"It's official" Alberto smiled at me "you are now a Real Madrid player" my new manager shook my hand "ready to meet your teammates?"
"Yeah, can't wait" i said ignoring the nerves arising. He led me to a room where it was filled with all of the players. My eyes only looked for one though and as her eyes met mine everything came flooding back.
Flashback
"I need to speak to you after training" Athenea whispered as we ate lunch
"That doesnt sound good" i laughed oblivious to the worried look on her face
"You look like you've seen a ghost" Alba laughed at Athenea. I turned and finally fully focused on my best friend for the first time and saw how anxious she seemed
"Hey, you okay?" I placed my hand on her thigh
"Uh, yeah can we just talk later?"
"Of course"
When training finished we drove back to my apartment.
"What did you want to talk about?" I asked when we sat down inside
"I'm so sorry" was all she said and I wrapped my arms around her drawing small circles on her back
"It's okay, take your time" i ignored the butterflies I felt when her skin was against mine. In this moment I had to be a good friend.
"I'm scared I've messed everything up" she stated pulling away
"Messed what up?"
"Us" she said before another wave of emotion hit her
"No matter what's happened, you'll always have me okay? Till death do us part" I tried to reassure her even though I was unsure what was going on
"I don't deserve you" she smiled sadly
"We both know that's not true" i grabbed her hand
"I've signed for Real Madrid" she sighed and in that moment my heart dropped
"Congratulations, I'm so proud of you" I managed to say wrapping my arms around her once again
"This doesn't change anything right? We'll still see each other?" Athenea said
"Of course" I said trying to convince myself. For 6 months now my feelings for Athenea had grown more each day and the thought of not having her was killing me inside. I hadn't told her but I felt as if she knew, we were friends who crossed the line too many times. Now she was leaving I couldn't picture my life without my best friend.
"I wish things could have been different" she kissed my cheek and with that she left. That was the last time we had seen each other and properly spoken. Each day without her killed me a little more than the last. It took longer than I had hoped to get over her, the memories that would flash before my eyes when I heard her name, the way my heart would be a little bit faster, the butterflies that would arise.
Back to the present
Time stopped in that moment. It was just us. I heard the manager telling the team that I was the new signing but I wasn't paying attention. Before I knew it Athenea had sprinted across the room and engulfed me in a hug. I was stunned at first. In a way I thought she would hate me because I hadn't properly spoken to her but she clearly didn't. I hesitantly hugged her back but as soon as I did I felt alive again. The flame that had burned out was relit and I knew that I wouldn't be able to stop it this time.
"I've missed you so much" she whispered in my ear "I can't believe your here, why didn't you tell me?"
"I, uh, couldn't tell anyone" I stuttered now fully aware of everyone's eyes on us
"I'm just glad your here" she eventually pulled away. I then went round and introduced myself to all of my new teammates and the staff but Athenea didn't leave my side. The girls had already trained so they went to the gym while I took photos in my new kit so they could announce my signing. When I was done I walked out towards my car when a certain brunette was leaned against the car door
"You'll damage my car" i said sarcastically
"Shut up, do you want to come round? I can show you all the best places around here"
"Sure" i said. My first day was perfect but I was also aware of the pit in my stomach. How could I explain to her why I didn't talk to her? How would I keep my feelings hidden this time?
I drove to her apartment with all these thoughts invading my head, trying to come up with as many answers as possible.
"Are you okay? You seem nervous" Athenea stated
"Yeah, I'm fine"
"Why haven't you replied to me for so long, you said when I left that we would talk and see each other but we haven't done any of that"
"I was hurt" I confessed
"Why?"
"Because you left, I know I shouldn't have been but I couldn't help it"
"You said I would always have you. I needed my best friend so much over these past few months but you didn't phone me back, you didn't visit and you didn't text me" Atheneas voice was laced with emotion
"I'm sorry" I murmured not sure what else to say
"I just wish you would have spoken to me about how you were feeling"
"I couldn't. I couldn't tell anyone" I looked at her and all I felt was guilt
"Why not? So many players loose there best friend but they make it work, it's not like I wasn't going to see you again"
"Because it hurt more than that"
"I don't understand"
"I'm in love with you" i mumbled looking anywhere but her. What felt like hours past and she didn't say anything, I dared to look up and I saw the confusion on her face
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have come here" i said getting up
"Wait!" Athenea said stopping me in my tracks
I turned around and felt her lips on mine. I was shocked at first but when I realised what was happening I kissed her back smiling against her lips.
"What-" I began
"Shhh" she pressed her finger against my lips "let's just enjoy this. Questions tomorrow" and with that I reconnected our lips.
