Perfection

The Day Of, 410 Days Until

Alexia

Alexia: Did I do something wrong, Sam?

That was the last text I sent to Sam. Ten minutes ago.

I left Sam's doorstep four weeks ago to the day and I haven't heard a word from her. I wanted to see her before I left for England a week ago.

I've had a few training sessions with the Spanish team, and that's where I found myself today. I'd been doing dynamics with Ona. I travelled to London with some of the girls, but I hadn't seen Ona in what felt like years. She'd been playing in Manchester, so being able to catch up had been nice.

I got things off my chest by talking to Ona. We exchanged advice and even some laughs. But I still felt lost and confused.

"She kissed me, Ona. I guess I made the move, but in the end, she went for it." I sighed, bending over and touching my toes. "I just don't understand it."

"I don't know, Alexia. It's weird. Maybe she's processing it?"

"I would understand silence for a week—maybe two. But it's been four."

Ona sighed too. "I don't know. I'm sorry."

"Hola!" Someone wrapped an arm around my neck. "What are we talking about?"

"Nothing, Mapí—"

"The girl she kissed." Ona interrupted me.

"Since when are you a play—"

"She kissed me!" I groaned.

"The girl from the café, no?"

Ona gasped. "You knew!" She slapped my arm. "Fuck you!"

"She insulted Sam and I saw her in public, so I apologized for her!"

"Oh come on," María dropped her arm. "It was kind of funny."

"No, it wasn't."

"Okay," she bounced in front of us, "Ona, if a child ran into a waiter, knocking everything out of their hand, would you laugh?"

"No."

"Gracias!" My hands hit legs after I threw them up. "It was unfortunate. And you met Riley—"

"She has a child?! This keeps getting better and the hole you're digging is getting deeper."

"She's basically fallen in love." Mapí laughed.

"I haven't!"

"She has. She was texting her earlier. Weren't you? I saw it."

Mapí kept on pressing me.

"Sí," I sighed. "She's been ignoring me. I do like her. A lot. I adore her daughter. I just—I just want to know her. I can't describe it."

"The way you feel?"

"Yes. I can't describe it. I'm so drawn to her."

"More than Jenni?" Ona questioned.

I froze. "Don't bring Jenni up. Don't open a wound that's trying to scar."

"Lo siento."

"Ladies let's get working!"

We jumped into training. We started with some small-sided possession then worked up to seven on seven. It was good—great, intense. Then Jorge split us off into forwards, midfielders, and defenders.