Mapi held my hand tightly all throughout the ballon d'or ceremony. Her leg was shaking, and her breath was uneven. I tried my best to comfort her, by squeezing her hand back and running my thumb over the back of her hand. She would just look back at me and give me a tight smile, while I smiled back brightly at her.
As the ceremony continues, the women's ballon d'or part starts. We watch the big screen play the highlights and then the rankings for each nominee. She held her breath the hold time, while I held her hand tightly, letting her know I was there for her. This was my girlfriends big moment. Ballon d'or nominee and I couldn't be more proud. And I may or may not have bragged to some people that I'm dating a ballon d'or nominee. It's just too surreal to see how far Mapi and the women's football has come. And to be able to be by Mapis side as she takes the world by storm is amazing, and such a privilege.
16...
That's all she got.
My fucking girlfriend who is 100% one of the best defenders this world has ever seen, only got ranked 16.
Robbed. Fucking robbed.
I watch as Mapis shoulders drop and her eyes avert from the screen. I sigh and place my head on her shoulder, where she then rests her head on my head.
She then starts to play with the rings on my fingers, trying to distract herself. It makes me want to cry. She deserves more. She deserves better than 16. And everyone fucking knows it.
The ceremony ends with Aitana winning. She's amazing and both Mapi and I are so proud of her. I even saw a small smile when Aitana was named. Knowing Mapi, she may be sad and disappointed, but she is also a great friend and teammate and will do anything to support her friends accomplishments.
After a few more hours of chatting and Mapi never letting go of my hand, we start to head back to the hotel for the night, before we fly back to Barcelona. While in the limo back, this the rest of the team, except Aitana as she had media and other priorities now, Mapi leans her head back on my shoulder and sighed and she held my arm. I smile sadly and kiss her hair, trying to provide some comfort.
As Mapi Lays down on the bed in our hotel room, what she did wasn't something I expected. She balled her eyes out. I've seen Mapi cry, but never, never like this. It was so heartbreaking.
"Baby." I coo, sitting next to her.
I lift her up and hold her in my arms, while she continues to cry.
"I thought...I thought I would've made something of myself. I thought this was my moment. Even if not Ballon, then atlest top 5. But 16?" She sobs.
I just hold her, knowing my words won't mean nearly as much as my touch, to her.
"I'm trying to be happy for Tana, but it so hard y/n. It's so hard." She so bad again.
Tears form in n my eyes, but I push them away. She needs me to be strong. She needs me to be there for her. This is all for her.
I help her get undressed and she thanks me while heading to the bathroom to take off her makeup. I follow suit and watch as she stares off into space. It breaks my heart. Knowing how this has hurt her. Knowing this is affecting the way she thinks about herself and the sport she adores.
We get into bed and no words are said. She turns to me and looks at me with sadden eyes.
"Baby you don't even need to ask." I whisper, opening up my arms for her.
She smiled weakly and scoots closer to me, laying her head on my chest. I run my fingers through her hair, hoping that it will bring her some kind of comfort.
"To me baby. To me you are the best. To me, you are the world. Te amo." I say kissing her hair.
At that she digs her head into my chest, and holding onto my for dear life.
"Te amo mucho." She whispers.
