Fever Dream ~ Neymar Jr

Chapter 42

2015

Neymar left Siberia in the middle of August. The time we spent together there, was easily the best of my life. We were free, with no worries, living in the middle of nowhere. No phones, no distractions. Just him and me. I fell in love with him even more in those two weeks, than I already was, than I thought was possible. And when he had to leave, I was even more devastated than the previous times.

Of course, Neymar leaving had been awful, but not just for him and me but also for Toly. He and Neymar were playing football every day, since there wasn't that much to do there when I was at work. Neymar told me that Toly had potential but he needed to start training seriously if he wanted to make it as a professional footballer. Of course, Toly was devastated, because there was no option to do that there.

Neymar then, told me he was going to see if there was a way he could get him a tryout for Barcelona's youth academy. I was skeptical, because even if Toly did manage to get in, it would mean the whole family would have to be uprooted to Barcelona. How could Vlad and Inessa leave all that they've ever know?

"I have news for Toly." Neymar told me one day on facetime. He was in his car, on his way to Camp Nou for practice, with his phone propped up on the dashboard, so I had a full view of him driving. Cheeky bastard, pulling tricks on me to get me to miss him even more. "They can arrange a tryout for him as early as next week. I suggested the end of the month, so you can help him get ready."

"And do you think he has a shot? Kids are usually a lot younger when they start there."

"I know. But I do think they could take him. And if not, there is still the possibility that one of the scouts there actually recruits him."

"He's going to be so happy." I told Neymar. "I don't know how he's going to swing it with his parents but..."

"They won't even have to come with him, if he gets in. The players in the youth academy live there, like a boarding school."

"I don't know how eager his mom would be to let him go. It's a huge decision."

"I know. From personal experience. But it's worth it."

I nodded, as Neymar reached the parking lot and shut off the engine. He unhooked the phone and continued talking to me as he went inside the training center. He'd stop and say hi to people and chat to them and all the while, he'd throw glances my way.

"Hey Liv!" I heard and Dani's head popped up next to Neymar. "How is Siberia darling? With what Neymar has told me about it, I think it's gonna be my next holiday destination!"

I laughed. "What did he tell you exactly?"

"I heard you've been naughty." Dani teased and at least Neymar had the decency to blush.

"You can come visit me, next time he comes."

Dani was about to reply, when Neymar cut him. "What do you mean next time I come?" He asked me.

Shit. I realized I'd slipped up.

"You're finishing from there at the end of August, aren't you?"

"Umm, I... They offered to extend— Actually they offered me a new contract." I told him.

"A new contract?" He asked, raising his voice.

"I'll umm, I'll leave you guys." Dani said, disappearing from the screen. I saw Neymar walk, then get lost in darkness before he switched the lights on. I saw he had gone inside an empty office.

"What new contract Liv? You're going to stay in Siberia?"

"You said you loved it! That it was the best holiday you've ever had! You can come again for Christmas and—"