Love On The Sidelines - Kenan Yildiz

Chapter 6

Ela

I had the greatest summer of my life.

The moments during the championship will always be cherished by me. I made new experiences, friends and something more. I became more joyful, couldn't wait for the next day to see more of one particular person.

But it was all over now. The championship was over, Turkey won (highkey manifesting it rn). I had my break like everyone as well until it was time to return to my respective soccer club, Juventus.

Long nights at the beach filled with chatter, laughs and soft caresses were washed away by the same waves. What once made my stomach fill with butterflies now made it churn in unease. The excitement that used to accompany his presence had been replaced by a lingering dread and disbelief.

Was he really going to ignore what happened between us?

Why do I have to be understanding in this situation? Why do I have to accept that he, as a soccer player, has to focus on his career and can't trifle with it. But did he have no regards for my emotions?

I would've never expected something like this from him, he's always been gentle, considerate, understanding and just in general emotionally intelligent.

He fooled me and now I'm left standing alone in this mess we both created.

"Didn't you say in that interview that you're focusing on your career right now, Kenan?" I hear Kaan ask him. I stood by the entrance of the living room, holding a tray with freshly cut fruits.

Kenan grips his neck and looks pained. What's going on?

"I did." He says. Kaan shruggs his shoulders as in so what. Kenan sighs in response, "I really like her but I'm on the fence here."

I grip the tray harder as my heart starts racing.

"Here's some advice from me, if you want to be successful listen to your brain and not your heart. I know this decision might be painful but you're still young. You've always got time to find love."

I can't believe what bullshit I'm hearing Kaan's mouth leave. He's encouraging Kenan to leave whatever we've built over the past weeks. I try to listen to Kenan's thoughts. "We aren't exclusive yet, anyway." He becomes silent again before I hear him sink into the couch, "let's talk about this another time, Ela might hear."

Too little too late.

And then he made his decision. I already knew before he had to tell me. My gut never lets me down. I tugged on my necklace absentmindedly as I remember him. The necklace he got me when we were in Naples. We were shopping and walking hand in hand until he stopped to walk into this jeweler. His eyes immediately went to the necklace and without thinking twice he bought it.

He pulled my hair to the side, shivers ran down my spine at his touch and breath caressing my bare neck. With his towering frame he clasped the necklace around my neck and I turned around and touched the pendant. With a satisfactory smile he pulled me into his arms and brushed a kiss on my head as I shut my eyes in content.

We had the greatest time of our lives, the food was amazing, the weather just perfect. We joked about how the Döner prices were so cheap and how Germany could never. Silly moments like these built our relationship or whatever you may call it.

The golden letter K and the little diamond seem to catch the sunlight. I'm ripped away from my thoughts when my phone rings, Rana's name flashing across the screen.

I accept after the third ring and an enthusiastic "hellooooo," is screaming into my ear. I wince and hold my phone as far away as possible to prevent hearing damage at this young age. "Ri, what the fuck, can you slow it down a little?"I ask a little irritated.

"You dream about him or why are you so grumpy this wonderful morning?" I hear her ask.

I scoff loudly, exaggeratedly. "As if, he has no business anywhere in my life."

"Uh huh," she responds, not convinced by my lie. "Anywhore," I can see her eyes roll, "I sent you a package, it should've arrived, did you receive it?"

I scratch my forehead and knit my brows, "uhm, no, what package?" The doorbell rings as I respond. "What a shame, I guess I have to deliver it myself then," she says I grow even more confused and open the door.

"Surpriiiiiseeeee!" I'm engulfed in a hug that knocks me over and together with none other than Rana we fall to the floor.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, the shock evident in my tone and on my face. I can't believe she's here. We haven't seen each other in a long time. The last time was before my trip to Naples.

Her big grin is almost blinding. She's pulling us both up as she talks, "I have great news!"

I nod my head for her to continue, she rolls her eyes at my non verbal response. "I have found a really good job here."

I jump into her arms and give her a firm hug, "Oh my God, congratulations!"

She giggles and jumps up and down, "I'm working with you at Juventus!"

My mouth hangs open before I let out a screech, "no way! How?"

She settles down on the couch, pulling me with her. "I wanted to experience something different and Juventus had an open spot that I applied for. They accepted and now I'm here."

I hope that was the truth and that she didn't feel obligated to come here to take care of my heartbreak. She was always the sweetest and babied me and as the eldest child I wasn't used to this so I did cherish this feeling anyway. I didn't want her to worry about me, though.

"This is the greatest news I've heard in a while, I'm so excited to work with you again." I kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly, which she returned. At least she would get my mind off my heartache and fill it with better memories just like during the European Championship.