Love in Spain

With the little encouragement from her brother Alvarita slowly made her way up the stairs apprehensively. She guessed which room Jess would be in, Alvarita had seen Jess’ face when she had first entered the beautiful guest room. The room was defiantly the smallest of the two guest rooms but it was most defiantly the most beautiful room in the entire house. Three of the walls were painted in a beautiful cream colour, and the other wall was painted a muted red colour. This gave the room a touch of warmth and colour. The furniture was all pine and this added some more warmth to the room. The room was actually Alvarita’s favourite as well, the window seat was a good place to read especially in the evening when the sun was on the back garden. The only reason that Alvarita hadn’t picked this room to move into, was because her brothers room was located right next to this one. She didn’t choose it because you were able to hear Iker’s alarm through the wall and that thought just annoyed her. Alvarita didn’t want to wake up at six in the morning when she didn’t have a class.

“Hey” Alvarita said to get Jess’ attention. Jess was lying on the double bed purposely taking up as much room as possible. Alvarita stood in the door way hoping that Jess wouldn’t start shouting at her.

“Come in, close the door” Jess said still looking at the ceiling. She was watching the ceiling with interest, and deliberately wasn’t giving her friend much attention. “Why didn't you tell me?” Alvarita rolled her eyes, though she had explained her reasoning in the car but she had known Jess had not been listening.

“I wanted to be treated normally.” She said simply, Jess threw her a uninterested look, she apparently wasn’t helping her case. “Since the Euro’s I have been having issues with people I thought were my friends.” Alvarita explained. “Spain hadn’t won an international competition for forty four years. My brother being the captain meant that my friends were all of a sudden obsessed with him. They all used me to meet my brother, or for an autograph. I wanted to be treated normally, and going to England gave me that chance.” Alvarita told Jess trying to get her to understand where she was coming from. Jess couldn’t fully understand how Alvarita had felt as it had never happened to her.

“You lived with me. You should have told me.” Jess implored at her. “We lived together for a year!” Jess was almost shouting. Alvarita closed her eyes understanding where Jess was coming from.

“I know, and I am sorry. But I can’t change that.” Alvarita explained. Jess looked at the sorrowful eyes. She clearly regretted what had occurred. “I wanted you to be friends with me for me, and not because of my brother.” Alvarita sighed and lay on the bed next to her friend. Jess automatically moved over to make room for her.

“So, he really is your brother then?” Jess said looking at her Alvarita couldn’t help but grin, she knew her brother was attractive, so many people had informed her of such. She knew Jess was joking though, after all, family was always off limits. Besides Jess wasn’t her brothers type, on the whole he much preferred blonds for a start, let alone anything else.

“Yes, no boyfriend, sorry to disappoint.” Jess looked at her closely. It was clear that she was reading what little emotion was on her face. “There was a guy, but I got over him while in England, besides he wasn’t interested.” Alvarita shrugged her shoulders to little effect as Jess was back to observing the ceiling.

“Fair enough, am I going to meet him??” Jess asked a grin on her face.

“Probably, he is my brothers best mate.” She sighed, she knew that she had been a stupid ‘little girl’ with a crush. She was glad that she had grown up and stopped liking him. After all he was a known playboy anyway.

“Alvarita!!!” Iker shouted up the stairs. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jess smile, if she continued to smile every time she heard a Spanish accent Jess’ face would have a constant smile while she was here, and eventually an ache.

“What!!” Alvarita shouted down to her brother making Jess jump. They couldn’t help but giggle.

“Don’t you want to see me?” when she heard the voice she couldn’t help but smile. The voice used to send shivers down her spine. Jess looked at Alvarita and noticed something about her friend had changed when she heard that voice but Jess didn't say anything.

“We ok now?” Alvarita asked Jess ignoring the voice as completely as possible. Jess smiled and nodded her head.

“Sure, but you owe me.” Jess stated a grin on her face. “Come on, your brother has guests and they seem impatient to see you.” Alvarita suddenly just wanted to curl up in a bed and not move again. But Jess grabbed hold of her hand and dragged her off the comfortable bed.
“You sure you are ready to meet all those downstairs?” Alvarita tried to talk her friend out of going downstairs. But it seemed Jess was determined to meet everyone.

“They are a lot to take.” Alvarita said but took a deep breath and straitened her shoulders, and walked down the stairs holding Jess’ hand. “Whatever happens I’m here.” She told Jess. She really didn't know if she was attempting to comfort Jess or herself.