It's difficult to find the way everything fits into place once it's broken, even if a surgeon gives you a pretty significant first push. Alexia's recovery is progressing with hope. Her knee is responding well to rehabilitation, but she doesn't feel...
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Mía's POV
Mapi had been observing us in silence for about ten minutes. Our drinks had arrived, and the ice in her soda was starting to melt. Alexia was fidgeting her leg under the table, and I felt like my heart might jump out of my mouth at any moment.
"Um..."I cleared my throat "Well, what..."
"Since when are you two sleeping together?" she interrupted.
"Damn it, Mapi..." Alexia groaned, hiding her face in her hands.
It was a good question. Since when were we sleeping together? Were we technically "sleeping together"? I looked at the blonde beside me, who was still trying to hide from the world between her palms. Mapi was staring at me intensely, making me swallow nervously. I didn't know what to answer. It had only happened once. It would be weird if I said no, and it would also be weird if I said yes.
"Since her birthday party," Alexia replied while shaking her head.
I swallowed hard. So, according to Alexia, we were sleeping together. Was it an ongoing thing? Were we that?
"Only?" Mapi widened her eyes "That's extremely recent" I could only nod. The conversation had become uncomfortable. We all felt it. We took sips from our drinks"I thought you had been doing it for longer, honestly. You've had this weird thing going on for quite a while."
Alexia pursed her lips.
"Well, it's only been since her birthday."
"I see."
"Yes."
We went back to sipping our drinks. And I, who hadn't said a word yet, said the thing that was worrying me the most.
"Please, don't say anything," I pleaded, clasping my hands in front of her face. "Please, Mapi. I'd lose everything."
"But who do you take me for?" She complained. "I'm not going to run to Laporta with gossip."
"To no one," Alexia demanded.
The fullback raised both hands in surrender.
"To no one, I promise."
Her tone softened as she saw how nervous we were.
"I'm sorry, Mapi. We don't want it to seem like we don't trust you," the midfielder apologized with a sigh. "It's just... this is something... dangerous for us, especially for Mía, and we have no choice but to keep it a secret."
"I understand," she said calmly. "Your relationship is your own business, and you can trust me to keep your secret."
Relationship.
Alexia didn't correct her. Neither did I. I glanced at the blonde beside me, who remained impassive, ready to speak again.
"Thank you, Mapi. It means a lot," she said softly.
