The World (Sequel to International)

Crazy People

August 2024

Mariana's POV:

I arrived back in Spain after staying in Portugal after the Olympics.

The last few months I've had? Crazy.

The Olympics were fun. We made it to the bronze medal match where we faced the USA. 

Spain played France. France was able to win in their own country, Spain got silver and without the refs helping them, we beat the USA to win bronze. 

Getting bronze at the Olympics.

Yeah, I know.

Ana, Tatiana and I have been playing great together.

But now it's back to Spain. Leaving toward the end of the season to play in Italy helped me regain confidence lost due to injury.

I'm back to 100% and ready to take on Europe with my club. 

"Mariana dos Santos Mendes! I better be adding Leon to that soon or we're fighting!" Virginia stopped beside my car. 

"What are you talking about?"

"ARE YOU AND MAPI ENGAGED OR NOT!"

"Wait what?" I turned off my car and got out. "What are you talking about? Engaged?"

"Oh shit, Vir did you just ruin everything?" Lola grabbed her arm. 

"Look, I don't know what sick game you're planning but Mapi and I are NOT getting married."

"WHAT!" They both yelled.

"I HAVE TO GO MAKE A CALL!" Lola ran off. 

"I'M GONNA JOIN YOU!" Virginia ran after her.

"Welcome back!" Carmen laughed. 

I hugged her. "What's going on with them?" I asked.

"You're messing with them aren't you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." 

Mapi's POV:

"Leila do we have any cups!"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"I used the last one yesterday!"

"And you didn't think to get more BEFORE there was 1 left?"

"I was gonna get more but then Mariona called and I was distracted!"

I sighed. "I need to go back to living on my own."

"You can." She walked out. "I'm moving in with Mariona. That's why she called."

I crossed my arms. "So then this is the end."

"Of living together. But our friendship is better than ever." She laughed. "Everything will only get better from here."

I nodded. "I'm happy for you." I smiled. "I think it will be good for you two to live together."

She laughed. "Better for me though right?"

"Exactly." I looked at my phone. "I gotta take this. If you need help packing let me know."

"Got it. I'm gonna go to the store." She left.

I answered the phone. "Hello?"

"WHAT DID YOU DO YOU DUMBASS!" 

"Nice to hear from you, Lola." I put her on speaker. "What are you talking about?"

"You and Mariana aren't getting married!?" Virginia yelled.

"Excuse me?" 

"We were trying to see if you and Mariana are engaged since you've told us NOTHING!" Alexia laughed. "And Mariana said that you guys aren't getting married." 

"She told me she didn't want to get married." I said.

"MARIANA!" Virginia yelled. 

"NO!" I heard her yell. "LEAVE ME ALONE!" 

The call ended and I looked at Alexia. "Should I be worried?"

"Probably."

I called Mariana and waited. 

"GO AWAY MAPI!" Virginia answered and hung up. 

"Jenni's still in Madrid right?" I asked.

"Already on it." Alexia typed on her phone. "Ok. We're good."

Mariana's POV:

"Hey!" I saw Jenni. 

"This is Atleti business!"

"Yeah! Go away, traitor!" 

"JENNI HELP!" I screamed.

"I have orders from OUR captain, Alexia Putellas to save Mariana from you idiots." 

"Idiots?" Virginia stood up. She walked toward Jenni. "She said that?"

I got out of Lola's grasp and ran toward Jenni to hide. 

"You alright, kid?" She put her arm around me.

"Yes." I caught my breath. "Thanks, Jenni." She patted my back. 

"Come on. Let's get you away from these crazy people." She shielded me from them.

As we got away from them, Mapi called. 

"Are you ok!"

"Yeah, I'm ok. Jenni came and rescued me."

"Alexia it worked!"

"I should've known Alexia was also apart of this. Always looking out for me." I smiled.

"We should tell them soon." Mapi whispered.

"When?"

"This weekend? Preseason is ending, we all have time off. We can invite them all to our place in Barcelona."

"I'm going to Lisbon first." I said. "Gabriel's birthday is coming up so my mom wants to visit his grave. Put some flowers."

"Want me to come?"

"You know what? If you want to tag along I'm sure they'd love the extra company."

"We can tell them then."

"Yes, we can." I smiled. "I'll talk to you later." 

 "Bye beautiful." She hung up and I turned to Jenni. 

"Thank you again."

"Of course. I'm leaving for Barcelona in the morning. You ok with me leaving or do you need help with them?"

"I think I'll be fine. I feel like Carmen has my back."

"I do." She put her arm around me. "Don't worry Jenni, Mariana will be in safe hands with me." She smiled. 

"I'll help!" Laia ran over. "I don't know what's going on but it sounds fun."

"Lola and Virginia are bothering Mariana. Just keep them away from her."

"Got it." 

Mapi's POV:

I got to Madrid and went up to Mariana's place. "Honey I'm home." I laughed.

"Hey." She smiled. "Good, we're leaving the crazy people in Spain. Ready to go?"

"I'm always ready to go anywhere with you. And leaving the crazy people is an added bonus." 

"Leila?" I nodded. "Virginia and Leila have 1 brain cell between them. And neither of them have it."

"I think I took it." I whispered.

"For the sake of everyone, I hope Alexia took it."

I nodded. "Good point. Let's go to Lisbon!"