Falling for You

Prologue

Everyday was always a beautiful day, or at least that's what it seemed like to Maya Lopez. Russia has treated her nicely the last two months and with in another, she would be returning back home to Los Angeles. She dreaded the idea of packing and the long trip back but this was definitely where she didn't belong. Picking up the language wasn't easy at all but she barely managed to get by with broken Russian.

There was rarely any people who spoke English or even Spanish at that. The only people she really communicated were with the other abroad students. She especially befriended an Aussie named Miranda, who was sitting in front of Maya with her cappuccino.

Miranda was beautiful, tan, and had long brown hair with a pair of blue eyes. Maya on the other hand was very simple looking but she liked that. She hated standing out.

Maya noticed the large groups of people walking by with different jerseys. All of them looked like foreigners which made Maya feel better about not being the only one struggling with the language barrier.

"The city is going to be very crowded soon isn't it?"

Maya nodded, "Of course it is. The World Cup is in seven days."

"Maria and I wanted to go to a game but the tickets are way too expensive, especially when we don't get paid for what we do."

Maya chuckled, "We just volunteer, what else do you expect?"

"Money."

Maya just replied with a laugh and continued to observe the pedestrians. She silently admired the many colors of each jersey and and how people were enjoying themselves. She secretly loved the World Cup ever since she was a child watching the games with her father. He once dreamed of becoming a professional football player for Mexico but his talents were never discovered. As a poor, ranch boy, he was forced to drop out of middle school to help support his family. Still, he never stopped watching it and as a little girl, Maya fell in love with it as well. However, Maya's mother wouldn't allow her to go anywhere with dreams of football and made her become a nurse. Though it did save her the trouble of picking what country she would play for as her mother was Colombian.

Maya became devoted only to her career and regrets nothing but her love of the sport has never changed.

It was indeed a beautiful sport, how could she not love it?

"I wish we got paid," Miranda huffed.

Maya shook her head to her friend's silliness. Miranda was too naive and too pretty for her own good sometimes.

"We barely make it by as it is. I wasn't going to pay hundreds of dollars to see some cute guys run and chase a ball. There's this dude on the German team that is so hot though. His last name is Hummels, Hummus, Hummy, or something like that but I'd definitely smash."

"Mats Hummels and he is quite gorgeous," Maya corrected her friend.

Miranda shot her a glare and took a sip from her drink.

With a teasing laugh, Maya stood up and grabbed her purse and keys along with her iced coffee. The two had been hanging out for awhile at a cafe and it was about time for Maya to head out. 

"Leaving so soon?"

"I have to go pick up my sister at the airport remember?"