Change of Heart [Neymar Jr FF]

Chapter 1

June 2013

"Annabelle, you're still using too much force and not enough control!" yelled the tall brunette. The slender girl jogged up beside him to plop herself on the grass struggling to catch her breath.

"G-Gosh... Gerard, you don't have to be such a drill sergeant..." she panted. Before he could respond, he was interrupted by his two teammates that now wrapped their arms around his shoulders.

"Pre-season training already?" laughed the newcomer.

"Leo, Marc, can you tell my brother to not be so insane?" Annabelle pleaded as she tried to get to her feet to face the two Barcelona players, Lionel Messi and Marc Bartra.

"Yeah Ger, summer just started. At least give Bella some time off," encouraged Marc as he gave her a wink. She struggled consciously to hide the blush creeping onto her face while she smiled sheepishly. Not just because he winked at her, but also because he called her Bella. He was one of the few people she enjoyed calling her Bella. Usually it was Anna or Annie but rarely Bella.

"Once our pre-season starts, I won't have much time to help her train,"

"Don't worry. She has all summer. The university football season doesn't even start till August. You gotta remember she's not a pro," this time Leo spoke up instead.

"Well if she ever wants to be one, she needs to get her act together,"

"Jeez Ger she's already captain of her team and led her team to more competitions than the previous captains. I'm sure she's well on her way to professional football," Marc said proudly and at this comment, her brother sighed.

"I guess you're right... Let's call it a day then,"

Annabelle cheered and smiled over at Leo and Marc, mouthing a silent thank you. They each smile back at her but it was Marc's smile that set off the butterflies in her stomach.

"So what were you guys doing up here?" asked Gerard and everyone's attention was back at the tall man packing up the soccer balls.

"We just finished a run around Camp Nou and we were just talking about dinner when we saw you guys here," Leo said as he walked over to sit down next to Gerard. "We've been dying to try Can Ubaldo. Do you guys want to go too?"

She waited for her brother to accept the offer first before she agreed to tag along. They agreed to all go home to clean up before meeting at the restaurant. Annabelle made sure she hopped into the shower before Gerard so she could have enough time to get ready while he took his turn washing up. She couldn't help but be excited about spending more time with Marc.

Couple of hours later

Annabelle sat at a long table that had been pieced together by two tables along with her brother's football teammates. Marc sat to her right while her brother sat on her left. She played around with her bracelet quietly while listening to everyone else discussing the upcoming season. She loved hanging out with her brother's friends but sometimes it was quiet boring being the only girl in the group. When the food arrived at the table, she couldn't have been more thrilled. Football was actually her second favorite thing in the world and food definitely was her first. She smiled as she picked up her fork and started putting bite after bite into her mouth. It took a chuckle from Marc to realize he had been watching her eat. She immediately swallowed her food and slowly placed down the fork to smile nervously at him.

"I was worried we were boring you but at least you seem to be enjoying the food," he smiles sweetly at her and she felt her heart beating crazily against her ribcage.

"N-Not at all! I always find your conversations interesting but I just never have anything much to add. But you're right, the food is delicious,"

"I'm glad to hear it. Maybe next time I should take you out to eat with me instead. That way you won't have to feel overwhelmed by the rest of the lot," he chuckled, directing his comment more to himself than towards her and turns his attention back to his food. She was glad he turned away from her because she had to look away so he wouldn't see her red flushed face.

'Oh my god... did he just suggest that we go on a date?! Oh my god, I'm going to have a heart attack... I have to calm down. Jeez, it's not like he officially asked me! Why am I already assuming things!' she screamed in her head to herself as she tried to calm down before she resumed eating.

The rest of the dinner was uneventful. After they finished dinner, they walked around the area to stop by the nearest market and sports shop. The whole time Marc walked behind the team to keep her company as everyone else was engrossed in their own conversations.

"So how was your studies been?" he asked as they started walking.

"It's been good. Not as interesting as football but still it's going well,"

"How about you? What have you been doing with your free time lately?"

"Well you know, playing a bit of football here and there. But I also recently took up tennis,"

"Really?! That's interesting! How's that been going?"

"Not as well," he laughed casually. "It's very different than football because I'm just so used to using my body to control the ball. So with tennis, I'm having a hard time getting used to the racquet,"

"That's very true... But I'm sure you'll get the hang of it soon! It's always exciting learning a new sport. Can I come watch you play sometime?"

"Of course! Just let me know when Ger isn't being so strict about practice and I can come get you," he smiled as she sighed inwardly, knowing that the chances are very slim. But she was still happy that he was willing to let her tag along. It was the very reason why she fell for him. He was always sweet to her and made an effort to pay attention to her even when everyone else, including her own brother, were too distracted.

Before she knew it, the night was coming to an end and everyone was ready to head home. She was sad to have to say goodbye to Marc. However, before he left, he walked over to her and asked for her cellphone. She started at him confused as she handed him her smartphone. He turned it on and entered something in and gave it back to her.

"Here's my number. Let me know whenever you have time to come around and watch me fail at tennis," he laughed as he waved goodbye to her before hopping into one of his teammate's car. She stared at her phone in a daze as she tried to comprehend that Marc Bartra, her crush of all time, had just given her his phone number. It had turned out to be a good day after all...

~*~*~*~

A/N = My first time writing a FF. So many good FF here on WattPad has inspired me to attempt to write one. =) I promise things will pick up from here so do try reading on! So please don't judge too harshly. But comments are much appreciated and super welcomed.