The Quiet Girl (An International Story)

Feel Safe

May 2022

Nahikari's POV:

"Alex Hernandez with the game-winner in overtime! They are your 2021-22 WHL champions!"

I turned the tv off and looked around. Another season down. Real Sociedad did well, but still not enough to top Barca or Atleti. 

I met up with some of the girls. "Hey Nahi." Patri smiled.

"Hey." I sat down. "What a season huh?"

"You almost got us." Carmen sighed. "Keyword is almost."

"Next year." I winked.

"Sorry, I'm late." Mapi sighed and sat down. "Mariana needed me." 

"How is she?" Patri asked.

"Hanging in there. I wish I could get her out of there. All I can do is talk to her."

"What's going on?" I asked.

"The travel back and forth from Portugal to America is draining her. She's not herself at all and they keep benching her. Not giving her any time to get back into her game."

"I saw a tweet saying she's coming back to Europe?" Carmen asked.

"I don't know." Mapi shook her head. "I hope she does. She's drained, you can hear it when she talks. You've talked to her," She looked at me. "She doesn't have that energy in her face. It's like she's lifeless." She shook her head. "How's everyone else though? Lola good?"

"Lola is," Carmen laughed. "Lola." We all laughed. "You know how she is."

"And Carla?" I looked at Patri.

"She's great." She smirked. "How's Vir?"

"Shut up." I looked away.

"You two are together?" Mapi asked.

"Nope."

"NAHI!" Mapi yelled. "Why not! It's been 10 years now!"

"It has not."

"Feels like it." Carmen mumbled. "Patri am I going gray?"

"Little bit, Menayo. Little bit." 

"I hate all of you." I laughed. "We're just doing our own thing. I honestly don't know. I've got too much right now, I can't add a relationship. Especially a long distance one."

"She's only in Madrid." Mapi said. "Mariana is all the way in hell and we make it work."

"She's in Utah, Mapi." Patri said.

"It's America. I said what I said."

Alexandra's POV:

I got on the plane and smiled. My first year was a success. I lead the team and league in scoring, and we won the championship. I was back on track and making a name for myself.

"I've known you for how long? You're never one to back down and give up."

Of course, I was still bitter about how things ended in New York. But this was a chance to show them what they were missing. 

"Why start now? Fight for this girl. Show her that there's more than just, what's her name?" 

The plane landed and I got off. I walked through the airport and looked at a TV.

"Atletico announced that Virginia Torrceilla will stay with the club till the 2024-25 season. She joined Madrid in 2019 and has quickly become a fan favorite. The Spainish captain said she's looking forward to continue Atleti's recent success next season and hopes to win the Champions League for Madrid."

"Let yourself be happy for one." 

"Back in Spain." I smiled. "Let the fight begin."

June 2022

Virginia's POV: 

My phone rang. 

Mariana

I answered. "Mari? Everything ok?"

"Vir I need help."

"What's going on?"

"I don't know how much longer I can stay at this club."

"What do you need me to do?" 

"I don't know." She sighed. "Mapi's supportive with whatever but, I just need someone to tell me what to do. Should I leave? I should leave right?"

"Mariana," I sighed. "I can't tell you if you should leave or not. What I can tell you, is that if you aren't happy and feel like this isn't a good fit anymore, you need to do what you think is best. But only you know if you should leave or not. The only thing I'll tell you, is to just do what you feel is best for you and your career. That's all you can do." 

She stayed silent. "Thanks, Vir." She sighed. "So how's Nahi? You guys dating yet?"

"No. Man, can everyone stop asking that?"

"I'm sorry."

"No it's just, I want to. She wants to, but she also doesn't? She has a lot going on and doesn't want to add a relationship right now. She said one day, but not now. I'm more than happy to wait. I'd wait 100 years for her. She's more than worth it."

"You love her?" 

"I don't know." I said. "I never saw myself as a person who would fall in love. It's just different with Nahikari, you know? With her I feel like I can be Virginia. Not the crazy girl everyone sees. I'm not saying that person is an act, but I can be more than that with her."

"You feel safe with her."

"Exactly."

"That's how I feel with Mapi." She said. "With all this going on, I know I can call her and just be Mariana. Not Mariana the struggling Utah forward. Or the Portugal captain. Or anything. I'm just Mariana."

There was a knock on my door. "Mari, I'll call you back. Someone's at my door."

"Ok. Thanks again, Vir."

"Anytime." I hung up and went to the door. "I'm not buying whatever you're selling." I opened it. 

"I'm here for a different kind of deal."

"Alex." I crossed my arms. "What are you doing here?"

"Got a minute to talk?"

I shrugged. "Why not." I stepped back. "Come on in." 

Like I said. The beginning of the end for Nahikari and Alex. 

Also my home life is really shitty right now so please continue to comment on this and all other updates. It truly makes me happy to read them so please continue doing that.

Thanks.