Looks can be deceiving (Mapi León x OC)

Chapter 13 - first match

Nervously, I stepped into the Johan Cruyff stadium where our first game against Levante would be taking place in a little under two hours.

"It's going to be okay" Alexia, who had insisted on picking me up, reassured me for the millionth time.

"I just wish the game would begin already" I complained as we were walking into the changing room.

"I know, that's what you say every minute" Alexia laughed, slightly touching my arm. "But seriously, no need to worry. Let's find your clothes, okay?"

"Why are they not in numerical order?" I wondered while letting my gaze wander over all the jerseys.

"Most of us have played here for quite some time and have a preferred place to sit before a game" Alexia explained and pointed to a jersey with the number 20 on it. "There's yours. I'll meet you on the pitch for a warmup session, okay?"

I nodded, even though I wasn't really fond of the idea of having to let her go and made my way to my assigned spot. A loud sigh escaped my mouth when I saw who'd be sitting next to me.

"Good morning, princesa" Mapi greeted me with a big smile. She was already dressed in our pregame clothes and just about to put on her cleats.

"María León, always a pleasure" I grinned while taking my shirt off.

"What did I do to deserve the María treatment?"

"You're stuck with that until I finally find a nickname for you." As I stood in the changing room with nothing but underwear, I felt her gaze wandering over my body and I couldn't help but blush. Great, Ingrid's going to love this. Quickly, I pulled my jersey over my head.

"How did your evening go?" Mapi asked curiously.

"I watched Netflix and went to bed at 9 pm to prepare myself for today's match" I replied, knowing that wasn't the answer she had been looking for.

"What about your little date the evening before?"

I put my shorts on before taking a seat on the bench next to Mapi who had just finished tying her cleats. "It was good" I replied, putting on my own cleats. "How was your evening with your girlfriend?"

Mapi threw me a confused look. "I don't have a girlfriend."

"Well, maybe tell her that" I winked before getting up to look for Alexia on the pitch. As I left, I could feel Mapi's stare on my back and it sent a shiver down my spine.

Alexia was standing in the middle of the pitch doing some warmup exercises and I quickly joined her while taking in my surroundings. It was my first time inside of the Johan Cruyff Stadium. The first few fans had already settled in on the blue stands and I could see some banners asking for Mapi and Alexia's jerseys as well as Barca flags and scarfs.

"You really have some die-hard fans" I pointed to them, and Alexia followed my hand with her eyes.

"They're quite early" She noticed. "Levante hasn't even started their warmup yet."

"Better for us" I shrugged. "Wanna do a warmup run?"

Alexia nodded and we started making our way around the pitch.

"How are things going with Jenni?" I wondered.

An uncontrollable smile lit up Alexia's face. "We've been getting along so well ever since that day at the beach three weeks ago" She let me know. "I think we might be getting back together!"

"Wow, that's great news! I'm so happy for you!"

"What happened?" Keira had suddenly appeared next to us and shot us a curious grin.