Mónica's POV
Only a couple of days later, my dad and I are back at the Camp Nou for the Champions League match. He was thrilled when he found his Gavi shirt. And I still feel weird wearing mine but the photographers seem to be loving it.
They are also keeping their distance. The press was very damning towards them after what happened on Saturday. Various agencies were accused of putting our lives at risk. And somehow, we came out looking really good. Everyone had a lot of compassion for me, after seeing me cry while I was trying to carry on driving. And everyone loved Pablo defending me from the paparazzi.
I've seen all the videos and photos too many times. Especially the one from when we were at the traffic light. Even though I'm the one in the video and I experienced that myself, I can't help going back to look at Pablo's expression. Everyone just says it's because he loves me but I know that's not true. But...his look was so soft, so loving. And the way he treated me when we got to his place felt so similar. And there were no cameras there. I mean, we were completely alone and he still...he cared. He cares. And I would lie if I said I don't care about him.
We might not be really dating but we could be friends. And I like the sound of that. Maybe that way when this contract is over, we can still hang out. The idea of losing him completely scares me right now.
"There's your boy", says my dad, pointing at the pitch.
"Yeah, he told me he was starting this match too".
"Well, obviously. Xavi will be an idiot if he left him on the bench".
"Is he really that good?"
I don't like the look my dad is giving me. He knows I don't understand football.
"Honey, you're dating the most promising young player in Europe".
"He's just Pablo to me", I say, shrugging. Because it's true. I don't care about who he is to people.
"Young love...I remember it. Enjoy it", he says, giving me a hug.
What we don't get to enjoy is the match. Barça lost and even those like me who know little about football can tell the result is one of those that hurt.
My dad makes me send a text to Pablo to let him know they can meet another day if he's not feeling well today, which I find so nice of him. But we are told to go meet him anyways.
The first player we see is Pedri, who is the only one that knows the truth about our relationship. I met him briefly a few times.
"Hi Mónica. Pablo will be out soon. He's...having a moment".
"Of course. This is my dad, Gerard. Dad, you know who this is".
"How could I not know? Very nice to meet you, son. It was a tough match but you did well. Be proud".
"Thank you. It's nice meeting you as well. I gotta go now, my family is over there waiting for me. See you soon".
"Yeah", I say, giving him a wave.
My dad has to move away from our loud area to talk with my mum on the phone. And it's then that Pablo gets out of the dressing room, head down. I've never seen him like this.
When he sees me, he walks towards me.
"Where is your dad?"
But I don't answer him. I just hug him because he looks like that's exactly what he needs. Despite his initial shock, he's quick to react by hugging me back. I can feel some drops of water falling from his hair to my face since he just got out of the shower. But I don't care.
"Is this because of the people here?", he whispers.
"No, it's because you need it. As I needed you the other day. It's what friends do".
He moves back to look at my face. "So we're friends now?"
I nod and he smiles. It feels so good to know I'm the person who made him smile at a moment like this.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Hearing my dad's voice makes me separate from Pablo. "No. Eh...dad, this is Pablo".
"I know", he laughs. "Hi Pablo. I'm Gerard. Come give me a hug".
Not wanting to stay there for longer, we move to the car and my dad and Pablo spend the whole time talking about the match while I check my phone.
"Mónica!"
"What?"
"Put your phone down, we are talking about your concert".
"What about it?"
"Well, Pablo will be there with your mum and with me. You got some nice support".
"Yeah. That's nice".
My dad sighs and goes back to talking to who he thinks is my boyfriend.
"She's not really excited about it".
"Why?", he asks, looking back at me.
"None of the people from the show really want me there. It feels weird".
After every edition of Operación Triunfo, the contestants have to do a couple of big shows in Spain. We sing the songs we performed on the show and another one as a group.
I have 3 solo songs...and then one with Mario. The ballad they made us sing when the show was trying to make it look like we were a couple. I thought it weird to give us that song back then but now it all makes sense.
"Well, the fans will make up for it. And your parents and I will be there supporting you".
"Yeah, that'd be nice".
Gavi's POV
When we get to my house, Mónica's dad offers her to stay with me but she says no. Claiming she needs the rest for the show. Even if I know nothing was going to happen between us, I'm slightly disappointed. I liked hanging out with her after the match the other day. Despite all the previous drama.
I get out of the car and so does she, so she can sit in the front with her dad. But also, she has to say goodbye to me and...well, we are supposed to be dating.
She hides her face on my neck when she hugs me. And I guess from her dad's point of view, it might look like a kiss. But I can't resist kissing her cheek when she's about to move away.
"Good luck tomorrow".
"Thank you".
YOU ARE READING
When it becomes real (Pablo Gavi)
FanfictionMónica's dream had always been the same: becoming a singer. It was all she wanted and after finishing second in the singing contest Operación Triunfo, she thought her dream was never going to become real. Despite being the fan favourite, she didn't...
