OFFSIDE

28

❝ I know I can treat you better than he can. ❞
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Pedri's POV
I arrive at Pablo and Elena's place for a movie night with a group of friends. The usual crowd is here: Ferran, Julieta, Fermin, Lamine, Ansu and Alejandro. For me it's a little awkward to be into Pablo's house for the first time. Many times I was in the street to pick up his girlfriend, but today I'm inside. With her, but also with my friends.

The atmosphere is relaxed, everyone lounging around the living room, chatting and laughing. I try to focus on the conversations, but my mind keeps drifting to the events of the past few days.

After a while, I decide to head to the toilet. As I walk down the hallway, I hear voices coming from one of the rooms. It's Elena and Julieta. I hesitate for a moment, not wanting to intrude, but then I catch a snippet of their conversation that stops me in my tracks.

"I can't believe it's been almost a month," Elena's voice sounds strained, almost desperate. "Pablo and I haven't been intimate at all. And last night... he just left me sitting there."

Julieta's voice is softer, more comforting. "I'm so sorry, Elena. That must be so hard for you."

I feel a pang of guilt and curiosity. I shouldn't be listening, but I can't help it. I lean closer to the door, trying to catch more of their conversation. She didn't have sex with him for almost month?

"It's like he's not interested in me anymore," Elena continues, her voice cracking. "I get that he's busy with training and everything, but it's like I'm not even on his radar. And I know he loves me, he wants to sign me up for painting lessons, how cute." Very cute, not his idea, babe.

Julieta sighs. "Have you talked to him about it?"

"I've tried, but he always brushes it off," Elena replies. "He says he's tired or stressed, but I can't help feeling like there's something more to it."

I lean against the wall, my heart heavy with the weight of her words. This isn't just about Pablo being busy; there's a deeper issue here. And as much as I hate to admit it, I might be part of the problem.

Just then, I hear footsteps approaching, and I quickly move away from the door. I don't want anyone to know I've been eavesdropping. I head towards the toilet and lock the door behind me, my mind racing.

Hearing Elena's pain and frustration hits me harder than I expected. I think back to our moments together, the stolen kisses, the lingering touches. I thought I was giving her something she needed, something she wasn't getting from Pablo. But now I see that it's not that simple. Our affair might be filling a void for her, but it's also adding to her confusion and misery.

I CAN NOT steal my teammates girlfriend.

I splash some water on my face, trying to clear my thoughts. I need to figure out what to do next. This can't go on. Elena deserves more than sneaking around and feeling neglected by her boyfriend. And as much as it hurts to admit it, I'm not the solution to her problems.

But maybe she is the solution to mine?

No Pedri, that's bullshit. A girl with a boyfriend is not your solution. It doesn't matter how much you maybe like her.

I take a deep breath and step out of the toilet, trying to compose myself. As I walk back to the living room, I see Elena's eyes meet mine for a brief moment. There's a flicker of something in her gaze – maybe hope, maybe regret. I can't quite tell.

Pablo starts the movie. 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' it is. Everyone becomes quiet and looks focused at the screen.

Elena has laid down against Pablo and every now and then I feel her gaze. When I look back, her gaze immediately goes back to the screen. This continues for the first hour of the film.