Let's Do What Lovers Do

It was Friday afternoon and Natalia Pereira did not want to be in class. Unfortunately she was in her last class of the day at four in the afternoon doodling all over her notebook because she didn't really want to pay attention in her theatre class. It was just so boring...she never really knew why she showed up to class since it was basically a self-grade. He gave them a sheet of paper to fill out with their attendance and test grades. His words were, "you may take the test until you get a perfect score, so please. Take the test as many times as you can." She only showed up so she could work on other homework that she knew she was not going to do over the weekend. She sighed as she finally had a free weekend that she didn't need to do homework seeing as her graduation time was coming up quickly. Only a year and three more weeks and she would be walking the walk to get her diploma in communications. She just loved talking to people and socializing with journalists.

Her hand continued to doodle over her paper as she began to think about a certain Spaniard that she couldn't really get out of her head. It was just something that started happening a lot lately, specially since he stayed the night over. When they both had woken up from their slumber he said he had to go to his house and get ready to be at the hospital all day with his sister. Natalia only nodded as she asked him who was going to take him home and he said that his mom was picking him up. "What a nice lady." Was all Natalia could tell him. As they made their way into the kitchen so she could at least give him a cup of orange juice or something his phone rang. It was his mom so he had to go. Natalia walked him out and gave him a hug. "I'll call you soon." He told her as he kissed her cheek. She nodded.

Natalia couldn't really believe that she fell asleep in her jeans and shirt, but then again it wasn't really that hard since Cesc was easy to be comfortable with. Way to dangerously easy. Apparently the time had gone by so fast that the class was already over and she was packing her things up as the teacher dismissed them. Her blue orbs looked at her cellphone when she put her stuff in her bag and saw that she had two missed calls. One from Piqué and one from Cesc. What where those two up to? Quickly she speed dialed her cousin as she walked out of the classroom passing by numerous people that smiled at her. She could only guess because it was Friday. "Halo?" Her cousin said as she was out of the building now.
"You rang?" She asked him as she walked to her car.
"Yes. Good news, Carlota woke up! She is going home today as the doctors said that everything is fine and she remembers everything that happened."
"Oh thanks goodness! I bet Cesc and family are really excited!" Natalia smiled.
"Yes, yes they are. They're throwing her a welcome back party tonight at their place. If you want we can go together. Cesc's mom invited me and you." Piqué said and she could definitely tell that he implied that she should be invited, but she didn't mind; Cesc's family seemed really polite and kind.
"I suppose I can do that." Natalia said sternly as she put the car in reverse.
"Okay. I'll pick you up around seven."
"Sounds like a plan. See you later." Natalia hung up the phone and decided that she would call Cesc when she got home so she could plan out her outfit and whatnot since this is the first impression to his sister and from what she has gathered, Cesc's sister is a very important person in his life.
She drove home as fast as she could so she could call Spain's number ten since he had called her but missed the call due to her being in class. "Hey mom, hey dad." She said as she whizzed by them to go to her room so she could pick out an outfit for this gathering that was soon happening. Natalia had about two hours to get ready which was more than enough time, she just wanted to have something ready so she could put it on when she was done with dinner and things. Quickly going over to her closet and looking she looked for Cesc's number in her contacts and pressed call on her phone. Ring, ring, ring. Once, twice, three times. As she was about to hang up his voice filled the other end, "hola?"
"Cesc." Natalia breathed.
"Natalia. So, my sister woke up...and we're throwing her a welcome back party and I was just letting you know that you have to be present before she gets here." Francesc Fábregas chuckled towards Natalia.
"Yes Capitán. Gerard already informed me of such great news and I will be there. Sorry I missed your call, it's just that I was in class."
"Oh that's fine and good! Gerard knows me too well. I'll see you here then, have to get all the preparations ready and stuff."
"Sounds good to me. I'll see you soon." Natalia couldn't help but smile.

They both hung up the phone and she scanned her closet to see what she could find. Her eyes landed on a white blouse with a pair of skinny capris and some simple brown sandals that she rarely ever wore, but it was such nice weather that she couldn't resist. Smiling to herself she took out her clothes and laid them on the bed while she went to her bathroom to see what she was going to do with her hair. Before she forgot, Natalia went over to her Ipod stereo and put it on so she could have a little bit of music to accompany her in her solitude. She soon realized that she didn't really want to mess with her hair so she decided to put it up in a ponytail and just brush her long mane so make it look like something had actually been done do it..

Francesc Fábregas was in his house getting everything ready for his sister's homecoming. It had only been a day that she was in a coma, but still. It was incredible that she has recovered so fast in such little time. His mamá and papá had stayed with her when she woke up and Cesc had been at home. He wanted to surprise her because she didn't know that he was here. They told him to get a group of people to welcome her because it had been a defeat against her coma and he obliged them and even went a little overboard. Gerard had been at the house with him to help him move some furniture around so they could have more room to dance or hang out. He got her her favorite flowers which were tulips, white tulips as he also got a sign that said "welcome back." His mom said that she would get home to make her famous paella; Cesc couldn't help but smile with happiness as her words poured out of her lips because she rarely made paella, it was just something special that she saved for occasions.

The Spaniard called Carlota's close friends, specially those who knew about her car accident and told them to come over in about an hour so they could surprise her. This would be good for Carlota since she's been stressing about school a little. He smiled as he would be seeing his sister very soon and went to go take a shower for the festivities that were about to begin. The brunette man stripped his clothes off and got in the shower letting the water soothe him as his thoughts drifted off to a very bubbly and beautiful girl he had met a few months ago. Her sapphire orbs that always sparkle when she smiles and that breathtaking smile that keeps tugging at his heart every time she smiled at him. Not to mention her cheeks as they never left that rosy color that he loved so much. In a few months this woman had been able to take his mind off of Carla and it was something that he was grateful for. He had been with Carla for a long time; he might even say that she was his first love and she will always have a special place in his heart, but he had to move on. Every time that he thought about her, he would tell himself the same thing, she clearly moved on..she hasn't called ever since we broke up or anything so it's time that I do the same.
He was trying so hard to do that. It's been four months or something like that since they broke up and he just couldn't get the emotions he was feeling for her out of his system. Cesc still hasn't been able to fully move on even though he's had a lot of distractions; football being the main one. Practice and the games themselves helped him a lot since he always got so into the games that nothing could really be on his mind. Every time he got home from a match he was so physically and mentally exhausted that most days he just crashed on his bed without having to think about anything. For that he was grateful. His throat made a rumble sound as he sighed since he was thinking about what he didn't want to think about. The water felt so good against his skin that he never wanted to get out so he slowly lathered himself with soap and let the water wash away all his worries and stress; tonight it was his sister's night and he will be able to spend time with her. The Spaniard really missed his family and as of now a certain cousin of Spanish National Team's number three.

Once he was done in the shower he got a towel and dried himself before putting on his clothes. His hands found his blue jeans and a simple white t-shirt along with some white sneakers. He wrapped the towel around his torso and went to shave seeing as he was looking pretty ragged and he wasn't feeling the beard yet. Summer was about to begin and he wanted to stay as cool as possible. Cesc put on the aftershave once he finished and loved that tingling sensation he felt on his face and noticed that his face was very smooth. He finished getting ready and before he forgot, Cesc put on his manly cologne and ruffled his hair so he could finish his look. When he walked out of his room he smelled that familiar smell of spices and herbs; his mom must have gotten home and started making the paella. As his feet carried him to the kitchen he saw his mamá cooking the rice while cutting the seafood to put in the pot. His brown chocolate eyes looked at the woman who had given him life and raised him. Cesc didn't know what he would do without her; like Carlota, she had encouraged him to pursue his football career.
"Hola mamá," he said as he kissed her cheek.
"¡Hola mijo, te quedo todo tan bonito!" She gushed as she pinched Cesc's cheeks.
The Spaniard grinned as he began to help his mom cook for his sister," gracias mami. ¿Necesitamos cerveza o algun tipo de alcohol?"
"Si pero lo puedes ir a comprar cuando termines de ayudarme."
"Okay."
Cesc's mom took her chance," Natalia seems pretty nice." A smile was tugging at her lips. "She's extremely nice..." His cheeks flushed.
"Very beautiful too no?" She just loved watching him squirm; it was one of her favorite past times.
"Yes mamá, she is way too beautiful. No creo que sepa que tan linda es." Cesc said sternly almost smiling.
"Oh Cesc. It's just that you look so happy whenever she was at the hospital..." His mom told him sincerely as she got some more food out for the paella.
Cesc wasn't arguing with that, "yeah. She tends to have that effect on me."
"Carla is dating some doctor last time I heard...she clearly moved on..." she said quietly.
A sigh escaped his lips as he thought about the way she smelled when her hair was on his neck from her laying down next to him. His scars were still fresh after all this time, "that's great, as long as she's happy." He said clearly not wanting to talk about her.
"Okay, okay, I'll drop it. I promise." His mother chuckled as she noticed her son tense up at the mention of his ex. She continued to make her famous paella and it came to the point where she could handle it on her own so she sent her soon away on a beer and alcohol run so he could at least get out of the house before anybody showed up. Carlota should be arriving in the next thirty minutes to an hour so he should be back before that.

As he borrowed his mom's keys so he could drive her car to the liquor store he forgot to put on his hat so he wouldn't be recognized, and now the paparazzi was going to find him. He just knew it. As he put the car on reverse he turned on the radio to see what was on and decided to stick to the oldies acoustic station since he wanted to be calmed down. Cesc despised how she could go on living with life and all of the sudden because he kept thinking about her he couldn't seem to remember what life was before her. "Déu meu!" He said in frustration as his hand gripped the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles turned white. Speaking of alcohol tonight wouldn't be such a bad night to forget his trouble; Carla. A small smile was creeping up on his face as he remembered that his best friend in the world was going to be there tonight along with his cousin. This might not be such a bad night after all. Before he realized it, he was at the store and got beer along with some vodka and tequila. He figured that was enough so he got his alcohol and went back to the house to put them in the freezer and coolers in the garage before he went in the house.

Almost everybody had shown up when he got back but two people were missing and he soon hoped that they would show up soon. Everybody greeted him and he smiled at everyone as he made his way into the kitchen to find his mamá tasting the paella and smacking her lips together in satisfaction.

"I'm back mamá, do you need help with anything else?" He asked her as he put her car keys in a bowl.
"No mi vida. I am good. Go entertain the guests. Carlota should be here in ten minutes," she replied as she turned the stove on low so the paella would stay warm. Cesc nodded and went out to the living room to mingle with everybody while he waited for his mother's instructions so they could get in position to surprise his favorite person in the world. Just as soon as he was about to tell Carlota's best friend a story his mother came rushing in and told everybody to get to their places. It was around seven fifteen and Cesc felt his phone vibrate. It was a message from Gerard pretty much telling him that he was outside but he couldn't go in because Carlota and her father just pulled up on the driveway.

I can almost see her. He smiled.

It was quiet in the house as everybody could hear the door handle twist and open. "íSorpresa!" Was echoed throughout the entire room as Carlota could only smile. Cesc noticed that she was looking for someone and then her eyes landed on him. Her smile got brighter as he made his way towards his sister so he could give her a hug for making it alive. "¿No pensava que no estaria allà per tu ho faria?" He asked her as she wrapped his arms around his neck while he hugged her tight. She could only smile at him and thank him for being the best brother ever before she went over to start mingling with everybody that was there for her welcoming. Cesc's father patted him on the back while telling him, "nice work." He hugged his dad before he went outside to go get his best friend and see the girl he has been waiting for two days. She was consuming him slowly as the days passed without even knowing what was coming to him.

Natalia was sitting in the passengers seat as Gerard dialed a number, "amor." He said. The twenty-one year old could only smile as Gerard had a cheesy grin on his face before he got out of the car, should she follow? She got out of the car as well not knowing what to do because her cousin was talking to his girlfriend...maybe she was coming? Natalia hoped, then she wouldn't be the only one that didn't know anybody at the party besides Cesc and his parents. She patted herself to straighten her clothes out...hopefully she wasn't under or over dressed. Natalia would hate to make a bad first impression and today was kind of important. Thank goodness she wasn't shaking at all. Her hands found her chapstick and put it on as the finishing touch. Gerard was still talking to his girlfriend, but Natalia didn't mind watching the sun as it was slowly, but surely setting. It was still pretty bright, but she didn't mind at all since there was a light breeze that was going through. Her mouth curved upwards into a smile waiting for Gerard to finish talking. He looked at her and told her to go forward into the house but she was shy; her feet stayed put as Gerard brushed a hand away at her. She shrugged as a giggled escaped her lips. Natalia knew why she didn't want to go in there, she was anxious to see Cesc, but it was a good anxious.. she just didn't want to seem too forward or anything.
She turned around to start walking towards Francesc's house but stopped because he was standing by the driveway, watching her. Her cheeks turned a deep scarlet and she could only smile as the Spaniard smiled back at her. That delightful smile that sent her heart into overdrive: her smile. Her blue orbs could only stare at his muddy brown eyes while her feet automatically began to close the gap, he followed suit so they could at least meet in the middle of the driveway as the sun shone on both of them. The wind had picked up making her ponytail swing around wildly behind her. As they met in the middle Cesc's eyes softened and Natalia could only look at him, but then he leaned his forehead against hers as she closed her eyes to feel his touch. "Bonica nena," he whispered making her face tingle causing her to giggle. Her arms wrapped around his neck as he snaked his around her waist hugging her. He was so warm that she just wanted to hug him forever and not let go. The hug went as soon as it came and when they were finished none other than Gerard came over and Cesc couldn't help but hug his best friend since he was in much higher spirits than the last time they saw each other. Natalia could only smile at the sight of this pair.
"So is she coming?" Natalia asked as she interrupted their bromance for a couple of minutes as they all made their way into Cesc's house. Music was pumping and everybody was hanging out, some people were dancing, other people were relaxing, chatting. Carlota was talking to one of her friends when she noticed who walked in through the door; she couldn't help but squeal as she ran over to Gerard Piqué as she gave him a bone crushing hug. Gerard hugged her tight and picked her up while telling her, "don't drive anymore. It's not good for any of us." He laughed as Carlota punched him on his arm while turning to Natalia.
"Carlota Fábregas, you must be Natalia." She said.
Natalia's cheeks went tomato red as she shook Carlota's hand, "yeah. That's me."
"Cesc's told me a lot about you. Although you are way prettier than what he described." Clearly, she loved making Cesc feel uncomfortable as well since his cheeks flushed a deep pink before shrugging it off and smiling.
"Don't you have guests to attend to sister of mine?" He asked her as they all went into the living room following Carlota.
"Yeah yeah. I didn't ask for this though.. thank you for putting this together and thank you for not going to your football match because of me." She smiled at her brother.
"No problem hermana. I am always here for you." He kissed her on the forehead as she walked away to go mingle with her friends. A lot of people cared a lot about Carlota, Natalia noticed as she smiled softly at the image before her. Gerard nudged her, "so when are you going to put the moves on him?" He had a sheepish smile on his face.
"Estas loco." Natalia responded.
"Oh, yes. She is coming. She she be here soon!" He asked as he clapped his hands like a child. Natalia burst out laughing as Cesc had disappeared, to entertain some people she thought.
She asked Gerard if he wanted anything to drink and he said a beer so she went to the kitchen to find their drinks. Everybody that she passed by smiled at her and she returned their smiles with her own as her eyes sparkled. Natalia could feel the gentle atmosphere as she went into the kitchen to ask where the drinks where; Cesc was in there with his mom. "Perdón, donde estan las bebidas?" Her voice came out softly as all of the sudden she became a shy little girl from day care.
"Ah, estan en el garaje. Te llevo." Cesc smiled sweetly at her.
"Hola Señora Fábregas." Natalia greeted his mother.

His mother only smiled at her and began to talk to her husband. Cesc came up next to Natalia and put his hand on the small of her back as he led her to the garage so they could drinks for people, but mostly everyone had one already. Her body got goosebumps from his touch even though she couldn't feel his warmth, but just the fact that his hand was on her made her get them. Once they reached the garage, he went over to the refrigerator and took out four beers. Handed two of them to Natalia and he took the other two, "who's the fourth one for?"
"Me. I'm drinking both. I haven't gotten drunk in a while." He said.
She could tell he was hiding something behind his eyes..something that she was sure was the reason for what he just said.
"Seriously? You're going to get drunk tonight?"
"Why not?" He smiled mischievously at her.
"Because.." Natalia said as she pleaded with her eyes not to.
Cesc didn't back down as they walked back to Gerard and found him with Shakira, "here you go kind sir!" Natalia said as she tried to sound cheerful.
Gerard thanked her and then started talking to Cesc, noticing that he had opened both beers and had taken a sip from both.
"Natalia! So good to see you, come here!" Shakira said as she hugged her friend.
"¿Como estas?" Natalia asked the international pop star.
"Un poco cansada pero bien de estar aqui. Finalmente me puedes contar como te fue en London y todo lo demas." Shakira said giggling while looking at Cesc.

Natalia noticed that Gerard looked way serious talking to Cesc; it seemed like they were arguing silently over something. She shook her head away and began to tell Shakira everything that happened in London, from the airport all the way up to her departure.. which was one of the hardest things that she's had to do in a while.
Shakira awed and gasped and smiled at all the right places of the story as Natalia continued to tell her what had happened, but then. Gerard had came over to them and talked to them silently pleading, "so. He's in a rough spot right now. He's feeling very vulnerable because of Carla. I don't know why he's beating himself up about it, but just let him be. I know when to cut him off enough to tell that he's drunk, but he won't go overboard. Natalia. Make sure of that. We should get the party going and start dancing or something." He smirked at his girlfriend as they both went to the living room and encouraged everybody to dance. The music was some merengue while Natalia could only think about the name that Gerard had poured out of his lips; Carla. Was that his old girlfriend? She only guessed as she took another swig of her beer. The twenty one year old looked around for the football player but she couldn't find him for some reason so she decided to go look for him. Maybe he was in the bathroom? Her eyes scanned some more and she gave up finally making her way over to the bathroom to see if he was there. She noticed that Cesc's parents were gone, probably went up to their room or something and it was understandable because it was just a bunch of young adults.
Once she got to the bathroom she knocked, no sound. Her knuckles knocked once again and said her name after. The door opened and she was right to think that Cesc was in there; the beer bottles were on the floor and it seemed like he had been sitting on the floor drinking. "Cesc what's wrong?" Natalia asked as her eyes got bigger because she had begun to worry about her friend.
"Everything was going so well..I don't know why I had to think about her today." Cesc sighed as he sat down on the ground again next to the toilet.
"It's okay Cesc..it happens." Natalia said as she sat next to him after she closed the door so they wouldn't be interrupted with the music.
"It doesn't usually happen to me.. I've been pretty good at keeping quiet and not saying anything about this because it's not something that I would like to talk about..but today. I don't know, I guess I lost it." The Spaniard put his face in his hands.
Natalia didn't know what to do, but this reminded her of Gerard a while back so she did the thing that she thought was best; kneeling in front of him she took his hands away from his face and made him look at her, his eyes looked so sad.
"It's her fault and you know it is. I'm sure she would be the one to break it off, maybe she couldn't handle the lifestyle that you had, maybe she stopped loving you Cesc, but it's her fault. People grow apart, it happens. She's an idiot for thinking that she shouldn't try to make it work. I'm sure she was lovely from the way that you're beating yourself up about it, but seriously. These things happens. You're not perfect..and you shouldn't want to be. I don't know what went on between the two of you, but if I was her I would never let you go. I mean. Even if I didn't like you as more than friends..she's crazy." She didn't know what made her do it, she didn't dare ask why and she definitely didn't do this.

Before Natalia waited for his reply, her lips collided with his own. It was more of a peck, but it was still something wasn't it? She didn't know, but instead hugged him as he wrapped his arms around her waist again.

Cesc was in a state of surprise and shock since the girl that he was beginning to have feelings for put the first move. He was proved wrong when he thought that she was a shy and quiet girl.. it's those that you have to watch out for. Her lips felt like a volcano with a silk touch to it; must be all that chapstick she puts on. He smiled in her hair as they stayed put for a couple of minutes not wanting the moment to end.
"If she can't see that you were probably the best for her, then she doesn't deserve to have you..." She whispered against his ear before kissing his temple.
Natalia stood up and grabbed the empty beer bottles as Cesc got up as well. Not thinking he leaned his forehead against hers again as she could only smile, "gracias nena."
"Siempre guapo." She replied.
They both made their way out of the bathroom as soon as she threw away the beer bottles in the trash can, and Natalia noticed that Carlota was waiting outside and she smiled at Natalia when she noticed that Cesc was behind her. Natalia felt herself getting hugged again as Carlota whispered, "you're good for him you know. Thanks for talking to him and helping him out." Natalia softly smiled as Carlota hugged her brother.

All of the sudden Francesc Fábregas realized that it's not about what has happened, but it's about how you deal with the consequences; frankly, the consequences were a lot better with Natalia in the picture and he hoped that it would stay that way for a while. At least until he could get the courage to tell her that he liked her. After Carlota left them again, Shakira's Hips Don't Lie started playing. Natalia smiled brightly and grabbed his wrist to lead him to the dance floor to dance with Arsenal's captain. Shakira was dancing with Gerard and she began to sing along as it was her own song, but she was lost in her little world with her cousin Gerard Piqué; Natalia doesn't blame them.

She was beginning to get lost in her own little world with Spain's number ten herself.