FROM FRIENDS TO MORE || Gavi x Pedri

Chapter 50 :: First step

The silence stretched between them, a tangible presence that hung heavy in the air, a constant reminder of the chasm that had opened up between them. Pedri found himself constantly glancing at the empty space beside him in the locker room, the space where Gavi's laughter and playful banter used to fill the void. It was a space that now felt colder, emptier, a stark reflection of the distance that had grown between them.

He had been angry, hurt, and confused by Gavi's outburst, his sudden withdrawal. It had been a shock, a blow that had left him reeling, his trust shattered by the sudden revelation of Gavi's feelings. He had felt betrayed, his carefully constructed walls of composure crumbling under the weight of Gavi's vulnerability. He had retreated into himself, his pride a fortress against the vulnerability that Gavi had exposed. He had told himself it was for the best, that it was easier to pretend nothing had happened, to keep his emotions locked away, to avoid the pain of confrontation.

But as days turned into weeks, the silence started to weigh on him. It was a constant, nagging presence, a weight that he couldn't shake off, a reminder of the fractured bond between them. He missed Gavi's presence, his infectious energy, his constant teasing, his unwavering support. He missed their shared jokes, their inside jokes, the way Gavi could always make him laugh, even on the most stressful days. He missed the way Gavi could read him like an open book, his understanding a comfort that he had taken for granted.

He found himself searching for Gavi in the crowded locker room, hoping to catch a glimpse of his familiar smile, a fleeting moment of connection. But Gavi was always just out of reach, his presence a phantom in the periphery of his vision. He would see him at the training ground, a blur of movement on the field, a flash of red hair disappearing into the crowd. But there was no eye contact, no shared smile, no acknowledgment of their shared history.

He tried to focus on the game, on his performance, but the distraction of Gavi's absence was constant, a nagging reminder of the fractured bond between them. He felt a sense of isolation, a loneliness he hadn't experienced before, a loneliness that stemmed from the absence of Gavi's presence. It was a loneliness that permeated every aspect of his life, a void that Gavi's absence had created.

He found himself replaying their last conversation in his mind, the words echoing in the silence of his thoughts. He remembered the hurt in Gavi's voice, the vulnerability that had been so unexpected, so raw. He remembered the way Gavi had looked at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and despair, a vulnerability that had shaken him to his core.

He knew he should reach out, apologize, try to bridge the gap that had grown between them. He knew Gavi was hurting too, his silence a testament to the pain he was carrying. He knew that his own pride, his fear of appearing weak, was keeping him from reaching out to the one person he truly wanted to connect with.

He felt trapped in a cycle of hurt and silence, his own pride a prison that kept him from reaching out to the one person he truly wanted to connect with. He missed Gavi's laughter, his warmth, his friendship. He missed the way Gavi made him feel, the way he made him feel seen, understood, loved.

He missed the way Gavi would playfully tease him, his playful banter a constant reminder of their bond. He missed the way Gavi would always have his back, his unwavering support a constant source of strength. He missed the way Gavi could make him feel like he could conquer anything, his belief in him a powerful force that fueled his confidence.

He knew he had to break the silence, to reach out to Gavi, to mend their broken bond. But the fear of rejection, the fear of appearing vulnerable, held him back. He was trapped in a silent standoff, a battle of pride and hurt, a battle that was slowly eroding the foundation of their friendship.

He knew that the longer they remained silent, the more difficult it would be to bridge the gap. He knew that the silence was a poison that was slowly seeping into their friendship, a poison that threatened to destroy everything they had built together.

He knew he had to do something, to break free from the chains of his pride, to reach out to Gavi, to let him know that he missed him, that he cared, that he wanted to fix what was broken.

But the fear was still there, a constant shadow that loomed over him, a reminder of the vulnerability that he had always tried to avoid. He knew that he had to face his fears, to confront the pain that he had been trying to suppress. He knew that he had to reach out to Gavi, to apologize, to try to mend their broken bond.

He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he couldn't live with the regret of letting their friendship slip away without a fight. He had to try, for the sake of their friendship, for the sake of the bond that had once been their anchor, the bond that he still held dear, the bond that he was determined to reclaim.

He just needed to find the courage to take the first step.