Invisible string (Robin Le Normand)

Chapter 12

The aftermath of the derby was worse than Leire and Robin could imagine. To the weird mood between them, they had to add Robin getting injured and missing the next Champions League match. And when Atleti suffered a big loss in that match, Robin's mood didn't improve. Knowing he'd miss the away match against Real Sociedad, which would have been his return to the, place he had called home for so long didn't particularly make him feel better.

Something that changed was Robin leaving as early as possible in the mornings. His injury forced him to change the training schedule and it was becoming ridiculous that he had to leave his own house to avoid seeing his former friend. Maybe he should just focused on trying to build a friendship with Leire again. Avoiding more arguments would be appreciated too.

"God! Today sucks!"

Robin looked down at his phone after hearing Leire's words and frowned. "It's only 8.30 in the morning".

"It still sucks. I have to go to the bank to do some boring paperwork and I have a migraine".

It was then Robin noticed Leire was ready to leave but was still wearing her reading glasses. She never wore contacts when her head hurt. "You should have some food and I have Paracetamol you can take".

"I'm fine. I need to go now. Bye".

After Leire's rushed departure, Robin finished his breakfast and missed Leire's company. He then went to take a shower and missed hearing Leire moving around the house. It was starting to become a problem again how much he missed her the hours they were away from each other.

When Robin's phone rang, he expected to see his mum's name on the screen. She usually called him in the mornings to ask how he was doing. But it was Leire calling. So Robin picked the phone and answered it quickly, worried something happened to her. Leire never called him anymore, and she didn't feel well this morning, ...

"Hello?"

"Robin...hi! Umm...I'm at the bank and could you do me a favour?"

A favour? "Sure?"

"I don't have my wallet in my bag so I either lost it on the way here or I left it home. Can you go to my room and check it's there?"

"Of course. Where in your room?"

"My bedside table".

Robin walked the short distance between their rooms and opened the door. That was his home and the room was technically his too but...it felt like he was invading Leire's privacy. But she asked him to do it.

"It's here".

"Oh thank God", she said and Robin could hear the relief in her words. "Could you do me another favour?"

"I guess".

"Take my card from the wallet and tell me the numbers, please. I need them for the paperwork I have to do and I don't want to have to drive home again".

"Do you have something to write them down?"

"Yeah. Go on".

So Robin dictated the numbers to her and then Leire thanked him and hung up. It was very busy at the bank apparently.

When the call was over, Robin felt immediately uncomfortable holding Leire's wallet and card. He noticed she had her ID and her driver's licence there when he put back the debit card. There was also a photo of Leire and two of her best friends. A photo Robin took. He smiled noticing that Leire kept it.

Leire was usually very tidy but that crazy morning meant she wasn't as worried about how messy her room looked as she usually would have. So while placing the wallet back on the table, Robin noticed a pot of cream was there and the lid wasn't on. The lid was actually on the floor so he picked it up and took the pot so he could close it.