𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 - Book 1

~Chapter 37~

                                                                                             Gavi

     It had been nearly a month since I had arrived in London to check out Manchester City, and I was loving it here. All of the guys were great, and the coaches encouraged me every single day.

     I had almost forgotten about everyone back home in Spain.

     I hated myself for that.

     Leonor still texted me every single day to check up on me and see how I was liking it here. I really did miss her.

     Part of me wanted to hop on a plane right now and fly home to her.

     But the bigger part of me wanted to stay here. I was so happy where I was.

     It wasn't that I liked the guys here better, I liked the atmosphere more. The coaches were completely different than in Barcelona, and it showed. The players reflected their attitudes.

     I had my own hotel room a few miles from the practice field. When I wasn't out with the team practicing or taking tours, I was in my hotel room. Sometimes I called my friends, or I called Leonor.

     She missed me so much. She told me about life back home, how her sister had been accepted into a soccer league but their parents wouldn't allow it. How Hannah and Elena came to visit her last week.

     I loved her, I really did.

     I knew that she loved me too.

     So, I knew something was wrong when she didn't text me one day. I waited and waited, until it was nearly midnight. Still no messages from her, or calls either. I was a little worried.

     I messaged her quickly, hoping she would answer soon.

     The reply never came.

     I was starting to get worried about her. Maybe I did something? Maybe she was hurt? Maybe something had happened to her? I thought back to that guy chasing her down the streets of Madrid. My jaw tightened.

     I called Gio on an impulse, and he picked up on the third ring.

     "Mate, it's nearly midnight," he groaned. He sounded like he was half asleep. I could hear movement near him, which I figured was Chloe.

     Perfect.

     "I need Chloe to speak to me," I said urgently. Gio sighed and passed the phone to her.

     "Gavi?" She groaned into the phone. I heard some shuffling afterwards.

     "Chloe, have you spoken to Leonor today?" I asked sharply. I heard her take a breath before continuing.

     "Not yet, she hasn't answered me today. I messaged her last night and I haven't gotten a response," she sighed.

     I rubbed my temples impatiently.

     "What if something happened to her?" I yelled quickly.

     Chloe took in a breath.

     "I'm sure she's fine, Pablo. Maybe she's grounded or something," she muttered. I could tell she wasn't very worried.

     I was. It wasn't like Leonor to ignore me, let alone her best friend.

     Maybe she was grounded. That's what I told myself to believe as I fell asleep that night.    

     When I woke up the next morning, I hoped that I had received a text from Leonor.

     Nothing. Nothing at all. She hadn't even read it yet.

     Shit.

     I was getting worried. I had no clue what to do anymore.

     It was early enough that I had time to lay in bed before I got ready for my day. I would be going to the practice field to watch the guys play around. I would also be given another tour of the grounds, which felt like the millionth one I had been granted.

     My mind wouldn't wander from Leonor. I needed her to message me back.

     Standing to my feet, I rubbed my eyes and picked out some clothes from my messy suitcase; a Manchester City jersey and some black athletic shorts. I entered the small bathroom, combing my hair quickly and spraying some cologne on my pulse points.

     I grabbed my phone and wallet from the nightstand before I left in a hurry. Vince was waiting for me outside with the vehicle. He had been here to pick me up every morning, and I was getting to know him well. He seemed like Mario, Leonor's private driver. She had told me a lot about him.

     Leonor.

     Stop it, Pablo.

     "Good morning, Pablo!" Vince smiled, starting up the ignition and pulling down the familiar road. I gave him a greeting in return and slumped back into my seat.

     There was too much pressure on me lately. I had to make a decision on my future within a month.

     I thought about my friends back home. I thought about Leonor.

     Her smile, her hair, her everything.

     Everything about her was pure perfection.

     Vince pulled into the parking lot, dropping me off for another long day. The security guard, Raymond, was waiting for me by the back gates like usual.

     "Thank you, Vince," I smiled, trying my best to be polite. He gave me a clap on the back as I exited the car and joined Raymond by the gates.

     "Good to see you again," he joked, giving my shoulder a nudge. I just stared at him. I wasn't exactly in the mood for a good laugh this morning.

     Raymond seemed to notice, because he rolled his eyes.

     I entered the practice field, shaking hands with the other guys and greeting them. I took my place in the stands to watch, just like every other day.

     I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, and I snatched it as quickly as I could. Hopefully, it was Leonor.

     It wasn't. It was Chloe.

     She asked me if I had heard anything from Leonor yet.

     I said no. She left me on read.

     I had a bad feeling about all of this. Why would Leonor just stop answering me?

     Was she THAT mad that I left Spain to go to London? She sure didn't seem like it when we talked on the phone the other night.

     Nothing had been out of the ordinary, had it?

     Shit.

     Here I went again, getting all in my head. I couldn't keep doing this to myself. I was here to enjoy some soccer and meet some more of my potential teammates.

     I kept kicking myself internally.

     I knew Leonor would come around eventually. I just hoped whatever had happened would be resolved soon.

     I just hoped that I hadn't done anything to make the girl I loved hate me.

Hey guys shorter chapter cuz I'm so so tired

What do u think will happen??