"Treating you the Way you Deserve" //Pedri Gonzalez

Chapter 18

I was in my room, deep in thought. The kiss with Pedri kept replaying in my mind, but I quickly reminded myself of my past experiences. After Justin, who had been a friend since I was 15, I had sworn off dating anyone within my circle. Although we started off well, things took a turn. He was possessive and didn't want me hanging out with any of the boys. He even discouraged me from playing fútbol with them, claiming it made him uncomfortable.

Looking back, I realized how toxic that relationship had been. I felt trapped and restricted, unable to enjoy the sport I loved or spend time with my friends. It was a harsh lesson, but it taught me the importance of setting boundaries and valuing my independence.

Now, faced with my feelings for Pedri, I felt conflicted. I had always promised myself I would never date any of my friends again, fearing it might complicate our relationships. After the kiss, I didn't know what to think or how to proceed. Was I ready to risk my friendship with Pedri for something more? Would it end up being just as complicated as my past relationship?

I paced around my room, weighing my options, uncertain about what to do next.

**Pedri's POV:**

I was at training, but my mind was miles away. The sun beat down on the pitch, and the sound of the ball being kicked echoed all around me. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a ball struck me right in the head.

"Pedri, focus!" Xavi yelled, his voice cutting through my daze. I blinked, trying to shake off the fog in my mind. I glanced at him, then slowly walked to the sideline to grab a bottle of water, feeling a bit embarrassed.

As I took a sip, while Gavi approached me, concern etched on his face. "Pedri, what's wrong? You've been like this for two days," he asked, clearly worried.

I hesitated, unsure if I should share my thoughts. "If I tell you, you can't tell anyone. Bro code, okay?" I said, looking him in the eye.

"Okay, bro code," he replied, nodding seriously.

"I kissed Camila the night of her game," I admitted, my heart racing at the confession.

"What?!" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and excitement. "You what?"

"Shhh!" I hissed, glancing around to make sure no one else heard. "Yeah, I kissed her. Is that why you think we've been off?"

Gavi's expression softened, and he nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. You've been distracted. I thought something was up, but I didn't want to pry."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's just... complicated. I don't want to mess things up with her or the group.

Gavi leaned in closer, his voice lowered. "You really like her, don't you?"

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. "Yeah, I do. But I don't know what to do about it. I can't afford to let my feelings get in the way of our friendship."

As we headed back to practice, I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to that moment with Camila. What did it mean for us? And how would it change everything?

**Camila POV**

I was lounging by the pool, absorbed in my book, the sun warming my skin, when I heard the door open. I looked up to see Pedri walking in, a casual smile on his face.

"Hey," he said, his voice light.

"Hey!" I replied, smiling back. "I thought you were at the club with the other boys."

"No, I didn't go. I was with my brother, and honestly, I just didn't feel like going after everything that happened last time," he said with a shrug.

I nodded, understanding. "They told me there were no girls going, so I didn't want to go either. But hey, why don't you go change? We can go swimming!"

"Okay, I'll be right back," he said, heading off to change.

While he was gone, I felt a flutter of excitement. The thought of spending time alone with him was exhilarating. When he returned, the atmosphere shifted. As he took off his shirt, I couldn't help but notice his V-line. I tried to look away, but I couldn't deny it—he looked really hot.

"You ready?" he asked, catching me off guard.

"Um, yeah," I stammered, shaking off the moment. We both jumped into the pool, the cool water refreshing against the heat of the day. We swam for a while, splashing and laughing, feeling carefree and light.

After some time, he swam over to me, his eyes sparkling. "Can I pick you up?" he asked playfully.

I nodded, and he easily lifted me out of the water. I found myself staring into his eyes, and everything else faded away. As he leaned in, our lips met softly. It was a gentle kiss, but it ignited something deep inside me. I hadn't kissed anyone in so long, and it felt so right. I never wanted it to end.

After what felt like an eternity, we pulled away, both breathless. He looked at me with a mix of hope and uncertainty. "Let me take you out on a real date," he said, his voice sincere.

Part of me wanted to say yes, to embrace the moment and the connection we shared. But the reality of our friend group loomed over me. "I don't know," I hesitated, biting my lip. "The boys can't know. It would complicate everything."

He frowned slightly but nodded as if he understood. "Sure," he said softly, then leaned in and kissed me again, more passionately this time. I felt a rush of emotions—confusion, excitement, fear.

As we pulled back, I realized that the kiss had changed everything between us. I knew I had to tread carefully. The last thing I wanted was to ruin our friendship or complicate things with the other boys. But as I looked into his eyes, I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, it was worth the risk.