Alessia Russo Oneshot

Noticing the Details

Alessia Russo had a reputation among her teammates for having a staring problem. It wasn't meant to be rude or intrusive; she simply had a keen eye for detail. So when she found herself stealing glances at you more often than not during training sessions and team meetings, she chalked it up to her natural curiosity.

Yet, there was something different about you lately. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Perhaps it was the way you style your hair differently, or the new boots you wore that clicked differently on the pitch. Whatever it was, she found herself increasingly drawn to observing those subtle changes.

One afternoon after practice, when most of the team had dispersed to the locker rooms, Alessia lingered on the field, pretending to tie her shoelaces as she watched you pack up your gear. She couldn't help but notice the small scar on your cheek that she had never seen before. It was barely noticeable, but to her, it spoke volumes.

"Hey, Alessia," you greeted her with a smile, snapping her out of her thoughts. "You're still here?"

"Yeah," she replied casually, trying not to sound too interested. "Just taking my time."

You chuckled, shouldering your bag. "What about you? Anything on your mind?"

Alessia hesitated for a moment, debating whether to mention what she noticed. She decided to go for it. "Actually, yeah. I noticed something different about you."

Your eyebrows rose in surprise. "Oh? What's that?"

She gestured towards your cheek, her gaze softening. "That scar. It's new, right?"

You blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Oh, yeah. I got it a few weeks ago. Tripped over my dog's toy," you explained with a self-conscious laugh. "Didn't think anyone would notice."

Alessia smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at your honesty. "I notice things," she admitted, shrugging a little. "Can't help it."

"It's a good thing," you reassured her, stepping closer. "Means you pay attention."

As the two of you walked towards the parking lot together, Alessia found herself stealing glances at you once more, but this time with a newfound appreciation for the small details that made you who you were. And maybe, just maybe, she realised that her staring problem wasn't a problem at all—it was a way for her to understand you better, one detail at a time.