The Chase. (Neymar Fanfiction)

Six.

        Today was the final day of training before the big season opener against Granada FC. Even though training didn't technically start for two more hours, Neymar was already in the locker room lacing up. Every day the for the past two weeks he had been going early to Camp Nou and leaving as soon as training was over.

            Initially, it was to get his mind off Marisol and avoid any questions about his date or anything related to the topic. Then, as he began to cool down over time, he realized this year he wanted to really shine for Barça and be a bigger asset. He knew that the mistakes he had made last season had been blamed on the fact that it was his first year in a European club and La Liga. This year, he was technically a veteran and he wouldn't be given the same graces.

            He walked on the the field, the look of the empty stadium continued to amaze him every morning. It was so peaceful and uninterrupted. He loved Camp Nou packed full with the crazy fans and the crazy energy—but there was something relaxing about being there alone in the stillness.

            Carefully, Neymar took three balls and placed the randomly around the left wing of the eighteen yard box. Lately he'd been having trouble shooting with his left foot, and he was determined to correct it.

            The first shot soared over the crossbar.

            The second shot snapped off the crossbar and bounced off back outside of the eighteen.

            The third was similar to the first, with less air in between the ball and the crossbar.

            “Are you kidding me!” Neymar said so loud he almost yelled.

            “You've always aimed high.” A familiar voice said behind him. Neymar turned around quickly in shock. Of course, it was Dani. “It took me a while but I finally figured out that you were showing up more than ten or fifteen minutes early,” he said “so tell me, why have you been coming hours before practice?”

            Neymar stayed silent for a minute, he was a combination of shocked and annoyed. Shocked that Dani was here and annoyed that everything he was avoiding was happening. “I just need to be perfect.” He finally answered.

            Dani chuckled, “and that's when we know we're in trouble.”

            Neymar furrowed his brow, “what?”

            “Neymar, no one on the earth thinks you're as perfect as you do” Dani explained. “When you don't think you're perfect, we have a problem.”

            Neymar couldn't help but laugh just a tad. “You're right, of course I'm perfect” he joked back. “Although this left shot is not.”

            Dani had a big smile “Well let's fix that.”

* * *

            Neymar and Dani practiced shooting for the whole two hours until Neymar couldn't seem to miss anything—from anywhere on the field. Triumphantly, Neymar laid out on the turf and stared at the sky.

            “Now,” Dani huffed “are you going to tell me why you're really showing up at eight every morning?” Dani asked, towering over him, his shadow covering Neymar's face.

            “Oh you know, same old sh--" Neymar was cut over by the sound of cleats tramping through the tunnel and jogging on to the field.

            “What's going on here?” Xavi asked in an authoritative tone. He was the team captain this year, and although he was great and fun loving guy, he had become a lot more serious lately. The atmosphere had become a bit more stiff as Xavi spoke. “What are you doing?”