Chapter Twelve

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And I was about to fall asleep, when I heard a buzzing noise come from my phone. It must be my mother, saying goodnight, forgetting about our small time difference.

I checked it, but it wasn't from my mother.

It was from Neymar.

~~.~~

I honestly didn't think we would ever have contact again, after what happened at dinner. I had forgotten he had my phone number. But even though he did, why would he call me? Especially this time of night. I probably left something at his house.

I sighed before answering. I should just see what he wants, I thought. But for the past couple hours, as I lay in bed, the constant reminder of the thought of being around Neymar, as you know.... Friends.

It hurt.

Because from our initial meeting, I had thought we could be so much more than that. I mean what I felt with him for those hours, in the pub, was different to anything I've ever felt before. It felt special, you know, what him and I had. Unique. But, it can't happen. It just can't. He has a girlfriend. Bruna, remember her? I thought to myself sarcastically.

"Neymar" I said into the phone speaker, but I meant it as more of a question.

"Hayley... hey"

There was a silence for a long period of time, before I was reminded that he called me. He must have something to say.

"Hi Neymar" I paused, "Why are you calling? What's up?"

"Oh, um- I was just wondering, if tomorrow you would, uh- you know-" he paused, I could pick up on his nervousness just from the sound of his voice.

Um. What?

"Tomorrow...I would.. what?" I asked confused.

"Come over" and there the silence was again. He continued, "Um... only if you want to. I mean I want you to" He answered letting out a breath of air that I could tell he was holding. I knew if we were talking in person, right now, he would be looking down, avoiding my eye contact.

That's just what he was like around me, or perhaps that wasn't unique to me. He most likely was like this around Bruna as well, or any of the other relationships he had been in. And the thought of that, scared me even more, I didn't know why, so I just shoved the thought out of my head.

My breath hitched as I realised what he was asking of me. And yet again, I couldn't understand this man. What he wanted out of our relationship, I mean.

"Oh- Neymar... I'm- uhm, not sure that is the best idea. Just because of uh...well..." I gulped, "you know"

"...What happened tonight. Hayley. Look, I know, but-"

"But, you have a girlfriend. I shouldn't be coming over anymore. And.. how did it go tonight?"

There was that silence again.

I answered myself, "It went great Neymar, that's how it went. Bruna and I enjoy each others company, if it wasn't obvious" I said sarcastically.

"But....Why does that matter? I thought we are friends now. We are friends right? I really hope we are" he said with a new level of sincerity in his voice, either he was great at delivering a line, or he really meant it.

My heart ached. Friends

And there I was. Inevitably reminded of what was the current truth. And if I was going to be friends with Neymar, this feeling had to stop. I promised myself it would. Soon.

"Yeah. You're right, we are friends" And little did he know, that I had now planned that I was going to be the best goddamn friend Neymar had ever had.

"Look- Hayley, Davi loves being around you" He said, changing the subject. "I think he's made an attachment to you. All he talks about is you, you know. I mean, ever since, well.. when you were in my house..."

"Yes. Right. Well I do enjoy having Davi around too. He's a great kid. Really. Must take it after his father"

That was too flirty Hayley. Too flirty for friends.

He responded with a small sort of laugh.

"Well and you know, I don't particularly dislike having you around" He said sarcastically, and this comment, warmed my heart. I smiled furiously into the speaker.

"Well I could say the exact same back to you"

So off went my new promise to myself. And at this point, I realised, I couldn't trust myself around Neymar. Which was what made this different to all my other past relationships.

He laughed. I loved the sound of his laugh.

I knew at this point, I had to get off the phone, before I said something that would be cataclysmic to our new friendship.

So instead I said, "Where's Bruna?"

His response was silent, great. I had successfully made our conversation extremely awkward.

"She's in the.. um- hot tub"

Oh.

And there it is.

"Good night, Neymar" I said abruptly into the phone speaker, followed by pressing the big red button which ended our call.

I'm not sure I can face this thing head on. I hadn't realised I'd formed such strong feelings, especially so soon. But they weren't real, I told myself. I was still heartbroken by what happened with Zayn. I hadn't gotten over him as soon as I met Neymar, I told myself.

I told myself these lies, because, honestly. It felt better than hearing the truth, which I couldn't face just yet.

~~.~~

I lay my head on my pillow, and relaxed my body into the unfamiliar duvet at the hotel I was staying at.

I tossed and turned for what felt like eternity, thinking about what was my life, when I remembered Ross was coming tomorrow which made me feel much better. I was so excited to see him. I missed him so much, and I knew that him being here would remind me of the comforting feeling of home.

But- I reminded myself, I had just accepted Neymar's proposal to go to his house tomorrow, I wasn't sure that was even an offer anymore. Or if it was even one I would want to accept anymore.

Neymar didn't do anything wrong. This was all done by me.

After I fell into a deep sleep, I slept like a baby the whole night.

~~.~~


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