Another Night

Chapter 8 - Day Off

I woke up earlier than the guys in order to avoid them. Avoid Marco.

I got into a cab and made my way to my home. The house was empty when I took a peek through the metal safety door.

"Anyone home?" I yelled before sticking my hand through one of the gaps to knock on the metal door inside. "Hello?"

"No spare change!" My uncle came to the door.

"Tio!" I cheered.

"Do I know you?" He spoke as he began opening the door.

I gave him a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek before going in.

"Where's everyone?"

"Colombia is playing Mexico today! How do you not know that? Why are you working for FIFA-"

"So they went to go get food right?"

"Yeah, yeah," he nodded and went back to his room.

I followed him past the dining room and kitchen to go retrieve some spare keys for the door from him.

"Can I get some extra keys, please? I'm gonna go get bread from down the block."

"You're so annoying," he joked. "They're by the TV in the living room."

"I've missed you," I said before leaving another kiss on his cheek and going back to get the keys.

When I got back from buying somethings for the house, the majority of my family was back and ready for the wait that came before the match.

I greeted everyone and got to catch up with them all before the match started. I ended up cooking with my aunts, I ended up telling them about a guy I liked.

"Where is he from?" One of them asked.

"He's German," I smiled.

"Is he someone from the team?" Another one almost yelled.

"Yeah," I said. "But you can't tell anyone! I can lose my job."

"Of course not, sweetie. But is it the one that won the cup?"

"No," I chuckled. "Although that one has been flirting with me non-stop."

"Go for that one," someone said.

"No," I shook my head. "I haven't spoken to the one I like. He may have a girlfriend."

"All the more reason to go for the one that won the cup-"

"I know, but the one I like thinks I'm cute," I interrupted.

"Of course, every guy likes Latinas," one of my aunts spoke.

"That's not true," I shook my head.

"The match is starting!" My cousin's boyfriend yelled from the living room.

I gathered the snack I had been preparing and rushed over to the living room and by the TV before sitting down anxiously as I waited for my team to start.

The anthem started and you could hear people outside cheering along. There were people the whole time running through the streets and blowing horns.

The first half ended in 0-0. Mexico had tight defense, but nothing we couldn't handle.

"Mara!" One of my little cousins took my hand and the rest followed. "Let's go play."

"Like James!" One of them yelled.

I was playing soccer with three of my younger cousins during the half time in the street outside our house.

The sun was shining down on us real hard and I could tell I looked like a mess after ten minutes of playing.

The ball began to roll down the slope and I began to run after it.

But Marco already had it trapped under his left foot.

"If you wouldn't mind," I gestured for him to pass it back and he did so.

I flicked it upwards and caught it in my right hand before heading back over to my cousins.

"The second half is gonna start," I urged them back inside the house and handed one of them the ball.

"Mara!" One of them protested until the music of the tournament quickly called their attention.

Marco slowly made his way towards me and I simply shut the safety door.

Four guys ran down the street blowing their horn as I began to meet Marco half way.

"The game not interesting enough for you?" I quickly remarked before he started speaking.

"On the contrary," he said with his hands in his pocket. "I knew you'd be enjoying it a lot," I kept my mouth shut at that comment. "I, uh, took a cab to the restaurant before the first half ended while the guys were distracted and I walked over here. Mats is covering for me if someone notices I went missing-"

"Am I supposed to be happy?" I questioned him.

"I didn't get a chance to explain to you what Mario brought up."

"Go ahead," I looked up at him.

"He was talking about some girl I mentioned that I met at a match. We were just talking for about two days but I didn't like her at all. She was boring and a bit dumb, you don't have anything to worry about. I don't have a girlfriend back home anywhere, I can promise you that."

"I believe you," I nodded. "I wasn't really mad over that, I mean I didn't know what to expect I barely know you. It just got to me that I barely know you and I kind of really like you and I can't really get to know you at all and if I do it'll be in secret and we shouldn't-"

Marco shut me up with a kiss.

Whistles, horns, and cheering filled my ears as Colombia had apparently made a goal.

When our lips detached Marco began to speak.

"So, get to know me, because I sure as hell want to know you."

I couldn't help from smiling and blushing.

"Give me a second," I put my finger up before running back to the door. "Who scored?" I asked everyone inside and they all pointed.

James with a volley. 1-0 in Colombia's favor.

"I'll be back later," I said goodbye to everyone even though no one cared because they were entranced with the match.

I ran back over to Marco who had a smile on his face.

"I didn't mean what I said about Mario," I spoke. "I couldn't really say no and embarrass him in front of all the guys."

"It's okay if you meant it," Marco chuckled.

"I didn't," I laughed.

"He's cute, don't lie to yourself," Marco said before taking my hand in his as I guided him down the street.