Chapter 2
The week of training had been intense.
An Él clássico was approaching, and Romeu was making sure all the girls were physically and mentally prepared, even if it meant pushing them to the brink with his bizarre ideas about team dY/namics.
Y/n wanted to win the game, of course, but she also wanted to keep all her limbs.
When Alexia and Y/n arrived at training–without any fighting, miraculously– they were quickly separated by the assistant coach into two teams: seniors and youngsters.
“What is he doing?” Vicky whispered to Y/n as they made their way to the left side of the pitch. “I bought new training boots, tio [bro], I wanted to use them for, you know…football, not this.”
“I have no idea,” Y/n replied. “He always comes up with the most absurd ideas ever known to mankind, or well, manager kind.”
“Guys, guys!”
Y/n and Vicky turned around at the sound of Jana’s voice. She was walking towards them, her ponytail swishing with each step she took on the grass.
However, it was the girl on Jana’s side that caught Y/n’s attention.
Kika.
She had the same sweet smile on her face as she always did. People might expect Kika to be tired by now; it was Friday and she had completed her first full week at Barcelona, but instead of tired, she seemed excited and full of energy.
The whole team had warmed up to her already, even Alexia. Y/n had noticed the other day how Kika and Alexia had a cordial and amicable conversation in the changing room.
It was something about Alexia wanting to learn Portuguese–Alexia had never mentioned this desire to learn another language to Y/n.
“I think we’re doing a tug of war,” Jana said, a mischievous glint in her brown eyes.
“What?!” Y/n and Vicky said in unison.
Romeu was known for creating…unique training methods. Most of them had weird rules and were very physically demanding, but tug of war? That was–peculiar– even for Romeu.
“How the hell would tug of war help us in anything?” Vicky asked exasperated.
“We’re just going to get burns on our hands,” Y/n muttered, facepalming. “Now it’s a good time to pretend to have cramps or what?”
Kika chuckled at Y/n’s remark, which brought Y/n’s attention back to the Portuguese girl.
She had a pretty smile, and a cute laugh as well.
“Kika said she saw the biggest rope in Romeu’s office, and that he was searching about how the tug of war could be beneficial to other sports,” Jana explained, placing her hand on Kika’s shoulder, who leaned into the touch.
Hmm, okay.
Y/n shifted the weight between her feet, trying to suppress the uncomfortable feeling in her chest. It looked like Kika was really settling in.
“What were you doing in Romeu's office?” Vicky asked, raising an eyebrow.
“He called me to talk about how my first week went,” Kika replied.
The conversation was cut short when Romeu walked onto the pitch. And it looked like Kika was right after all.
Romeu had the largest rope Y/n had ever seen. All the other girls were staring at it weirdly, wide-eyed.
“Alright, girls! Today we’re doing tug of w–”
“Why?” Y/n interrupted, deadpan.
“Huh?” Romeu asked, raising an eyebrow while turning to Y/n. The large rope on his hand made the scene look…comical, to say the least.
“Why are we doing this? Does it have a real benefit?”
Romeu was silent for a moment, not used to the players questioning him.
“Hm, yes, Y/n.” He said. “It’ll make the team grow closer together, it’ll tighten the bond you all have with each other.”
“Why tug of war, though,” Jana asked, clearly confused. “Is this supposed to make us stronger or just humiliate us?”
“You guys will have to work together as a team,” Romeu explained. “And it’ll be fun, trust me, no humiliat–”
“I don’t think it’s fun,” Vicky said bluntly. “Does anyone think it’s fun? To pull a rope around and what? Laugh at the team that loses?”
“Yeah, it seems boring,” Pina chimed in.
“We could just play volleyball if we’re trying to build team spirit,” Vicky suggested.
“Or we could just play football,” Y/n added with a shrug before looking at her arms disappointed. “I’ve got the upper body strength of a noodle, this isn’t gonna end well.”
“I’m with Y/n on this one,” Pina agreed, leaning in on Patri, who also nodded in agreement.
Jana raised her hand like she had a better idea. “Oh, we could also–”
“Do you girls want to go back to La Masia?” Romeu interrupted, emotionless.
The four girls immediately shut their mouths and shook their heads.
“If you’ve got better ideas, you can coach next week,” he muttered. “Kids…”
Y/n rolled her eyes but stayed quiet, listening as he explained the dY/namics of the game.
She was zooming out when she felt a sharp tug on her ear.
“Stop talking back to Romeu,” Alexia whispered, a typical frown on her face.
The girls were too busy listening to the instructions to hear their conversation. Thank God, Y/n didn’t want everybody to hear her getting lectured by Alexia…again.
“Stop tugging my ear like I'm five!” y/n hissed back.
“Stop acting like you’re five,” Alexia replied. “I know it’s hard for you, but try, yeah?”
“Why don't you tug Vicky's ear too?” y/n asked annoyed. “She’s just as bad as me.”
“Because I didn’t practically raise Vicky like I did you,” Alexia said, smirking slightly. “Be on your good behaviour, please.”
Y/n turned to Romeu and the group, making sure they were all too absorbed in the tug-of-war thing before turning back around to face Alexia.
“Ale, come on,” Y/n said. “Don’t make a deal about it.”
“Managers are supposed to be respected,” Alexias said, ignoring Y/n, with a tone that made it clear she was serious.
Alexia was the perfect little player. She always trusted her manager, always listened to them, and always made sure to be the best captain and athlete for them, especially for Romeu.
It wasn’t that Y/n was impolite to Romeu or any other manager she had, it just was that she didn’t put them on the same pedestal that Alexia did.
Y/n didn’t see a problem in questioning Romeu, but Alexia felt like she was the only one allowed to do that, or else, it was disrespectful.
“I didn't disrespect him! Why are you bothering me about it, tio?” Y/n argued.
“You know he’ll bench you if he doesn’t like your attitude,” Alexia said quietly. “I want you on the pitch, not sitting on the sideline.”
Y/n’s heart softened at her words, but she still didn’t like how Alexia tugged at her ear like she was a kid.
But Alexia was right–only this time, though. She needed to be on Romeu's good side to play one of the most important games of the season.
Last month Patri said something to Romeu that he didn’t like and she was benched for two whole games. Y/n didn't want to end up like that, especially with El Clássico approaching.
“Okay,” Romeu said, clapping his hand. “Split yourself into those two teams I talked about, seniors take the right end of the rope, youngsters, the left.
“Aitana, you stay with the seniors,” Romeu said, pointing at Alexia, Marta and other players.
Aitana looked at him confused. “But Ona is with the youngest and we’re just months apart.”
“The classification is based on who has more back pain and who forgets where they put their keys,” Vicky teased.
Aitana gave her a blank stare while the whole team laughed.
“Right, so I’m basically a walking cane now,” Aitana said dryly, crossing her arms as she started to walk to the other side.
Alexia greeted her with open arms, a victorious smile on her face, even though the teams hadn’t even started the game.
“She’s really like a big sister to you,” Y/n heard Kika’s voice behind her. “Oh–sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude on your conversation,” Kika said laughing nervously. “I just– I overheard it.”
“Yeah, she’s…too much sometimes,” Y/n said with a small, amused smile before preparing for the tug of war.
Kika positioned herself directly in front of Y/n.
And then it began.
Both groups were pulling the rope with everything they had.
Y/n’s fingers were burning from the friction, but what was really burning was the spot on her thigh where Kika’s leg was pressing against her.
Kika was directly in front of her– bent low to keep her foot– so in consequence, her thigh was firmly pressed against Y/n’s.
Y/n shouldn’t have worn shorts to training, she should have stuck to her leggings, or sometimes that covered more skin.
Y/n tried to ignore it.
Y/n was going to think of puppies. Flowers. Anything but Kika.
“Pull the fucking rope!” Jana’s voice barked from behind her. “Why are you letting it slip?”
Crap. She was distracted.
Kika distracted her.
Y/n gritted her teeth and pulled the rope harder. Across from her, Alexia’s face was set in that determined, slightly terrifying expression that usually meant she was winning.
But this time, La Reina lost.
When Alexia’s team hit the ground in defeat, Alexia shot up unnaturally fast, her white training kit smeared with dirt and grass. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she pointed at the younger girls.
“They cheated, Romeo!” Alexia protested furiously.
Y/n had been too busy celebrating to care about Alexia’s reaction. She hugged Vicky, and then Jana, then Ona–and finally, without thinking, she wrapped her arms around the nearest body around her.
“We did it!” Y/n said, happily, still riding the high of winning over the seniors, and especially, Alexia.
That was until she realised it.
Kika. She was hugging Kika.
Y/m froze when she realized, pulling back immediately as if she had touched something on fire.
“Oh– I'm sorry,” Y/n stammered.
“No, it's…alright,” Kika said, her voice nervous, but softer at the same time.
Kika’s ace was flushed, the redness creeping down her neck, her hands shifted at her sides, not knowing exactly what to do.
Y/n gave her an awkward smile before heading to the changing room.
That should’ve been the end of it — except when Y/n glanced back, she saw Kika laughing with Vicky and Patri, an arm draped around each of them.
Kika didn’t seem to get nervous when the other girls were around her, only when Y/n was. She didn’t seem to tense up around them.
Maybe it was something personal? Maybe Y/n made Kika feel uncomfortable somehow?
Y/n wasn’t the most charismatic person around. That’d be Vicky and Jana, but she didn't like to think her personality was prone to make others uncomfortable.
Y/n thought she was rather distant already. She didn’t fuss over anyone like Alexia did–so she thought she and Kika were okay, but seeing how Kika just looked way more at ease with the other girls left a bitter taste in Y/n’s mouth.
Yeah… Y/n needed to back off.
It wasn't the first time Kika acted nervous around Y/n.
Just yesterday Y/n asked if it was okay if she used the treadmill next to Kika at the gym and Kika began stammering.
Was Y/n that unbearable to be around?
It wasn’t like she wanted Kika to be nervous and uncomfortable around the other girls. She just wished Kika could.
Maybe be more at ease with her, too?
..
That doubt lingered in Y/n’s mind as she poked at food later in Barcelona’s restaurant. Marta and Aitana were chatting away, but Y/n couldn’t focus.
The stranger feeling in her chest–one that she couldn’t put a name in–was too loud.
Y/n was pulled out of her thoughts when Alexia sat down by her side, putting her plate–filled with greens– on the table and grumbling under her breath.
“What?” Aitana asked.
“Just… the tug of war was so unfair and–”
“Déu meu,” [Oh my god] Y/n muttered as she pushed her chair back, grabbing her plate.
“Estrellita, where are you going?”
Y/n rolled her eyes at the nickname. How many times will she have to ask Alexa not to call her that?
“Eat in peace.”
“What do you mean?” Alexia challenged. “Do I disturb your peace?”
“Every day,” Y/n shot back.
She heard Alexia mumble something about how Y/n still hadn't lost the teenager's moodiness but ignored her. She just wanted to find a new table.
Unfortunately, every spot was taken–except one.
Kika's.
She was sitting alone, though she didn't seem to mind.
Y/n hesitate. She wasn’t about to pull an ‘Alexia’ and invade Kika’s space.
But then–
Kika waved.
Y/n blinked confused, Maybe it was for somebody else. She looked at her left, then at her right.
Kika continued to wave.
Y/n furrowed her eyebrows and looked behind her.
“You are hopeless,” Alexia muttered, pointing at Kika. “Don't you see Kika waving at you? Go sit down!”
Before Y/n could process it, Alexia gave her a light shove in Kika’s direction.
Y/n found herself standing awkwardly in front of Kika’s table, unsure what to do with her hands.
“Hi?” She tried.
“Hi,” Kika smiled.
They were in silence.
“Do…do you wanna sit?” Kika asked nervously.
There it was again– that nervousness. Yep, Y/n was definitely making her uncomfortable, no doubts about that now.
Maybe Kika was just being polite and offering a seat because she felt bad watching Y/n standing in the middle of the restaurant.
“No, it's okay,” Y/n said quickly.
“Oh, are you sure?” Kika asked, looking around. “All the other tables are full.”
Okay. So it was just pity.
“Hmm,” Y/n looked at the free chair in front of her, not really sure about what to do…eating while standing up seemed pathetic, even for her.
“I can eat standing up with you, if you want” Kika offered, saying, already moving her plate.
“Oh no! I’ll– I’ll just sit,” Y/n blurted, hurriedly sliding into the seat before Kika could follow through. “Here. I’ll sit here.
Kika's expression faltered a bit.
Yep, she definitely did not want Y/n there.
It was like one of those moments when you offer someone food–to be polite–and they actually say yes.
It wasn’t like Y/n didn’t understand it. She wasn’t the easiest person to be around. She was–in addition to other things– quiet, grumpy, maybe a little rude when she absolutely didn't mean to and when she did mean to.
And now she was sitting here, and probably bothering Kika.
Y/n shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She was going to eat fast, keep her head down, and leave before Kika could notice.
But when Y/n looked up, Kika was eating normally, seemingly unfazed, almost as if Y/n wasn’t there.
Y/n decided to follow Kika’s lead and appreciate the amazing fish Barcelona’s cook had prepared.
The silence between them stretched on, heavy and awkward.
Y/n was good at silence, the best ever. She could be quiet for hours without a problem.
But in some way, being in silence in Kika’s presence felt…wrong.
“So…how’s your day been?” Y/n asked, trying to steer some conversation. Asking about Kika’s day was good, casual, safe territory.
Although she pretty much spent the whole day with Kika, she knew almost everything that had happened. Next time she should try asking about the weather.
used to everything here.”
Y/n nodded, offering a small smile pressed in a tight line on the lips.
Before she could respond, Kika reached for her glass of water, but her hand slipped, and the glass tipped over, spilling water all over the table and onto Y/n’s lap.
Kika’s face flushed red immediately. "Oh no! I’m so sorry, I–”
Kika quickly grabbed a napkin and started dabbing furiously at the mess on the table. “I’m so sorry, I didn't mean to–It just–” The girl kept rambling, her words tumbling over each other as she panicked. “Do you have a change of shorts?! Merda, you can grab one of mine, no problem.” [shit]
Y/n just… stared at the whole thing for a moment. Not in a mean way, just in a–blanky way, like her brain needed a minute to process whatever had just happened…because of course, this would happen today.
Right at the moment that she was having some–very minor–success in trying to socialise with other people the universe decided to pour cold water on her, literally.
“It’s okay,” Y/n muttered after a few seconds, barely loud enough for Kika to hear. Y/n wasn’t sure what she could say, she never spilt her drinks or anyone or had anyone do it to her…and it really was okay. It was only water.
Should Y/n…take more napkins? They were all in Kika’s hand already. Should she get up now? Maybe grab a towel in the kitchen to dry the table? Oh that would be a good idea, maybe Y/n could grab more napkins while she was in the kitchen and–
“I’m such an idiot,” Kika mumbled under her breath.
“No you’re not,” Y/n said quickly, too quickly.
Y/n bit her lip, feeling like she already said too much. She wasn’t the best at comforting people, and knowing her luck, she shouldn’t even try to comfort Kika, she would probably make her feel worse.
She always seemed uneasy around y/n, especially now.
Kika turned away her attention from the table to Y/n’s legs. She started at Y/n’s tights, and then at the napkins on her hands, and then at Y/n’s leg again. She took a step closer and nervously began drying Y/n’s shorts–and bits of her skin.
Y/n’s breath got caught up in her mouth. She just…froze, again. Kika rubbed the rough material of the cheap napkin against shorts, but the fabric had already absorbed most of the water, so it felt like Kika was drying–y/n’s skin?
“Hey, it’s okay,” Y/n said firmly, reaching out to grab Kika’s wrists before she could rub another napkin into her skin. They kinda burned.
Kika froze instantly, her hand still hovering just above Y/n’s leg. Her fingers twitched while holding the napkins, almost as if she wasn’t sure whether to pull away or insist on drying Y/n off.
Then Kika looked up, her brown eyes wide and startled, and for a moment she just…stared.
Y/n, as a great connoisseur of social interaction, stared back, slightly pressing her hands against Kika’s wrists.
Her skin was soft and warm, and Y/n liked it. It feels comforting to touch it.
“I should, hm–” Kika stammered, yanking her wrists away from Y/n and moving too fast and nearly knocking Y/n’s glass off the table in the process. “I-I will..grab more napkins.”
“Yeah, right,” Y/n nodded, stiffly, watching as Kika hurried off like she was running from her. Again.
Y/n stabbed the piece of fish with her fork bitterly, not caring about how wet her tights were. She only cared about how Kika hurried off like she couldn't get fast enough.
In the end, Y/n didn’t see Kika for the rest of the day. She wasn’t training at the pitch in the afternoon, but Y/n didn’t know why.
So she asked around, very casually, about the missing girl.
At first, she tried Vicky and Jana.
“Hi,” Y/n said, leaning in one of the lockers while Jana changed her shirt and Vick did her hair. “How was lunch? Didn’t see you guys at the restaurant.”
“We went to that Italian place I told you about,” Jana said while bending down to fix her boots. “The one you said was way overpriced and that you’d never go?”
Y/n rolled her eyes at Jana’s comment. Y/n didn't like to go out much, not even with her friends — she just liked to play football and go home. Vicky understood that better than Jana. Jana’s love language was quality time or something like that.
“But it was good,” Jana added, “I ordered caprese salad and Vicky had some fettuccine alfredo.”
“Hmm,” Y/n said, trying to sound disinterested.
“Why do I think you only asked about our lunch because you want something?” Vicky asked. “What is it? Just say it.”
“Have you–like–seen Kika?” Y/n asked, playing with her hair and not making eye contact, “I’m just curious, haven’t seen her around for some time.”
Vicky and Jana shared a look Y/n couldn’t quite decode.
“We haven’t seen her since the tug of war earlier,” Jana said, smiling at her. “But maybe she’s at physio?”
“Yeah, I don’t know either.”
Y/n mumbled something that sounded like a thank you and left the room.
She needed someone nosy, someone who was always in other people’s business.
And that’s when she saw Aitana and Alexia at the pitch, both stretching their legs while having a conversation.
Without thinking too much, Y/n casually walked over, positioned herself next to them and started to stretch, trying to look as nonchalant as possible while awkwardly pulling her thigh up against her body.
“Estrellita, hi!” Aitana said smiling. “What do you want?” Aitana was always straightforward.
“What? Can’t I just hang out with my lovely teammates?” Y/n said, voice just a little too casual.
Aitana raised an eyebrow while Alexia looked amused.
“Well–” Y/n said, looking at the two girls. She couldn’t be as honest as Aiatana, so she had to…play around a little bit. “I was wondering about our schedule for the day.”
“Schedule?” Alexia asked, confused. “What schedule? We do the same thing every day: gym, training, lunch, training, go home.”
“Hm, right,” Y/n said. “But it's not always the same for every player.”
“Yeah, that’s why they send us our own weekly calendar,” Aitana pointed out, her tone suspicious.
“Are you looking for someone?” Alexia asked, a knowing smile on her lips.
“What?! No of course not,” Y/n said way too fast. “Why would you think that? I’m just trying to have a conversation here…”
“Right,” Aitana said suspiciously, dragging out the word like she didn’t believe her for a second.
“Well, if you happen to be looking for someone–” Alexia said, “And that someone happens to be the new Portuguese girl, just know that she’s doing some media training for the rest of the day.”
Alexia winked at her.
Y/n felt her face heat up instantly. Great. Just great. Without saying a word, she turned on her heel and stormed off, nearly tripping over her own shoelace in the process. ‘Perfect’, she thought, scowling. ‘Now I look like an idiot on top of everything else.’
..
“Fix your face,” Y/n muttered while sitting on the passenger seat, Alexia by her side, hands on the wheel as she started the car.
“I’ll fix mine when you fix yours,” Alexia grumbled back, in the same tone as Y/n.
They were in silence.
Y/n hummed through the songs playing on the radio while Alexia had a frown on her face, her lips in a tight line.
“I just think it’s unfair, Estrelitta,” Alexia stated after 14 minutes of no talking–Y/n counted, it was the closest she got to heaven.
“What?” Y/n asked as they drove through the park Alexia used to take her to train a few years ago when she still was a teen.
It was a good memory.
“That you guys cheated!” Alexia snapped.
“Déu meu, Alexia,” y/n said as she considered throwing herself out of the moving vehicle. “How can you cheat at fucking tug of war, Alexia?!”
“Okay, first: language,” Alexia said sternly, “Second, you can cheat by using magnesium to get a better grip on the rope.”
Alexia said magnesium in the same tone someone would disclose a big, juicy, secret.
“And where do you think we would find magnesium,” Y/n asked exasperated, she tried to be a chill person but Alexia really brought out the worst in her. “We’re footballers not fucking Rebeca Andrade e Simone Biles.”
Y/n made sure Alexia saw her rolling her eyes, to get her point across.
“I saw something white on Jana’s hand,” Alexia continued. “Maybe she got it from someone else…do you happen to know any gymnast?”
“Do I look like I know a lot of people to you?” Y/n asked impatiently. “Better yet a gymnast…? You sound like you would prefer Jana to have cocaine on her hands rather than magnesium. Chill, Ale.”
Alexia never dropped an argument, never.
Y/n learned to deal with this by simply walking away. She wasn’t one of those people who always needed to be right, but Alexia was.
Unfortunately, Y/n couldn’t walk away from a moving car.
Alexia did not stop complaining though.
Alexia moaned for 9 minutes straight–y/n counted, again – about the tug-of-war thing. Y/n was going to burn the fucking rope next time she was at the training centre so Romeu would never bring it up.
When Alexia brought up her hallucination about Jana using magnesium for the eleventh time, Y/n decided it was enough.
Y/n had a bad day.
Kika had been acting weird around her while acting normal and friendly with the other girls. She got all wet at the restaurant because Kika spilt water on her–not that she was mad at the girl. And to top it all off, Y/n made a lot of mistakes during the afternoon sessions.
The only–small–victory of her day was the stupid tug of war, and Alexia was taking that away from that by being a whiner.
“Alexia! Please, shut up,” Y/n snapped, turning her torso to stare at Alexia, who seemed to cough off guard by Y/n’s sudden shift in attitude.
Moments ago she was just listening to it. Her usual grumpy face. But now? Now she was mad.
“I really don’t know how Olga can deal with you,” Y/n continued. “You’re impossible to put up with! It was a game, Ale! A game! Get over it.”
They had finally arrived home and Alexia turned off the car before she turned to Y/n, anger on her face.
“At least, I have someone to put up with me,” Alexia said as she got out of the car, slamming the door shut.
Y/n mouth was agape. “And I bet Olga has to really try because you’re annoying as fuck!”
Y/n followed Alexia inside the house, making sure to slam the car door even harder. When Alexia opened the door, they continued their yelling.
Olga who was lying on the sofa in her pyjamas couldn’t understand a thing of what was happening and why the two women were yelling at each other.
Alexia threw her training bag on the floor. “I’m annoying but at least somebody loves me!” Alexia said angrily. “I'm not angry and cranky all the time like you are.”
Alexia’s words felt like a slap to her face.
Y/n froze, staring at Alexia, not knowing what to say, not knowing what to do. Especially because, deep down, and given her history, it was true.
Y/n’s parents had sent Y/n off to live with someone they didn't know when she was only fourteen. Laura, her ex-girlfriend, had only been with her for the money.
“Alexia!” Olga sternly said, getting up from the sofa quickly.
If Y/n wasn’t so upset by what Alexia had just said, she would have laughed at the way Olga tugged at Alexia’s ear–the same way Alexia did to her–while giving her a full lecture about empathy.
Unfortunately, the damage was done.
She quickly took her training bag and made her way to her room, ignoring the way Alexia and Olga were calling for her.
..
Hours had passed, maybe two, maybe more.
Y/n had already taken a shower and changed into comfy clothes. She decided she was going to take the sadness away.
She was lying on her bed, her face buried in her pillow when she heard a soft knock on her door. Y/n didn’t answer, hoping whoever it was would just leave her alone.
“Y/n,” Olga’s voice called softly before she opened the door anyway. Typical.
“I brought you some water,” Olga said, setting the glass on Y/n’s nightstand before sitting on the edge of the bed. “Also thought about bringing some chocolate, but I was scared you would…throw it at my head”
Despite herself, Y/n let out a chuckle against the pillow.
“There she is,” Olga said with a smile. “Look, I know Alexia’s a complete idiot sometimes and what she said earlier…”
Y/n tensed, her smile disappearing as she pressed her face closer to the pillow. It was like if she couldn’t see Olga, then Olga wouldn't see her as well.
“She didn’t mean it like that,” Olga said quietly. “I know it sounded bad — like really bad — but she was angry, and you know how her mouth runs faster than her brain sometimes, well, most of the time.”
Y/n swallowed hard, her throat tightening.
“She’s not wrong, though,” Y/n muttered, her voice muffled. “At least she has people who care about her– her parents, her sisters…you.”
“You really believe that? That you don’t have people who love you?” Olga asked, her voice softer now. “Because if you do… then you’re more oblivious than I thought.”
Y/n turned her head slightly, just enough to see Olga sitting beside her on the mattress, her eyebrows furrowed in concern.
“You think Alexia doesn’t care about you?” Olga continued, looking at Man's face, her wide eyes reminding her of when Y/n was just a kid. “That I don’t? That the girls don’t? Even Alexia’s family treat you as their own, Cariño.”
“That’s different,” Y/n said quietly.
“It’s not,” Olga insisted. “I know things haven’t been easy for you… with your parents, with…” she hesitated, “…with Laura. But you’re not alone, Y/n. Maybe your family doesn’t look the way you thought it would, but you have one. And Alexia? She’s part of it — whether you like it or not.”
“She’s just... bad at showing it sometimes,” Olga added. “But if there’s one thing I know, it’s that you’re family to her and that she loved you very much and–”
Olga smiled sweetly. “ And I know that I love you very, very, much.”
Y/n finally turned her head completely to Olga, no longer hiding half of it on the pillow.
“She has a funny way of showing it,” Y/n muttered. “We just…fight all the time.”
“She just... she says stupid things when she’s pissed off,” Olga said, a sad smile on her face. “But if there’s one thing I know, it’s that she’d do anything for you.
Y/n blinked quickly, trying to fight the stinging in her eyes. “She's annoying, though.”
“Yeah,” Olga chuckled lightly. “She’s Alexia. Being annoying is part of the package–it’s her charm.”
Y/n let out a small, tired smile.
“I’ve already talked to her,” Olga said more seriously. “But if you want, I can give her the same lecture again in front of you.”
Olga sat close to Y/n, her hands caressing her scalp. Y/n let her do it. It felt good. Comforting.
“I would love that more than anything,” Y/n said teasingly, but Olga knew her and could tell Y/n still wasn’t okay.
Alexia’s words had stung her– badly.
“Do you want me to go?” Olga asked softly, her finger still running gently through Y/n’s hair. “Or to stay? It’s up to you. Alexia’s sleeping on the couch either way.”
Y/n smiled at Olga.
She thought about saying no, about curling back into her own thoughts and just…trying to get back on track on her own. But decided against it.
“You can stay…if you want to,” Y/n mumbled, changing her gaze from Olga to the mattress. “Only if you don't mind tough.”
“I would love to stay here with you, cariño.” Olga shifted her position so she could get more comfortable, her back against the headboard while Y/n lay by her side, her hands never leaving Y/n’s hair.
It was quiet. Y/n liked quiet–except if it was with a certain Portuguese girl–but here with Olga, it felt comfortable, almost motherly.
Y/N's breathing slowed, and she felt her eyes heavier and a slight pain behind them. Y/n let herself fall asleep.
She heard Olga saying something, but she couldn’t remember it when she woke up the next day.