Perfection

5 Days After, 405 Days Until

Sam

"You're all set up."

"Thank you. I really appreciate it."

I walked out of the phone store with my bag and made my way back home. I lived close to the building, but time hadn't been nice to me lately.

I got home, thankful Riley was in school today. I collapsed on the couch and pulled my new phone out of the bag. I plugged it in and watched it turn on and upload my old phone's data. I saw I had a series of texts. I had a feeling that they were from a familiar face I'd seen in the news five days ago but also someone who I knew needed a friend right now.

The first text I saw was from her. It was her last one.

Alexia: I'm sorry if I'm coming off as desperate at this point. I got hurt in training and it'd be nice to have you. I just...could really use a friend right now.

It was sent five days ago. I scrolled back up until I reached the top of her messages.

Alexia: Hola. I really enjoyed that walk we went on.

Alexia: I can't stop thinking about what happened at your door.

A few hours passed from that text to the next one.

Alexia: Are we okay? Did I do something?

Alexia: I'm sorry. You're probably busy.

Alexia: I'll stop now. I'm sorry.

A few days passed until I saw the last few strings of messages.

Alexia: Did I do something wrong, Sam?

Alexia: I'm sorry if I'm coming off as desperate at this point. I got hurt in training and it'd be nice to have you. I just...could really use a friend right now.

I didn't know how I could respond to her. I wasn't ignoring her. I wasn't trying to. I'd never had a famous person as a friend...friend? Friends who go on walks, out for coffee...and kiss apparently.

I had unintentionally ignored her. It seemed to her that I was purposely ignoring her. I had to explain the circumstances surrounding the absence of my voice in her life.

I had seen the news. I had heard that Spain's star was ruled out of their tournament because she tore her ACL the day before their opener. I'd seen the pictures of Alexia on crutches. I just didn't know how to get a hold of her.

So, I did the stupidest thing I could've done.

Sam: Hey.

Sam, you are so stupid.

Read at 11:14

Text bubbles appeared...disappeared...appeared again...disappeared again. Appeared.

Alexia: Hola.

Sam: I'm sorry. I heard about your knee. Are you home?

Alexia: No. Still in England.

Right. Supporting the team. She'd been their captain.

Sam: Are you staying the entire—

Before I could hit send, another text came through.

Alexia: What do you want, Sam? It's been a month since I've heard from you.