Football One Shots

Neymessi Short AU

I feel like this one is more sad than usual. I'm sorry. Also, I got the idea from this song, but it changed a bit as it went! One more thing! I will be updating my prison AU VERY soon. It is in the works right now! Enjoy!
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A Pariah. A person who has been rejected by society. A person who's never quite fit in. A person who has never quite gone with the flow of things. A person like Neymar.

Leo stood down the hall with his best friends, Luis Suaréz, Gerard Piqué, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets. The group had always been together, since the beginning of time it seemed. Neymar envied that. A friendship like the one Leo had with each of his friends.

What it was like to have friends, Neymar had no idea, but he'd always imagined it was one of the best feelings you could feel. To have someone to turn to, someone to confide in, someone to share your memories with.

"Must be nice." Neymar whispered as he continued to stare, in a trance as he watched Leo laugh at something Gerard said, the rest of the group chuckling along.

Ducking his head when Leo's eyes met his, Neymar turned his attention back to his locker and mindlessly shuffled through his books.

When he chanced another look over to Leo, he found the latter right in front of him. Neymar took a look over his shoulder, thinking maybe he was in the way, but as he stepped aside to move, Leo finally spoke.

"Neymar, right?" And damn did Neymar want to die right there, Leo's voice shocking him slightly.

"Uh. Yeah, that's me. Neymar. Yup." Neymar's hand came to the back of his head to scratch nervously, a habit he wasn't so keen on.

"I'm Lionel. Leo, if you'd like." Leo gave him a soft smile.

"I know. I mean, uh, nice to meet you. Properly." Neymar did his best to return the smile, but he assumed he looked like a constipated man-baby.

"So Neymar, I've noticed your staring." Leo chuckled lightly, but Neymar could sense the small part of Leo that was creeped out.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come off as a creep. I just... I really admire your friendships." Neymar dropped his gaze as his skin seemed to begin to burn and his hands shook slightly as his nerves wrapped around him.

"Oh. Well thanks I guess. Um, do you maybe want to hang out with us sometime?" It was Leo's turn to seem nervous as he spoke to Neymar.

"I don't... I don't really know how a friendship works. I'd only make a fool of myself." Neymar chuckled, but it was dry, the sadness easily picked from it.

"Well that's alright. I'll help you along the way. No harm in trying right?" Leo tried his best to reassure Neymar.

"Are you sure? I really don't want to intrude." Neymar put his shaking hands up, doing his best not to press himself into Leo's friendships.

"Yeah. I'm positive. It's no problem. Really. I've been thinking of expanding my circle a bit. Those idiots over there are beginning to drive me insane. A change would be nice." Leo's weight shifted as he leaned against the locker beside Neymar's.

As Leo watched for Neymar's expression, Ney gave a look over Leo's shoulder, trying to gauge what his friends were thinking of the small man's unusual actions.

His eyes first land on Luis, finding nothing but a passive look gracing his features as he nonchalantly rocked back and forth on his heels. Next, his eyes met Gerard's and the tall Spaniard only offered a head flick and a wink to the Brazilian, which caused the latter's cheeks to slightly flush. Then, he skimmed past a preoccupied Busquets, who had his nose buried in their most recent English novel. As his eyes came to a halt on Iniesta, he found that the older was smiling at him and even offered a kind wave as Neymar looked him over as if inspecting him.

It was only when Leo cleared his throat once more that Neymar jumped slightly and turned his attention back to Leo, who was still leaned against the locker.

"So? What do you say? Want to hang out?" Neymar looked baffled for a moment.

"Right now?"

"Yeah. Why not? It's about to be lunch period. Come eat with us Ney." Neymar's head spun at the nickname that slipped past Leo's lips and into his ears.

"Uh. Yeah. Sure." Neymar wore a small smile as he shut his locker.

Leo turned to lead the way, stepping back towards the group. Neymar made to follow him, but found himself unmoving, stuck in place.

"Well aren't you coming Ney?" Leo asked as he continued to walk away, his figure growing smaller and seemingly blurrier.

Neymar tried once more to step forward, but still stood in place, his legs not cooperating with his mind.

"What's..." As his eyes raised once again, Neymar could no longer see Leo or his friends, as if they'd vanished into thin air.

Lifting his hands, he rubbed his eyes as they blurred, only to find himself back where he was, staring at Leo and his friends down the hall, Leo still laughing about a joke Gerard told, the rest of them still chuckling along.

Neymar turned to look at his locker, finding it still open, just as it had been, nothing changed.

As his head turned downward, Neymar realized that he'd been day dreaming. He'd allowed his hopes and wishes to take over him, and his mind tricked him. His mind gave him a feeling of happiness for the first time in a while, but it was only temporary, and that's what hurt more than anything.

So, as a tear slipped down his cheek, Neymar's glanced once more at Leo and his group and whispered,

"Yeah. Must be nice." Closing his locker and walking the opposite direction, not daring to look back.