[ four ]
Neymar was kept in the hospital in Fortaleza for a little over a week after his surgery. His team mates showed him their support by bringing his jersey to their game against Germany. They said that they would play their best and that all their effort would be dedicated to him. And though they tried their hardest, they fell seven goals to one against the Germans, making it Brazil's biggest humiliation in the history of their football.
He couldn't be there, but April took her laptop to the hospital and the two watched it together online. April had tickets to watch it with her sisters, but she told them to go without her. Neymar needed all her support.
Especially when the Brazilian team was crushed by Germany. The game was even painful to watch. When April saw how much it affected him, she motioned to close her laptop. "We don't have to watch this." She said nervously, biting down hard on her lip. She thought maybe watching the game wasn't her best idea.
"Its my fault." He said in regards to the visibly shaken Brazilian team.
"How is it your fault?" April argued in a soothing way. "Its not your fault you were kneed in the back by another player. Its not your fault you're in pain. You, more than anyone, should know you can't always win."
"I let Brazil down." He said, looking extremely disappointed.
"No." She shook her head. "Don't say that. Its not like you decided not to play, you couldn't play and that's different. Besides, there's always next time."
"Not for me, April." He told her, a slight hint of annoyance in his voice. "You heard what the doctor said."
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It was another few days in which April wouldn't leave his sight and soon he was released from the hospital. Just as the doctor predicted, Neymar refused to leave in a wheelchair. "Give me a pair of crutches." He insisted, "I can walk on my own."
"But Ney-" April began.
The young Brazilian cut her off. "April, please." He begged. "I need to try this. If I can't walk, what will I do? I want to assure myself that I'm not completely useless."
With a sigh, she left his patient room and went to find a nurse. She requested to have crutches sent to Neymar's room because he refused to use his wheelchair. The nurse was reluctant at first, but finally agreed, telling April she would have someone put the wheelchair in their car in case he changed his mind.
She returned to his room with the crutches and she handed them to him. His parents were there and they told him they would go put the chair in the car in case he needed it.
He planted them on the ground and April noticed it was taking all his strength to stand up, but nothing was working. April took a step towards him, offering her help, but he refused. He claimed he could do it himself, but April could clearly see how much he was struggling.
"Meu amor," She said in a worried voice, "Let me help you."
"I don't need help." He shot back, rather rudely.
April sighed in defeat and was only left to watch until he finally got up, sweat beading on his forehead from the struggle. She could see the pain of his back etched across his face, pain that he was trying to hide. He slowly made his way out of the room and she walked next to him, leading him outside where there was a car waiting for them.
The moment he was outside, there were photographers waiting to catch a glimpse of the Brazilian astro. April felt nervous, she had never been surrounded by so many people before. Noticing her uneasyness, Neymar stopped for a moment, pushing his weight onto one of the crutches to hold himself up while his now free hand patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry about them." He told her. "Its not so bad once you get used to it."
A half smiled tugged at the corners of her mouth. "That's the sweet Ney I know."
"I'm sorry I've been such a horrible person these past few days." He sighed.
But she shook her head. "I know you don't mean to be that way. The pain you were experiencing made you say things you didn't mean."
They walked a few more steps to the car and April helped him climb inside before she got in next to him. April was still worried about Neymar. His doctor warned them his mood would only get worse after he realized what his limitations were.
And it pained her to see him upset.
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The car that drove them there dropped them off at the front gates. April asked the driver to take them all the way up the driveway, but for one reason or another, he refused. Like outside the hospital, there were a lot of people waiting to take picutres of Neymar in front of his house.
April wanted to tell them all to go away, but she didn't want to cause a scene, so she ignored them.
She got out of the car first, then both of his parents who went around to the trunk to get his wheelchair. Neymar was last and he tried to do the same thing he did at the hospital. He planted his crutches firmly on the ground before pulling himself up to standing. This time, he seemed to do it with ease. April knew he was putting on a strong front for the media.
Neymar took a step forward and his tired body gave out on him. He stumbled, falling face first to the ground, though he was able to catch himself on his hands in the next second.
April gasped, hurrying to his side and kneeling next to him. "Meu amor are you okay?" She asked him.
His parents only watched in worry, but what he heard next was what really tore through his heart. It was faint and muffled, like the person doing it was attempting to stifle it, but soon they were joined by a few others and Neymar's eyes glazed over with tears. The sound was accompanied by about a million camera flashes. He felt a lump in his throat and bit back an oncoming sob. But April saw the effect their laughter had on him.
His father wheeled the chair over to his side, pleading, "Just use your chair, son."
The young football player refused, shaking his head. "No."
Taking a deep breath, he grabbed his crutches and pulled himself up to standing once more. This time his anger was what kept him going. Once he was up on his feet, he went into the house as fast as he could.
April turned back to get his things from the car, his parents entered the property, pushing the wheelchair in front of them. The brunette girl went past the front gates, about to close them, but her anger got the best of her. "You should all be ashamed of yourselves." She spat. "Why would you laugh at his misery? Get out! Get out of here now or I'll call the cops!"
And with that, she turned and went into the house.
-
new update.
poor little neymar. he's suffering. and there will be more suffering for him still.
anyway, i hope you all enjoyed the update.
thank you for reading. it means so much to me.
i love you!
-clary xx
