WHAT ABOUT US?

010 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚

𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 before we qualify for the World Cup. Our opponents, the White Wings, were very good, but there is little hope of us winning. Still, we worked hard to get here and play in the final of a Worlds tournament.

Again I played as a distributor, but Clara would replace me at some point. The captain of the White Wings would kick-off, Delfina met it and I dunked it and we scored a point. We won the game. There was still a little bit left and we had to win it.

A girl from the opposing team scored a point and they led 17-16. Zoe encouraged us. "Come on girls, it's just a point. We are going to make it." she said and greeted us all. The White Wings won games 2 and 3, and we only needed to win this one. We were 1 to 2 games behind.

This would be the decisive moment. I was replaced to take Bia's place. And in my place as distributor went Zoe. There was a kickoff by a White Wings player.

I met the ball, Zoe distributed it and I dunked it. We started jumping and cheering. We just qualified for the Worlds.

Our flight to the academy was in the evening and we would be there in the morning. Since we qualified and didn't play the matches anymore, I only thought about what Arturo wrote to me. And a heart? Yes, I was surprised, but... I didn't think he would write to me.

I was happy to see his message, but I couldn't send him a heart because we fight so much. Yes, he probably thinks I don't like him, but after fourteen I can't express feelings normally.

I was standing next to Zoe on the plane. "Why aren't you happy? We qualified for the Worlds!" she said with a smile. "I'm glad," I said indifferently. "Are you serious? I know you very well, we have been together since childhood. Tell your best friend what's bothering you?" she told me worriedly.

"Well, before the match, Arturo wrote to me..." "Really?" she asked happily with a smile. "Yes. He wrote to me that we have to win the match so that we can go to the World Cup together and he would be waiting for me with the cup," I said. "It's great, I don't know why you're not in the mood," she said.

"This is not all. After she told me that she would be waiting for me with the cup, she also sent me a heart." I told her. "And you?" he asked. "I just wrote him "thank you". After the fourteenth, everything and everyone became indifferent to me." I told her.

"But Arturo saw it differently. First he was the annoying boy who only picked on me, but now... Now I see him as the handsome boy who used to annoy me." I continued. "Why don't you write to him now?" she asked me. "No, he must have watched the game. And even after Zoe's report, I'm ashamed to look at it." I said bored. "Relax, everything will be fine." she said and hugged me.

When we arrived in front of the academy, everyone was waiting for us and shouting for us. First we stopped in front of Joaquin because he was making a video for his channel. "I congratulate you on a job well done. We are all very happy." Francisco greeted us and everyone applauded.

Then they all scattered. I went to Gabo and hugged him. "Congratulations! I love you very much." he said and hugged me. "Thank you and I love you very much." I hugged him back.

Zoë came and I didn't want to disturb them so I went to Dede. We continued to talk with him. I didn't see Arturo anywhere, so I wanted to talk to him. He must not want to see me. My bad thoughts are starting to overwhelm me, again.

Ricky went to present Natalia with a present. Barometer. "Hello Natalia. You were the best on the team." Ricky said worriedly. "Thanks, but that's not true." she said. "On the contrary. I have a gift for you." he said and opened it.

Natalia was very surprised. "An antique barometer?" she said with a smile. "Yes, it was my grandfather's, he was also an amateur meteorologist like you." he said. "Your grandfather's? Ricky, this is a great gift, but I can't accept it." she said shyly.

"Please." Ricky said and they started pushing him towards each other. "Please don't refuse me," he said, having already pushed it into Natalia's hands and she took it. "Are you sure?" she asked with a smile. "Yes, completely." he said.

"Thank you, wonderful gift. I appreciate it." she said and hugged him while Dede and I jumped from the sides. "I'll keep it, I promise." Natalia said to Ricky. "I know you'll keep it." he smiled at her. "Wonderful present!" and she smiled.

Dede and Ricky went somewhere and left me alone. Delfina and Natalia were talking, Zoë was with Gabo being interviewed, Clara was with Francisco and the others were celebrating. I tried to distract myself from Arturo, for a moment I succeeded, but then when I was alone I started thinking about him again.

I went back to my room, showered, changed, dried off and went to sleep. I was very tired and I wanted to escape reality.