The Quiet Girl (An International Story)

Friendships

January 2024

Virginia's POV:

"I just don't get why this is all happening." Nahikari said.

"What?"

"Mapi is trying to plan everything without Mariana knowing so that Mariana doesn't know she's going to propose." I nodded. "But Mapi is being weirder than normal which is making Mariana suspicious." 

"Exactly." I nodded. 

"So why aren't you trying to STOP Mapi from acting like this? Mariana isn't going to be happy about Mapi sneaking around especially when her BEST FRIEND, is in on it."

I closed my eyes. "You're right."

"Babe," I looked at her. "I'm always right." She smirked.

"I know you are." I smiled. "And that's what I lo-"

"Vir!" Lola yelled. "Mapi is here! Again!"

I shook my head. "I gotta go."

"Thank to Mapi." She said. "Before Mariana kills one of you."

I laughed. "I will. Bye." I ended the FaceTime and got up. "Mapi!" She walked in. "How's my favorite neck tattooed little dumbass doing?" 

"Be quick with this, Mapi. Mariana is coming over today." I sat back down. Mapi opened her laptop and showed me everything.

Nahikari's POV:

"News out of the Russian Women's Hockey League, Shenzhen have announced that they will not be extending the contract of forwarding, Alexandra Hernandez. Hernandez is still recovering in Boston from a broken leg. She was not expected to rejoin the team for the remainder of this season due to the injury. Now she'll have to find a new team for next season."

I shook my head and looked at my phone. "No." I looked away. "I am not going to call her. She has to handle this herself."

Alexandra's POV:

"They aren't going to extend your contract." My agent said. "Trust me when I say, I tried very hard, Alex. They just weren't going to offer you anything. Not even one year."

"Did they say why?"

"They said as talented as you are, you've always had something preventing you from being what you can be. I don't blame them. You have gone through a lot and don't always find the healthiest ways to cope." I sighed. "But I've already started looking at offers for you. When you're ready to return to the ice, you'll have a team to do so."

I heard my sister laugh in the other room. "It's probably a longshot but," I looked back at the screen. "see if Boston wants to take a chance on a currently injured forward with mental health problems. If I can stay here, near my sister? I know I'll be able to reach that level Shenzhen talked about."

She laughed. "I'll see what I can do. No promises but I'll try. Take care of yourself, Alex. I'll be in touch."

"Thank you." I hung up and stood up. I was back to walking on both feet. Skating was a whole different story.

One I'm not ready for. 

Physical therapy has been good. Regaining strength in both legs. 

"Well?" Zariah looked at me. Beck standing behind her.

I sighed. "Shenzhen is not extending my contract. As of now, I'm unattached." I shrugged.

"I'm sorry, Alex." Zariah pouted. 

"No one wants to sign a depressed, anxious forward with anger issues." 

"The first step is admitting it." Beck smirked. Zariah elbowed it. "Ow! You know I'm right, Z!"