Madrid Life

Chapter 4

Recap:

"Amber, I hate to tell you this but-" Cristiano started

"What Cristiano? What's wrong?'' I asked. Something was wrong I could tell but he wouldn't spit it out.

"Amber, I'm sorry but, Melanie-Mel's dead" I think I just died inside, she was my BEST FRIEND! She couldn't have died shes only 20 years old!

He gave me a hug, thinking it would help. The hug only stirred my emotions more. Cris brought me out to the living room, carrying me. Then he asked me if I wanted to be alone for a minute or two. I answered him by giving him a hug. His warm arms warped around me and he rested his chin on the top of my head.

I sobbed quietly "Amber, I-I don't know what to say" Cristiano started, but I hugged him tighter. "Amber, all I can think about is how sorry I am that this happened. Nothing like this should happen to someone amazing like you, or anyone for that matter," Cris finished, I broke. I stepped away from him and started to walk down the hallway.

Then I saw it, a picture of Pepe, Cris, Mel, and I. My already cracked and slightly broken barrier gave way. I collapsed, sliding down the wall. I sobbed and cried, my head pressed into my arms, which were resting on my knees.

I felt warm arms wrap around me, I turned and leaned on the person who's arms were around me. For some strange reason, I thought it was Gareth, but it wasn't, its was Cristiano. The only reason I could tell was because of his cologne, it wasn't Gareth's and Cris was the other only other one here, just him and I.

"Amber listen, if I could change what happened I would, you need a best friend, one that's not me or Pepe or anyone but the best friend you already had. It would have been better is it was me not her,"

"Cris don't even say that. I met you like 3 months ago, and you changed my life. I don't know what I would do if I lost you!" I looked up at him. My cold hand on his warm cheek. I meant what I said, he was always there for me; like right now for example.

"If I lost you I-I don't know if I could handle it. Your like my little sister, I love you. Promise me something?" he asked. this was an intense moment. The closeness of the two of us, was new. Never have we been this close.

"Anything Crisy!" I said, using his nickname to lighten the mood.

"Promise me, if you ever fall in love, I will be the first to know. Even if you find a new best friend -one that you love like a sister or a brother- I will be the first to know," his request surprised me. He was implying I would move on from this, even though it just occurred.

"I promise! But the same applies to you, I'm the first to know," I finished. He ran his thumb across my cheek, wiping up the last of my tears.

We went out to the back, I needed some air. He still hadn't let me out of his sight. It seemed hopeless for me. Everyone I love die's. I heard foot steps but they were moving away from me. Within ten minutes Dezil was at my side. "Hi baby!" I said to him. He was someone I was always happy to see, "How's my good boy," I rubbed his front leg. He yipped at me, rubbing his soft head under my chin. He then plopped down on my lap. I lied down. My back on the cool cobblestone. Cris was soon next to me, head on my stomach.

"Are you staying for dinner?" Cris asked. I hadn't thought about dinner.

"Sí!" I answered "And thank you for going to get Dezil!" I told him.

"What would you like. Tonight I'm the chef!" he said all to proud of himself.

"Your moms samosas, and butter chicken?" I asked.

"I'm Portuguese not Indian!" He yelled, causing me to laugh. "But I did say I was the chef, so your going to help me. Then later we will come out here and play some futebol. Parece bom?" He asked me. I nodded and gave a thumbs up.

***

In the kitchen with this man, is like being in a sitcom. Most recently he dropped the bag of flour, sending flour everywhere. He insisted on hand making the dough, when he had some in the fridge. Then ran out of cream, so we had to call his neighbour asking to barrow some.

But when it was all done and dusted, it was a great meal. We watched a movie, to let the food settle. We watched Aladdin -which I had never seen. When It was over he pulled my chin up so I was looking at him. "Pronto para algum futebol?" ("Ready for some football?") I nodded.

"Cris?"

"Sí?"

"I don't have any boots," I said. Next thing I know, he throws a pair of his at me with 3 pairs of socks.

"Pack the toe with those, then put these socks on, then throw on the boots. Then we can play,"

"Okie"

***

Crisy kicked my ass. His football skills, crazy good.

"Crisy it's 23:00 I should head home,''

"Just call Gar, tell him that you are spending the night," Cris said nonchalantly.