Victoria gazed at the beautiful view from the balcony outside of the ballroom, letting tears stream down her face silently. She had been an idiot to think she could handle going through this. She should've listened to Quinn and stayed in Southampton instead of inflicting this on herself.
She knew she was the maid of honor and people would notice her absence from the rehearsal dinner, especially Stephanie. But until then, she was set on hiding out here by herself, crying until she had no more tears left. The last thing she wanted was to get back in there and be surrounded by everybody's smiling faces, while she had no heart to celebrate at all... especially not for Robin and Stephanie's wedding that would be held no later than the next day.
Just as she started to consider taking drastic measures in order to run away from this mess somehow, she jumped hearing the sound of someone approaching. It took her by surprise as she hadn't realized someone else was on that balcony with her.
"Miss, are you okay?" she heard a muffled masculine voice say.
"Yes... yes I'm fine" she wiped her damped cheeks quickly, not even glancing at the stranger who, she could tell, was staring at her curiously.
"Are you sure?" the man insisted, clearly unconvinced.
"It's nothing really" she sniffled.
"Surely you must think I'm either an idiot or indifferent to be contempt with that answer." The stranger said a bit too casually making Victoria forget all about her problems for a second and turn to face him, wide eyed.
That's when she had a true look at the newcomer. He was a tall, strongly built, blonde man. His looks confirmed the impression she had from his accent: he was English.
"But let me guess," she retorted at his odd comment "You're neither of those things?"
"Not the slightest bit..." he grinned contrasting majorly with her distressed state "So are you going to tell me what's wrong?"
"I don't even know you" she said, turning back to face the view outside the balcony.
"Well, they say it's easier to talk to someone you don't know" he shrugged "But if you're unconvinced, here..." he put out his hand "Joe Hart."
Victoria stared at the man's hand before looking back at his face, not even bothering to hide the scorn in her expression. She felt like a complete mess and all she wanted was to be alone to sulk on her own fate.
She sighed and finally shook his hand "Victoria Galler."
"It's nice to meet you Victoria."
"Wish I could say the same..." she muttered, the impatience clear in her tone.
"I'm not sure I've seen you before," he continued "Are you a friend of the bride?"
"She's my best friend," Victoria said, wondering how long he would stay here "I'm the maid of honor actually. What about you?"
"Oh I'm a friend of the groom."
"You're a footballer too?" she asked, keeping her gaze fixed on the distant city lights.
You certainly have the frame for it.
"Actually yes, but not for the same team as Robin, I play for Manchester City, we're actually rivals on the pitch." He said before chuckling quietly as if he was acknowledging the paradox of his situation.
Victoria glanced back at him "Is that so?"
"Yes, although we're pretty good friends off the pitch, as you can probably guess" he shrugged with a grin.
YOU ARE READING
Football Short Stories
Fanfiction▸ Highest rankings: #4 in FOOTBALLER #5 in SHORT STORY COLLECTION #19 in STORIES Have you ever had that feeling during a football match? That tingling sensation when your whole body is absorbed by the game, following each of the players' movements...
