IM AM SO SORRY GUYS! My computer got a virus :( Anyway here are 3 chapters to make up for it and I wish you all a happy new year! :D
Enjoy!
I heard my stomach growl and knew I needed to eat. I carried on working but a few minutes later the growling coming from my stomach was even shocking me. I decided it wasn't a bad idea to go get a snack. I hadn't really had much of a breakfast today anyway.
I decided to take my notepad and pen as well. I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to take some notes while watching the training session. I found it hard that I had to try and find flaws in players who tend to play perfectly but I guess everyone makes a tiny mistake sometimes right?
I walked to the cafeteria and wondered who I would bump into. To think a few weeks back Elena and I would wish we would run into someone but it seemed that whenever we were there, someone else was there too. As I entered the cafeteria, I smiled as I looked at the coffee machine. Normally I would have to come get a cup myself but Ibrahim, my boyfriend, brought me a cup. It was beginning to slowly sink in that he really is my boyfriend.
I went over to the counter to order something.
"Hola!" the chef greeted happily.
"Hola," I said back as I inhaled the amazing smell of pancakes.
"I'd like 2 pancakes please," I said as the chef nodded and began making mine. He handed me a plate with the pancakes on and some syrup drizzled on it.
"Gracias," I said smiling. The players were on strict diets but they were not going to restrict the staff from having good food. I took another whiff of the pancakes and sat down at a table. Just as I was about to take a bite, I heard a comment from someone.
"Those look really good," I heard Leo say from behind me. I smiled as he came to stand next to me.
The last time I had saw him properly was at the party when we had a very deep conversation. I spoke to him about things I never told anyone else. He made it easy for me to open up and just let my guard down. I think the most likely reason thought was that when I spoke to him, I could tell he really understood everything I meant because it seemed he went through similar stuff.
"Yeah, I haven't had breakfast yet," I said but was a bit confused. I was sure training didn't finish yet.
"Isn't training still going on?" I asked wondering why he was here.
"Yes, but they are doing some dribbling techniques," he said.
"Oh I see and because you can dribble an entire team by yourself you don't have to participate," I said as he smiled shyly.
"No, that's not it. I still need to practice but I came for an energy drink. Pep will not be too angry if I'm only gone for a few minutes," he said as I nodded. He went to the vending machine to get what I assumed was a powerade. As he walked back I remembered I needed to thank him.
"Leo," I called and he looked up from the vending machine at me. He seemed to understand I wanted to speak to him so he came and sat down across from me.
"I wanted to say thank you," I said.
"For?" he asked a bit confused, "I don't remember giving you another jacket," he said playfully.
"For speaking to Cesc," I said, "It really helped," I said with a smile.
"You're welcome Jade but I wasn't really doing you a favor, I was just telling Cesc the truth," he said.
"Well for me it's still a favor, so thanks," I said and he gave me a friendly smile.
"How are Cesc and-," I said after a while not knowing if I sounded a bit too nosey but I couldn't help it. I was curious to know.
"Daniella?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said not looking at him, feeling a bit ashamed.
"I don't really know to be honest. He hasn't told me much. I think they are still together but he did seem a bit down after the game Saturday. I'm sure he spoke to her but as far as I know, they are still together," he said as I nodded. I felt bad that I didn't want them to be together but she just seemed so toxic for Cesc. After what she did, how could Cesc still stay with her? It was definitely something I needed to ask him at lunch.
"But I heard you are also together with someone," he said and I could feel myself blushing.
"Um," I said pausing wondering how he knew. Unless did Elena or Demi say something to someone? Maybe Demi told Pique and we all know Pique would tell everyone.
"How do you know?" I asked confused. He gave a small smile.
"Well Ibrahim is shy but he seemed so happy when he told us this morning," he said.
When he did what?
"Oh," I said a bit shocked. I get that on Saturday he brought my flowers but only Cesc seemed to really notice. We have barely been dating and he already told everyone? I felt kind of upset but also betrayed. I thought we were going to keep this quiet until we were sure. It's not that I didn't want people to know but it's easier to decide between just you and the person instead of having everyone else give their opinion on the relationship.
"You seem a bit shocked," Leo said. It seemed he picked up on my facial expression.
"No, I just," I paused, "I just didn't know he told everyone," I said.
"You like him, don't you?" he asked unsure after a while.
"Yeah I do," I said with a small smile. I wasn't lying because I did like him, a lot but there was small voice in my head telling me I liked someone else more. After a while Leo spoke.
"So it's the gala this Friday evening," he said, "We will see you all there right?"
"Yes you will, we were invited," I replied happily.
"I take it you will go with Ibrahim," he said. I was going to tell him I was actually going with Nate but before I could he already spoke.
"I sent the invite to Antonella. I tried calling her, messaging her, emailing her," he said shaking his head, "Everything, but she hasn't replied," he said sadly. "She always attends these events with me," he paused, "Or she used to." I could see he was thinking of the times he spent with her and I could tell he was in pain.
"I'm sure she will reply soon," I said trying to be hopeful. He gave me a sad smile.
"I don't think so," he said honestly and it killed me to hear him speak with so much heartache.
"I'll be alone this year," he said, "And to think we were joking about marriage last year," he said and I could hear the miserable irony in his voice.
"You won't be alone," I said as I grabbed his hand across the table instinctively, "You'll have me there," I said, "And everyone else will be there too."
He looked up at me and gave me a smile.
"You'll save me a dance?" he asked and I smiled at him.
"Of course I will," I said.
"Well," he said standing up, "I better get going, Pep will be wondering where I am by now."
"Yeah, you would not want to upset him," I said, "He might bench you for the next game," I said jokingly as he smiled.
"I'll see you later Jade," he said as he left.
I felt so sorry for him. I could see he missed Antonella so much, I just wish she would call him or message him. As long as he heard from her, it would make it better. He wouldn't feel so lost. I just wish she would tell him if it's over instead of this silence she has been giving him. It might hurt more but it's not fair to give him hope if there is nothing there for him to be hopeful about.
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ELENA POV
It seemed I have almost got the hang of things down here at the health centre. I was not allowed to look at the main players alone but I was learning a lot. I finally was able to bandage a foot injury of a Barca B reserve player by myself! Ok fine, so it doesn't sound that great but I was making progress and I was enjoying myself while doing it. That was the important part. I was on my way to the cafeteria to get a drink when I heard a sneering voice behind me.
"Can't wait to see you on Friday evening," it said.
"Alexander," I said coldly not bothering to look at him.
"I must say I am looking forward to having the 3 of you as my dates," he said as if it shocked him.
Wait, what did he just say?!
I turned around to look at him.
"Excuse me?" I asked him, "We're not going with you."
"Oh really?" he asked condescendingly.
"Yes, you arrogant twat," I said as he gave me an annoyed look.
"You see I can decide who I want there and who I don't," he said in a powerful tone.
I stared him down and had a strong feeling it was an empty threat.
"No you can't, you're not in control here," I said and it seemed to irritate him, "There are a few people in charge, not just you."
"Actually I am the one in charge of giving you the invitations so I am in control," he said satisfyingly. I still kept staring him down. I refused to let him read my emotions. I was a bit worried now listening to what he was saying but I was not going to let him know that.
"I would rather jump off a cliff than go with you," I told him as he smirked.
"You really aren't helping yourself, if I don't take you, how will you get in? Who will get you in?" he asked threateningly.
"I will," came a very stern voice from one person I knew too well. It was Marc. Great. Right now I had to choose the person I hated less and that was Marc.
"Oh, hello Marc, how are you today?" Alexander said swapping demeanors as if he had split personalities. Marc and I just gave him a disgusted look.
"I have to go now but I'll see you both later. Have a good day," Alexander said a bit too nicely as he walked away. As soon as I knew he was out of earshot I spoke.
"Marc," I said.
"I know," he said pausing, "You don't want to go with me." I was a bit stunned at what he said and didn't know how to respond.
"Look I know I made a mistake, I was just trying to help now," he said.
"Well thanks for that," I said honestly.
"I want to see you at the gala this Friday," he said.
"Marc," I said but he carried on.
"At least let me dance with you once," he said.
"I-," I said.
"It's just a dance," he said.
"Ok, one dance," I agreed and he was right. It was one dance.
"Thanks," he said.
"Well, I need to go," I said as I began to walk away.
"Elena," he called as I stopped, "Look, I know I screwed up but just think about it, about going with me this Friday. I promise I'll try to change."
I knew he would have tried to talk me into it so I gave him the answer he wanted.
"I'll think about it," I said and he nodded hopefully.
"Thanks," he said, "I'm sure I'll be picking you up on Friday then," he said as he left.
I just sighed as I made my way to the cafeteria.
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DEMI POV
"So what was that all about?" Alexis asked me.
"Nothing," I said shrugging it off.
"It didn't seem like nothing," he said.
"He was just telling me about Jade and Cesc," I told him referring to Gerard.
"What about them?" he asked inquisitively.
"Look, it's not really important," I said hoping he'd drop it, "Anyway I needed to speak to you about an advert offer that you got," I said. He seemed to want to ask about Jade and Cesc but he decided to leave it, at least for now.
"Oh ok," he said, "Did I get offered one?" he asked surprised.
"Yip," I said nodding, "You did," I said smiling.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It's a, deodorant ad," I said and I burst out laughing when I saw the look on his face.
"A deodorant ad?" he asked, "Do I smell that bad?" he asked jokingly as I laughed.
"Look I just tell you what they offer," I told him, "But," I said moving my face closer to his, "No you don't smell bad, you actually smell really, really good," I said.
"Really?" he asked playfully coming closer and I knew we were going to kiss.
"Uh, uh," we heard someone cough behind us. I felt myself jump in shock.
"Alexis you should be at physio," Tito said looking at us disapprovingly.
"Yes sir, Demi was um, she was, uh, informing me of my advert deals," he said quickly.
"I'm sure," he said disapprovingly staring at us. I felt so embarrassed, I could only imaging what Tito thought of me now. He lifted his eyebrows, stared at the two of us and then walked away. While he did that I was wondering how I could ever look at him again.
"Well, I better get going," Alexis said.
"Yeah, umm, you probably should," I said as he began walking away. I sighed embarrassingly as I looked up at the ceiling. I then heard footsteps and looked up to see Alexis coming towards me.
"I forgot something," I heard Alexis say as he walked towards me.
"What?" I said confused. I couldn't see that he did.
"This," he said as he kissed me. I felt like I was floating but before I could even take in what was going on, I heard another voice.
"Nice one Alexis!" Alves said out of nowhere and once again I jumped. I really needed to stop doing that.
Alexis looked down, a bit embarrassed as well.
"I'll see you later," he said as he walked away and I quickly leaned on the wall before I fell over.
"Was that good huh?" Alves said jokingly as he walked away. Great, I couldn't wait for him to tell the whole of the Barca team.
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"Ok I want to see it again," Pep said to all the players.
"Leo there you are," Pep said as he saw Leo walking back onto the pitch.
"Sorry I took a while," Leo said apologetically.
"It's ok, just go join Xavi's group," Pep said to him as Leo nodded.
Leo walked over to the group that consisted of Xavi, Villa, Pique and Cesc.
"Where have you been?" Pique asked.
"I just went to get a drink," Leo replied.
"We have water here," Cesc said.
"An energy one," Leo said as they gave him confused looks while passing the ball around.
"I haven't been getting much sleep," Leo explained.
"It's Antonella isn't it?" Xavi asked but he knew he was right.
"Leo," Villa said, "If two people are meant to be together, in the end they will be."
"Really?" Pique said shrewdly looking at Cesc.
"It's what I believe," Villa said, "Look at me and Patricia," he said with a smile.
"I don't know if that's true," Xavi said, "You can be perfect for one another but circumstances are just not right."
"But then that means it wasn't meant to be," Villa said.
"Hmm, Cesc what do you think?" Pique asked him.
"I don't know," Cesc said.
"You must have some view on the matter," Pique said pressing Cesc.
"I don't know. Sometimes even the circumstances can be right but the timing of the relationship isn't," Cesc said.
"Isn't that part of the circumstances?" Xavi asked.
"Not to me, for example two people can be in the right place and meet at the right time but when they realize they want to be together, one of them is already taken. In that case if they had decided to express their feelings before then maybe they could have been together," Cesc said deep in thought.
"And this is hypothetically speaking?" Pique asked staring Cesc down but Cesc knew Pique was mocking him.
"Yeah, of course," Cesc said not looking Pique in the eyes.
"I don't know, even time would not help my situation," Leo said sadly.
"Leo, if she really loves you, she'll come back," Villa said putting his hand on Leo's shoulder as Leo nodded.
"I agree with that," Xavi said.
"I don't know," Leo said sadly as he kicked the ball.
The rest stayed silent and didn't know what to tell him because they didn't know either.