Best Mistake ︱Pedri González

35

Luciana's POV

The next morning at the training center, the mood was noticeably different. I went through the motions of filming the usual content for the club's social media accounts, but my enthusiasm was missing. My friends and colleagues must have noticed.

Lamine, Ansu, and Balde were particularly observant. They gathered around me as I set up the camera, their faces filled with concern. Lamine was the first to speak.

"Hey, Luciana, you don't seem like yourself today. What's going on? You've been off all morning," he said, his voice gentle.

I forced a small smile, trying to brush it off. "It's nothing, really. Just a rough couple of days. Dante and I broke up."

Ansu and Balde exchanged worried glances but didn't push for more details. Ansu stepped in, his expression softening. "I'm sorry to hear that. Breakups are tough. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

Balde nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we're here if you need anything. But maybe we can do something to take your mind off things? How about we all go to the cinema tonight? There's a new movie out that I've heard is pretty good."

The idea of doing something to distract myself was appealing. I hadn't had much of a chance to unwind or relax lately. I looked at the three of them, feeling a surge of gratitude for their support.

"That sounds nice," I said, my voice a bit firmer. "I could use a break from everything."

Lamine grinned, relieved to see me open up a bit. "Great! We'll pick you up around seven. It'll be good to get out and have some fun."

As the day progressed, I focused on my work, trying to push the sadness aside. I was grateful for the distraction of filming. Lamine, Ansu, and Balde were a welcome source of comfort. They didn't pry, respecting my boundaries and offering their support in their own way.

Later that evening, the four of us all went in the car to head to the cinemeas. We had decided on a comedy—it felt like the right choice given the heaviness of the past few days. We stood in line for tickets, chatting about the film and catching up on lighter topics. The chatter was a welcome relief from the emotional turbulence I'd been experiencing.

When we finally settled into our seats, the theater lights dimmed, and the film began. For a couple of hours, I was able to lose myself in the story unfolding on the screen. The laughter and shared moments with Ansu, Balde, and Lamine were exactly what I needed.

After the movie, we walked out of the theater, feeling lighter. Ansu and Balde were animatedly discussing their favorite parts, while Lamine and I enjoyed the simplicity of just being with friends.

"That was a good pick," I said, genuinely smiling for the first time in days.

Balde gave a thumbs up. "Definitely. We should do this more often."

Lamine nodded. "Absolutely. It's good to get out and have fun. Don't let things get you down too much."

I appreciated their efforts to cheer me up. While I wasn't completely over everything, their support made the weight a bit easier to bear. As we said our goodbyes and headed to our separate homes, I felt a glimmer of hope that things might start to improve, even if just a little.

When I got home that evening, I felt a wave of loneliness hit me. I'd been trying to keep myself together all day, but the weight of everything was still there, lingering just beneath the surface. I decided to text Ferran, hoping that spending the night at his place would give me a bit of solace.

Luciana: Hey Ferran, would it be okay if I stayed over at your place tonight? Just need a change of scenery.

Ferran: Of course, Luciana. Come on over. I'll be here.

I felt a sense of relief as I grabbed a small bag with some essentials and headed out. When I arrived at Ferran's apartment, I was grateful to see that it was cozy and inviting. I knocked on the door, and Gavi greeted me with a warm smile.

"Hey, Luciana. Come on in," he said, opening the door wide.

As I walked inside, I could hear the faint sounds of a video game being played. Gavi led me into the living room where I saw Pedri and Ferran seated on the couch, engrossed in a game of FIFA.

"Hey, Luciana," Ferran said, noticing my arrival. "Pedri's just been over for a bit. We were having a quick gaming session."

Pedri looked up, his eyes meeting mine. The easy convo he had with Ferran seemed to falter as he saw me. He glanced at Ferran, then back at me, and immediately stood up.

"Hey, Luciana," Pedri said, his tone a bit strained. "I, um, actually have to head out now. I've got some stuff to take care of."

I saw the hesitation in his eyes, the unease. It was clear that he felt uncomfortable, and I understood why. My presence here was a reminder of the unresolved tension between us.

"Okay," I said quietly, trying to keep my composure. 

Pedri gave a brief nod, mumbling something about catching up later, before quickly leaving with Gavi. I watched them go, feeling a pang of sadness as the door closed behind him. His departure was abrupt, but I could understand it. Things were complicated, and my presence likely made him feel awkward.

Ferran turned to me, his expression soft and supportive. "You okay?"

I forced a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for letting me stay."

Ferran nodded, sensing that I might need some time to myself. "No problem at all. Let's just hang out for a bit. I'll make us some dinner. How does that sound?"

I appreciated his offer. "That sounds great. Thanks."

Ferran headed to the kitchen, and I sank onto the couch, feeling the tension of the day slowly ebb away. The silence was comforting, and I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts.

As Ferran prepared dinner, I found myself wandering around the apartment, taking in the familiar surroundings. It was nice to be in a space where I felt welcome and safe. Ferran soon brought out a simple but delicious meal, and we ate together, chatting about light topics to keep the mood relaxed.

We talked about everything and nothing in particular, and I found myself starting to unwind. Ferran had a way of making things feel less heavy, and his company was exactly what I needed.

After dinner, we settled into the living room, and Ferran suggested we watch a movie. It was a small comfort, but it was enough to help me forget, if only for a while, the weight of the previous days. I was grateful for Ferran's support, and as we watched the film, I felt a small sense of peace.

It wasn't a solution to my problems, but it was a step toward finding some calm