Madrid

Raúl

I park in front of the house, on the other side of the driveway, and watch in front of me a row of cars much better than mine, probably my teammates’ cars. I look at those cars, and I remember Tomás saying the other day, in the locker room, “You need to change cars, this one has done its job. You need a more powerful and more attractive car, my friend!” I don’t see a problem with my car, but according to Tomás, it’s already old and doesn’t attract women. I have a great passion for this car, I bought it when I signed my first professional contract, and besides, the woman I want doesn’t seem to care much about it, so for me, it’s just a big nonsense, but for my colleagues of club seems to be something very important.

I get out of the car, cross the street, go up some steps to the entrance, which is between a large expanse of grass, I notice some people in front of the house, it has a rustic appearance with its stone facade, it reminds of those old castles with huge glazed windows. I arrive in front of a huge wooden door, and before ringing the bell I am greeted by the owner of the house, who looks at me a little awkwardly.

– Raul? I thought you weren’t coming, when they told me from the concierge that you were waiting for authorization, I didn’t believe it! He says and taps my shoulder.

– I had a few things to take care of, but I thought it would be nice to stop by your party and…

– Come in, man. Feel free, okay?

– Thanks! Do you know if Tomás has arrived yet?

– He was by the pool, talking to some guys on the team.

I enter, walk through a huge room and at the end I see a large glass door open, and I recognize my friend among other guys on the team.

Alana

Honestly, I’m not interested in going to this party, for two reasons: first, it’s a Real player’s party, and second, I’ll meet Raúl there. The last reason is making me nervous, I don’t want to see him. The idea of using Raúl to make Dani jealous is pointless, and I still don’t know what to do, and maybe Edu is right. My friends already decided to go to the party, in fact, Edu convinced Babi, and then me, and now, chattering in Babi’s car non-stop.

– Oh, girls… Am I the only one thinking that tonight promises, or are you feeling the same way too?

– You know what I think? This is madness! Where was my head when I agreed to go to a party where most people are football players? If my mother finds out, she will kill me…

– Stop being dramatic, Babi! – Says Ed.

– Calm down, it’s not like that either! – You talk as if they were criminals… And… – I say trying to appease Babi’s pessimism.

– Lana, I’m sorry! I know who Dani is, there’s also Raúl. They’re football players, they’re cool… And all, but we know the fame that a career like that brings!

– I understand you, but not everyone is the same and…

– Girls, let’s stop! – Today we’re going to have fun… Babi, you sound like your mother talking, all full of prejudice! – Edu exclaims and looks at Babi, who doesn’t take his eyes off the road.

It doesn’t take long until we reach the house described by Edu’s Afair . Babi parks on the other side, both sides of the street are already crowded with cars, mostly imported. Before leaving, Edu and Babi review their appearance, he looks in the car mirror, and she in a small makeup case. I always thought the two of them were so handsome, Edu with that tanned skin, black hair and a slight topknot, his eyes the same color as his locks, a wide smile between his full lips, and a wide nose. Babi always reminded me of a fairy tale princess, with that long, naturally red hair, green eyes and white skin, thin, slightly pink lips.

As soon as we rang the bell, we are greeted by a tall, blond, blue-eyed boy who wears a black tank top, giving visibility to his strong, tattooed arms, with designs that I don’t understand. As soon as we introduce ourselves, he informs us that he owns the house. Diego doesn’t take his eyes off Babi, as soon as he looks at me, or at Edu, I feel that my friend is a little uncomfortable by his constant gaze.

– Come in and make yourself comfortable! Barbara, do you want a drink? – Diego speaks.

– No, thank you! I just arrived and…

– Do you want to see my house? We can talk…

– Which way is the bathroom? – She’s not feeling very well, is she Barbara?

The bathroom was the excuse I came up with to get Babi out of that tight skirt, because Diego seemed very interested in her, and I don’t know if he just wanted to talk, and Babi doesn’t seem to want to go easy on him. He showed us the bathroom next to the pool.

The pool is full of people, both on the edge and in it, people seem to have a lot of fun. We walk among them, I feel out of place in that place, the loud sound touches something I can’t understand. I see some doors ahead, I think they are bathrooms, Babi drags us there.

– I do not want to stay here!

– Babi, stop being soft! Diego stayed in his own way, stop being an idiot, he’s going to stay like this from zero to zero, until when? Go there and give them some kisses, a really nice make-out, they won’t kill you, no! – Ed speaks firmly.

– Edu leaves Babi alone! She’s not obligated to be with whoever she doesn’t want, what if that guy wants something more, and she doesn’t?

– Lana, don’t you feed this chronic fear that Babi has of approaching men since…

– Edu, you don’t need to remind me of that! – Babi speaks gruffly.

Babi stares at him, and then turns to the mirror, looks at herself, lost in thought, I look at her black dress, she pulls it lower. Me and Edu just look at her without saying anything, I decide to do the same as her, I look at my clothes, a black skirt, a little short and round, and a white blouse, with very thin straps. While Babi and I pretend to analyze our clothes and heels, Edu and his impatience get us out of this moment.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

– Girls, are you serious? – Are we going to stand here like three crazy people, looking at our clothes because you don’t have the courage to face the people in the pool?

– That’s not it, Ed!

– Look at that, Lana! You can’t speak for Babi, at least she has a trauma from the past, don’t you! You’ve been holding on for years to a feeling that doesn’t exist, and when a guy comes along who likes you, what do you do?

– Edu, you’re my friend, but you don’t have the right to tell me what to do, or who I should be interested in…

– Lana, I… – Before he can finish, I open the bathroom door and step outside.

Edu thinks he owns the truth, he doesn’t have the right to say what he said, let alone determine my choices, and treat me like I’m a crazy person who doesn’t know what I want out of life. I know what I feel, and what I don’t feel. I’ve been harboring a feeling for years that I never had the courage to live, and this story with Raúl may have left me even more lost, but my friend said things that made me tired. I walk among people, looking for the exit, and I’m so lost in thought, I can’t see anything, or anyone, until I bump into someone whose back is.

– Sorry, I didn’t… – Before I can finish, the person turns to me and asks.

– Lana? What do you do here? – I can’t believe it, I could meet anyone but who I didn’t want to meet!

He looks at me in a way that makes me embarrassed, and I end up losing even his eyes, which seem greener than usual, I don’t know what’s happening to me, naturally, I would never notice him, but today, there’s something different In him, I don’t know if it’s the hair falling over his face, the stubble, the white T-shirt that shows off his muscles, or the slightly tight jeans that show the shape of his thighs. What’s happening to me? I bite my bottom lip, and decide to talk to him, by the look in his eyes, he realizes that I analyze him.

– Raúl… How nice to see you here!

– I say the same, I never imagined meeting you here, did you come with someone?

– Yes. With Edu and Babi… They’re out there!

I talk trying to sound as natural as possible, but it’s hard to pretend that nothing has happened, even though I like Dani, somehow I don’t know how, but that day in my room, his kisses on my neck, his arm holding me tight. an overwhelming firmness, her perfume, all this moved me.

– Want me to get you something?

– No, you don’t have to, I ‘m on my way out… Yeah…

– Are you going with someone?

I don’t have much time to answer, I just feel someone pushing me, I’m not sure, but I lose my balance, and I imagine falling into the pool, and before I fall, Raúl grabs me by the waist and brings me close to him, pulling us away from the edge. the pool. I feel something strange when I realize that my body is pressed against his, our faces are just inches apart. I look, but I don’t recognize him, something is different, I don’t know if it’s him or me. Vulnerability takes over me. He decides to break those seconds of silence, and whispers in my ear words that disturb me.

– Calm down, sweetheart!