Solo Tu

She stirred in her sleep as she blinked her eyes open. Lorena sat up while rubbing her eyes and remembering the events of the night before. Getting out of bed, she made her way to the living room to find a sleeping Fernando. He was face down with his face turned to one side. The covers were halfway on his body and Lorena couldn't help but notice how toned and muscular his back was. She also noticed that one leg was sticking out and his shorts revealed a good number of his hamstring muscle.

Even though it was just her in the room, Lorena felt a blush coming on as she closed her eyes and turned around. The sun wasn't even up; the corners of her mouth turned upside as she didn't get enough sleep. Going in her bedroom, she checked her phone--6:58 a.m. A sigh escaped her lips as she opened the balcony to let the breeze in. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day; the sun was rising making the sky look even more beautiful than before. Her legs carried her out and she sat on the chair while enjoying the view. There was just something about the morning that made her feel better--a new day. A fresh start. Lorena hoped that she would be able to fix things with Sergio. He was her best friend, the person that she knew she could count on besides Camila. It wasn't as if it was a huge fight, but there was a grudge. Her blue eyes stared out in the ocean and a smile crept up her face.

Lorena didn't understand some of the things that were said between her and the futbolista. It was odd in a way, that he had confided in her with something so serious as commitment in a relationship, but comforting in another way. Maybe she was a trust-able person because she did something that most people aren't willing to do: listen. She couldn't help but remember the way his eyes softened when he had told her that she was his solution to the pain he was feeling inside. How was that even possible? The freckled Spaniard had her confused, but at least she had another friend. A very handsome friend.

Lorena tied her hair up in a messy bun before she went into her room to retrieve her phone and sit back out on the chair. No messages or calls from Sergio. She frowned, maybe he was still sleeping? She really hoped so because whenever something went wrong with one of her friendships she felt bad. Lorena sighed again as she heard a, "bueno dias. (good morning.)"
Her head wrapped around to find a sleepy looking Fernando.
"Go back to sleep... it's not even eight yet." She frowned.
"Couldn't sleep anymore... why are you up?"
"Same."
"Actually, the couch sucked. Lo peor. (The worst.)" He chuckled as he sat down next to her. Lorena noticed that he was wearing a shirt. Thank God.
"Sleep on my bed then," she suggested.
"I hate sleeping alone." Fernando said as he stifled a yawn.
"What time are we leaving for the hotel?"
"Two?" Fernando responded.
"Plenty of time to sleep..." Lorena said.
"But I hate sleeping alone..." Fernando repeated.
"For a grown man you sure are acting like a baby."
The freckled Spaniard narrowed his eyes at Lorena as she began to laugh at him. He pouted his lips, and Lorena laughed again, "okay, okay. Come on." She said when she calmed down.
The blue-eyed woman led him to the bed as she sat on it. He just looked at her,"what?" She asked.
There was a hint of blush that crept up Fernando's cheek--Lorena could see it, "are you going to sleep too?" He asked.
"I'm still debating... you going to stand there until you fall asleep?"
The door to the balcony was left open, the cool breeze making the room not feel as hot. Fernando shook his head as he walked around the bed and sat down. Lorena turned head her head as she bit her lip. This was innocent right? Just two friend who happened to be tired and were just going to share a bed.
"Lola?" Fernando murmured.
Turning her head around again, she saw that he was now laying down and the sheet was draped across his waist, shirt still on him.
"Hmm?" She asked as she herself laid down.
"Vanilla is my favorite scent.." he murmured even more quietly, eyes closed.
It was the scent of her shampoo...it must have been on her pillow, but she took it as a sign that he was way too sleepy to even realize what he was saying. Scarlet was shown on her cheeks as she turned around so her back was to him.
"Sleep well pecoso." She said as her eyelids closed.

***
"Where have you been?" Sergio's voice was heard throughout the room.
Lorena was just standing outside the hotel room waiting for the footballers to finish packing, when Sergio started speaking once Fernando vanished from the hall. It was one-thirty. Lorena couldn't believe that they had slept that long... nothing had happened of course. She hadn't even moved her body in any sort of way, nor had Fernando. A buzz from Fernando's cellphone had woken them up.
"It's not very nice to get kicked out of your own room..."
"Answer the question, damn it."
Sergio still hadn't texted or called Lorena...
"I stayed at a friend's place," Fernando responded.
"Was this friend a woman?" Sergio asked casually.
"Why does that matter?"
What the hell was going on with Sergio? Why was he acting like this?
"Fernando... where you with Lorena?" Sergio asked a little louder.
Silence.
"You better answer me right now Fernando Torres. Did you do anything to her?"
"What the hell Sergio? I'm in a relationship--I'm not one of those guys... I've been with Olalla for what? Twelve years? I haven't cheated on her and I'm for sure as hell not going to start now." Fernando said with certainty. He didn't need to yell to get the point across, and it was something that gave Lorena goosebumps.
"You better make sure it stays that way...sorry. It's just that. Lola. Yeah. She's one of the best people I know and I don't want to see her get hurt. I know that she's a catch, but before anything happens, you have to sort out your priorities."
Lorena had to press her ear to the door to hear the next part.
There was a sigh followed by, "believe me. I know, and we're just friends... officially. I just. I have no idea what to do. She helped me analyze the situation in a different view..."
"Ay, Fernando. You'll get through this."Sergio encouraged.
Lorena thought that this might be a good time to intervene so she knocked on the door as her bag was slung across her shoulder and other was sitting next to her.
The door opened to reveal her cousin, "Lola..."
"Can we talk?" She blurted out.
Sergio nodded, "yeah, just let me get my stuff real quick."
The door was left open and Fernando was not in sight. She walked inside and waited in the living room as she couldn't help but smile at what Sergio had said about her.
"You ready?" He asked her as he came into view.
"Of course."
"Fernando has to finish packing, but I'm sure that he can fend for himself." Sergio chuckled.
They made their way out of the room when Lorena spoke first, "so... did you get my voice message?"
"Yeah, but I couldn't talk to you on the phone... I'm sorry too Lola."
"I shouldn't have said, what I said..."
"It's okay, if there are some things you don't want to tell me that's fine, but don't lie to me. You know how I am with honesty. I don't have to know everything about you, but you know where you can go f you need to talk." Her cousin said.
Lorena knew that if she told him what she really did, he would judge her-- everybody judged each other, but Sergio being a hotheaded Spaniard, couldn't help it. Especially when he had his tantrums and his different morals on everything.
"Thanks Sergio. Ditto. I know you don't tell me everything either, and I'm sorry for not introducing you to people. Truth is, I don't know a lot of people... at least not in a 'friend' level. You know how I am with people..." It was true. Lorena was very introverted.
"Which is why I made you meet my friends. You need more people in your life besides family." Sergio said acting like a smart ass.

They had reached the elevator and where waiting for it to come up. Lorena then smiled and said, "thanks Sergio. I really appreciate it. So we're okay?"
"Yeah." He said hugging her, "just remember... don't lie to me."
"Then don't ask questions you don't want the answers to." Lorena replied smugly.
"Stop being such a smart ass." Sergio chuckled as the elevator dinged.
The cousins made their way inside as they heard a, "hold it!"
It was Fernando running towards them with luggage in tow. Lorena saw as he ran inside the elevator and stood next to Sergio.
"Gracias." He said panting a little.
All three of them made their way down as they stood in silence. It wasn't awkward. Then Sergio and Fernando began talking about practice and training. Lorena then began thinking about what she had talked to Fernando about the night before again. He must really be hurting over this relationship with his girlfriend. She was surprised to know that they weren't married yet. Her eyebrows furrowed as she frowned-- why would anybody want to hurt her new friend Fernando? She could tell he was nice and caring-- nothing but a gentleman.
"You okay prima?"
"Oh... yeah. Just thinking." She shrugged.
Then a phone rang. Apparently it was Fernando's, "¿Hola?" He asked.
Lola had a hunch of who it was, but who was she to care?
"So the car is waiting for you outside to take you to the airport. We'll be on our way shortly and I'll see you soon yeah?"
"You know... your coach is nice to let me stay with you in the same hotel. I don't see any other family members..." Lorena said as she smiled.
"Ah, he doesn't know. And the other players have families and stuff that only fly out for the final... you're just so awesome that you decided to stick with me for the whole thing. Besides, most of the girlfriends don't even enjoy football.. I mean. They do, but they don't. They're kind of snobby."
Sergio said as he brought her into a hug while smiling sheepishly.
"I'll see you soon," Lorena said as she kissed his cheek. She then proceeded to give Fernando a small wave.
He nodded towards her, still listening to the other person. Lorena turned on her heel and walked out of the lobby--seeing a big bus in front of the hotel. Probably for the Spanish team. The brunette spotted the cab and smiled at the man.
"Olá," he said.
"Olá," she replied.
"Aeroporto?" He asked.
She could only nod, that sounded like the airport. Lorena wasn't ready for another flight. That's probably the thing that she hated the most. Flying.

It was annoying and just, no. Her phone rang, "yeah?"
"Hey, I just got back. The ride was forever, but I managed to do it. Next time we should just take a flight together." Eloá's voice rang to her ear.
"How do you feel about sticking with me for the rest of the tournament?" Lorena suddenly asked.
"Really? I'm sure that would be okay with Thiago-- I haven't requested any vacation days off. I'll call you when I hear news." Her friend said.
"Sweet."
Lorena quickly dialed a number as soon as she hung up,"hey. I know we just talked, but I have some news."
"¿Qué paso? (What happened?)" Sergio responded.
"So I met a friend... the one I told you to give the tickets to, and well. She decided to stick with me for the rest of the tournament. "
"Really? That's excellent! Can't wait to meet her. See? You can make friends." Sergio said.
"I just choose to not have many friends, you never know with people Sergio... anyway. She has no idea what she's getting herself into..."
"So true, but I have to go. Duty calls." Sergio chuckled as Lorena could hear some noise in the background.
"Yeah, yeah. Go be a footballer." Lorena chuckled.
She hung up the phone and noticed that indeed it was going to be another beautiful and sunny day. The airport was surprisingly close as she noted that she was stepping off before she knew it. Lorena was taking some money out, but the cab driver stopped her. He put a hand up and took out a wad of money. Sergio... Lorena made a face, but left the money on the seat as she said, "obrigado."
Well here goes another three hour plane ride.

***
"Lola." The other person said. She had landed a few minutes ago and turned her phone on.
"Eloá," she said as she claimed her bag.
"Looks like I'll be sticking with you!" She exclaimed.
"¿En serio? Great! (Really?)" Lola said.
"Where are you?"
"I'm at the airport," Lola said biting her lip. She didn't know why she did that, most of the time it was because her bottom lip was dry and she just had to take the skin off.. she was a weird one when it came to that.
Eloá said that she would go pick her up and they could head to the hotel to get settled in. Lorena felt like this was going to be good for her. She needed a girl around after being with so many boys. As she waited for her friend, she went into a store to get some gum, when she noticed a magazine with a bunch of people that she guessed were athletes. There were some guys in red shirts so she leaned closer to see who they were. Not anybody that she knew. Lorena hated magazines and anything that had to do with people writing about famous people. She purchased her gum and waited for her friend. There were a few televisions around and she saw that ESPN was on one of them, they seemed to be talking about the football matches, but she couldn't hear what they were saying.

Just as she was about to go up and listen her phone rang.
"I'm outside." Eloá said.
Lorena hurried outside to find her friend in her infinity.
"Olá," Lorena said as she smiled while getting in her car.
"Olá, I'm so excited for this! It has been a long time since I've had a girlfriend." Eloá told her.
"Same here! I thought it was just me." Lorena laughed.
"Want to go shopping?" Her friend asked the Spaniard.
"Sure! I've been meaning to go, but never have the time." Lorena smiled, "can we go to a diner or something first? I'm starving and haven't had anything to eat all day. I slept..."
"Yeah, I know just the strip that has everything." Eloá said as she drove off to what Lorena figured was a local shopping spot.

It took them ten minutes to arrive, and Lorena loved how quickly they got there. Sergio and friends might be getting to the hotel before they did, but she didn't mind, maybe it was time that she had to go bother him. That would be fun. Once Eloá had found parking, both of the girls got out and began making their way to the shopping strip. They began discussing different things, from their childhood to their schools, to how they each got involved in racing. They went into a small café as they continued talking about everything and nothing. Lola found out that Eloá was a racer because her father used to steal cars and he had to go do some time in jail, but he had recently got out and she was helping him get back on his own two feet. She admired the Brazilian that sat in front of her as she heard her talk about her family. It was something that couldn't be replaced. Then Eloá asked Lorena about her family, and she started talking to her about her dad being a famous driver and her mom being in the line of fashion, even though Lola had no fashion sense... well, not as close as her mother's. Their food arrived and they ate in silence as they enjoyed the company of one another. It was definitely a good change for her to be with someone of the same gender-- sometimes boys were just too much. Not that she was complaining because she got along way better with boys, but sometimes she needed a tiny break.
"I'm so glad you decided to finish my vacation with me... I need a girl to talk to." Lorena said smiling as they finished paying and headed out of the café and into a shop that seemed different. Her blue eyes fell on a shirt that she had never seen before.
"I'm glad I'm here too." Eloá replied.
The shirt was a dark color--between a green and gray and it resembled a vest of some sort. She immediately went to it and felt the material, it was like lycra but not. There were a few beads on the front that were like bangles.
"Oh, you must try that on! That would look so good on you!" Eloá winked.

Not even thinking twice she grabbed it and went to the dressing room, tried it on and gasped. Lorena had never worn something so revealing before. The shirt showed her stomach and it was somewhat of a low cut. Not that, that fazed her because her boobs weren't even that big. When it shone in the light it shimmered and it was shiny. She couldn't help the way her skin looked so golden with it. A small smile played at her lips as she changed back. She was definitely getting this.
"So?" Eloá asked as Lorena stepped out of the dressing room back in her clothes.
"It's a win! I'm getting it!"
"Yes! What do you think of this?" Eloá held up a navy blue dress.
"You should definitely get that... make Alvar have a run for his money." She winked.
Eloá's cheeks flushed as Lorena knew that they had a thing for each other, but never had said anything to her about it. Eloá then said, "speaking of boys. Do you have any in your life right now?" Her thick accent clearly heard.
"Hmm... I always have boys in my life, you should know that. You've been there." Lorena laughed as they made their way to the cash register.
"You know what I mean," The Brazilian replied sternly.
"I don't think so..." Lorena said, "unless you count on being friends with them?" Lorena asked.
They paid for their clothes and then Lorena proceeded to tell Eloá about when she got here and how she met Fernando and of course about Sergio.

She had a pensieve expression on her face as they walked out of the shop, the sun was setting now and Eloá began to lead them back to her car.
"...so now we're just friends, but I mean. Do friends tell each other things that are that important?" She asked. Lorena left out the part where they slept on the same bed because she was sure that if it wasn't her or Fernando that were talking about that, the person would take it out of proportion. She just knew it and it was something that she didn't need at the moment.
"I don't know, I mean. Yeah. He must have sensed something about you that he could have confided in you.. so it's not really that big of a deal. Sadly, I only keep up with Brazilian soccer so I have no idea what this boy looks like. He didn't play against Uruguay did he?"
"No." Lorena said as they both got in the car. She needed a shower.
"Well, we'll see I suppose. Ready to head back?" She asked.
The Spaniard nodded at her friend as she began to drive them back to the hotel, all of the sudden Lorena was tired, even though she had slept a long time. She was surprised that Sergio hadn't called her yet asking her where she was. Maybe he had figured out that she was a grown up after all and was letting her fend for herself.

She thought too quickly. Her phone rang and she picked up, "hola?" She said.
"Lola... our flight was delayed. We just landed and we are in the bus heading to the hotel. Are you there already?" He asked.
"No. Fuimos de compras pero ya estamos de ida para alla. Ya nos vemos. (We went shopping but we are on our way back. We'll see each other.)" Lorena spoke in her native tongue.
"Listo. (All right.)" Sergio said.
She hung up the phone and told Eloá that their flight was delayed, "you know. You're super normal in knowing famous atheles." She noted.
"Well, my cousin is Sergio Ramos, and he's pretty awesome, I don't know. Athletes don't faze me..." Lorena shrugged.
"That's good, it just means you treat them the same as everybody else."
"Well yeah, why wouldn't you?" Lorena encountered.
"Good point. We are here... thank goodness. I could use a shower or something," Eloá giggled.
Both of the girls got out of the car as Eloá gave her keys to the valet boy, "ter cuidado com ele. (be careful with it.)" Her friend told the boy, she heard the word careful, so maybe something with the car. They headed inside to check in and get the hotel keys so they could get to their room.

This was the same hotel that Lorena stayed at last time with her cousin before he had to fly out to the United States. Once they went to the reception area and got their keys they headed to their room, and it was like the one that Sergio had with Fernando, big and spacious. Awesome.

Lorena and Eloá went to the bedroom and saw that instead of a queen, it was twin beds and she had no problem sharing a bedroom with a new friend.
"I'm gonna take a shower, then what shall we do?" Eloá asked.
"Hmm. I don't know, let me call my cousin and see what they're up to." Lorena laughed.
As Eloá went to take a shower, Lorena got her bag out and looked at the new shirt she had gotten. She wondered when she would get the opportunity to wear this and she hoped that it was soon; it was a very sexy top. The Spaniard had never dressed "sexy" before seeing as every time she tried, Sergio happened to be present and would always tell her to change. Just when she was about to dial Sergio, he was calling her.
"You here yet?" She asked laughing.
"Yeah, we just got to our room. Some of the guys just want to chill in their rooms, but seeing as I see them all the time... Fernando and I want to chill in your room."
"But our room is boring..."
"You have a Brazilian in there... they are pretty fun. We have a couple of them in Real Madrid. Marcelo, he's hilarious. So I bet your friend is also hilarious..." Sergio chuckled.
"Hmmm. I don't know Sergio... what could we do?"
"Anything! Surely, you brought cards or something?"
"You know what..." Lorena said as she looked through her luggage where surely she found a deck of cards. "You're so lucky I think if everything."
"Cool, see you in about thirty. We can order pizza and all of that." Sergio said.
They both hung up and all of the sudden Lorena went over to the mirror in the living and saw her reflection. Her hair was a mess; stupid plane. Why should she care what she looked like?

Pizza. Delicious. Her mouth watered even though it wasn't even two hours ago that she had something to eat-- then again it was a small meal she had so she could definitely eat more... not that it mattered anyway. She knew she was going to get fat when she was older so might as well enjoy it now rather than later. The Spaniard snorted at her own thoughts as Eloá came out freshly showered.
"My turn!" She said as she picked up her clothes and skipped to the bathroom.
Eloá just laughed as Lorena ran inside and turned the water on. A good shower is what she needed as she stripped herself down and got under the warm water. Lorena started humming that same tune that she listened to a few days ago, the Wonderwall song by Oasis. The water felt so good against her back as she realized that she had been tense, what for? She frowned and furrowed her eyebrows as she started to think as to what could possibly make her feel tense. No. Really? Lorena grunted as she couldn't shake the thought. Why? No! This wasn't supposed to happen. Her face felt hot in an instant as she turned off the water and got out of the shower while wrapping a towel around herself. Walking over to the sink, she splashed cold water on her face as she stared at herself in the mirror; cheeks red. There was a bang on the door.
"What?!" She yelled through the wall.
"Your cousin and his friend are here.." Eloá said.
"I'll be right out!" Lorena responded.
She dried herself off and put on a plain white t-shirt and some shorts, combed her hair roughly before putting it in a bun, not caring that the water was dripping from the tips onto her back, it'll dry anyway.

Taking a big sigh, she walked out of the bathroom and dropped her dirty clothes in her bag, then followed to go into the living room where she expected everybody to be at. Her eyes searched and sure enough, they were there, but out in the balcony. The door was open as the breeze blew in making her inhale that ocean air deeply. God, she loved the ocean. There was that smile again tugging at her lips. The one that she saved for joy.
"Prima," Sergio said as he spotted her next to the door.
"Hey," she softly said as he come over and dragged her out to see the beach.
"Hola," Fernando said as he nodded towards her.
"Finally, goodness." Eloá said.
"Oh. This is my friend Eloá, this is Sergio--"
"We met already.." Sergio replied giving her a smirk.
"Right." Lorena said as she turned her face to the beach.
The ocean was calm today, the waves looked lazy as they slowly rolled onto the beach. When did it turn dark? Lorena stared as Eloá was talking to Sergio and Fernando seemed to stare at the beach as well. She couldn't hear what they were talking about, nor did she really care. Lorena didn't know what to think at the moment, all she wanted to know was why did it have to happen now? Why? Her mind wondered some more as Eloá said something that shook her out of her thoughts, "so what are we doing?" She spoke.
"Um. I don't know, what do you guys want to do?" Lorena asked the footballers.
"Anyone hungry?" Sergio responded with a question.
"I'm always hungry," Fernando responded rubbing his stomach.

Everybody was speaking English for everybody's sake, "then I guess we can order pizza and play some card games?" Sergio said.
"Card games?" Eloá asked.
Sergio nodded, but Eloá didn't seem to like that idea, "no. I know something better we can do..."
"What's that?"
"Fifa?" She asked.
Sergio stared at her, "you have a ps3 here?"
"I brought it with me if that's what you mean." She said smiling.
"I like her." Sergio said to Lorena as Fernando chuckled.
"Fifa it is!" Eloá said as she dragged Sergio with her to get the ps3 so they could probably connect it to the television in the small living room area.
Lorena decided that she would stay a bit longer out here and enjoy the view-- until the pizza arrived.
"Eres tan callada al lado de tu primo. (You're so quiet next to your cousin.)" Fernando said.
"Hmmm.." Lorena said again as she smiled, "si. He's always been the loud one." She laughed.
She hadn't looked at him since she walked in the room, her view had stayed on the ocean, it was just so pretty.
"It suits you." He responded.
She turned her face to him and noticed that he was also staring out into the ocean too, his features were calm, eyes wary. "You're quiet too.." she said.
"I am. I don't mean to be... it just happens." His voice was like velvet.
"It's okay," she turned her face back. Both of them sat in silence as they continued to stare out at the ocean, Lorena grabbed the chair and brought it as close as she could to the rail of the balcony and sat down, folding her arms on top of the rail and leaning her head forward, "me encanta el mar. (I love the sea.)"
"Me too." Fernando followed suit as he sat next to her and did the exact same thing. His elbows brushed against hers as he then said something else, "so I talked to Olalla today."
"Oh yeah? Is everything okay?" She asked.
"Hmmm. I can't tell yet..I don't know, she seemed fine. Deep down I know she's not... it's not the same anymore." Fernando sighed.
"I don't know what to tell you... I have never been in a relationship before..." Lorena replied still staring at the ocean, "la amas? (Do you love her?)" She asked bluntly. Lorena turned to face him.
"I'll always love her, but it's just. I don't think that my love is enough for the both of us." Fernando said quietly, he closed his eyes.
"Do you not think she feels the same way?" Lorena asked in the same tone as his.
"No... I'm pretty sure that she stopped loving me a long time ago." He put his head down on his arms.

Fernando was broken.

Was she going to fix him? How could she? He needed a friend right now, "have you told Sergio this?" She randomly asked.
The man next to her shook his head no, "then why are you telling me?" She asked again.
"Because I can trust you? I really don't know..." he responded.
"I'm just awesome." Lorena scoffed as he chuckled a little, "but no seriously. Maybe you should talk to Sergio too? I'm sure he can understand..." Lorena said.
"Sergio understands relationships as much as a little kid understands rules. He doesn't." Fernando said sternly.
"He's been in more relationships than I have," Lorena retorted.
Fernando was silent. "Although that may be true, you're a girl. A girl's view is different.."
"Whatever," Lorena said. "You need to talk to her about this..."
"I can't. I won't. It would hurt too much. It already does," the footballer said.
"How can the pain go away if the problem is always there?"
Fernando was silent.
"See? You know I'm right... just talk to her..." Lorena said, "this won't affect your game right?" She asked jokingly to lighten up the mood.
"Oh no. When I play, getting that ball in the goal is my only objective." He smiled.

Lorena sighed in relief, "good 'cause you need to win again. Well, I mean. You know what I mean, " she laughed.
"We'll win, I'll show you." The playful tone was back.

She wished she could make his pain go away.