𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 - Book 1

~Chapter 36~

                                                                                            Leonor

     It had been a week since Gavi had left for England. I had messaged him a few times, but I had gotten responses hours later. I hoped he was having fun, I really did. It just pained me to see him somewhere else when I thought that he was so happy here.

     My birthday had passed; I was now 19. Official one year left of my teens. It felt so surreal.

     My parents suggested taking me and Sofia out for lunch to celebrate, even though it was a few days late. It was that thought that counted in the end.

     I hoped spending time with my family would take my mind off of Gavi, take my mind off of what he was doing right this very moment.

     Mario was waiting for us in our family car, like always. He had been there for me when I needed him most, even when I needed him to drive me to Barcelona. I owed it to him.

     I gave him a small hug before entering the vehicle.

     "Happy belated birthday, Leonor," he smiled at me. I grinned in reply. Sofia slid in after me, buckling her seatbelt. My parents settled in the middle row, giving Mario the directions to the restaurant.

     We arrived downtown shortly, and the restaurant appeared to be fancy. Couples wearing luxury clothing and women carrying clutch purses scuttled in and out. I stopped to admire them for a moment before following my parents inside. I suddenly felt insecure in my navy blue blouse and jeans.

     The hostess bowed to my parents, then to me and Sofia in turn. It wasn't like I wasn't used to it; someone recognized me wherever we went. I was going to be their future queen one day, so I had figured they knew me already.

     "Table for four, please," my father said politely, and woman bowed again before leading us to the back of the restaurant. Only one other couple was near us, and they were deep into conversation.

     I sat down beside Sofia, and our parents sat diagonal from us. My mother opened the menu immediately, beginning to scan for her meal. I was busy gazing at the fancy china on the table; how intricate the designs were, how the gold border was so perfectly painted.

     Sofia cleared her throat, and all of us glanced up. She rarely ever spoke when we were having dinner.

     "Yes?" My mother questioned, unfolding her napkin on her lap.

     "Can I tell you guys something?" She croaked out, looking around at us. I just stared at her, waiting.

     Probably something about her getting a boyfriend, or something about one of her school friends.

     "You see, there were tryouts for a soccer league here in Madrid for girls like me. Not terribly bad, but not superstars. I had the opportunity to try out after school, and....I.....I made the team. I should've told you. It's a traveling team," she blurted out.

     My mother gasped. My father sighed.

     I stared at Sofia questioningly.

     "Why didn't you tell us?" My father retorted. I knew traveling teams in Spain were extremely expensive. Even though we were rich, it was nearly unaffordable with our own family funds.

     "I was worried you would tell me to quit!" Sofia yelled. The couple eating a few tables down from us shot some glances in our direction. I gave them a little wave.

     "I'm more upset that you tried to hide it from us, Sofia. You should have told us when you tried out," my mother said, massaging her temples.

     Sofia groaned and leaned back in her chair. I could hear the anger in her scoff.