you're on your own, kid

Chapter 29 - Oia's Finest

We stopped via Germany for the parade. Hundreds of people came out to support their team for making the final. All the girls were devastated, and none of them wanted to be there, but it was a sign of love from them to their country. I stood back, watching it all unfold. I had the brace on under my shirt, but besides that, I was as good as new. I was glad; at first, I was worried. I was worried that my life had just fallen apart in front of my eyes. But everything seemed okay.

My back, our hearts, and everything in between.

It would be okay.

We left Germany for a few days in the sun. I took Lena to Oia, in Santorini, staying in a resort overlooking the water. The white buildings and pink flowers were exactly what I wanted. The peaceful, and stress-free lifestyle. It was all I needed.

We had a balcony, overlooking the island, and as I stood outside, I felt the sun hit my face. I used to dream of going to Greece when I was a kid. It was the place that was always spoken so highly about in my family and Ukraine. If only one day we would be rich enough to take a trip to a country as beautiful as this. When I was 13, Pappa got a promotion and he surprised Ivy and me with a trip to Greece. I had never been on holiday before. Besides going back to Ukraine to see Mama, and travelling around Europe for football with the U15s, I had hardly left the country.

So when we came home to the surprise of a week-long vacation to Santorini, and Athens, Ivy and I couldn't believe it. I didn't think it would happen until we stepped on the plane. When we flew across the continent to the country that I had always wanted to visit, I held onto my father's arm, thanking him profusely. It was all I had ever wanted.

The week in Greece was a memory I would always hold close to my heart. It was one of the best weeks of my life, and when I looked back on my childhood, I thought of that. I thought of the happiness, thrills, and exhilarating experiences we had together, as a family. Well, nearly a family.

For the week in Oia, Lena and I lay by the pool, our hands always interlocked. I was determined to go back to Germany with somewhat of a tan, seeing as I had been in England the past month. Lena, on the other hand, was never as pale as me.

When the sun started to set, we would dress up nice: I'd find my long selection of dresses to choose from, and Lena would upcycle the same pants and shirt each night, to keep consistent. I didn't budge her though. I liked her style and her comfort. If she was happy and content with what she wore, so was I. It was always the confidence thing.

I stood on the balcony, as she finished getting changed. I looked out at the yellowing sun, feeling the wind brush up against my face. No sooner was I there, than I felt two arms wrap around my waist. I felt her head on my shoulder, and she kissed my neck softly. Her touch was ever so sweet on my skin.

"I love you," she whispered to me as if it was a secret. I chuckled softly, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I love you."

"It scares me though," she added.

"Why?"

"I don't know what I'd do without you," she replied. I breathed softly, knowing I felt the same. It was reassuring to realize and know that our feelings mimicked the others. I wasn't alone. She thought the same.

"You won't ever have to," I answered, turning around, and wrapping my arms around her neck. I tucked a piece of her brown hair behind her ear before leaning in and kissing her with a fierceness that she replicated. There was a hunger in our kiss: so much being said but with no words at all.

After dinner, we headed back to our room. As she closed the door behind her, I went up to her body slowly. I pushed her against the door, pressing our bodies into each other. My hand found its spot on her waist, scrunching the shirt slightly up. I saw her chuckle softly, before placing her own hand on my cheek, and pulling me into a kiss. I squeezed my hand softly before it worked its way up her torso. I felt her grin in between our kisses before she started to unzip my dress.