First love (Pedri & Eric García)

Chapter 5

They said everything was a lot better and easier when things went well in your love life. And, finally, Pedri could say he got what people meant by that. The season wasn't great, for him or the club, but thinking about Laia made so many of his worries disappear. Sure, losing a match sucked but it wasn't as bad when he knew she was waiting for him when he got back to Barcelona.

But the best days were those when he woke up with Laia by his side. It didn't matter how they fell asleep, he'd always wake up with her head on his chest and her leg over his. It made him smile, to know she felt so safe when they held each other while sleeping.

The days after she stayed over, he moved to the side of the bed where she had slept at the beginning of the night. The pillow still smelled like her shampoo. It made him think about the first time they showered together and how she used it to wash his hair too. A few teammates asked him about why his hair smelled like strawberries and he ignored them but they could all tell it was a girl's shampoo he had used. So he would inhale the sweet scent and smile at that memory too. Anything related to Laia made him smile like an idiot, which was why it was so hard to hide her from his best friends who knew him well.

"What's going on with you? I've barely seen you lately", said Ferran when they were getting ready to train.

"I've been...busy".

"With what?"

"You might need to change what to who".

"Of course", he laughed. "Has a girl finally tamed you? That'd be great news. You need to settle down, it'd help you".

Pedri laughed at his friend's words. Ferran was a relationship person, while Pedri had always been more into casual stuff. But Laia might have changed his mind about that.

"I don't know what she's done to me, bro. But...she's all I can think about".

"Cute", laughed Ferran. "When can I meet her then?"

"I don't know", said Pedri, shaking his head. "That's probably our biggest issue. She doesn't want anything to do with my fame and...it's hard, you know? Like, I'm happy she doesn't use me but I wish she could come to my matches and all that. I want to show her off, not hide her. But she's the one hiding me".

"It's still early so give her time. But I could meet her when she's at your place or you could come to mine. I'll keep the secret, you know that".

"I know. I'll tell her. I think you'll like her".

"I'm sure I will".

That day Pedri was supposed to meet Laia at her place but she still hadn't finished her shift at work when he finished training, so Pedri sat down to watch some TV and noticed a new notification in one of the WhatsApp groups he was a part of.

[Fer 🦈]: Eric, did you know our Pepi found a girlfriend? 😍

[Eric 🦛]: no way, bro. How did you trick her?

[Fer 🦈]: I might meet her soon. I'll check to see if she's been hypnotized or something.

[Pedrito 🍌]: you're hilarious 🙄

[Eric 🦛]: but tell us more. How did you meet? Where is she from? Does she have a sister you could introduce me to? 😏

[Pedrito 🍌]: met at a club. She's from Barcelona and no sister, I think. I haven't met her family but she only mentioned her parents. No siblings.

[Fer 🦈]: watch out! Eric might try to steal her from you if she's hot 🤣

[Eric 🦛]: Pedri and I never like the same girls. No problem.

[Pedrito 🍌]: actually...

[Fer 🦈]: 👀👀

[Eric 🦛]: what?

[Pedrito 🍌]: when I checked her Instagram after meeting her. I noticed you follow her but she doesn't follow you.

[Eric 🦛]: I follow your girlfriend? What are you talking about?

[Eric 🦛]: what's her name?

[Fer 🦈]: show us a photo of her, Pepi 🤓

[Pedrito 🍌]: her name is Laia.

[Eric 🦛]: Laia?

[Pedrito 🍌]: sent photo.

The photo Pedri chose was one of Laia at work. She looked so cute smiling and wearing her scrubs. Her hair was up in a ponytail since she couldn't wear her hair down at work. And so her friends could see her beautiful face.

[Fer 🦈]: lucky bastard. Is she a doctor or a nurse?

[Pedrito 🍌]: dentist's assistant.

[Fer 🦈]: is she giving away discounts to your friends?

[Pedrito 🍌]: shut up!

Ferran and Pedri kept bantering for a while and then Pedri realised something.

[Pedrito 🍌]: Eric?? Are you there?

[Fer 🦈]: maybe he's gone to training?

[Pedrito 🍌]: I guess. Have fun 👍 talk to you idiots later. I'm going to see my girl 😍

When Pedri got to Laia's, she was still looking like she did in the photo he showed to the boys. Her hair was a bit messy after a long day of work and she wore no make-up. Pedri wondered how it was possible for someone to look so beautiful. But he wondered that every time he looked at Laia.

"Hey! Come in".

Laia moved to let Pedri in but he wasted no time lifting her in his arms and kissing her face, which made her giggle. "I missed you".

"I missed you too. How about we order some food and then maybe take a bath together? I'm so tired".

"Do you have any fun bath things?"

"Things?", asked Laia, raising an eyebrow.

"Like bubbles and all that".

"I do, yeah. I have a bath bomb that has a lot of glitter in it but we wouldn't want you to get some in your hair and make the boys mock you tomorrow".

Pedri laughed, following Laia to the kitchen and he knew it was the time to say it.

"Speaking of the boys...Ferran wants to meet you".

"Oh".

"He's my best friend and I told him about you".

Laia turned to face Pedri and he didn't fully understand why she looked a little worried...or scared. "Of course, that's normal. I...I just, you know".

"I get it", he said, holding her hands. "But Ferran isn't going to say anything. He just wants to meet you. We could have dinner at my place and you two meet".

Laia understood it was irrational to say no to that. She knew she couldn't say no. But it all terrified her.

"Maybe next week?", she offered and Pedri smiled at her.

That smile...he was so happy to introduce his girlfriend to his best friend. Something so simple.

"He'll love you. I know he will".

Maybe he will, she thought. But will he change his mind soon?