That's The Irina I Like

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I got to Camp Nou 15 minutes earlier. Every time I showed up before Pedri was done, I wouldn't walk in. I'll just wait in the parking lot. And that's what I did now too. I got out the car and lit up a cigarette, inhaling the smoke. Luca called me a dumbass for not stepping foot inside the training centre, but all I kept on saying is that I'm not ready.

And that's the truth. I'm not.

I was resting my back on the outside of my car, patiently waiting. Pedri came out the building, walking straight to his car, not looking around once.

'Ay dios mio! Una foto por favor!' I said loudly, laughing, grabbing his attention. He looked up from his phone with a big smile on his face, jogging towards me. 'Gran admiradora.' I smiled, exchanging a cheek kiss.

'You didn't tell me you were coming.' Pedri smiled.

'Wanted to surprise you.' I shrugged my shoulders.

'Where's Luca?' he asked, looking around, probably waiting for him to pop out of nowhere and scare him.

'Paris.' I let out a sigh.

'How did you manage to do that?' he chuckled, making me hit him playfully.

'Galtier called. He was needed at work.' I rolled my eyes.

Gavi sprinted out the centre and towards us. 'Irina!'

I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him.

In those two weeks, Gavi really started to grow on me. He was funny and sweet and shy, however when he was on the pitch, he was an absolute beast. I loved that about him. Plus, he had these really pleading dark eyes which made him look like a harmless little puppy, making you wanna protect him for the rest of his life.

'How you doing?' I smiled as he put his hands on his knees, trying to get his breathing back to normal.

'I couldn't help but notice you and I was wondering if you're doing anything later on.' he said, making Pedri glance at him. 'Because some of us are going to Pedri's and maybe you're up for it too.' he beams. 'And you have nothing to worry about because Ferran's girl and Ela are going to be there. And Ela really misses you.'

Gabriela, or Ela as we all call her, is Gavi's bestfriend. Pedri let me in on a little secret that Gavi's been in love with Ela since they were little kids and viceversa, but none of them ever acted on it. I met her not long ago and she's so lovely. Such a sweet and warm girl and we bonded straight away. And truth is, I was glad I finally had a girlfriend. I was getting tired of all these alpha males around me.

'Sure, if Pedri doesn't mind me joining.' I smiled glancing at him.

'I was actually texting you to ask you.' he showed me his phone, the message typed into the little box but never got to press send because I called him over.

'Perfect! Should we get going?' Gavi said excitedly.

We all chuckled, the boys going to Pedri's car, while I climbed into mine.

I've never been to Pedri's house before and I was a bit nervous.

***

Pedri opens the door, letting me and Gavi in. We were the first people to arrive. As I walked in, I couldn't help but appreciate the interior of his home. It's not too grand and not too flashy, the predominant colour being white and grey.

'Wow.' I said looking around. 'You have a beautiful home. And it's so welcoming and cosy and warm.' I smiled.

'Thank you.' Pedri smiled.

'I hope you know we're not in the 1918.' Gavi said laughing. 'No one says that anymore, Irina.'

'Yeah, well, they should.' I said pushing him playfully.

***

After 30 minutes, Ela and some of the players showed up too.

'Oh my God.' Ela said wrapping her arms around me. 'It's so good to see you.'

'Oh, how I missed the touch of a woman.' I said smiling, both of us bursting out laughing.

'That's so wrong.' Gavi said shaking his head, chuckling.

Him and Ela exchanged glances, kissing eachother on the cheeks as a greeting. Every time they looked at eachother, their eyes will shine, making me wonder why they never tried out a relationship.

Maybe they were like me and Luca. Which I doubt, because again, I want to think that me and Luca is one in a billion type of thing.

'Sira and Ferran are going to get here anytime soon, giving you the opportunity to finally meet her. Unless they'll be attached to the hip by per usual.' she laughed, Gavi not taking her eyes off of her. 'Come on, let's grab a drink.' she says pulling me away from Gavi and Pedri.

As we are heading to the kitchen we're making small conversation. 'So where's Luca?' Ela asked.

'Back in Paris.' I rolled my eyes. 'Work called so he had to leave.'

'I still can't get over your friendship with him.' she said chuckling. 'I mean he's so... hot and you get along so well...' she grabbed two glasses and set them on the table.

'Luca is hot and he's a very good guy, but we've always been better off as friends.' I smiled.

'Which makes sense, as you've always been surrounded by very good looking men and...' she said pouring some vodka with cranberry juice in the glasses.

'And footballers didn't really work out for me.' I chuckled.

'Yeah, well, one particular footballer.' she said rolling her eyes. 'Who's a completely idiot for letting you go.' she winked at me, taking a sip of her drink. 'But you have nothing to worry about because I bet you have many options.' she smirked, knowing exactly what she was implying. 'Any of these boys will be so lucky to have you.'

'Any of these boys, except Gavi, right?' I smiled.

Got her.

Within seconds, she turned into a human tomato.

'I don't know what you're talking about...' she said looking down. 'It only seems that way because we grew up together and are like super comfortable with eachother.'

'Oh, come on.' I rolled my eyes with a smile. 'As a by-stander, I can tell you that you two look at eachother more than just we've known eachother since we were in diapers.' she chuckled.

'What about you and Pedri, then?' she turned it on me. 'He looks at you a certain way, too. I've never seen him so smitten by a girl before.'

'Now, that's you just trying to get back at me.' I said, laughing and wrapping my arm around her shoulder, walking out the kitchen and in the living room.

***

After a few more trips to Pedri's kitchen to have more drinks, me and Ela were now swaying our hips to the music. As if on cue, my eyes landed on Pedri, who was already looking at me. He sat his glass down and started walking towards us.

'Can I steal you for a second?' he smiled.

'If it's only for a second I'll have to pass.' I smiled. 'Sorry.'

'For a while, then.' he shook his head, his usual smile plastered on his face.

'And what the hell do you want to do with her for a while?' Ela asked, making both of us laugh.

I kissed the side of her head and whispered into her ear. 'Don't worry, I'll send Gavi to keep you company.' I winked at her, leaving her on the 'dancefloor.'

On the way to the balcony we were passing a few people, my eyes searching for Gavi.

'Hey, champ!' I said as soon as I spotted him. 'Ela is by herself in the living room. Go keep her company while I'm gone.'

Without saying anything, he nodded his head and went straight to her, making me smile.

'I really want to play Cupid for them.' I said as soon as we reached the balcony.

'Oh, trust me, I tried.' Pedri shook his head. 'He's too stubborn.'

'So...' I said my eyes meeting his. 'What can I help you with?'

'Nothing.' he smiled. 'I just wanted you to myself for a while. Everytime Ela is around she just steals you.' he said, making me chuckle.

'Thank you, Pedri.'

'For?'

'For being you.' I smiled.

'How drunk are you?' he laughed. 'Since when are you this nice to me?'

'This is why I'm not nice to you.' I chuckled, hitting him playfully.

'I'm really glad you accepted my friendship.'

'Well, you did beg for it.'

'That's the Irina I like.' he smiled.

We spoke for a little while about who some of the people were, about training, work, Gavi and Ela.

'We should get back before people start speculating.' I laughed.

'Oh, I can already imagine Gavi asking a thousand questions.' Pedri chuckled, shaking his head.


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