You made me believe again

Chapter 8

As Amanda settled into her work routine the next day, her mind couldn't help but drift back to the moments she had shared with Alexia. The memory of their conversations and the connection they had formed lingered in her thoughts, bringing a smile to her lips as she went about her tasks.

As she was talking to Bailey, her best friend and manager, Amanda's gaze unconsciously drifted towards the door, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. Bailey noticed her distraction and raised an eyebrow, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

"Waiting for someone, Amanda?" Bailey teased, a playful grin spreading across her face.

Amanda's cheeks flushed even deeper at Bailey's remark, and she quickly averted her gaze, hoping to hide her embarrassment she quickly wrote on the notepad. "N-no, of course not," she stammered, her voice betraying her nervousness.

But Bailey wasn't fooled. She had known Amanda long enough to recognize the signs of a crush when she saw one. With a knowing smirk, she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"Come on, spill the beans, Amanda. Who's the lucky person you're waiting for?"

Amanda's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red at Bailey's persistence, but she couldn't help but smile at her friend's antics as she wrote on the notepad. "It's nothing, really," she insisted, though her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Alexia again.

But Bailey wasn't about to let her off the hook that easily. With a playful grin, she nudged Amanda's shoulder and winked.

"Uh huh, sure it's nothing. I see the way you light up whenever you talk about her. You've got it bad, girl."

Amanda couldn't help but laugh at Bailey's teasing, grateful for her friend's unwavering support and encouragement. With a playful roll of her eyes, she shook her head and returned her focus to her work, though her thoughts still lingered on the possibility of seeing Alexia again.

As Alexia arrived at her rehabilitation session the next day, she braced herself for the inevitable discomfort that awaited her. With each step, she felt the familiar ache in her knee, a constant reminder of the injury that had sidelined her from the soccer field.

As she settled onto the treatment table, her physical therapist, Maria, greeted her with a warm smile. Maria was a no-nonsense woman with a gentle touch, but Alexia knew that her sessions would be anything but easy.

As Maria began to work on her knee, Alexia gritted her teeth against the pain that flared to life with each movement. She hissed and grunted as Maria manipulated her injured joint, her muscles protesting against the strain.

"Sorry, Alexia, I know it hurts," Maria said sympathetically, her voice filled with empathy. "But we need to work on strengthening those muscles if you want to get back on the field."

Alexia nodded through clenched teeth, her jaw tight with determination. She knew that the road to recovery would be long and arduous, but she was willing to endure whatever pain was necessary to regain her strength and mobility.

As Maria continued to work on her knee, Alexia focused on her breathing, willing herself to push through the discomfort. With each exhale, she felt herself sinking deeper into a state of acceptance, letting go of the frustration and anger that had consumed her in recent weeks.

And as the session came to a close, Alexia felt a sense of accomplishment wash over her. Despite the pain, she had persevered, pushing herself to the limit in pursuit of her goals.

As she left the rehabilitation center, Alexia knew that the road ahead would be challenging, filled with setbacks and obstacles. But she also knew that she was not alone—that with Maria's guidance and support, she would overcome whatever challenges lay in her path.

With a renewed sense of determination, Alexia headed home, her heart filled with hope for the future. For in the midst of pain and adversity, she had found the strength to keep moving forward, one step at a time. And as she looked towards the horizon, she knew that brighter days lay ahead, waiting to be seized with both hands.

As Amanda finished her shift at the café, she couldn't shake off the feeling of disappointment that settled in her chest. Despite her best efforts to stay positive, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the realization that Alexia wouldn't be coming in today.

With a heavy sigh, Amanda glanced at the clock on the wall, noting the time with a sense of resignation. It was late afternoon already, and there was still no sign of Alexia. She had been looking forward to seeing her again, to picking up where they had left off in their conversations.

As she tidied up the café and prepared to close for the day, Amanda pulled out her phone and sent a text to Alexia, hoping to brighten her day with a simple message.

"Hey Alexia, just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. I missed seeing you at the café today. Hope your day went okay. Take care. 😊"

With a sense of longing, Amanda hit send, her heart fluttering with anticipation as she waited for Alexia's reply. She knew that Alexia was going through a tough time with her injury and breakup, and she wanted nothing more than to offer her some comfort and support.

As she finished up her closing duties and locked up the café, Amanda couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness in the pit of her stomach. She missed the easy camaraderie she had shared with Alexia, the way their conversations flowed effortlessly from one topic to the next.

But even as she longed for Alexia's presence, Amanda knew that she had to respect her boundaries and give her the space she needed to heal. She could only hope that her message would bring a smile to Alexia's face and remind her that she was not alone in her struggles.

With a final glance at the café, Amanda turned and headed home, her thoughts filled with thoughts of Alexia. And as she drifted off to sleep that night, she whispered a silent prayer for Alexia's well-being, hoping that she would find the strength and courage to face whatever challenges lay ahead.