The Secret - Alexia Putellas

14.

Thank you Eliza!!!
You're great!

Two days had flown by.

While Erin had traveled to Munich with the team, Alexia had remained in Barcelona to train with the injured players. The captain had packed her schedule to the brim, knowing time would pass more quickly if she kept herself busy.

And now, in what felt like the blink of an eye, the two days were up, and Alexia found herself back at the training grounds, waiting anxiously for the team to return.

Stretching on the sidelines, she tries not to let her nerves get the best of her and to focus instead on how happy and excited she is to see Erin again.

"Ale, how come you're so cheerful today? I have to admit, I'm still exhausted after yesterday's hike", Jana jokes, nudging Alexia's shoulder before grabbing a ball, juggling it on her own and then lobbing it towards the captain.

Alexia bites her lower lip, unable to suppress a smile.

Ever since Erin had joined Barcelona, she could really feel herself improving again.

Finally.

Thanks to the therapist.

"I actually feel really good today", Alexia admits, her gaze meeting Jana's.

"That is... not that it's surprising, but... I'm surprised. And really glad", Jana stammers, watching Alexia, whose eyes were sparkling happily, as she juggled the ball for a few seconds before passing it back to the defender.

"I'm sorry that I've been so withdrawn these past few weeks. It's just... I've been sort of overwhelmed", Alexia explains shyly, waiting for Jana to return the ball.

She had been thinking about her behavior and realized she really needed to make more of an effort to reconnect with her teammates.

Somehow, she had gotten so caught up in feeling sorry for herself that she had not been a very good captain or friend to the people who mattered most to her.

"Don't worry about it, Ale. We all have moments like this... we love you no matter what and hope you know that you can always talk to us. We just want you to be ok", Jana replies, striding over to give Alexia a hug. Relieved, the midfielder sighs, wrapping her arms around the younger player gratefully.

"Jana! Ale!", a voice calls out behind them. Turning, they spot Mapi racing over.

"Mapi!", Jana shouts, letting go of Alexia as the blonde barrels into them.

"Hola, Mapi", Alexia smiles, picking the defender up and nuzzling her the way she always did to
greet her. Or the way she always had before her mood changed.

"Capitán, I can't remember the last time you did that! You must have really missed me!", Mapi chirps, giggling and nuzzling Alexia back.

"I... actually... I was thinking about inviting some of you over for dinner, or maybe to a restaurant, or something... as an apology for being so... disconnected lately," Alexia mumbles, nervously scratching the back of her neck, her eyes flickering back and forth between Jana and Mapi.

"You don't have to apologize, Ale. We know you've been struggling recently. Though I am always up for a get together. Oh, I have an idea", Mapi says excitedly, scanning the training grounds behind them where a number of their coworkers were making their way onto the pitch.

"What?", Alexia asks tentatively, recognizing the mischievous look on Map's face.

"You should invite Erin! She's stunning and totally your type", the blonde exclaims, grinning at the
captain who was avoiding eye contact, looking bashfully at the ground in front of her instead.
Alexia swallows.