WOSO Imagines

New Friends, No Enemies pt. 2 (Alexia Putellas)

After my trip to Barcelona, I spend at least a few days a month in the Catalonian Capital. I stay with Lucy and Keira in their guest room but spend most of my time at Alexia's apartment. Alexia and I have a lot of fun together and things are starting to get more serious. We work well together. We understand each other. We help each other and learn from each other. The communication and the sex are great. We haven't labeled ourselves, but neither of us has any desire to see anyone else. Eventually, we told our family and friends about us but we kept our relationship out of the public eye, both of us agreeing that it was the best decision. I don't feel hidden like I did with Kelley. I'm happy.

I love playing undercover WAG at her games and spending time with her mom baking or her sister shopping. I love talking soccer tactics with her and watching games together snuggled up on the couch with Nala. I love our sunset walks on the beach. I love when she comes to visit me and we spend our weekend hiking in the countryside of England.

Shortly after Barcelona wins the Champions League, Alexia invites me to spend a whole week with her before the World Cup whirlwind begins. I immediately agree, knowing that once the tournament commences, we probably won't see each other much, especially considering I'd be in Australia and she in New Zealand.

We avoid talking about work for most of the week, wanting to just enjoy each other's company, but the day before I'm meant to head back to England, we can avoid it no longer.

"Hermosa?" Alexia calls from her bedroom. (beautiful)

"One moment, Ale," I reply, drying the last of the dishes. I walk through her apartment, finding her sitting crisscross on her bed, waiting for me. I smile at her. "Qué passa?" (what's going on?)

"Your Catalan is improving, hermosa."

I lean down to kiss her. "I have a great teacher." I take a seat beside her, my hand resting nonchalantly on her knee. "What's up?"

"We really should talk about the...you-know-what."

"Ah, the tournament-that-shall-not-be-named. We may not even end up facing each other, so everything we discuss is hypothetical. Though, knock on wood," I rap my knuckle on the bed frame twice, "I hope we both make it as far as possible."

She laughs.

I smile, brushing a strand of her newly dyed pink hair out of her face. "Have I told you how hot you look with the new hair?"

She grabs my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. "At least ten times a day since I got it done."

I lean forward. "You look gorgeous, Ale," I purr, placing my lips on hers.

Alexia's quick to respond but pulls away almost immediately. "Don't change the subject, Jilly. We have to talk about this and not just the Spain versus English part."

"You've given this some thought."

She nods. "We're just starting to get into a rhythm and I'm worried that not being able to spend any quality time together for a month will disrupt that. I know how busy we'll both be, and I don't want us to grow apart, but I also don't want to add to either of our stress by forcing communication. I want to talk to you as much as I can because you'll know how to calm me down and make me smile, but if it starts to feel like an obligation or inconvenience, I'm worried it will do more harm than good. Things are going so well right now. The World Cup feels like an obstacle."

"The World Cup is an opportunity. If we're meant to stay together–to be clear, I think we are–then this time apart will only help us come back stronger. It's just a test. I don't have these wild expectations that we need to talk every day and I won't take it personally if all I get from you during the week is a singular text, because I know after everything, you'll come back to me. I've never been this sure of a relationship in my life, Alexia. I promise you, I'm in this 110%," I say sincerely, gazing deep into her beautiful green eyes.