Judge My Skills, Not Me

Chapter 7: When Harry Met Sally... on the Pitch?

Cristina looked around the strange place she was and was awed at the gravity-defying world she was in. The room she was in was made of glass and saw hundreds of cameras flashing at her. The blinding lights and glass walls were closing in on her as her breath was becoming harder for her to keep steady. She screamed for help, but she was mute. Banging in the glass she cried her eyes out. Suddenly a man she couldn't recognize touched the glass. She couldn't see his face, but his voice comforted her. He broke the glass with his hands and Cristina collapsed in his arms.

Cristina jolted awake and fell off her bed face first as her alarm went off. Scott brushed through the door frazzled gun in hand as he analyzed what was going on. "I'm fine, no need to call the Spanish government," Cristina said holding her aching head.

"Just making sure you were okay," Scott said holstering his gun to his pajama belt, "what happened?"

"My brilliant, wonderful self scared herself off the bed and face plated on the floor," Cristina said as Scott laughed, "can we stop with the 'make-Cristina-feel-humiliated-today'?"

"Sorry," Scott said as his laughter died down, "Well better get ready today is a big day!"

Cristina got up with a groan and made her way to the bathroom. Today was going to be a long day.

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Cristina looked at the training grounds with a feeling of dread and excitement. She tried and failed to ignore the greedy reporters hungry for a picture of her walking into the facility. Cristina took a breath, said a silent prayer, and walked out of the car. As her heels clicked on the pavement so did the paparazzi's cameras. Every step towards the building the excitement in her chest. As the doors opened, Cristina caught a glimpse of the green grass waiting for her on the pitch. She headed toward the women's dressing room; this is where the journey begins.

Leo walked toward the training facility still kicking himself over how he embarrassed himself in front of the new girl, or should he say player. All the words were jumbled up in his head as he bumped into a man. A paparazzi. 'Shiiiittt' he thought hoping the paparazzi wouldn't take the bump out of context and get him humiliated in magazines.

"Watch it buddy!" the paparazzi said as he was trying to get a better angle of Cristina walking into the dressing room.

Leo was in shock. Not that he wanted to be attacked by the media but that they completely disregard him. He shuffled his way into the building and met with Luis and Neymar. "What's their deal today?" Neymar said complaining, "They didn't even look at me on the way in".

"Maybe they were just tired of your pretty face," said Luis sarcastically as Leo chuckled.

"No one is ever tired of my beauty," Neymar said flexing as the men walked into the men's dressing room. "No, I think it has something to do about that new girl."

"Oh really Einstein, what makes you think that," Leo said jokingly causing the whole dressing room to laugh.

"Well, you're not the one to talk Leo. At least I didn't question her skills and get schooled in front of the world's media."

Leo rolled his eyes, "Whatever".

"Oh look at that, I finally got Leo to shut up for once," Neymar said playfully irritating his friend, "I like the new girl,".

"And why's that," Luis said.

"Because she gives Leo a run for his money when it comes to skills," Neymar said earning an irritated look from Leo.

"So what! That just means we got a better squad this year," Leo said frustrated at Neymar for teasing him.

"He's right," Luis said, "Have you seen her play, she's definitely going to help us win the Champions this season."
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Cristina changed and walked out of the dressing room nervous about what the team was going to act towards her. She didn't want them to go easy on her, but she didn't want them to leave her on her own to learn the ropes. Cristina walked onto the pitch and met with Luis Enrique. "Buen dia" she said with a nervous smile on her face.

Luis Enrique gave her a reassuring smile, "Hola, Ready for today?"

"Of course, ready for anything"

The boys started walking out of their dressing room and onto the pitch to start training. "Hola chicos," Luis greeted the others, "as you guys can see, we have a new addition to the team Cristina Diaz," Cristina smiled slightly and waved, nerves running down her body. "Treat her as you would any other player, just cause she's a woman doesn't mean she can't kick your ass," Cristina giggled, "especially you Neymar."

"Hey, I didn't even do anything," Neymar said innocently holding his hands up in the air. Leo and Luis laughed.

"Other than that, let's start training with you boys' favorite part: laps!" groans were heard, "I didn't ask if you wanted to do them; I said to do them. 10 laps around the pitch. Go!"

Leo started running alongside Ney and Luis. Ney cracking jokes and Luis laughing every time. After the first lap, he felt someone beside him. He turned around and saw Cristina running at the same pace as him. He smiled at her and she gave him a nod and started running faster. Leo was confused. 'Did she hate him?' Determined to figure out why she didn't return his smile, he picked up his pace. Neymar and Luis continued their shenanigans as Leo focused on chasing Cristina. She seemed so close but far away as they reached their 5th lap. Leo started to catch a sweat. He looked at Cristina, she hadn't even looked like the run was affecting her. Both of them were leading the run, Leo just finding his way passing Cristina. Cristina saw it as a playful challenge and sped up. Leo laughed and sped up as well. Both sprinted at the final lap. Cristina and Leo ran the fastest they could. Cristina just beat him by a second. Leo collapsed on the floor, tired of the sprints he'd just done. "Good run," Cristina said completely fine.

"Great run," Leo said out of breath still. "I haven't run that hard for a while,".

"Well, I guess I have to slow down for you guys," Cristina said earning a tired laugh from Leo. Both looked at each other and smiled. "I'm Cristina by the way," she said reaching out to help him up.

"Lionel, but my friends call me Leo," he said accepting her help.

"So are we friends all of a sudden," Cristina said jokingly.

"Well that all depends on you," they looked at each other's eyes still holding hands.

"Friends it is then."

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This is for you kbagato!

Love my1life2018