The Quiet Girl (An International Story)

A Good Friend

January 2023

Alexandra's POV:

I got back to China and settled in to finish the season. I got set up with a therapist who agreed to do virtual visits until I was back in the US.

I had a session with her today.

"Hey, Alex." He smiled. "How was the flight?"

"Long but I'm happy to be back." 

"How are you feeling about the rest of the season?"

"Good." I nodded. "It's something to put my energy into." I shrugged. "Something positive."

"What happens during the offseason?"

"Well hopefully during these sessions I'll find something else to help. Talking is a start. I've been disappearing on my friends and family. I need to work on that. I need to be better," I looked down. "for my sister's sake. She's all I have left." 

"You need to do it for you too, Alex."

"She's my twin. I need to start with doing it for her. She pushes me, always has. She's someone I look up to."

"Tell me about this friend of yours."

I sighed. "Nahikari?" He nodded. "Where should I start?"

Nahikari's POV:

"Yeah, I'm doing good. Therapy is helping a lot."

"That's good. I'm happy to hear that Alex. You deserve to be happy. I'm glad you called." I zipped my suitcase. "How's Beck doing?"

"Healing up. They're still looking for the guys so he's living with my sister still."

I laughed. "Isn't Beck the one who has a huge crush on your sister?"

"Yes, he is."

"How do we feel about him living with her?"

"Honestly? I'd be ok if they dated. Beck has had a rough life, but he's a good guy. He owns his own gym and is smart with everything. He had a bad start but he turned it around. Plus he's in love with her. She'd be loved and that's all I want."

"That's good. You deserve to be loved too, Alex." I said. 

"I need to love myself first." She said. "I just want to thank you. Everything I've done, you stuck around. Most people would leave but you didn't."

"You've been through a lot. And you're still so young, like Beck you're turning it around. If those people that left didn't want you then, they don't deserve you when you're thriving." I said.

"Still, I appreciate it." She said. "How's everything with Virginia?"

"Do you actually care?"

"I'm just trying to make conversation, Nahi." She said. "I need to accept it even if it kills me."

"Everything is fine." I said. I looked out my window and saw Vir's car pull up. "I gotta go." I said. "Heading to meet the national team. I'll talk to you when I get a chance."

"Have a safe trip."

"I will." I went outside. "Bye, Alex."

Vir got out and walked over. "Alex?" She took my bags. "You were talking to Alex?"

"She called." I shrugged. 

"And?"

"She's doing better. In therapy. Sessions every week. Sometimes twice a week if she has the time." I said. "She knows she needs the help and she's getting it."