Family

1

When I touch down in Barcelona, the heat instantly hits me in the face. I quickly retrieve my luggage off the conveyer belt, my tote bag is over my shoulder as I grab my duffel and two suitcases.

My Agent called me before my flight, letting me know that Alexia will be picking me up from the airport. I will be staying with her because I am a minor with no family in barcelona to stay with. I stayed with leah and Lia when I played for arsenal.

Seeing your idol in an airport, holding a sign that says your name isn't something you ever expect but here I am, standing starstruck at the top of an escalator. Alexia is standing at the bottom, just off to the right.

After holding people up for so long, I finally walk towards Alexia with nerves evident in my eyes.

"Hey kid" she smiles and I wave awkwardly until she puts her arm around me, gently guiding me towards the exit. She grabs one of my suitcase as we walk towards her car.

"Seeing as it's 3 already, Jonatan said that you can sign your contract tomorrow so that you have time to settle in." Alexia says as she helps me load my things into the back of the car.

"Okay so your bedroom has an ensuite and is currently very minimalistic but you can decorate it however you like. If you want paints or anything, just let me know and I will get them" she says as she begins driving.

"Thanks" I smile slightly, still nervous as fuck.

"So I was told you are doing your A-levels?" Alexia says, trying to start up conversation and I smile.

"Yeah I'm doing sports science, psychology and business" I say quietly and alexia smiled.

"That's cool, are you enjoying it" she asked.

"I don't know, I don't start them until September 15th" I say. We start the 2021/22 season on September 18th but we have preseason games starting in about a week. Today is currently August 7th so I have some time to settle into the team.

"Do you have all the supplies you need" Alexia asked.

"Yeah, I got everything a few days ago. Thought I'd get it done before the chaos starts" I respond. I have been pro for a season when I played with arsenal but due to my lack of minutes, I was shocked when Barcelona got in contact with my agent.

"Okay so we have to leave at about 9am tomorrow to get to training a bit earlier than everyone else so you can sign and everything. That means tonight you can just relax and unpack" Alexia said pulling up to the driveway of a house. It's a nice and open house with alot of natural light through the many windows.

Alexia gives me a tour and when we head upstairs, she shows me where everything is up there before we finish on my room.

I love how it's not too bright and how it's very simple.

"Now you can change whatever you want-"

"I love it Alexia" I smile at her as we place my bags off the the side of the room so that I can unpack slowly.

"Okay I'm glad. I'm going to get started on food, it's pasta tonight..." She says, sort of asking if I was okay with pasta.

"If i ever say no to pasta then I'd be questioning my Italian heritage" she chuckle with a smile as she laughs walking away.

I begin to unpack, smiling as the bookshelves become fuller as Tim passes. My clothes all end up hung up, my books all placed on the bookshelf, my school stuff is organised on my desk and my toiletries are all organised in my bathroom. When I finish, I place my phone on charge just in time for alexia to call my name for food.

I pause the tv before walking down the carpeted stairs and into the kitchen where two bowls are layed on the table.

"Cheese?" She asked holding out some grated cheese over the tomato pasta.

"Of course," I smile as she adds the cheese.

"You said you have Italian heritage?" She questions as we eat, trying to form a conversation.

"Yeah my mother was English and my father is Italian" I say.

"Was?" She asked and I look down, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Sorry you don't have-" she says and I cut her off.

"It's fine, uh, my mum was killed by a drunk driver just before I turned 7" I say.

"I'm sorry" she said.

"It's fine, it was almost 10 years ago... 10 years ago on December 12th" I say and she nods.

"How did your dad react when you got the call from Jonatan" she said trying to change the subject, not realising the trauma that came with the subject of my father.

"I wouldn't know but... can we not talk about my father. I want to tell you... its just alot of trauma for the first day we've know eachother" I gulp and she nods.

"Yeah yeah that's fine. Tell me in your own time" she said, squeezing my hand. I'm shocked when I don't flinch away... normally I hate physical touch after everything my father did. The only time I don't flinch away from physical contact is when I'm playing football, when I'm on the pitch my mind is clear.

"What's wrong" she asked.

"Um normally I flinch when people touch me without me knowing but when you did, I didn't feel the need to flinch" I say, looking at our hands.

"Is that a bad thing or..."

"It's a good thing" I smile at her, holding her hand as we finish eating.

RosaLombardi.

Likes. Alexiaputellas and 10k others
Caption. Hola 🤩

Comments:

LeahWilliamson. Is that my hat!
^
RosaLombardi. Maybe 🤷‍♀️

BethMead. Leah is going crazy over her hat 😂

LiaWalti. Leah is plotting your murder 😂
^
RosaLombardi. This makes up for her stealing my white dress and spilling red wine on it 😂

WosoFan. Why is Rosa in barcelona?

ArsenalFan. Why is she over there when we have a preseason game this weekend?

...ect...

***
AN.

Thanks for reading.

I hope you all enjoy this story.