Another Night

Chapter 15 - Relatable

I left the island after the argument and found myself in Bogotá, at Samantha's grounds.

"You're not seriously watching that are you?" Samantha came up to me in the kitchen and shut off the USA vs. Germany match.

"I was," I mutter.

"If Marco made a goal, your heart would've burst."

"Mario was open and Marco refused to pass him the ball. The commentator said this was his worst game yet," I say.

"Good," Samantha says. "You're his good luck charm and he's gonna realize he needs you sooner rather than later. Actually, you're each other's good luck charms," she smiles and I keep my frown. "There was a shipment of training clothes," Samantha changed the topic. "Want to help me and the others sort it out?"

"What time do the guys get back from training?" I asked referring to our national team.

"In less than an hour," Samantha told me after looking at the wall clock.

"I might as well occupy myself," I shrugged.

"That's the spirit!" Samantha clapped. "All you need now is a little enthusiasm before the team arrives. Just think, you'll be hugging James in less than an hour!"

"That actually helps a lot," I laugh as she guides me out of the kitchen of the staff house to the yard outside.

There were tables set and staff with boxes around them as they organized jerseys and shorts, even some equipment.

"Mara," Samantha started. "Go to that table," she pointed. "Far left, where that girl is."

"Got it," I nodded before walking all the way to the table under the tent.

"Hi," I smiled at the woman. "I'm Mara, I'm here to help."

"Oh, thank God," she chuckled. "I'm Katalina, but you can just call me Kat."

"Hi, Kat," I smiled once more before sitting down. "You look familiar... do I know you?"

"Maybe," she shrugged and moved on.

We sat here silently for a couple of minutes before she spoke up.

"You look kind of sad. Do you want to talk about something? I'm all ears."

"Oh," I looked up. "No, no. It's kind of personal, no offense."

"I get it," she nods. "But I may be of some help. Boy troubles?"

"Is it that obvious?" I laugh.

"What'd your boyfriend do now?" Kat jokingly asks.

"It's actually a really long story," I sigh.

"Mara," she says. "Look at all these boxes. We have time."

"Okay," I chuckled. "But you cannot tell a soul."

I ended up telling her everything from the beginning all the way up to what happened with Mario two nights ago.

"So, when I got out of the staff house," I continued. "I saw Victoria talking to Marco and when I finally went up to him he just ignored me and ran up to Mario's room in his villa and dragged him out of his bed and he was ready to fight him. I was there to prevent it, and I began explaining it all and Mario too and we apologized and I told him about Victoria and how the whole ordeal meant nothing to either of us, but I didn't tell him about it because it wasn't worth anyone's energy and it didn't mean anything at all."

"Right," she nods in agreement. "So, then what?"

"Then I say to Marco 'let's talk about this,' and he says, 'you've done enough.' Then he walks out and leaves Mario and me there. Now here I am, in the capital far away from all of that and crying. And now, pouring my heart out to a complete stranger."

"Don't worry about that," she shook her head.

"Are you sure I don't know you from somewhere? You look really-"

"It sounds to me like you're running away from your problems," Kat interrupts.

"You're right," I nod. "But Marco didn't want anything to do with me. Oh! Please don't say anything to the press or anything, God I'm so dumb-"

"Relax," she urges me. "Been there, done that."

I was about to ask her what she meant by that when she started talking again.

"I've been through something similar. In fact, I have a tendency of running away too."

"Really? What happened?" I got my hopes up.

"My ex," she started. "He seriously thought something was going on between my friend and I and it was a whole mess."

"Well, was there something going on between you two?"

"Yes," she nods. "But not at the time."

"So, what happened with you ex?"

"We broke up, obviously," she pressed her lips onto one another. "I ended up with my friend."

"I don't want to end up with Mario," I looked down and grimaced.

"Don't worry," Kat laughed. "I got back together with my ex."

"Wait, what?"

"Well, not for good. You know how you need post break-up sex?"

"Now I do," I sit up. "So, any advice? How'd you get together with your ex. Wait, while you were with your current boyfriend?"

"I took a break with my current boyfriend and had a thing with my ex."

"Your life is like a movie," I chuckle.

"My current boyfriend and I got together this February, so that's what? Four months. Not a big deal. But anyway, you'll get back with Marco, I know it," Kat smiled. "All you need to do is go talk to him, whether he wants to or not and explain to him that you're hopelessly devoted to him, regardless of what he thinks."

"You're right," I nod. "Can I practice with you?"

"Go for it," Kat stopped folding a jersey and sat back.

"Marco," I sat up. "I already explained to you what it was that happened between Mario and me. It's your choice whether you believe it or not, but it'll break my heart if you don't. You may think I wasn't in this relationship at all, and it was one-sided but you're wrong. I want you, regardless of how little time we've spent together and have known each other, my heart is breaking over the thought of you leaving me. I like you, I really like you, and I want to be by your side for the little amount of time we have left and then some. Can we please talk about this?"

Kat just looked at me in awe.

"Once more with feeling," she leaned over.

"Really?" I covered my face.

"No, I'm joking," she grabbed at my hands. "That was amazing. Marco would be an idiot to leave you after that little monologue."

"Kat!" A guy yelled and got my attention.

I looked up and held my breath.

"Hey, sweetie," Kat looked over and smiled at him before they kissed each other.

I almost fainted at the sight.

"You're-"

"Hola," James smiled over at me.

"Hi," I almost melted. "Y-you're Katalina, James' girlfriend," I whispered. "The ex- Neymar. I do know you!" I exclaimed and she laughed.

"Who's your new friend here?" James looked down at Kat.

"James, meet Mara," Kat presented us.

"Hi, Mara," James smiled at me again. "Aren't you Samantha's friend? She's always talking about you."

I begin to nod quickly, making the couple laugh.

"James, gives really good advice," Kat looked over at me. "His perspective might help you out a bit more with the whole Marco ordeal."

"Boy troubles?" He looks over at me. "I'm here if you need me."

"This isn't real," I shake my head as the two of them smile at me.