Midnight ➳ Rafael Alcantara

➳ Chapter 8 ➳

➳ All day Alessia was stressed. Stressed about Maryse's behaviour and words. It hurt her immensely seeing their friendship go downhill like that all because of a boy. Nothing mattered more to Alessia than her friendship but seeing as she tried to sort the situation out with Maryse, it didn't work and if Maryse wasn't willing to change her ways then what was the point?

Alessia only saw Rafinha as a friend, not even that. She was nothing compared to him, just your average teenager working six days a week at the local bar in one of the best beach's in the world. She spent her time cleaning the table, making sure each one looked as brand new.

It took effort to get rid of the hardest stains which Alessia often found herself doing, but it wasn't long before someone came and tipped hot sauce all over the table Alessia had spent cleaning. "Oops." Maryse laughs, sniggering to herself. 

Alessia shot up once she saw what Maryse had done, intentionally. "What the fuck? Maryse why would you do that?" She exclaims, anger running through her. 

Maryse, who was enjoying seeing Alessia angry simply laughs. "What? It was an accident. You need to learn how to control your anger, sometimes things happen for a reason like myself and Rafinha soon becoming a thing and you'll just have to accept it."

"Is that so?" Alessia stares at Maryse, giving her the angriest look of all. "At least people have always accepted me for who I am without having to try. Stop trying to be someone you're not Maryse. I hate this new you." And before Maryse could say anything, Alessia walks off and over to Messi and the boys who all smiled and laughed greeting her. 

➳

"Fifteen minute break you guys!" Mr Gomez shouts, making Alessia happy since she felt she needed that break.

So she sat down, with a pen and little notebook writing away and Messi came along and decided to join her. "You studying?" He asks, not quite sure of what's on the paper.

She smiles, looking at him and then blushes. "No, it's uh-just places and things."

Looking confused, he pulls a face and laughs. "Places and things?"

She then puts the pen down, "It's places I want to travel and things I want to do. But I've always wanted to photograph those moments and just capture to keep memories." 

That brought a smile to his face, "That's great. Well what are you doing here? Why don't you start now?"

Alessia goes mute. Messi knew she wanted to speak but the words wouldn't come out and something held her back. He places his hand on her shoulder, "you can tell me, it's fine. I'm like an older brother to you okay? The boys see me like that too."

Instantly, that brought a smile to her face. Who knew Lionel Messi was this sweet, so kind and caring. There was so much to him already that made Alessia feel happy. 

"It's nothing big. I just don't have the money yet. I need a camera and money to travel, buy clothes and accommodation. That's why I'm working here." She replies, looking down at her piece of paper and then at Messi.

"I want to thank you for your kind words Mes-"

"You can call me Lionel, trust me. And don't, it's just kindness. A little doesn't hurt anyone right?" He laughs making Alessia giggle. It finally felt like Alessia could come out of her comfort zone and be herself, especially around the world's best player. Lionel Messi. 

"What do your parents think of you travelling and becoming a photographer?" He asks, his arms pressed against the table.

Alessia's face shot up instantly and her eyes began to water, but she held her tears back. Messi noticed and asked "Is everything okay?"

Alessia quickly clears her throat and decides to speak, Lionel was like an older brother and friend. "My mother died giving birth to me and my father apparently left my mother for another woman. I have an aunt who told me so but she lives in Greece and I haven't seen her in years."

Messi was shocked from her response, he was not expecting to hear that and frowned. "I'm so sorry Alessia." He says, getting up and hugging her making her heart melt.

"It's fine, honestly. I really do see why you're the best player in the world. You have power in your skills, heart and mind." She laughs, allowing Messi to give out a little laugh too making him blush because of the comment. 

"Suarez is so pissing me off guys!" Pique adds, walking over with a miserable face.

"Why what's he done?" Messi asks, folding his arms.

"He keeps hitting everyone with the ball. Especially kicking our butts with it." Pique shakes his head.

Messi just slaps his forehead and Alessia couldn't help but laugh and even let out a tiny snort making both Pique and Messi look at her.

"That wasn't a snort I swear!" She adds quickly, making the two boys laugh.

"Where's Neymar and Rafinha Suarez?" asks Messi, looking around to see if he could spot them. Alessia looked around too and her heart beated faster than usual when she heard Rafinha's name.

"Oh, Neymar and Bruna are together swimming. And I haven't seen Rafinha since this morning actually. Why do you need him?" Pique asks, squinting his eyes as if he needed to know something.

"I needed to ask him something. Never mind then!" Messi replies.

"Guys, my fifteen minute break is up. I have to get back to work or Mr Gomez will be annoyed. See you later!" Alessia mentions, waving at Messi and Pique before disappearing off. 

Pique watched her run off and then looked back at Messi. "She's a nice girl isn't she. What were you guys talking about?"

Messi starts walking and Pique follows, "She really is and we were talking about her job and family."

"What about her job? Does she not enjoy it? And do her family work here too?" Pique asks, not giving enough space or time with all the questions.

They walk slowly, "No she does. She just wants to travel and go into photography but she doesn't have the money so she's working here. And she has no family. Her mother died giving birth to her and her father disappeared."

Pique stops making Messi stop. "Oh." Is all he could respond with.

"Messi and Pique, join us!" Bruna smiles politely as she looks around from her chair. 

"What are you guys up to then?" Messi smiles at both Neymar and Bruna.

"Just drying off. Where were you? And has anyone seen Rafinha? I haven't seen him since this morning?" Neymar asks, interested and curious to know making Messi sigh.

"That's literally what I asked Pique. I wanted to talk to him." He adds, shaking his head.

"He hasn't replied to any of my texts!" Neymar mentions, making them all stressed out. 

"Well where is he then?" Suarez adds walking over.