Leonor

     "I can't believe this!" Sofia laughed, jumping up and down. She was holding a big white box that was sealed with red tape. Our jerseys had just arrived in the mail.

     I was laying on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. She was standing at the end of my bed. Eagerly, she ripped off the tape and pulled the jerseys out one by one.

     Hers was slightly smaller and it said her name on the back, embroidered in golden lettering. Mine was similar, instead with my name. The jerseys were a beautiful red color.

     Sofia immediately pulled hers over her head eagerly, and I reluctantly did the same. Untucking my hair from the shirt collar, I fluffed it over my jersey and scrunched it with my fist.

     "Stop trying to look so pretty," Sofia spat. "It's not like anyone's here to see you."

     "Yeah, right. You are forgetting we have  to attend some soccer banquet with mother and father later," I pointed out. I had no clue what it was even about.

     Sofia just sighed.

     "How could I forget, Leonor. It's my first big chance to meet all of the players up close and personal! This day needs to go perfect!" Sofia exclaimed, pacing around the room and chewing on her fingernails.

     "Leave already, would you? I have to get ready," I grumbled, nudging her out of my room and locking the door before she could argue. I heard her muffled screams on the other side of the door.

     I flicked the bathroom light on and assessed myself.

     I pulled the jersey tighter around me and then I pulled on my favorite pair of white jeans. I decided to leave my hair natural, but I brushed it out to reduce the frizz. I applied some light makeup and put on my favorite hoop. I finished the look off by spraying some perfume on my pulse points. Great.

     When I reached the main level, my mother was stuffing her purse with important business papers. She was wearing a similar jersey to mine, with her own name on the back in fancy lettering. Letizia.

     My father followed her quickly, helping her complete the task. Sofia and I stood patiently waiting, like we were taught, for them to finish.

     "Are you ready, girls?" My father asked, placing a firm hand on my shoulder and guiding me to the door. My mother followed close behind.

     Mario was waiting with the limo outside of the palace doors, like usual. He was always on time and my parents had never once complained about him.

     Me and Sofia took our spots in the back, like always. When all of us were secured, Mario turned and faced me in the back seat.

     "Leonor, did you hear about the rumors?" He asked me in his thick, Spanish accent.

     I shook my head, confused. My family was giving me puzzled looks as well.

     "No," I replied shakily, looking to Mario for confirmation.

     "Check the internet," he replied with a laugh, and turned back to the road.

     I quickly opened my phone, and the first article I saw stunned me.

     It read, "Princess Leonor and footballer Gavi in reported relationship."

     Shit. Where was the media getting this from?

     Plus, he was going to be at the banquet today. Of course he was. Just my luck.

Text Message from Chloe Ortolano

Chloe: girl did u see the rumors?

Leonor: yea not true🤦🏻‍♀️

Chloe: how did that even happen???

Leonor: no clue tbh

Chloe: I'm sorry this is happening

Leonor: it's all good

Leonor: just gotta tell the media it's false

Chloe: you bet

Read

     The meeting with the Barcelona players was at a restaurant not too far from the palace. When we arrived, immediate attraction from the paparazzi began. Cameras flashed in my eyes as I was helped out of the limo. My sister followed me out and came to stand beside me.

     Our parents walked first, holding hands. They looked so professional together in their matching jerseys. I wish I could find a relationship like theirs one day.

     "Leonor! How is Gavi?"

     "Are the rumors true?"

     "Please share details with us, Leonor."

     My head felt like it was going to explode. Too many questions. False rumors. All from him commenting on my Instagram post, people assumed we were automatically dating.

     Sofia opened the door for me and we exchanged a look.

     The inside of the restaurant was packed. People parted ways as we entered. They bowed and curtsied, and some of the little children waved. I tried my best to wave and be polite when I felt like screaming and crying.

     Our table was in the front of the room. I took my assigned seat to my father's right. My mother and sister settled in on the other side of him. The rest of the bystanders took their seats and gave us nervous glances as they settled down.

     The Barcelona team hadn't arrived yet, so we all patiently waited in our seats. Sofia fidgeted with the hem of her shirt nervously.

     Just as I thought they would never show up, the doors opened, and a group of men in black suits arrived. They had sunglasses on, covering their dark eyes. As the group of them parted, the players all emerged in a line. Some of them were wearing suits; others were wearing basic white t-shirts with their team number.

     Everyone applauded, so I did too. Sofia whooped and cheered, and my mother and father smiled lovingly at her.

     The players took their assigned seats at a table near to ours. I caught Gavi's eye and immediately looked away. I was surprised to see that his blonde fish-lips girlfriend wasn't with him, since most of the other players had brought their girlfriends and wives.

     I wondered if he knew about the rumors like I did. There was no way he didn't.

     "Welcome everybody!" My father boomed. I hadn't even seen him take the stage and grab the microphone. I was too busy looking at Gavi. Yuck.

     People applauded, and I couldn't help but do so also. He talked for a bit, inviting all of the Barcelona players to take the stage. He thanked them for our jerseys and applauded their performance the other evening. 

     The whole group of them took their places on the stage, waiting to shake hands with us. Me and Sofia rose to our feet, our mother following us. Sofia was first to walk through the line of players. She shook each of their hands, the longest lingering look on her face when she saw João Felix. He didn't look too amused.

     I took the stage quietly, moving my way through the line. Everyone had a firm handshake, even the young kids. I was quite pleased.

     Of course, Gavi was the last player I had to shake hands with. His eyes met mine, and I tried to keep my eyes down. As soon as our hands locked, I heard cameras clicking all over the room. Great, more to add to the media rumors.

     His hands were warm. Almost comforting.

     After I realized what I was thinking, I pulled away and wiped my hand on my white jeans. Bad move.

     Our eyes lingered for another second before I exited off of the stage.

     We were dismissed to go eat and mingle with the others. Me and Sofia made our way to the table of food. There were delicious pieces of bread and fresh fruit. We both took a plate and ate it hungrily.

     We were forced to take more pictures with the players and our jerseys. Sofia seemed to be enjoying it. A lot more than I was, that was for sure.

     I hoped that today proved me and Gavi weren't dating to the media. We had never formally met until today. It was only a handshake. A simple gesture that meant barely nothing, right?

INSTAGRAM

princess.leonorrr

Tagged: infanta.sofia

Tagged: pablogavi19 and infanta.sofia

Caption: great day to see the Barca players🇪🇸❤️

Liked by pablogavi19, infanta.sofia, gioreyna, Chloe.ortolano, pedriii and others

View Comments

username: our girl is GLOWING😻🪞

username: u and Sofia are gorgggg

username: the jerseys omg

username: THE WAY GAVI IS LOOKING AT HER😍😍

↳username: omllll fr

pablogavi19: glad you like the jerseys!😘

↳username: hold uppp

username: guys they're in love💗

username: best couple fr

username: prince Gavi

username: omgggggg

gioreyna: Gavi my man‼️

Chloe.ortolano: so pretty girls🤩

infanta.sofia: bad picture of me Leonor📸

 ↳princess.leonorrr: doesn't exist

Love this chapter I told u guys they would meet

I can't believe the two of them met in real life after the euros omg the way he looks at her, that boy is soooooooo in love