Smile

• Chapter 17 •

Nuria POV

I get on the plane after the players, smiling. This tour in the United States ended well, with a new team win today. But now it is time to go back to Spain. I am looking forward to my Madrid apartment. I put my headphones, start music on my Ipod, and closes my eyes. After several hours of flying, I feel a presence beside me. I open my eyes and see Mesut sitting on the seat next to mine.

- Are you okay? he asks.
- Yes.

He turns to look towards other players.

- And ... with Karim ?

We didn't talk since the day I rejected him.

- It's okay, I said, feigning a smile.

He lets out a small laugh, and as always, manage to make me smile.

- You lie, he says simply. It's obvious. But it's normal. After what he did, I would be mad at him too. This is Karim. Once he fucked a girl, he has had enough of her, and he leaves her to find another one. Sorry.
- It's not important. But you should have told me if he is always like that.
- I wanted to. But it was too late. You already... You know.

I look at him surprised. Nothing happened between me and Karim. So why does he think... I hope it's not Karim who boasts of having slept with me.

- Is it Karim who told you we had slept together?
- Uh... no. But I saw him coming out of your room one morning. I understood what had happened.
- Nothing happened.

Mesut POV

I look at her incredulously. It isn't possible. They spent the night together. And Karim is not the kind of person who spend the night with a girl and nothing happens.

- What do you mean "nothing happened"? You two have spent the night together?
- Well... I was a little too drunk. So he brought me to my room. And I fell asleep almost immediately. He just stayed with me sleeping.
- And nothing happened?

I smile, relieved I was mistaken.

- No . Nothing happened. Nothing.
- And after that night either? He never tried anything ?

She looks away and mumbles something I can't understand. But her attitude says enough. He tried. My smile fades. Then I remember the attitude of Karim at the beach. This glare he sent to Nuria.

- You stopped him? I asked for confirmation.

She turns her head towards me and nods. She turns to look back and puts her headphones on. I continue to contemplate her for long minutes before coming back to my seat with a smile. Finally, I may have a chance.