cruel summer | PEDRI GONZALEZ

[45] concentrate

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MARISOL's POV

what i didn't know while pedri and i were in the garden was that my parents were watching... and thiago just so happen to hear as well. he doesn't know that i know, but he told my parents this morning after i woke up with them after going into their room sobbing at the fact that i had finally done something.

it would explain why he refuses to let go of my hand and has been checking on me every five minutes.

"i have a better view, wanna switch?"

"mi amor (my love), it's a one seat difference. i'm fine i promise!" his effort breaks my heart yet pieces it back together all in one.

he squeezes my hand the second we see our dad walking out. the whole stadium is screaming and i myself am cheering him on and the sight of the captain armband has never felt so right.

though, i'm not seeing gavi or ansu start, i see gündogan in the line up.

i smile and go down the line till we meet eye to eye.

it's almost like he's seeing right through me... enough to see abril right behind me. i drop it and watch as thiago watches me. "it's okay to not be okay sometimes, sabes? (y'know?)"

"i've always told you that."

"you should listen to yourself then. maybe take a break every once in a while too." i wish i could. but i hear what he's saying and we return just in time for the whistle to blow and i smile to myself, trying my best to hold up.

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PEDRI's POV

i felt sick in ways i couldn't put into words.

i thought that by going to marisol's, i could tell her about everything really going on between abril and i and that i've never felt more sorry than i am now because of the way i've been treating her lately... or haven't because i'm not there anymore.

the conversation is stuck in my head i completely missed that pass from koundé that one of the players from gefate were running with the ball i gave them.

i so happen to be right at the sideline closest to the bench too just so i could hear xavi. "que puta te pasa (what the hell is wrong with you), pedri?!como vas a dar el balón así?! (how're you gonna give the ball like that?!)" i don't know myself.

i also don't know what'd it'd be like if we didn't have stegen who blocked that shot.

i took the biggest sigh of relief when i heard araujo try to calm xavi behind me.

"concéntrate por favor, pedri! (concentrate please, pedri!) even though he tried to defend me, he also has a bone to pick with me and i totally understand that.

i really have to get it together.

but it doesn't help that every time i do look back, i see abril right behind marisol.

if i had been thinking any longer, i wouldn't have seen leo looking for an opening to which i ran to so he could pass and i could pass back just for him to score. i felt some sort of pride and it sure was something i missed doing.