First love (Pedri & Eric García)

Chapter 20

Once Laia knew who she would pick, she felt it was only fair to tell the one she was going to reject first. It was so hard. She wanted to still be his friend. But didn't know if that'd be possible. But before she could do that, she noticed familiar voices behind her in the coffee shop. She had gone there to pick up a cup of coffee to help with her terrible hangover but didn't expect to find Pedri there. He didn't even drink coffee.

"Pedri, how is that love triangle of yours going?"

Laia noticed it was Sergi Roberto that she found Pedri talking to. She didn't expect more people to know about what was going on between her, Eric and Pedri but it seemed at least one more person knew. Laia didn't want them to notice she was there so she moved to where they wouldn't see her.

"Ferran is driving me insane because of it".

"What do you mean?"

"He wants me to be nice to Eric and to remain friends. But I won't".

"Why?"

"Because he accused me of getting with his ex to hurt him or whatever. But then was the one who run to her the moment they both reunited. Behind my back. That was when I knew she was the same as him. Says she didn't use me to get back with Eric but it's obvious that was part of her plan".

Laia couldn't believe what she was hearing. Had Pedri been lying to her all this time? Pretending every time he talked to her? She had noticed him being a bit snappy whenever Eric was mentioned but assumed it was normal given their situation. But there was more...

"That was when I knew I would never be with Laia".

"Then why are you still trying to get her back?"

"I'm just trying to hurt her and Eric like they hurt me. I hope she chooses me just so I can say no, thank you to her. And then Eric can get my sloppy seconds knowing she didn't want him. She wanted me".

"You sound very sure of yourself".

Yeah, Laia agreed. And it was making her sick.

"I know her. But Ferran doesn't get it. He was telling me about how she called Eric last night to go pick her up because she drunk too much. So basically she'll use him when I ditch her and I'll win".

"It sounds very immature. Just being honest, sorry".

"Maybe. I don't care. Fuck them both".

But no, he wouldn't win. Because Laia had already picked Eric. But now...now she knew how right she had been. Now she wouldn't bother trying to explain anything to Pedri. She was so thankful her heart didn't pick him...only for it to be broken into thousands of pieces.

She could only imagine how his reaction to being rejected would have been too and it hurt to think about it.

"You look rough", told her Nuri when Laia got to the clinic.

"I went out last night with some friends and it wasn't the best idea".

"Have you had any coffee today?"

"I had a cup at home but I didn't get another on the way here. I...I saw someone I didn't want to talk to at the coffee shop".

"I'll bring you one then".

Laia gave Nuri a small smile when she was going to their little room to make a cup of glorious coffee for her.

"You're the best, Nuri".

"I know!"

Laughing at Nuri's joke felt so good. Laia needed to laugh. And to stop hearing Pedri's words repeating in her head.

Her shift ended at 22.30 and Laia felt so tired, she just wanted to go to bed and sleep for two whole days. But Eric was still in Barcelona and she needed to see him before he left the next day.

Eric was staying with his parents so Laia was hoping it'd be him or Alicia who opened the door. She didn't want to explain to more people why she looked so bad. Or why she was showing up at their house so late.

"Hey, gorgeous", said Eric when he opened the door and Laia started to cry, so Eric hugged her immediately. "What happened?"

"I decided who I want to be with and planned on telling you both today".

Eric misinterpreted her tears and tried not to cry himself. "It's ok. You chose him. It's fine. I meant what I said, we can still be friends".

"Why do you think I chose him?"
"You're crying. I get it's hard for you to tell me but...well, it fucking hurts but I told you I'd accept whatever you chose...".

Laia silenced him with a kiss. She really had chosen the good guy.

"Laia...".

"I chose you. I'm crying because I heard Pedri talk to someone and...he hates us, Eric. He never wanted me and was just playing with us. I felt so bad about breaking his heart when he wanted to break mine and yours".

Eric grabbed her hand to lead her inside and walked her to his bedroom. She hadn't been there in so long.

"Tell me what you heard".

So she did. And could see the pain in Eric's face. Laia was hurt by what Pedri did but she barely knew him in a way. Pedri was Eric's friend. One of his best friends actually...and he did that to him.

"I need to ask something, Laia".

"Sure".

"You chose me before hearing him say that? Or after?"

"Before. I think I had known I would choose you since we met again in Girona. But a chat I had with a friend of a friend last night helped me see it clearly. It's you I want. It's you I've always wanted, honestly".

"I want you too", he said, getting closer to kiss Laia. "I love you".

"I love you too, Eric".

"Thank you for choosing me", he said, making her chuckle.

"I hope you live up to the expectations...".

Laia didn't plan on staying there that night but she didn't want to be away from Eric either. When they were starting to fall asleep, Eric found a t-shirt for Laia to wear and fell asleep with her in his arms. And he was going to be able to do that for the rest of his life. The thought of it made him fall asleep with the biggest smile on his face. And Laia was smiling too.