"Was he mine? My oh, my,
He kills me with his grace,
But at most whiles, he makes me want to smack him across the face."
Lia Laudeline is Lionel Messi's adopted sister and an Astronomy student. She loves to read books and likes to lead a quiet life...
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I pulled her out of the crowd.
She was standing there like a complete idiot. She must've arrived a few minutes ago, I thought to myself. What if she got crushed in that crowd? What if some guy had hit on her? What if-
Ugh. . . I still see her as the innocent, little girl I used to play with. I cannot accept the fact that she doesn't need me anymore. She has grown to become an intelligent and independent woman but there's a part of me that still clings on to the past. She's almost.. what 22 now! How time flies.
The day Antonella, my beautiful wife introduced me to her best friend's sister, little Lia, who was barely even 5, I just grew to be more fond of her. She had no parents, only her uncle who visits on weekends. I found the girl interesting and adorable, she was timid and hushed at first but warmed up to me gradually. She reminded me a lot of myself, actually. More than me, Anto had known Lia since the day she was born, so she was more chill towards my wife. And I'm confident to assume that the tables have changed now.
We took her to all our dates as her sister Vienna was busy working. She was so happy when she was around us and I liked seeing her happy. The day I realised that Lia was unique and different is when I took her to school one day. I went in a disguise, of course but the sight there shocked me. She seemed to have no friends in her class. She sat alone, ate alone and didn't even talk to anyone. That is totally unfair for a 10 year old. After seeing this, the next day I suggested that I drop her at the school as myself without my disguise and make all the kids plead her for my autograph. I thought she'd take the offer but she politely refused. If I had said this to any other kid in her situation, they'd definitely take it. Lia surprised me that day by denying popularity and choosing solitude. Her words still ring in my ear,
"I don't want anyone to ask about you because of your popularity, Leo. I want them to ask about you because of how you make me smile everytime you pick me up."
I loved her. I loved her even more ever since then. And I'll never stop loving my little sister Lia.
She stumbled back and fell in my arms. She turned apprehensively to see who it was, and when she looked at me her eyes lit up and a smile filled her face. I myself was grinning from ear to ear.
'LEO!', She screamed and jumped into my arms for a hug. I hugged her back tightly. She held on to me like I was the last thing that would stop her from fading away.
'I missed you so much. . .All of you', she mumbled into my shoulder.
I gave her a pat on the head and took hold of both her shoulders to look at her properly. She had grown up so much since I last saw her.
'I've missed you too, querida ', I smiled and kissed her forehead. She hugged me again. She let go as I laughed and put my arm around her neck. I started to walk us towards the bar. She bent down a little due to the weight of my arm but still giggled and held onto it for support.
