The Quiet Girl (An International Story)

Just Friends

August 2021

Nahikari's POV:

"Alex." I said. "It's been a while."

"That's my fault." She said. "I let go of the wheel. And I just let it crash, but I didn't want you to crash with me." She sighed. "Virginia she, she's protective of you."

"She said she didn't hit you."

"She didn't." She said. "I swung at her. Multiple times. Her seeing me was the wake up call I needed. I just was so angry at everyone and her too."

"Why?"

"Because of you." She said. "I was angry at you and her. And myself. I like you, Nahikari. I tried to stop it but the feelings got stronger and stronger the more I talked to you. But I had to listen to you talk about Virginia."

"You should've told me to stop. Instead you just ignored me? That was better?"

"No, it wasn't."

I looked at saw Mapi waving. "I have to go, Alex. I'll talk to you later." She said bye and hung up. I walked over to Mapi.

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah." I nodded. I put my medal back on and smiled. "Ready to be heroes?"

She laughed. "Let's go." 

Alexandra's POV:

The group ended and I walked to my car. "Alex!" I turned around. "It is Alex right?"

"Yeah. Naomi?" I smiled.

"Right." She nodded. "Uh so listen. This is probably really out of line but do you want to hang out sometime? Outside of our trauma filled group?"

"I don't know." 

"No yeah I get it. Group therapy and that's it." She started to walk away. I looked down and thought about it.

"You know," She stopped. "I was going to pick up a pizza and head home. You're welcome to join." 

"Really?" 

"Really." I unlocked my car. "Hop in." 

Virginia's POV:

I ran on the treadmill and ignored my teammates around me. 

"Follow YOUR heart this time, Vir."

I stared at the wall in front of me and ran.

"What does your heart want?" 

I stopped and looked down, catching my breath.

"You ok, Vir?" Amanda asked.

I gasped and looked at her. "I need to go." I grabbed my bag and left the gym. I sat on the bench outside and took my phone out.

"What does your heart want?" 

Mariana

"My heart wants Nahikari Garcia."

I sighed and hit the call button. It rang for a while and then she answered.

"Hello?" She said. 

"Hi." I said. "It's Virginia."

"Virginia." She sighed. "It's 3 in the morning."

"Oh shit." I said. "I forget you're in America. Did I wake you up?"

"Kind of." She said. "What's up?"

"It's nothing. Go back to sleep."

"It's obviously something." I heard her move around. "What's going on?"

I sighed. "Nahikari. She hasn't talked to me much. I know, give her space, but we haven't talked since the Euros. She won't even look at me. I've tried to go near her and nothing. What do I do?"

"Have you tried to actually talk? When you go near her, do you at least say hi to her?"

"Vir! We're going back to America for the tournament." Lola said. "Who are you talking to?" 

"Guess I'll be seeing you soon then." Mariana said. 

"I guess so. Good night, Mariana." I smiled.

She laughed. "Good morning, Virginia." She hung up. 

I looked at Lola. "Mariana? Mapi's girlfriend Mariana?"

"Who's playing in the tournament."

Nahikari's POV:

"The final matches of the group stage of the ICC wrapped up a short time ago. Atletico Madrid beat Lyon in their final match to finish in 1st place. Lyon finishes in second. With North Carolina being eliminated, the final ICC matches will be held in Utah."

"Yes, late drama in Utah's final match against Barcelona today. Utah's golden girl, Mariana started the match on the bench. That would quickly change in the 2nd half after Jenni Hermoso scored. It would only take the Portuguese striker a few minutes to score and tie the game. A goal that would shake Barcelona's backline. Left back Leila Ouahabi exchanging words with center back, Mapi Leon. Players from both teams would get involved including Mariana and Barcelona player, Ana-Maria Crnogorčević."

They showed some of the arguments from the match. Jenni and Alexia fighting some Utah players, Mariana and Crnogorčević. Leila screaming at Mapi.

"After all that, yellow cards were issued and Leila Ouahabi would walk off the field. Crnogorčević would continue to go at Mariana for the remainder of the match. The game would finish 1-1, Barcelona topping the group only one goal ahead of Utah. Here's Barcelona captain, Alexia Putellas after the match."

I muted the tv and grabbed my phone. I texted Virginia.

Hey

Hi

You have a minute to talk?

For you? Always.

I smiled and waited. Then she called. "Nahikari Garcia." She said. 

"Virginia." I smiled. "How's America?"

"It's America. We're winning games, Leila and Mapi are fighting, Mariana got called Portuguese trash apparently." 

"Sounds like a fun tournament."

She laughed. "It's the best." She said. "How's Spain? You keeping everything together?"

"Trying too. It's missing it's 3 chaotic girls. Speaking of missing, I know we haven't talked a lot."

"Can I stop you right there?" I waited. "I stepped out of line confronting Alex. I apologize for that. And after talking to you last, I wanted to give you space. You can 100% take care of yourself. I didn't do what I did because I think you're weak. I did it because I care about you, Nahi." She said. "Like how Alexia will do anything for Jenni. I'd do anything for you. Even go to another state after visiting a friend to confront someone I felt was disrespecting you."

"Alexia and Jenni are dating. We're just friends, Vir. It's a different level of care."

"Right. We're just friends." She said. "Uh you know, it's pretty late here. I think I'm gonna head to bed. I'll talk to you later Nahi. Bye." She said and hung up. 

I put my phone down and looked at the tv. I unmuted it.

"Barcelona take on Lyon while Atletico Madrid will now face off against new hosts, Utah Royals FC. Winners will play each other for the title."

"Right. We're just friends."

I turned off the tv and sighed.