Never Let Go (Of Me) • Ferran Torres

Chapter 11: Winner's Parade

🎶 Freaks — Surf Curse 🎶

It came to the store manager's surprise that I wanted Tuesday afternoon off to watch the street parade. Usually, it was always me who took over extra shifts, just to make some extra money, and not one of those employees who asked for an afternoon or day off. But since I had always worked overtime when it was needed, he couldn't really say no to me, and that is how Sara and I ended up at the Arc de Triomf, where we were waiting for the Barca parade buses to arrive at their last stop. The atmosphere was amazing, I had never seen such a thing in my life.

Dan was riding on the bus with the men's team and sending us video updates, everyone celebrating and waving at fans.
"Has he texted yet?" my best friend asked, after we had climbed up on a lamp post and stood higher above the ground, having quite a good view over everyone's heads. I had told her everything about mine and Ferran's conversations at the party two days ago, because I seriously didn't know what I was on.
"No... And I'm not even mad, he's got a lot going on, plus his girlfriend just broke up with him. I'm not sure I should be getting involved with him now, it wouldn't be healthy" I replied.

"Weren't you guys just talking about Catalan tutoring? You don't have to jump on him immediately" she chuckled.
"Yeah, but... it still feels weird, I don't know. I don't want to be a rebound he just uses and tosses away when he's feeling good again" I mumbled.
"Look, it's maybe fate that you guys met again! Just... if he texts you and you guys meet up - be friends at first. It's always good to have a solid base if... one day something more blossoms out of it. Like with me and Dan" she said and I nodded.
"You're right. But maybe he isn't really interested and won't text me anyways... I'm surely not going to be the one running after him" I told her and raised my index finger.

"There they are!" Sara suddenly shouted and I turned around to see the bus driving slowly onto the square. The cheers had gotten louder and I hoped that my eardrums wouldn't burst.
"Can you see Dan?" I shouted over the noise, trying to spot him out between the people standing on the deck. We were here for him, first and foremost, and if I could maybe also watch Ferran for a bit, that would be a nice extra. After all, he was some eye candy.
"Yes! With Frenkie and Christensen! Left side!" she shouted back and indeed, I was now able to spot the Dutchman's blond hair with our friend next to him. We started shouting Dan's name, confusing the people around and below us, but we didn't really care, we were having the time of our lives.

"Where's Manchester boy?!" she now shouted at me and I furrowed my eyebrows. "If you're known as Manchester girl, might as well make him Manchester boy" she cackled and I laughed too.
"That's because I'm a nobody and he's..." I said and gritted my teeth in a smile, not wanting to shout around about my acquaintances.
"You're everything. Don't let anyone diminish your worth" Sara told me seriously, grabbing my shoulders. The bus was getting so close to us now, and I turned around again to look at the scene - it was... I cannot even describe it. I could spot Balde, with Pedri next to him and... of course Ferran next to Pedri. They somehow all came as a pack. I watched them a bit as they talked to each other, pointing around and laughing at things, that was, until mine and Ferran's eyes locked.

"HA!" Sara shouted and I blushed heavily, my eyes still on him. He quickly told Pedri, shaking his friend's shoulders and I took out my phone, not even checking the notifications, just swiping over to my camera, to take a picture of them as they looked in our direction. I waved and smiled and it was exchanged by both boys as I put my phone back into my purse, which I zipped and put back under my shoulder. This here was probably a paradise for pickpockets and under no circumstances I could get my phone stolen as I had no money for a new one. So I just soaked in the atmosphere by myself, instead of recording everything and made a memory that was only locked in my head now.

Unfortunately, as the parade ended, I lost sight again of Ferran and Sara was currently convincing me again to come to the after party with her, which was for family and partners only, however. She was speculating on Ferran smuggling me inside as his +1, but I didn't feel that this was neither the right place, nor the right time. It would come off as desperate and clingy, two things I definitely wasn't.
"I'm sure, Sara, plus, I have to be at a shoot tomorrow, really early, before going to work" I told her. That was true, I couldn't show up at a modelling gig with huge eyebags under my eyes.
"Fine. I'll keep an eye on Ferran if he hooks up with someone!" she giggled and I rolled my eyes.
"I wouldn't care!" I shouted as we were about to part ways.
"Oh, but you would!" she shouted back and I just shook my head as I continued walking away.