Girls like girls | Elisa de Almeida - fanfic ♡ (english)

sixteen ♡

Daylight found them asleep in the same bed, with Élisa waking first. It felt like a dream—Celine was nestled against her chest, mouth slightly open, eyes closed. Élisa could feel her legs tangled with her own, her entire body close. She could hardly believe it had finally happened. Though they had only slept beside each other, this was something Élisa's cautious heart hadn't dared hope would happen so soon.

"I thought you'd never do it," Celine said after their kiss ended, making Élisa smirk.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to," she replied, lying back as if still processing. "Nor what I still have planned for you."

Celine blushed and lay next to her, looking directly at her.

"Well, tell me—since when have you wanted to do it?" she challenged.

Élisa locked her gaze with Celine's.

"Since I first saw you at the inauguration dinner... in that tight black dress," she responded without missing a beat. "Plus, did you really think I believed you played for the Swiss national team? I only wanted to know who you were."

"Are you saying I don't look like a soccer player?" Celine asked, pretending to be offended.

"If you were a player, I'd have seen you long ago," Élisa said, moving closer and wrapping her hand in Celine's hair, as if she owned her, and kissing her again. "And believe me, I wouldn't have let you escape."

Élisa didn't want the moment to end. She didn't want to leave the room or pretend around others that she felt nothing for Celine. She also avoided thinking about Hervé and the mess this was, or how this might impact her career. She was too wrapped up in the moment to waste a single thought on the consequences.

A few minutes later, Celine woke, her first sight Élisa's face just inches away.

"So, it wasn't a dream," she murmured, and Élisa laughed softly.

"No, it wasn't," she said, kissing her forehead.

Celine pouted, pulling the covers over her head.

"Can't we stay here forever?"

They both knew things would get complicated from this point on. Each had doubts and things to say, but neither dared to. Mentioning reality would shatter the atmosphere they'd created. So even if it meant more problems, they decided to pretend there was nothing to discuss.

"We should go down for breakfast," Élisa finally said, and Celine groaned in protest.

♡

At breakfast, it wasn't unusual for Celine to be with Élisa—everyone was used to it. Still, both were trying so hard to act normal that it aroused Sakina's and, likely, Pauline's suspicions.

"Are you both feeling okay?" Sakina asked, confused. The last she'd heard, Élisa had planned to distance herself from Celine.

They both answered at the same time, acting casual.

"Maybe I'm just a little sad," Celine said, deflecting. "I won't be joining you on the upcoming trips."

Sakina placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, showing sympathy.

"We'll miss your social media activities," she said, removing her hand and changing the topic abruptly. "Élisa, come with me to get some orange juice."

The two of them walked over to the buffet's juice section. Sakina waited for some players to leave the area before asking the question.

"Weren't you going to distance yourself from her?" she asked, more concerned than demanding. They'd always been close, and Sakina genuinely cared about Élisa's well-being and the team's harmony.

Élisa wasn't ready to explain—this wasn't the time, but she'd tell her eventually.

"I think it's best if I pretend not to know anything," she replied.

"As long as you're not treating her like you do Océane," Sakina teased. "Poor woman; she's never going to stop loving you."

Élisa put a hand to her forehead, having completely forgotten about Océane. She'd have to end their casual situation once she returned to Paris, though it would feel like ending a decade-long marriage with three kids; Océane was head over heels for Élisa.

God, she hoped Océane wouldn't do anything crazy when she broke the news.

Meanwhile, Celine felt uneasy. Sakina's sudden call to Élisa for juice seemed suspicious. Did she know? She was very close to Élisa, so she likely wouldn't say anything... or could it be that she had feelings for her, too? She shook off the absurd thoughts and continued eating alone. She couldn't help but think of Hervé—she needed to end things with him. After last night, she could no longer pretend to feel anything for him.

When she looked up, she saw Élisa and Sakina returning to the table, and she smiled kindly at them both. Suddenly, all the players started making a commotion. Confused, Celine looked up and saw Hervé entering the dining area.

"Is the coach joining us for breakfast? What a privilege!" they teased, laughing. Hervé laughed, too, as he made his way over to sit near Celine.

"Coach," one player called out, "Celine's been working so hard on social media! She deserves a raise!" Everyone laughed and cheered in agreement. Celine had bonded well with the players, and many seemed to support her relationship with Hervé.

"That's actually why I'm here," Hervé joked, putting a hand on Celine's shoulder. His touch made her freeze.

What is he talking about? she thought. He always uses any chance he gets to shout and berate me.

The players cheered, shouting things like, "Long live the lovebirds!" and "I want a raise, too!" But Élisa, who sat nearby, found none of it funny. She was scowling, her face an unintentional mask of anger.

"Thanks for keeping Celine company," Hervé said to Sakina and Élisa. "I'm going to take her aside for a quick chat."

Élisa bit her lip, trying to hide her frustration, but it was almost impossible.

So, now that I'm with her, he wants to treat her well? I swear, I could kill this man, she thought, determined not to let him take her.

"Why don't you join us for breakfast, Coach?" she said, a desperate attempt to keep him from taking Celine away.

It was no use; Hervé thanked her and led Celine away. She had no choice but to follow him. Inside, she worried about what Élisa would think. She was scared that Élisa might believe she'd forget her. But no amount of memory-wiping could make her let Élisa go. Celine had felt love for the first time, thanks to Élisa.

As Hervé held her hand, she felt uncomfortable but didn't resist. He led her to the parking lot, specifically to his car. She had no idea why, and didn't want to know.

"I got you something," Hervé said, opening his trunk to reveal a beautiful bag.

Celine understood immediately why he had brought her here. This was the routine between them. Hervé would be harsh, then regret it and try to make up for it with extravagant gifts from brands like Gucci or Balenciaga. And it always worked—she fell for it each time, convinced that this was what love looked like, that it was all she deserved for having felt so hollow inside. But since Élisa came into her life, everything had changed. She realized love didn't have to look like this, and the emptiness she'd once felt was no longer there.

She tried to muster the courage to reject the gift, but couldn't. The fear of Hervé becoming suspicious and digging deeper paralyzed her. She knew that if he discovered anything, it would harm Élisa the most, and that was something she couldn't allow. So, feigning happiness, she accepted the gift.

Hervé, pleased, didn't ask permission before kissing her.

Disgusting.

It was the only thing Celine could think.