First love (Pedri & Eric García)

Chapter 13

It was so odd to wake up next to each other after so long. Eric and Laia almost didn't know how to act at first, as if they hadn't experienced that many times before.

"I have training this morning and then I'm off", said Eric, breaking the silence. "We could go back to Barcelona together".

"And...talk".

"Yes. But let's clear our minds a little first. Make yourself at home. I'll be back for lunch".

"Ok. Sounds good".

Eric got out of bed to get ready while Laia stayed there, already thinking. She could hear him moving around the bathroom and then he got out fully dressed and ready to go.

"I'll text you if I'm late, ok?"

"Don't worry. I'll be around".

"See you later", said Eric, leaning down to kiss Laia's forehead.

"Have a good training".

When the room's door closed, Laia smiled. There was a lot to talk about but she was going to allow herself a few hours of just enjoying what had happened.

She went to the kitchen and made a cup of coffee. It seemed Eric's mum still drank the same brand unless Eric had gotten into the habit of drinking it himself. She didn't know...there were so many things she didn't know. They had been away from each other for 5 years...and still, it felt like that didn't matter at the moment.

By the time Laia had gotten a salad ready for lunch, the door opened and Eric's voice filled the house.

"I'm in the kitchen!"

"Hi".

"Hi", said Laia, turning to look at Eric. "I made a salad so we could eat it before leaving".

"That sounds amazing. Thank you".

After lunch, they made their way to Barcelona and the closer they got to Laia's house, the more anxious they both felt.

"This is a nice place", told her Eric when he was walking around the house. "I remember this drawing. We went to London to see the original at that museum".

"Yes. And we got this one in the gift shop. I saved it so I could frame it when I had my own place".

"Of course you did", he chuckled. "This place is very you".

"Thanks. Because that's a good thing, right?"

"Of course it is, silly".

Laia took her time showing Eric around but she couldn't delay their talk forever. So they went to the living room to sit down on her sofa and start the conversation.

"I want this, Laia. I want you back".

"Ok...".

"I have to be honest. I can't lie and pretend".

"I appreciate the honesty. But I don't just jump from guy to guy", said Laia. "I can't pretend like there wasn't someone else sitting on that sofa a couple of weeks ago".

"I know".

"And I can't pretend I didn't have feelings for Pedri. That I still do".

"Do you love Pedri?", he almost seemed scared of asking the question.

"I don't know. I was still trying to work out what he meant to me when...".

"When I got in the middle of you two".

"You were always in the middle. Even if you didn't know".

Eric nodded. "So...what then?"

"I wish I could give you a simple answer".

"How about this? We hang out and I just show you how much I love you. And you can see if you still feel the same way about me. If you want to give this a try again".

"It doesn't seem fair I'll have you making an effort when you might not get what you want".

"I get to spend time with you. Even if you...if you don't want this, I want to be your friend, Laia. You mean too much to me".

"You do too", she whispered.

"I don't want us to make the same mistakes again. We're older now and we could be mature enough to still be in each other's lives. No matter what you choose or...who you chose".

"I'd like that".

"So...we do that?"

Laia nodded. "Yeah. We hang out and see what happens".

"It's good we talked, you know? We didn't always talk. We could have prevented a lot of arguments if we had".

"I know...".

Laia walked Eric to the door. She didn't want him to leave but also needed time alone to think.

"See you soon, then?"

"Yes", she nodded.

"Can I...can I kiss you?"

"Eric, we probably shouldn't...it just makes things more complicated and makes me feel like I'm using you in a way".

"I get that. And I appreciate your worry about me but I'll be fine. Just one final kiss. Please".

"Ok", she said, smiling and laughing.

"Make it extra good, though. It might be our last".

She didn't like thinking about that but she still made it extra good. Pouring all of her love into the kiss.

"I love you", whispered Eric before moving to leave.

"I love you too, Eric. No matter what happens, that doesn't change".

"I know and that means a lot", he nodded, making his way to the car.

Pedri had finally realised he needed to talk to Laia. He was still hurt but they also needed to have a proper talk. So he decided to visit her at her house and when he parked, he noticed the door opening. It was Sunday so she didn't have to work but maybe she had plans, so it was lucky he got there before she left. But it wasn't just Laia getting out of the house...Eric was there too. Eric who leaned down to kiss Laia's lips and she kissed him back.

Eric had accused Pedri of being with Laia knowing it would hurt him but he hadn't known their history. He hadn't done it on purpose and even felt guilty about hurting his friend. However, Eric knew about Laia and Pedri and he still did this. He was the one who wasn't a good friend. And Pedri confirmed his feelings for Laia hadn't gone at all, despite everything. They were stronger than ever. And seeing how Eric betrayed him made him feel other things too. And it was time to act according to what those feelings made him want to do.