The Quiet Girl (An International Story)

Better Together

It me with another update. 

Enjoy!

August 2026

Nahikari's POV:

Preseason was upon us. We were heading to Barcelona to face them. It'd also be Mariana's last match with Barca for the season.

Daan's contract was up but we haven't heard anything yet. "What's going on with Daan? She sticking around?"

"Huh? Oh yeah. I uh, I don't know. She's getting up there in age. Might retire." She laughed. I knew something was wrong. 

"Nat," I said softly. "It's just me. What's going on?"

She took a deep breath and looked at me. There were tears in her eyes. "Daan and I aren't really on good terms. She's going to Barcelona. Mapi asked her to be there. For Mari but,"

"But it's tough." She nodded. "What happened? You two seemed fine at the wedding."

"Yeah, we were. We were great for 3 years and." She shook her head. "How long have you and Vir been together?" 

"3 years."

"Make sure you two are on the same page." She said. "Before you let another 3 years go by." She walked out of the room. 

Virginia's POV:

We were all in Barcelona for Mariana's last match. Mapi called and requested we be there. "What's wrong with you?" I looked at Daan.

"Look trip that's all." She looked towards Nat.

"You two seem a little off. Anything I can do to help?"

She looked at me and smiled. "Just don't mess it up with Nahikari." She said. "Not like I did." She went and sat down. 

The game was a good one. Nahikari played like a superstar. She is a superstar. 

Mariana got subbed out and I watched Daan get up. She whispered something to Nat and turned to us. "I'm not feeling too well, gonna head out. It was good to see all of you." She walked away.

"You alright, Nat?" Lola asked. 

She nodded. "I'm fine." Lola looked back to the field but I saw her wipe her face. 

Our friends were hurting. 

I moved closer to Nat. "Hey." She turned to me. She had tears running down her face. "I figured something was up." I put my arm around her. "It's okay." I hugged her. I felt her shaking as she cried. "You don't need to say anything, but I'm here, Nat. You don't have to hold it in." 

Alexandra's POV:

"Still clean." The doctor smiled. "Good job."

"Thank you. Over two years. I feel great. Ready to get on the ice and just crush it. I'm gonna be 29 this year. Just feels like a big year."

He nodded. "I'm glad. I'm really proud of you, Alex. I truly am."

"You probably say that about everyone."

"I do. But seeing you now from when I first saw you? Alex you were in such a dark place so seeing you here now? So full of light and ready to enjoy this next year? I am truly so proud of you. You should be proud of yourself too." I nodded. "I don't want to see you until your next scheduled visit. So no injuries. No anything."

"What if I just want to say hi." I smiled. "Maybe bring some gifts for the kids here?"

"Well if that's what you want to do, then I will happily see you then. But that's it."