STARGIRL, alexia putellas

11. the party (& no after party)

The day of Aitana's birthday soiree had arrived, and with it, a surge of anticipation mingled with nervousness. I decided to make the customary pre-party call to Ingrid, hoping she'd have the scoop on the guest list and any inside information that might help me navigate the evening unscathed. 

"Hola, Bella. What's up?"

I leaned back in my chair, glancing around my apartment. There was a checklist in my head that went something like this: "Good outfit? Check. Present for Aitana? Check. Slight sense of dread? Oh, big check." I needed to cross a few more items off before the evening's festivities.

"Hey, Ingrid," I began, my tone conspiratorial. "Any insider info on this soirée? Who's gonna be there?"

Ingrid chuckled on the other end of the line, her response a mix of amusement and mystery. "You know, Bella, I wish I could help you, but I'm as clueless as you are. It's Aitana's 25th birthday, so it's going to be big. Lots of people from different teams. And knowing Aitana, there'll be no shortage of surprises."

Of course, it had to be a milestone birthday. Leave it to Aitana to throw a huge celebration. I thanked Ingrid for the information, and we said our goodbyes, leaving me to my preparations.

With most of the day at my disposal, I decided to indulge in a few personal rituals to calm my nerves. First up, an iced matcha latte – a small dose of sanity in a glass. In my opinion if I see someone with matcha of any kind I instantly assume they have their whole life together. I, for one, I feel like all my never ending problems are non-existent when drink the surprisingly tasty substance and therefore it makes my life that tiny bit less shit. 

Next on my list was a visit to the hair salon. The styling process was an art, and I put my trust in the skilled hands of my stylist, Miguel. Hoping that if tequila didn't, a keratin treatment would boost my confidence. It was incredible how a good hair day could be a game-changer.

I arrived fashionably late, a move I had perfected over the years. It was the sweet spot between arriving early enough to be considered polite and late enough to seem mysterious. Or so I liked to think. The fact that I got lost on my way there, despite having lived in the city for a while now, was purely coincidental.

The first person to greet me was Ingrid, who was already in full party mode, a cocktail in hand and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She grabbed me in a bear hug that could rival one of Jorge's embraces and pulled me into the whirlwind of the celebration.

I was greeted by a chorus of gasps and awestruck expressions. It was as if I had stepped out of a glamour magazine and into real life. The players from different teams, including my own, couldn't seem to find their words. I caught Aitana's jaw-dropped reaction, and she was the first to recover.

"Isabela, wow! You look stunning!" Aitana exclaimed as she rushed over to hug me.

The other players soon followed suit, offering compliments and admiring glances. Ingrid was the first to recover from her initial shock, but not without a dramatic pause.

"My, my, Isabela, what a showstopper you are!" Ingrid quipped, her teasing tone breaking the spell. "Don't worry, everyone, she's even more amazing on the pitch."

To say I was flustered would be an understatement. I tried to play it cool, offering smiles and thank-you's to the kind words. It was evident that my teammates were genuinely impressed, and I couldn't help but bask in the momentary spotlight.

ALEXIA'S POV (3RD PERSON)

Alexia arrived at the party when it was nearly in full swing. The rooftop bar was decadent and suave, with a waterfall entrance, light-up bar and trees and shrubbery embellishing it with elegance. The chatter of guests and the clinking of glasses filled the air, Alexia adjusted her top slightly before walking in. She was dressed in a stylish pinstripe waistcoat and matching trousers, exuding an air of effortless elegance. Her platinum blonde hair was neatly styled, and her overall look was perfectly tailored.