Red Secrets (Marcus Rashford)

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The day slipped away fast and the sun was now low in the sky which was painting the horizon in shades of orange and pink. Before I knew it, it our girls holiday was over. Alisha and I stood near the entrance of the villa, our bags were packed and waiting by the door as the taxi in the driveway, its engine a low hum that filled the quiet evening air.

Jesse was the first to step forward, pulling me into a tight hug. "Safe travels, Sofia," he said with a warm smile. "You better not forget about us when you're back home."

I laughed, though it was underlying with sadness. "As if I could forget you, Jesse. Thanks for making this trip so much fun."

Next was Jadon, who approached with a playful glow in his eyes. He pulled me close and, without warning, pressed a soft kiss to my lips. The kiss was brief, but it was enough to catch me off guard. When he pulled away, he gave me a smug grin. "I'm going to miss you, Sofia," he murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "We'll keep in touch, yeah?"

I nodded, trying to shake off the surprise. "Of course," I replied, my voice almost a whisper.

Finally, it was Marcus' turn. He stepped forward, his eyes holding contact for which felt like forever. There was something in his gaze—a flicker of something I couldn't quite put my finger on—as he pulled me into a hug. His hand lingered on my back a moment longer than necessary. "Take care, Sofia," he said softly, his voice filled with sadness.

"You too, Marcus," I managed to say, though the words felt inadequate for everything I wanted to convey.

As I stepped back, I noticed Marcus's expression—a hint of jealousy that he quickly masked as he forced a smile and nodded. It was subtle, adding another layer to the confusion I was already feeling.

With that, Alisha and I exchanged quick goodbyes with the rest of the group. As we climbed into the taxi, I took one last look at the three of them standing there—Jesse with his easygoing smile, Jadon with that familiar spark in his eyes, and Marcus, whose gaze lingered on me with an intensity that made my heart ache.

As the taxi pulled away, taking us toward the airport, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the end, that there was still so much left unresolved. But for now, all I could do was lean back against the seat, watching the villa fade into the distance, and wonder what would happen the next time our paths crossed.

In the quiet of the taxi, my thoughts drifted back to Jadon's kiss and Marcus's intense gaze. The way they had both looked at me, the emotions that had flickered in their eyes, left me with more questions than answers. I found myself replaying their words, their touches, trying to piece together what it all meant.