Judge My Skills, Not Me

Chapter 8: Competition Fever

As the training session ended Cristina started getting close to Leo and his friends. Neymar and Cristina constantly playfully flirted back and forth but both knew that it was nothing more than friendly banter. Luis was at first apprehensive of the new girl joining MNS but, after she scored every goal she shot on target making Marc look like an amateur goalkeeper, he grew to enjoy her presents and appreciated her skills. Leo was glad Cristina blended well with Ney and Luis. As the four played rondo with Sergi Roberto and Pique, he saw how much Cristina loved the sport and her natural talent with the ball. Cristina laughed as Ney "accidentally" hit Gerard in the face with the ball. Her laugh was contagious, and her smile spread to everyone. "Finally, time to go home!" Neymar said as he followed Luis into the locker room. Cristina chuckled at his overdramatic nature along with Leo. As they walked in, she took a real look at the Argentinian as he pushed Ney into the building. She noticed his smile was definitely his best asset, well other than his dribbling, free kicks, hair, eyes... what was she thinking! She shook the thought out of her head. 'You can't do this. I barely know the guy, and I can't repeat what happened last time.' "So, Cristina, where'd you train before?" Luis asked as they walked toward the locker room.

"I was at Orlando for the last couple of years but this summer I trained mainly with the US women for the World Cup," Cristina said hoping they knew what she was talking about.

"Oh yeah, I heard you lead your team to a World Cup, that's so badass," Neymar said, "Better than most of us can say." Leo and Luis glared at him as Cristina laughed, "What? Too soon?"

"Well, I'm really impressed, most people can't say they won a World Cup for two different nations," Leo said hoping to change the subject.

"Thanks, but I really couldn't do it without my team. They're the real superstars," Cristina blushed.

"God guys get a room, you can feel the sexual tension," Neymar said walking ahead. Luis punched him in the arm as he dragged him into the men's changing room. Leo and Cristina turned red as they awkwardly stood there in shock.

"Sorry about that, sometimes Ney doesn't know when to shut his mouth," Leo apologized.

"It's fine really, I have friends exactly like that," Cristina giggled as Leo looked relieved.

"So, do you have any plans before the big opening game this weekend?"

"Not really, probably just stay home or practice," in all sincerity, Cristina wasn't really the type of person to go out much and party. She could honestly have a good time just watching a movie marathon and learning to bake by herself. Now that sounded like fun.

"What! Your first week in Barcelona and your plans are to stay home?" Leo questioned. Everyone liked to go out! Sure, he wasn't a party animal like Ney but he did like to hang out with friends and have a good time in the beautiful city every once in a while.

"Well, I don't really know the place that well, for starters," Cristina said trying to not sound lame, "and don't want to mess up for my first game."

"I'm sure you'll do great! From what I saw today, you could already run circles around most of us," he laughed. "But, if you need a tour guide, I'm sure I could show you around a bit."

Cristina smiled, "That's really sweet. I'll have to take up your offer."

'God, that smile,' Leo thought as his confidence in talking to the girl began to rise, "Of course, plus it gets me more time to figure out if you're really a good player or not."

"Oh, really," she giggled, "What about all that talk about 'running circles around' you guys."

"Well, a good practice today doesn't automatically mean you're THE BEST," Leo joked around.

"I guess you'll have to find out won't you." Cristina looked at her phone and saw the time. Scott was going to be there in a couple of minutes to pick her up. "I have to change, but maybe we could do that tour you offered tomorrow if you're not busy?"

"Tomorrow it is then," he smiled as she walked away. 'I guess that's my new teammate,' he thought walking into the changing room.

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"You guys were flirting this whole time!" Neymar said Leo walked in. "Please tell me you at least got her number at that time."

"Shit," Leo said out loud as he put his dirty shirt back on and ran out of the changing room.

"Damn, he's down bad already," Neymar laughed as Luis punched his arm.

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"Cristina!" Leo yelled as he saw Cristina walking out toward a black car with a tall man holding the door for her. She turned around and looked at the disheveled-looking guy that hadn't even changed out of his sweaty jersey.

"Well, I know I'm damn entertaining, but I didn't think I was that good at conversation," she laughed at him.

He laughed as he collected himself, "I just remembered that I don't have your number," his cheeks turned a shade of pink from embarrassment. 'I probably look so stupid,' he thought.

"That would have been a problem, wouldn't it?" She took the phone in his hand and added her number. "There you go. Don't give that number around, I wouldn't want Neymar to drunk text me one night."

He laughed, "Of course, I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. One time he sent me a voicemail telling me how I was his best friend and deserved the world while crying on the bathroom floor."

"Now that sounds great, blackmail for the future." They both laughed and noticed the impatient look on Scott's face.

"Well, I'm sure you just want to get home," Leo said, "I'll text you about tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow!" Cristina smiled walking into the car. Leo walked away and noticed Scott glaring at him as he gave a nervous smile. "Hey, Leo!" He turned around to see her window down. "Your shirt's on backward."

He looked down and saw the number on his jersey. 'I look like such an idiot,' he thought as the slight pink turned a dark shade of red. She laughed as the car drove away.

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Hello reader,

I'm back!

I know, I know, long time coming but hopefully I can start updating regularly now that I'm out on summer break.

Warnings about future chapters: (1) I started writing this book a while ago so please bare with me on some details or things that don't make sense, (2) I love reading comments so please comment (I even find them more entertaining than the actual book), and (3) Keep me on track, I tend to give up or lose interest really easily so you guys keep me on my shit than I'll probably keep updating.

Here's to a hopefully good book! Some of you, thanks for sticking around! And to the new reader, welcome!

Love,
my1life2018