The Chase. (Neymar Fanfiction)

Four.

        The anticipation of waiting until the clock was close to nine was killing Neymar. It was still hours away, what was he going to do to keep himself preoccupied? He was laying on the couch imagining all the different routes they could take for his date. Neymar found himself struggling to think of somewhere quiet. Almost everyone in the city knew who he was, and usually would ask him for an autograph, or a picture, or just stare at him.

        He remembered her telling him she had no interest in becoming a part of his high profile lifestyle. So that meant taking her dinner or dessert anywhere was off limits. They needed to dodge the paparazzi, and going to a restaurant would trap them in.

        What he really wanted to do was introduce her to his culture and how he grew up. What would he do for a date in Brasil? Cook, nonetheless, but he didn't want to give off the wrong impression to this girl by taking her to his apartment.

        What do people love about Brasil, beside the food? Then it came to him. The beach! The entire world comes to Brasil to see the beaches! Oddly enough, Neymar had yet to be at the beach in Barcelona. What was there to even do at the beach at night? He supposed he could rent a boat or yacht and go out for a night on the water, but he was afraid it was too lavish for her 'quiet lifestyle'. He sat up and threw his arms in the air, unsure where to take this idea.

        Keep it simple, he thought. He began thinking that something low key and casual would be his best direction to win her over. When was the last time you went to the beach, just to go? He decided he would do what he did best and just wing it. The beach it is. He laid back with a satisfied smile.

        Just then his phone began to ring. “Olá?” Neymar answered.

        “Neymar, olá, how's it going?” Neymar knew right away who is was, Dani. Dani was the only other person on the team who spoke Portuguese.

        “Everything is great Dani, what's up?”

        “Well, since training begins tomorrow, some of the team wanted to get together and have a boys-night-in. You know, the usual, have some pizza, play FIFA. We could go out to lunch and then head over to Messi's?”

        “Okay” Neymar replied “you want to meet at that pasta bar?”

        “See you in twenty.” With that, Dani hung up the phone.

* * *

        Neymar took off for the pasta bar. He knew he couldn't stay with the boys all night but he wanted to get the chance to talk to Dani and get his opinion on what we could do for his date tonight.

        “Table for two please” he said to the greeter at the door.

        “Of course, señor, Mr. Neymar.” The greeter obliged. He was a short, stout man with receding brown hair. Small beads of sweat were developing on his forehead.

        Neymar couldn't help but laugh at being called 'Mr. Neymar' it sounded ridiculous coming from anyone else. The waiter held open the doors that led inside.

        “Actually” Neymar intervened “it's really nice out, how about a table outside?”

        “Why yes, yes, perfect.” The waiter cleared a small wooden table for him.         “Can I get you started on drinks?”

        “Just water, thanks.”

        In the distance Neymar could see Dani, usually it wasn't hard to spot the tattooed man. These days he had the majority of both of his arms covered. Neymar could barely picture what Dani looked like before he had collected all those tattoos. It had been nearly four years since Neymar had played his first match for the Brasil international team, where he first formally met Dani and a lot of the other players. When Neymar moved to Barça, he was ecstatic Dani was on the team. Of course everyone on the national team had created a special bond, and all the time together in Spain made them almost inseparable.