Today is the day the new signing is supposed to join the team, so, although we don't have to train because it's our day off, Jonatan has asked Aitana and me to come and welcome the new girl, so that after she signs the contract and takes the official photo, we can show her a bit of the sports city and, if it comes up, we can show her something of the city. The thing is that she hasn't said a word to us about who our new teammate is or where she comes from.
- What's wrong with you, why are you looking at your phone so much? Is your girlfriend not answering you? - Aitana asks me sarcastically.
- Don't talk nonsense, come on, besides, I don't have a girlfriend.
-No way, you're really into that Norwegian girl we're up against, she can't deny it, girl. Well, maybe you do have feelings for her, but we're thousands of miles away, it wouldn't work.
- I'm sure.
Aitana was going to answer me but at that moment Jonatan comes to find us to introduce us to the new player, so I put my phone away and stand up with my partner to follow our coach to one of the conference rooms. When we enter there is no one, the room is empty.
-Laporta has said that they will come down now- the Mister tells us after seeing the faces of Aitana and me.
Barely five minutes later the door opens again letting in a brunette that I know quite well, even if it is only by video call. That is why she did not answer my messages.
-Well, I will leave you with the girls so that they can show you this and you can get to know each other- Jonatan tells Ingrid before going out the door.
I remain static, observing the girl that I like, trying to process that there is no longer any distance between us, that she is here in Barcelona, in front of me. I must have been too stunned because Aitana has to nudge me to get me to react, making the Norwegian girl laugh.
-Well, while my friend is reacting here, I'll introduce myself, I'm Aitana, it's a pleasure to have you with us on the team.
-Nice to meet you, thank you - says the Norwegian girl, her Spanish is a bit poor.
After giving each other two kisses, they both look in my direction but I'm still half in a trance.
-Earth calling Mapi... Auntie reacts, Aitana tells me snapping her fingers in front of my face.
-Sorry- I say coming back to myself.
- Hello princess- I greet calling the Norwegian by the nickname I gave her the day we met. She surprises me by coming closer to me to give me a hug instead of two kisses as I expected. Obviously I hug her back, and, before we separate, she whispers in my ear.
-You don't know how much I wanted to see you. I blush at her words, and I see how Aitana holds back her laughter in front of me. When we separate, we leave the room we were in and we show Ingrid all the corners of the sports city, from the locker rooms to the cafeteria or the dining room, we show her everything so that when she comes to training on the first day she doesn't feel so lost.
-What do you think if we go out to eat? - Aita suggests after looking at the time on his watch.
- It's fine by me, but I came here straight from the airport. I have my bags at the reception desk. I haven't been able to stop by the hotel to leave them yet.
-No problem, you can put them in my car, and after lunch I'll take you to your hotel. What do you think? - I ask as we walk to the reception desk.
-It's great by me, but if it causes you any problems I can figure out what to do, really, I don't want to bother you.
- Don't be silly, you're not bothering me at all - I assure her with a smile to reassure her.
We pick up the princess's things, put them in my car and head towards the centre. Aitana follows us with her car, so the Norwegian and I are alone.
-Is this the surprise you told me about the other day? - I ask as we're stuck in a small traffic jam. She blushes and turns her head towards the window so I don't see her.
-Did you like it? Now I'm the one who's blushing.
- A lot, I really wouldn't have imagined it in a million years. I still can't believe you're here, how long have you signed for?
-For three years at the moment- she confesses looking at me again. My smile widens when I hear that, I'm going to be able to enjoy her company and play together on the field, and this time not as rivals.
We arrive at the restaurant and wait for Aitana to park so the three of us can go in together. The place is quite quiet, we've already come here a few times with the girls on the team, and the food is exquisite, so we enjoy the moment and Aitana takes advantage of the opportunity to ask Ingrid questions in order to get to know her better, and I don't know why but it seems to me that these two are going to get along well, I'm sure they'll even conspire to tease me. Aitana leaves us when we leave the restaurant, since she has plans with her cousins, and the princess and I get back in my car.
-You said earlier that you hadn't stopped by the hotel, don't you have a fixed place to stay yet?
- The truth is that no, I haven't had much time to look for apartments before having to come, so I was thinking of getting a hotel room until I resolved that issue.
- It may sound crazy to you- I start to say- but I have a free room in my apartment, if you want it, it's yours. I know it's not like having your own place, but it's better than staying in a hotel, and you save money on the nightly bills.
-Mapi, I don't want to invade your space- she says, a little nervous.
-You're not invading anything, princess, really- I say, placing my hand on her knee. She looks at me, weighing her options, and finally agrees to come home, but on one condition. If we're going to live under the same roof, even if it's just for a few days, we'll pay the expenses half and half, is that clear?
- Clear, I say, smiling from ear to ear, happy to be able to share more time with my favorite Norwegian.
- I can't wait for you to meet Bagheera in person, he'll definitely adore you.
-Oh, she's going to become my favorite roommate, I have no doubts- she says to tease me, an objective that she obviously achieves.
- Hey, I'm in front of you. We both laugh and we soon get home, where I help the princess put her things in the guest room, and then I leave her some towels so she can relax by taking a shower. When she comes back to the living room, already in her pajamas, I can't help but laugh, causing Ingrid to look at me without understanding anything.
-You're very posh, princess, I say, referring to the pink silk pajamas she's wearing, along with slippers of the same color.
-Are you still going on about that? I've already told you that I'm not posh, she says, crossing her arms, pretending to throw a tantrum. At that moment, I approach her and hug her, throwing us both on the couch. It's strange because we've never been together, we've only talked on the phone, but I feel like we've been living together for half our lives.
-I'm very happy that you're here, even if you're posh, I confess, still hugging each other.
- You are one of a kind, lioness- she says shaking her head but with a smile- I am also happy to be here with you.
