The Quiet Girl (An International Story)

Deserving

I officially finished all my college classes last night. So in honor of that, my short film coming out on Monday, and my graduation in 2 weeks, enjoy this update!

August 2025

Alexandra's POV:

"Welcome to Madrid." I looked at Zariah. 

"Last time I was in Spain, things didn't end well." 

"New you. New trip. Besides, it's a sister trip. Nothing else matters." 

We went to a restaurant and sat to eat. As usual, all the TVs were tuned to the sports channels.

I looked up. "Atletico Madrid announced that forward Mariana's contract will not be extended. After signing on in 2022 for 3 years, her contract was up following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. The club announced earlier today that both parties are ok with the decision. They did finish the season top of the table. No news on where Mariana will be reporting for preseason."

"I've seen her play. She's pretty good."

"She's hot." Zariah said. 

"She's also taken." I said. "And I've learned my lesson about trying anything with girls who have prior interests." I smiled. "Especially if they play a certain sport in a certain country."

"You did that too yourself." She said taking a sip of her drink. "You knew Nahikari liked Virginia and you offered to help her. Then you caught feelings." She shook her head. "You dumbass." 

Virginia's POV:

"What?" I looked at the coach. "Mariana is leaving? You're joking right? This is a joke."

"It's not. Mariana's contract will not be extended. It was a mutual agreement at the end of the season. She'll be coming in to clear out her space."

I scoffed. "What the fuck." I turned to Lola. "Did you know?"

"I didn't." Lola crossed her arms. "She really made us believe she'd be back."

We cleaned up for the end of the season when the doors opened. Mariana walked in and was greeted by teammates. They were giving her best wishes and saying goodbye.

She cleared out her locker and looked at me. "Vir." She said.

I shook my head. "Don't talk to me." I turned and walked away. 

"Really?" I heard her say. "You too!" She said. Lola walked out and looked at me. 

"She was my best friend." I mumbled. Carmen walked out. 

"That doesn't have to change just cause she's leaving the team, Vir." Carmen said.

"She lied." I looked at her. "She said she was coming back, but she lied." I walked outside to my car. 

I heard a knock on my window. I saw Mariana. "I'll talk through a closed window, Vir. Don't think I won't." I sighed and rolled down the window.

"You are the last person I want to talk to right now." 

"I couldn't tell you, Vir. You know how these things work. Please, don't shut me out. Please." I looked up at her. I saw tears in her eyes. "I can't lose another person."

I looked straight ahead and put my car in reverse. "Then you should've thought about that before you lied." I reversed out of the spot and drove off.

Nahikari's POV:

I headed to the facility for an end-of-season meeting. I saw Natalia. "Hey." She smiled. 

"Hey." I laughed. "What are you doing here?"