midnight rain | mason mount

i

CHARLOTTE POV.
JANUARY 15, 2022

It's 6:30PM. I close up my shop and start heading home. It's the same road that I've treaded for almost three months now, since I moved back to London after three years in Spain. I did enjoy my three years of studying in Spain, but it's safe to say that I'm glad to be home. With the help of my parents combined with money I earned in Spain doing part-time work, I achieved my long-standing dream of opening my own perfume store in London. For the past three months, profits have been looking pretty good. The profit margin is slim, but at least I'm earning profit. 

I'm about to get takeout from my usual Italian pizzeria when I get a call from Phil, my best friend. 

"Hello?" 

- Hey, Lottie. Long time no see! Or long time no call. I don't really know, anymore, eh?

I hear him laughing over the phone, and I laugh too. It's been too long since I heard his voice. 

"What's up?"

- I'm actually in London right now. I have a match against Chelsea today, and I'm about to start warming up. I know it's bit of a short notice but I was wondering if you'd want to come? It's been too long. And my folks will be there too, and I know my mum's dying to see you. 

"Of course! It's been so long since I've seen you and Claire." The two of us had been friends since practically the day we were born, since we were next door neighbors. We went to the same nursery, kindergarten, and pre-school, then proceeded to go to primary and secondary school together. We then went our separate days— Phil going pro, of course, and me going to Spain for university. But being best friends, we stayed in touch, even in different countries. 

- Do you know where the stadium is? 

"Stamford Bridge, right?" 

- I'm impressed. I thought you didn't know anything about football other than the fact that I play it. 

"Very funny. I'm dying on the floor, laughing. If I don't make it to the match, it's because you were too funny, I died on the floor laughing." I say sarcastically. 

- Ok, ok. I get it. I'll see you in a bit. 

Outside the stadium, there was a crowd of fans, all piling in to watch the game. Everywhere I had ever lived— England and Spain— football was so popular, I had watched a lot of it all my life. But I had never been an avid fan of it. Just not my thing, I guess. But I did watch the occasional Man City game when I had time, since I wanted to watch Phil play. I had watched the Euro 2020 Finals in Wembley just because I had gotten free tickets from him— but that was pretty much it. 

I met up with Claire outside the VIP entrance and we made our way to our seats. Claire, of course being a family member, had access to the VIP seats, right next to the field. 

"Claire! It's so wonderful to see you. How have you been?" I asked when we got the chance to sit down. The players were still warming up, so we had some time before kickoff. We made some small talk, and she asked me, raising an eyebrow, 

"Any updates in your life?" I laughed at her expression and replied, 

"Nope. But I'm honestly glad. I've been so busy trying to keep my business afloat, I really don't think I have the time for anything else right now. My last relationship ended, what, a year ago? I haven't been involved in anything serious since." 

"Oh, sweetie. I'm so sorry. I know how much you cared about him. You were seeing him for two years, right? Before you broke up. I remember Phil telling me about the two of you. He was worried sick about you, worried that you would be lonely during your time in Spain, in a foreign country all alone. But then he told me that you had already found yourself a boyfriend! Silly girl." Claire laughed, and I smiled too. It was nice getting back into the old rhythm of things.