Dogs & Pictures - Victoria Pelova

Chapter 3

3 weeks later

It's been a while since the Arsenal game and since I last seen Victoria. All I've been doing was moving in to my new apartment and taking pictures at other wsl games that hired me. Dylan decided to go back to America and told me that he would come visit me. I'm kind of sad he left because now I don't really know anyone here. I just know my parents would want me to go out and make friends. Sure I'll go out but I'm not promising to make friends. At least not today.

I just finished eating at some Greek restaurant and wanted to take some pictures London with my camera. I haven't been out a lot since I moved into my new apartment. I guess I would do some exploring today. I bought a coffee and started at the park where I first met Victoria. Maybe I was hoping I could run into her, but what are the odds she would be there at the same time as me.

I took out my camera to take some pictures of some stores and restaurants surrounding the park. Then I decided to take some pictures of cute dogs. They reminded me of my dog back in America. His name is Benny and I miss him so much. Right now he's with my parents but hopefully I can find a way to bring him over here. As I snapped some pictures of random dogs I looked through my camera lens and saw her. Victoria was walking a dog that was different than the other dog I saw when I met her. It was bigger and light brown. I didn't want to go up to her first because why would I. She would probably say why is this girl talking to or something like that. I was to nervous and turned around hoping she wouldn't see me. I was wrong.

"Hey!" I heard someone shouting out. It's her isn't it. I turned out and I was right. She was walking towards me with the dog and a soft smile.
"Hi," I said nervously. She was now right in front of me and looked pretty with her hair in a pony tail.
"I was always seem to find you here. Do you like dogs?" She asked me.
"Yeah, I like dogs but I'm just here to walk around and take pictures." I said nervously with a laugh.
"I see that," she said looking down at my camera.
There was a moment of silence and I had to say something to not make it so awkward.
"I like your dog," was the first thing I could think of.
"Oh thanks but it's actually my friend's dog. I'm taking care of him today," she said.
"Oh ok. So what's his name?" I asked trying to keep the conversation going. I could hear my own voice getting comfortable and more confident as I spoke more to her.
"His names Calvin," she said.
"Aw that's a cute name."
"Yeah but why are you still in England? Shouldn't you be in America since the game already happened like three weeks ago?" Victoria said curiously.
"Actually, I live here now. In London."
"Really? Since when?"
"Well past these three weeks since the game I've been moving into an apartment and working at other games," I said.
"So you just decided to stay here?" She asked.
"Yeah I mean my parents were okay with me staying here and knew I've always wanted to work here. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," I said with a smile.
"Well I'm glad you like it here. Maybe if you're not busy right now I could show you around here?"
I thought about it and why would I say no. I mean I did want to explore and my parents wanted me to meet people. Plus I kind of wanted to continue talking to Victoria. Maybe I could get to know her even though I never thought she would want to get to know me.
"Sure. If your friend Calvin is okay with that," I said in attempt to be funny.
"Oh he loves exploring," she said laughing. Turns out I guess I am funny.
"Ok. I'll let you take the lead," following where ever she was going to show me around.

She was talking to me about the places we were looking at while walking and what she thinks about them. We were walking towards a cafe when she asked if I wanted to go in and take a walking break. I said yes since I was in the mood for coffee. We ordered our drinks and sat down on two opposite chairs facing each other. Calvin was sitting on the floor beside Victoria.

"What's your coffee order?" Victoria asked.
"Oat milk latte is what I always get. What's yours?" I asked back.
"Yours sounds good and I usually get a matcha latte."
"What?! No your a matcha person?!" I asked her in disbelief and disgust.
"Yeah I am. It's good. You don't like matcha?" She asked laughing.
"Noooo. It taste like grass and plants to me. Sorry I just think it's gross," I said in a honestly.
"That's okay I know some people aren't into it, but it's not gross."
"I disagree but it's okay if you like it," I smiled at her and she smiled back.
"Well I guess that's another thing I know about you," she said.
"Yeah I guess so."
She took a sip of her matcha and I decided to ask a question.
"You're not from here are you?" I asked.
"I'm guessing you noticed my accent?"
"Yeah, it's different from everyone else's around here," I said.
"I moved from the Netherlands. I used to play for Ajax but then Arsenal called and I couldn't say no."
"Oh so you're Dutch?" I asked knowing that her accent sounded like it.
"Yeah, is it obvious?" She asked.
"Well for me it is at least," I said shrugging my shoulders.
"Ok," she said laughing.
I seemed to always make her laugh without even trying. Her laugh would make me laugh because of how funny it sounded.
"What about my accent? Is mine obvious?" I asked her.
"Yes, Americans are so obvious," she said and I knew she was trying to offend me in a funny way.
"Hey! That's rude and also maybe true," I said.
I didn't feel as awkward and nervous I did an hour ago. I felt like she was actually my friend and I was getting to know her. Calvin was starting to move a lot so we decided to go walk around more. We kept making conversation while we walked.

"So is there anyone back in America you miss? Besides your parents?" Victoria asked.
"Yeah. My dog Benny. I haven't seen him in a while since I left."
"Oh man I bet you really miss him. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I'm going to bring him here soon," I said smiling a the thought of having him live here with me.
"What kind of dog is he?"she asked.
"A little white poodle mixed with a shitzu," I said smiling.
"Awww, I want to see him. I love dogs," she said looking excited.
I laughed and said, "I can tell," as I saw her with dogs all the time.
"I'll let you meet him when he comes," I said.
"So we'll still be hanging out then?" She asked. I guess I kind of told her if we're friends.
"Yeah, I mean only if you want to," I said nervously.
"I would like that," she said  smiling at me. We had a little moment. We were still walking and looking at each other. I looked away and cleared my throat. But I still felt her eyes on me.
"I think I should go now. I have a lot of things to get done in my apartment and I have to edit some pictures," I said breaking the silence.
"Yeah, of course. What are doing tomorrow though?"
"I actually was going to get my furniture for my apartment. I've been sleeping on a mattress," I said embarrassed.
"If you want I can help you?"
I didn't think I would be seeing her so soon already but I did need help.
"Sure. I can text you the time."
"Well I would need your number for that," she said.
"Right."
We exchanged phones to put our numbers in and I put "Taylor:)" in her phone. She gave me back my phone and she put "Vic<3".
"Is that your nickname?" I asked her.
"No one calls me that. I just though that was shorter to put in as my name."
"Well is it okay if I call you that?" I asked her.
"Yeah, I'm fine with that," she said.
"Okay. Bye Vic. Thanks for showing me around."
"Bye Taylor. And you're welcome," she said while waving.
I turned around to start walking to my place and the whole way I thought about every single second I just spent with her. She was beautiful and kind and funny. How could I not fall for her. But I still don't know if I should think of her that way. I don't know how she feels about me and we did just start knowing each other. Maybe I should wait and see where life takes us. Either way I'm glad I made a friend today... and explored of course.

Authors note
Hello! I hope you enjoyed todays chapter and I wanted to know if you guys would like me to write Victorias pov? I've been thinking about it but I'm sure if I should. Pls let me know what you think!