The Quiet Girl (An International Story)

Reach For Me

August 2021

Nahikari's POV:

Preseason was underway. Unlike Barcelona and Atleti, we stayed in Spain. 

I've texted Virginia but she hasn't responded. Not since the whole "we're just friends" conversation.

Why did I even say that? 

Why are we stuck in this cycle!

I got in my car and saw it light up. 

Alex

I sighed and answered it. "Hey, Alex." I rubbed my forehead.

"What's wrong?" She asked. "Your voice. Something's wrong." 

"Just," I sighed. "It's not important. What's up?"

"When it comes to you, everything is important." She said. "But I wanted to tell you that I'm moving to Europe." She said. "A team offered me a contract so, I'll be heading to Europe."

"That's great, Alex."

"Is that ok?" She said. "Me being closer to where you are? I don't want to make you feel uneasy. I know I've messed up and haven't been the best person but, I'm trying!" She said. "I go to group therapy twice a week. I see a therapist on my own once a week. Every Friday we have a family dinner. Me, my sister, and our uncle."

"That's amazing. Good for you, I'm happy for you Alex. Truly. If you're coming to Europe, then come to Europe. I'll be fine."

"I also kind of met someone." She said. 

"Oh." I looked down. "You did?"

"Yeah. Her name is Naomi. We met in group therapy. Kind of weird, but we started hanging out recently and I don't know. It's nothing serious yet but, it's something stable."

"Wow." I smiled. "Sounds like you've got everything together." 

"Not fully but, I'm getting there. I don't have her number or anything but when you talk to Virginia tell her thanks. Her seeing me, it was the wake-up call I needed so, just let her know I appreciated the visit." She laughed. "Even if I did try to punch her and ended up hurting my hand more."

"When I talk to her?"

"I just assumed you talk to her a lot. You two are together now, right?"

"No. We're not actually. We're uh, we're just friends." I said. 

Virginia's POV:

"Just friends!" I looked at Lola. "We're JUST friends?"

"You're making a scene." She looked around the stadium. 

I sighed and sat down. "This whole thing is complicated. Maybe I should move on." I shook my head. I looked to our right and saw some of the Utah players. "Look who it is." I smiled. "Mariana!" 

"Hey" She walked over. "I forgot you play for Atleti."

"You should come join us." She laughed. "I don't know if you've met Lola."

"I don't think so. Hi." She smiled.

"Nice to finally meet you. Virginia has told me a lot about you." Lola smirked.

"What are you in love with me or something?" Mariana asked.

"No." I laughed. 

"Nahikari." I heard Carmen cough. I turned and glared. "Just telling her about the person who changed our little Mapi's heart."

"Speaking of Mapi's heart have either of you talked to her or Leila?" We both shook our heads. We began to talk about them. "Let me know what I can do." She said. "I know Mapi and I haven't been together long but you guys welcomed me in long before we started dating."

"Yeah of course." Lola said. "Now prepare to get crushed after this."

"Don't you warm the bench?" Mariana smirked.

"Yeah, I see why Mapi likes you." Lola walked over to Carmen.

"I'll see you on the pitch, Mari." She walked away. I watched her sit with Vero and headed over. She got up. I walked toward her. "Mari." I said.

She turned. "Hey." She smiled. "Everything ok?"

"I wanted to talk to you. Privately. You busy?"

"I was just gonna check on Leila real quick." She said. 

"Then I won't keep you." I looked down. "She's going through something." I said. "I know she'll listen to you."

"Why do you think that?"

"You got through to Mapi. You get through to me." I said. "The three of us? We're," I laughed. "We're a lot. Go talk to Leila. I'll talk to you later." 

I turned to walk back.

"Hey!" I stopped and looked at her. "I think we're gonna be good friends." She said. "Maybe."

I put my hands in my pockets. "I'm gonna kick your ass out there." I said.

"No injuries though." She said. "Utah needs me. And I want to finish this season in one piece."

"No injuries. Deal." I smiled.

Alexandra's POV:

I put more stuff and boxes. "As happy as I am for you, and believe me I'm so happy for you." I looked at my sister. "I'm gonna miss you." 

I nodded. "I know I haven't been the easiest person to have around lately. But I need this. Hockey is my escape. But it's always been HERE. Boston then New York, now nowhere. Europe offered me a chance. A chance at hockey, a chance at a fresh start. This will be good for me."

"I know it will." She smiled. "What about that girlfriend of yours?"

"Naomi is not my girlfriend." I laughed.

"I meant Nahikari." 

I froze. "I don't know what you mean." I grabbed some stuff. 

"Come on, Alex. Don't bullshit here. You still like her. Naomi? She's just a placeholder. You want Nahikari."

"I can't have her. I couldn't have her then, can't have her now, I'll never have her. She's not even something you have. She's a person, Zariah. A great person. She deserves way more than what I could ever give her."

"And Naomi doesn't?"

"Naomi does." I said. "And that's why she's not my girlfriend. Naomi, we've both been through some shit. But she's been on the right path, way longer than me. I'll never be good enough for anyone. That's one thing that stays the same. No amount of therapy or group sessions could make me worth anything. People like me, we push people away because we know what it feels like to lose them. I'm done losing people."

"You still have me. Jayson. Beck? What about him?"

"He's my trainer. That's it." 

"You guys have been friends since high school." She said. "He never turned his back on you then. Why would he now?"

"Because everyone does!" I sighed. "At some point, everyone turns their back. I'll always be there for you. Just reach for me! I'm reaching! I'm trying of reaching and not having anyone grab me, Z."

"Because you're reaching for the wrong people. Dad's gone. I know, Alex. He told you to reach for him and he'll pull you out, but he's gone. I'm here though. Reach for me. You're my twin sister. We BOTH lost our parents that day, Alex. But I got through it because I leaned on those around me. You shut down. You shut me out when I needed you the most. But I'm still here for you, Alex. Just reach for me."