◖SWIM◗ Neymar Jr.

10

Sao Paulo, Brazil

     It was Neymar's last night in Brazil. He was hesitant to leave his home but he couldn't help the soft bubble of excitement at the thought of finally being in the same city as Serafina, Rafi he called her or if he felt a little playful, anjo. But to think about it, his world has been a little brighter ever since he met her. Especially after Davi had left to return to his mother and he had a lot of time to dwell in his past. His guilt and heartbreak came rushing back and he felt his energy getting drained even if he sat around doing nothing and wasting his time. There wasn't much to do anyway, he had declined all the invitations to go out and party, which was so very unlike him. He used to call himself a party animal but not so much since the end of the previous year. The only time he would go out is to hit the gym, he wasn't that foolish to get himself out of shape. He knew that training would be rigorous once it started so he needed to maintain his fitness.

What never failed to amaze him is that even if he was starting to get suffocated by heavy thoughts, the second he received a message from Rafi, all those loads got blown away by the minute and he would grin at his phone like a buffoon. He knew that his sister was starting to get suspicious by his weird behaviour and at times he caught her glancing over his shoulders. No doubt she had informed their mother of her concerns but that was a problem that he believed he did not have to deal with.

He had finished packing and was laying face down on his bed. The sun had already set and his room was dark, he didn't bother to turn on his lights. He sighed as his mind started reveling around his problems. This is why he hated the nighttime, all his depressing thoughts started to creep into his mind and any energy he had saved up was slowly drained by them. He picked up his phone and clicked on her contact number. Should he call her? But what if she was busy. He knew that their clinic had opened again and she was as busy as a bee, sometimes till late at night. He checked his clock, it was 6:45, that means in Paris, it was already near 11. Should he risk it? What if she was already asleep?

While he was contemplating whether to call her or not his phone rang suddenly, startling him. It was her. Serafina was calling him. His heart thudded against his chest and at the fourth ring, he finally picked up the call.

"Olá?" [Hello?] He closed his eyes as her voice travelled through the speakers. Neymar pressed his phone a little bit closer to his ears.

"Neymar, estás aí?" [Neymar, are you there?] Her voice now laced with concern as his silence stretched longer.

"Sim Rafi, como foi o seu dia?" [Yes Rafi, how was your day?]

"Oh, i thought- nevermind. Neymar, você está bem?" [Neymar, are you alright?] She was clearly concerned and he smiled. Though he hated when anyone else get overly concerned about him, he didn't mind it when it comes to her.

"Estou bem, apenas um pouco cansado." [I'm alright, just a little tired.] He answered with a quiet voice. Serafina hummed unconvinced but she didn't question it further. He was glad that she didn't, he wasn't ready to share his problems with anyone else yet.

"Como foi o seu dia?" [How was your day?] He asked again. He wanted to hear her voice all day long.

"Not quiet, that's one," She chuckled a little. "I had three appointments before lunch and a little break before a patient was wheeled into the ward. A nasty bicycle accident, pulled hamstring and broken arm and a huge cut on his head." He heard some shuffling of papers before she continued, "He needed several stitches but the nurse fixed that right up. What about you? How was your day?"

"Dull." He answered in a rather unenthusiastic manner, "I finished packing up, hit the gym and fell asleep when i got home."

"Tell me you showered before you sleep." When she got no answer, she exclaimed with disbelief. "Ó meu Deus Neymar, that's disgusting! Go and take a shower!" [Oh my God Neymar] She chided making him chuckle.