FROM FRIENDS TO MORE || Gavi x Pedri

Chapter 13 :: Little accident

* please, if you're reading my book, vote for few chapters, it would make me very happy!

The days that followed were a blur of guilt, shame, and agonizing silence. Gavi avoided Pedri at training, his heart sinking with each fleeting glimpse of him across the pitch. The camaraderie, the laughter, the unspoken understanding that had always bound them together, had vanished, replaced by a chilling emptiness.

The weight of his actions pressed down on him, suffocating him with its relentless burden. He couldn't escape the memory of Pedri's hurt, his anger, his betrayal. He had crossed a line, a line that had shattered their friendship into a million pieces.

He sought solace in the familiar ritual of self-harm, the sharp sting of the razor a momentary release from the crushing weight of his guilt. The blood trickling down his arm was a tangible reminder of his pain, a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil that raged within him.

He sat in his bathroom, the familiar routine a grim comfort. The cold metal of the razor against his skin, the sharp sting, the sight of blood welling up, it all felt strangely familiar, a twisted comfort in the face of his despair.

He was trapped in a cycle of self-destruction, his guilt and shame fueling his need to punish himself. He was a prisoner of his own making, his actions a constant reminder of his failings.

He knew he needed to talk to someone, to seek help, but the fear of judgment, of exposing his vulnerability, held him back. He was afraid of what Pedri would think, of what his teammates would say, of what his family would feel.

He was alone, his pain a silent scream, his self-destruction a desperate cry for help.

***

The knock on the door startled Gavi, pulling him from the depths of his self-loathing. He hadn't expected anyone, especially not Fermín. He quickly shoved the razor back into its hiding place, his heart pounding in his chest.

Fermín's worried face appeared in the doorway, his eyes scanning Gavi's face. "Gavi, you alright, kid?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "You've been quiet all week."

Gavi forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil within. "Yeah, I'm fine, Fermín. Just a bit tired."

Fermín stepped inside, his eyes lingering on Gavi's hands. "You're shaking," he noted, his voice gentle. "What's going on?"

Gavi's heart skipped a beat. He knew he couldn't hide it any longer. He couldn't lie to Fermín, not after all they'd been through.

He lowered his gaze, his voice barely a whisper. "I messed up, Fermín. I did something stupid. I hurt Pedri."

Fermín's face softened, his gaze filled with understanding. "What happened, kid?"

Gavi hesitated, the words catching in his throat. He couldn't bring himself to tell Fermín about the kiss, about the drunken night, about the shame that consumed him.

He simply said, "I was a jerk. I said some things I shouldn't have. I hurt him, and I don't know how to fix it."

Fermín's eyes widened as he noticed the fresh cuts on Gavi's wrists. His face paled, his concern deepening. He reached out, gently taking Gavi's hand in his. "Gavi, what is this?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Gavi flinched, pulling his hand away. "It's nothing," he mumbled, trying to hide the pain in his voice. "Just a little accident."

Fermín knew he wasn't buying it. He had seen this before, the self-destructive behavior, the desperate need to inflict pain on himself. He knew Gavi was hurting, and he was determined to help.

"Gavi," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "You need to talk to someone. You need to let people help you. This isn't the answer."

Gavi looked down at his hands, the sight of the blood a stark reminder of his self-destructive behavior. He knew Fermín was right. He needed to stop, to reach out, to find a way to heal.

"I'm trying, Fermín," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "I just don't know how."

Fermín squeezed his shoulder, a silent promise of support. "We'll figure it out together, kid," he said. "But you need to start talking. You need to let people help you."

Gavi nodded, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes. He knew he had a long road ahead, but with Fermín's support, he was ready to face it.