in her throat, choked back by a tumultuous mix of anger, hurt, and longing.
finally, after what feels like an eternity, chris's voice breaks through the silence, tentative and uncertain. "alessia?" he says, his voice tinged with hesitation.
alessia's breath catches in her throat at the sound of his voice, her emotions swirling chaotically within her. she wants to lash out at him, to demand an explanation for his actions. but as she looks at a picture of the two of them on her home screen, the memories of their shared laughter and tender moments flood her mind, softening her resolve.
"yeah, it's me," she replies, her voice surprisingly.
she hears him take a deep, audible breath as if steadying himself for what's to come, before he speaks again, his voice soft and tender. "hi, baby."
baby. the way he says it almost makes her forget about why she's so upset right now. "hi," she replies tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper.
for a moment, the line falls silent again, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy between them. alessia can almost hear the sound of their hearts beating in sync. then, breaking the silence, chris's voice fills the air once more, filled with concern. "how are you?"
alessia's heart aches at the question, and she can't hold back her emotions any longer. "not okay," she admits, her voice trembling with emotion. "how are you? are you okay?"
"no," he confesses, his tone heavy. alessia could've figured that. this is chris's first time in a real, true scandal.
"what happened?" she asks softly, her voice a whisper in the stillness of the car. "like really happened that day in the locker room?"
there's a long pause on the other end of the line, as if chris is gathering his thoughts, grappling with how much to reveal. when he finally speaks, his voice is tinged with regret. "tj and i have had an issue pretty much since the beginning of the season," he explains. "back and forth. stupid stuff that i never really get under my skin because i knew he was just bitter."
alessia hums, prompting chris that she's listening and that he can continue. she's surprised at how calm she currently is at the moment.
"after the usc game," chris pauses and takes a shakey breath. alessia wishes that they didn't have to be having this conversation over the phone. "he made a post and the caption mentioned you. he said something like 'hey alessia flores, ucla applications are still open.'" chris clicks his tongue and alessia grimaces. the fight really was about her.
"i go up to him in the locker room and i ask him nicely to change the caption. i thought it was inappropriate for him to be mentioning you after everything that had been swirling the internet. especially because he and i aren't even friends," he says. alessia nods as if chris can see her and she just knows the story is going to get worse. "he and i go back and forth about it. he's being childish and refuses to change it, so i call him a loser because that's what he is."
chris laughs and alessia can just tell it's one of anger. "immediately he's up on his feet and he starts cursing at me and shit. he's like 'you think you're so much better than us!' blah blah blah. 'just cause you're dating some famous girl doesn't mean anything!'" alessia just feels bad for chris. she was the one who brought this negative attention on him. "then he pushes me. like hard."
"at this point, i'm just so mad. i'm ready to punch him, but i decide against because i know i'm a leader." alessia smiles at the fact that chris kept his hands to himself. showing maturity. "but i do keep saying shit to him, calling him pathetic. mind you, we're still in the locker room. in front of the entire team."
"i must've something that really got to him because punches me straight in the eye," chris bangs his hand together to make the sound. "boom! i stumble back and now, i'm really about to punch him in the face. first you disrespect my girl, then you put your hands on me? that just shows you don't respect me. now, i have to show you to respect me."
alessia grimaces because she doesn't like the way this is going. she doesn't want to hear about chris fighting his teammates over her. football is everything to him. "right away, i'm lunging at this kid because i'm about to beat his fucking ass." chris sighs. "lucky for me and him, dante and ethan grabbed me before i could hit him and my coach walked in the room."
alessia can't help but feel a pang of guilt gnawing at her conscience. she never wanted her presence in chris's life to cause such problems, especially among his teammates.
"why didn't you tell me about this, chris?" she asks softly, her tone laced with hurt and confusion. "not to be like that, but you lied to me chris."
there's a brief pause on the other end of the line, as if chris is grappling with his own guilt and regret. "i... i didn't want to worry you. there was already enough with us getting leaked," he admits, his words heavy with regret. "i thought i could handle it on my own. my coach wasn't happy and i just... didn't want to put that on you."
alessia listens to chris's explanation, her heart heavy with the weight of his words. she understands his intentions, but she can't shake the feeling of hurt and betrayal that lingers in the back of her mind.
"what was so bad about what your coach said that you felt like you couldn't tell me?" she asks softly, her voice tinged with frustration. "did i make you feel like i would react poorly if it was something i didn't want to hear?"
"no, lessy, of course not." there's a brief pause on the other end of the line, as if chris is struggling to find the right words to explain himself. "he... he said some things," chris admits. "he blamed you for all the issues with the team. he called you a distraction and told me that i should keep you away from the team."
alessia's heart sinks at chris's revelation, her mind reeling with disbelief. "so practically a ban? from the games?"
chris lets out a heavy sigh on the other end of the line, his frustration palpable even through the phone. "yeah," he replies. "he said having you around was a distraction. he thought it was affecting my focus on the game." chris pauses. "if he would've had it his way, he would've just banned me from you period. he thinks your reputation causes too many problems."
"i'm so sorry, chris," she whispers. "i never wanted any of this to happen. i never wanted to be a distraction or to cause problems with your team." she pauses waiting for chris to say something. "but you didn't have to be dealing with it on your own. you could've told me." she sighs. "you should've told me."
chris lets out a heavy sigh. "i know. i should've told you," he replies. "i'm sorry for keeping it from you. i was just... i was trying to protect you."
she wants to forgive him, to move past this and rebuild their trust, but it's just a lot. this particular instance wasn't that big of a deal, but what if there's something bigger the next time? and he just doesn't tell her what happened?
and honestly not just trust, alessia doesn't want chris ruining his football over her. she would never forgive herself if something happened.
"i understand that you were trying to protect me, chris. thank you for that," she says softly, her voice filled with sadness. "but in order for us to work, especially with our relationship being in the public eye, we need to be honest with each other. i looked like an idiot to my manager today, not knowing what actually happened."
"he wanted to know what i wanted to do next. how are we going to deal with the hate? did it really happen?" alessia shrugs, again, forgetting that chris can't see her. "i didn't have an answer and i couldn't even defend you chris."
chris's silence on the other end of the line speaks volumes. "i know, les," he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper. "i messed up. i should've trusted you enough to tell you the truth."
alessia takes a deep breath. "this was a chance for you to prove to me that i could trust you," she says, her voice tinged with sadness. "that you trust me enough to confide in me." this is bigger than the situation. it's the principal of the situation. "but you blew it."
there's a brief pause before chris finally speaks up again, his voice filled with uncertainty. "what does this mean?" he asks softly. "for us?"
alessia takes a moment to collect her thoughts before responding, her voice laced with sadness. being in a relationship in the public eye, alessia just requires so much more. chris doesn't need this right now. he's so close to the national championship. "it just means... i need a break for a little while," she says. "i need some time to handle everything from my perspective in the media and with my managers and stuff. i need to figure out how to navigate through all of this."
"break as in... a break up?" he asks tentatively, his voice barely above a whisper.
"no, chris," she replies softly. she doesn't want to break up with him, she just needs a minute. they haven't been dating for long and they've already been in multiple scandals. "it doesn't mean that at all. i just need a moment to breathe, to sort through everything that's been happening. i think you need a minute too."
"okay, alessia," he murmurs. he sounds so defeated. alessia feels awful. "take all the time you need."
"goodnight, chris."
"goodnight, alessia," chris replies quietly before they both hang up the phone.
as alessia sits in the silence that follows, she can't help but feel a sense of emptiness wash over her. she had hoped for a different outcome, a resolution that would bring them closer together. but instead, they're left with more questions than answers, and alessia can't shake the feeling that things couldn't have gone worse.
he wants to protect her, but she wants to protect him. he needs to be focused on football right now. not this.
VAL SPEAKS
loaded chap.. stay safe guys