Can we just go back? -Pedri

XXXIX

"Hi Papa." I said with a sad smile. "I've missed you all."

"Mija..." said a very emotional mama as she walked up to me and pulled me into a hug. 

I clinged onto her, holding her as tight as possible as I cried into her shoulder. Papa eventually came over and joined our hug, holding me close as well. 

I pulled away, wiping my tears as I smiled at them. "I'm so sorry, I've missed you all so much." I cried. 

"We missed you too baby. What's wrong?" said papa, pulling me over to sit with on the couch. He held me close as I cried and told them everything. All that had happened all the way until now. 

They held me most of the night until I feel asleep, consoling me and helping me by just being there for me, especially when I needed them. 

---

I woke up early this morning, early enough to know my dad hadn't left for work yet and I still had a chance to go with him if I hurried. 

I threw on a dark green hoodie with a pair of black leggings and my crocs and ran downstairs. I found my dad eating breakfast, about to leave.

"Buen dia pa, puedo ir con vos?" I asked, picking up an apple from the table. 

"Si mija, come here for a second." He answered. I walked over to him. He moved my hair to look at the bruise on my face that was visible but could clearly be hidden. "Y'know I love you very much and I don't want to make you feel like I don't care but simply for the press and other stuff going around I'm gonna need you to cover that up before we leave, I'm sorry baby."

"No, it's fine papa, I understand I just forgot about it I'll be right back." I said, running up the stairs. 

I quickly grabbed some color corrector and some concealer to cover it up and threw on some mascara cause I was already there.

I made my way back downstairs when I finished and made my way to the car where my dad was already seated.

We quickly made our way to the stadium where we obviously found the team. I ran up to Xavi first, engulfing him into a hug which he gratefully returned. Then the rest of team came over getting me with a bone crushing hug.

We all greeted each other and laughed around a bit before the guys had to get back to practice. I sat down on a chair under the shade, choosing the option that made me sweat less. Thankfully I had decided to wear one of the many Nike sports bras I owned so I decided the take the sweater off, giving me a little less heat. I didn't expect it to be too hot since it was already becoming fall but the day clearly didn't agree with me. 

Xavi and papa Cleary didn't like my decision as they both gave me un-approving looks and walked my way to try and get me to put it back on but I just stood up and walked over to the where the extra balls where and started juggling one of them. They got the memo and went back to what they were doing so I smiled at myself as I continued. 

After a few minutes I took my place back in my seat and continued watching the boys train. Once they finished up, a few came running over to where I was and sat on the ground as they told me what I had missed since I had been gone. 

"Okay, enough about us, how's it been with João?" asked Frenkie. 

"Oh, everything been good, we'll be moving down to Madrid in a few weeks." I replied, trying to sound happy about it so they wouldn't notice. 

"That's nice, he's going back to Atleti right?" asked Pedri this time. 

"Uh, yea he is. He's really excited about it." I answered, truthfully. João has been super excited to move back ever since he had found out. "Well guys, this has been lovely and I'm glad to be back but I really need to be going unless one of you gives me a ride home." 

"I can I'm  taking Pedri and Gavi home either way so we can drop you off on the way." said Ferran. 

"Uh, yes please thank you." I spoke, to which he nodded. 

We continued talking for a while until it was just us four left. "Guys, I think we should start heading out now." I say. They all agree and we start getting up, moving over to pick their stuff up. I waited while they got showered and ready before we headed out. 

I walked over and waited by Ferran's car. Pedri was the first one to come out so he came over and joined me. "Hey Isa, how are you? Like genuinely I could tell some of the questions were bothering you back there." he asked.

"I'm not sure... but I can't get myself out anymore." I reply, sending him a sad smile.

"Is it João?" he said, giving me a questioning look. I didn't know what to do so I just looked down and nodded my head, not sure what would come from it. He cursed under his breath, clearly upset about it. "Isa, I know I've fucked up a lot in the past, but no matter what we are or how we feel about one another I'll always care about you and be there for you. If you need help Isa, please tell me. I'll help you get away and I'll help you go wherever you need to, I just need your signal." 

I smiled at him. Even after all the pain I've gone through because of him, he's still helped heal me in so many ways. "Thank you Pedri. You know no matter what I'll always love and care about you. You've always been there to help me even when you don't realize it. I know I need help right now, but I still need some time to make sure all goes through." I say. "And Pedri, I miss you." I smile at him. 

"God Isa, I miss you too it physically hurts me." he replies, pulling me into a hug. "I have been waiting for you for months. Just some sign that I hadn't lost you, and when I saw you today at practice I swear I felt my heart stop for a moment. I literally turned to look at Gavi and gave him the fattest smile I think I've ever had. I really don't think I can go through the rest of this day knowing that after seeing you we don't have any form of relationship, even just being friends is enough for me. I just need you back in my life Bells." I could hear the crack in his voice at the end his sentence. 

"Pedri, I hope we never leave each other lives again, and I swear I'll give you another chance once I can get back from all of this, I mean, only if you want it." I stutter.

"I wouldn't want anything else Bells." He says, starting to slowly lean in. I made eye contact with him and then looked down to his lips, starting to lean in myself. 

"Hey guys, we're back!" scream an excited Gavi running over, making us pull away quickly and leaving us each a flustered mess.