[ two ]
It had been a whole week since Neymar had talked to April for the very first time and they had been talking ever since. Due to the time difference between Barcelona and Los Angeles of about nine hours, it was hard for them to be on their instagram pages at the same time.
Instagram DMs
lucas_2_santos: this is dedication
aprilestiano: i know. time differences suck.
Neymar laid in his bed, typing away at his phone, the backlight was the only thing illuminating in the room.
It was fifteen past one in the morning and while he was supposed to be asleep, she was just getting up. It was ten in the morning where she lived. He knew there was a chance he would fall asleep on the way to Estadi Cornella in a different part of Barcelona, where they would go up against RCD Espanyol. But he also knew he didn't regret talking to her. It was only one week talking with her, but it felt like longer because they both got along so well.
With every message they sent to each other, it was more and more clear to him that she was a wonderful person. But she was also beautiful and he had a good time making conversation. It was different than going to a night club with his team mates in FC Barcelona. All the girls there were always throwing themselves at him. It was nice whenever he was just seeking to have a good time. But that wasn't always the case. He wanted to find someone he could talk to. Someone who could understand him.
Instagram DMs
aprilestiano: maybe its not good to keep you awake. you'll be tired in the morning. :(
lucas_2_santos: i'd rather talk to you :)
aprilestiano: do you have anything to do tomorrow?
lucas_2_santos: football game in the morning. i have to get up at six to go to the home stadium by bus and then we're gonna warm up for an hour. the game starts at like ten. lol
aprilestiano: boy ur crazy! go to sleep now, do you want to die?
lucas_2_santos: i'm not even tired.
But in reality, he was very tired. A yawn escaped his lips every few minutes and he found it hard to keep his eyes open. To him, it was all worth it.
Instagram DMs
aprilestiano: lucas ! you're dead tired.
lucas_2_santos: how do u know?
aprilestiano: u play futebol. im surprised u are awake so late. don't make sacrifices like that for me. sleep and we can talk later. message me after ur game. i'll be cheering for you.
lucas_2_santos: if you cheer for me i know we cant lose. boa noite.
aprilestiano: boa noite, lucas :)
-
The bus ride on the way to the Estadi Cornella usually felt longer to him, but today it passed in the blink of an eye. Literally. He had only closed his eyes for one second, only to be woken up to Gerard and Lionel shaking him awake violently, their faces only inches from his. He must have been very deeply asleep.
He jumped back in his seat, startled. "Shit." He let out a shaky breath. "You scared me."
"Nice dreams, Ney?" Lionel cocked an eyebrow at his friend.
For a second, Neymar was reminded of the first time he met Lionel.
The Argentine, though being a football legend and known as being the best in the world, was very modest and even shy at times, his voice usually came out in low murmurs. Many times Neymar had to ask him to repeat himself. That was when they had barely met. It was only when their friendship was established that he met the real Lionel Messi. Lionel was loud and often played jokes on the other footballers, along with Gerard. And Neymar suspected this had all been a result of the Argentine and the Spaniard spending so much time together both at practice and on the field. But that was only if Lionel was comfortable with someone. When he was not yet comfortable with someone, he would continue being quiet towards them.
