Dogs & Pictures - Victoria Pelova

Chapter 5

I didn't know what to do but just stare. It's not like I could've done anything but I wanted to. I wanted to run up to her and see if she was okay. I really hope she's okay. Her eyes were closed and she was still holding her shin. Then there were the medical people who were checking her. After a few more minutes of the doctors treating her shin, she seemed okay. She got up and the audience started clapping seeing that she was fine. The game continued and Arsenal ended up winning 2-1. Stina scored as soon as the second half started and Alessia scored a late winner in the 90'th minute. As the game was over I was putting up my things and then I felt some touch my shoulder.

"Hey," I turned around and it was Vic. I smiled at the fact that she came to talk to me.
"Hi. You did great today and congrats on the win."
"Thanks. It was a tough game but I'm glad we got the three points," she said.
"Yeah, but I saw you get hurt out there. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I just hurt my shin, but I'm okay now," she said.
"Anyways I came over here to ask if you wanted to hang out with me and my teammates today? We're going to a bar."
"Oh, I mean if that's okay with your friends. I wouldn't want to come if they were planning just for you to go," I said hoping I could hang out with her.
"It's fine. I told them I was inviting a friend."
"Well then I would love to go," I said smiling.
"Great! I'll text you the address."
"Okay," I said.
"Bye," she said walking backwards as she gave me a little wave. Sometimes she would act so cute without even trying. Shit I'm falling for her bad aren't I.
I waved back and then left the stadium.

The bar wasn't far from my apartment so I decided to walk there. I was kind of nervous to meet Vic's friends. I mean I knew of them because they were Arsenal players, but to actually hang out with them was crazy. I never thought I would be casually hanging out with professional football players. I arrived at the location and then went inside. It was more of a cozy bar. I looked around to find Vic and as I saw her as she was coming up to me. She was dressed nice and looked beautiful but she was always that way.

"Taylor!" She said as she hugged me.
"Hey," I said shyly.
"You look nice," Vic said as she was looking at my outfit and then looking back at me. She was always genuine and I loved that about her.
"You look nice too," I said.
"Thank you," she said smiling.
"I want to introduce you to my friends," she said grabbing my hand towards them. I was nervous but this was a chance to make more friends.
"Everyone this is Taylor. Taylor these are my friends slash teammates: Gio, Stina, and Kaylan," Vic said. They all were smiling at me and said hi all at once.
"Hey, it's nice to meet you guys."
"Nice to finally meet you too. Victoria has been talking about you," Gio said.
"Oh so you're the one that Vic has been spending all her time with?" Kaylan said.
Wait Vic has been talking to her friends about me?
"Uh, yeah she's been showing me around and helping me move in. I recently moved here from America."
"Right, she said you were American," Stina said.
"Yeah, I'm from New York."
"That's cool. So I'm guessing you're use to the cold weather since it's cold over there too?" Gio said.
"Yup, that's one thing that isn't so different from here."
"Ok well we can all get to know each other when we find a table," Vic said as she started walking to an empty table. We all sat down and were deciding who would get the drinks since it was a bar.
"I say Stina because she looks the oldest," Kaylan said. I laughed at her joke.
"Any of us can get them since we all have IDs," Stina said back at Kaylan. I looked at Vic and she was looking at me with a face that told me "yup. These are the people I have to deal with everyday." I let out a small giggle and she did the same.
"Ok guys just tell me what you want. I'll get the drinks," Vic said. We all told her our drinks of choice and then she left to the bartender.
"So Taylor," Gio said. "How did you meet Victoria?"
"I first saw her when I took pictures at an Arsenal training but then I actually met her at the park."
"Wait, you're a photographer?" Kaylan asked.
"Yeah, I'm a sports photographer," I said.
"Oh ok, but you guys met at the park?" Stina asked.
"Yeah, she was trying to get her dog and it came to me and then she noticed me from training so then we talked a little," I said shortening the way we met.
"That's cute," Gio said. What did she mean by that?
They asked me more questions about my life in America and how I've been doing so far in London. Then Vic finally came with the drinks.

"Hey guys I got the drinks," Vic said as she was putting the drinks down on the table.
"Finally!" Kaylan said grabbing her drink. Everyone else grabbed their drinks as well and then Vic handed me mine.
"Here you go," she said.
"Thanks," I said grabbing it.
"Hey Victoria. You know Taylor has a dog back in America? You love dogs!" Gio said.
"Yeah, she told me. Benny right?" Vic said as she looked at me. I didn't think she would remember his name but she did.
"Yeah, I miss him," I said picturing him in my head.
"Well when he comes over here he will be truly loved. Victoria loves dogs," Stina said.
"Yeah, I know. She's always with someone's dog at the park" I said remembering the times I bumped into her at the park.

We all continued talking about life and getting to know each other. I found out Gio also has a dog and she accidentally turned his fur pink because of lipstick. I also found out Stina is Swedish which makes sense. And Kaylan used to play football in Florida. I enjoyed getting to know Vic's friends. They were all so kind and funny. They were also very outgoing which isn't really who I am but they made me feel like I could be myself around them. We were laughing as I decided to take a picture of them four. I then put my phone away as I walked toward the bar to get another drink. As I was sitting on a stool, Vic sat beside me.

"Came to get fresh air? I know my friends can be a lot," Vic said looking at me.
"No they're great. I just came to get another drink."
"Well I'm glad you like them. If you didn't I would have to stop talking to you," she said jokingly.
"Well it's a good thing I do like them. I couldn't stand not being with you," I said jokingly but I also did mean it even if she thought it was just a joke. She laughed at my joke and then it was silent for a few seconds until I spoke up.
"Thank you for letting me meet your friends," I said with a genuine face.
"Of course... I know you don't know a lot of people here and thought you might want to make more friends," she said.
"Yeah, I don't know anyone here... except you," I said smiling at her as she smiled back.
"I know it must be really hard leaving all the people you're close with behind like your family and friends. I just wanted you to not feel alone over here and especially since you are now living here, it's good to meet new people," she told me.
"Thanks Vic. It does mean a lot that you did this for me. Even though I miss America, this is my home now... and I'm okay with that. The people here aren't too bad," I said looking at her friends and then at her.
"Yeah, we aren't that bad. We're just a little chaotic," Vic said laughing. I nodded my head agreeing with her.
"I like chaotic," I said.

After getting my drink, we went back to the table. We were there for a while laughing and telling jokes. Talked more and more about life. Told them I was into guys and girls, but mostly girls. I also told them I was single. I found out Vic was single too so I guess that rumor that girl told me the other was a lie. Most of the time Stina, Gio, and Kaylan were talking while me and Vic listened. Me and Vic couldn't stop looking at each other. They were mostly glances.

It was getting late so we left the bar and went our separate ways home. Stina had to drive Gio and Kaylan home because they got a little drunk. Vic drove back to her apartment and I walked to mine. I would say today was a good day. I met new people, went out, drank a little, and last but not least I got to see Vic again. She made me happy and was something to look forward to Everyday ever since I came to London. It's like I do see her everyday which is true so far. Tomorrow we are going to go pick up Benny from the air port. I cant wait to see him again!

Authors note
Hey guys!! I'm posting this story a little late. It's midnight right now so it's basically the next day but I'll still post another chapter later on today:) goodnight!