Solo Tu

Some Brazilian girl was standing on the line, cars at the ready, waiting for the signal that would send them into the race. Lorena was revving her engine as everybody looked curiously at her-- the new girl. She playfully smiled as the bandana was brought down in a flash, pressing on the pedal the Spaniard girl zoomed off into the night life of Brazil. The streets weren't crowded this time, people didn't seem to be out and about rioting, which comforted her. She only guessed that they rioted when the football games were going on. Lorena couldn't blame them. Her foot on the gas pedal, one hand on the steering wheel, another on the stick shift. She had missed this, this was a part of her. The speed of this car was amazing, and she couldn't help but see where the other people were. They were a few feet behind her. Lorena knew which way she was supposed to go, she wheezed in and out of other cars as normal traffic was happening. Her rearview mirror showed that they were getting closer.

Eloá had informed her that these people played dirty, but she forgot that Lorena played dirtier. She wasn't one of those girls that was afraid to get dirty with the rest of the boys. This was too much fun, going over eighty miles per hour on a fifty speed limit. The brunette didn't seem to think that there would be a reason to use the Nos if she kept this up. Her mind boggled as she just raced, she was like a robot. Knew where everything was, knew when to change gears, when to slow down, when to break. It was something simple as memorization. Her blue eyes looked ahead as she could see the light just barely turning red, no cop no stop right? Right. She skillfully passed all the cars and barely made it through as the other light turned signaling the other cars to start driving. Her mouth turned into a smirk as the other cars got held up at the light. This was too easy, were these drivers amateurs? A phone began to buzz and she realized that it was hers. Who would call her at one in the morning?
"¿Hola?" She said as she had to put it on speaker so she wouldn't lose her concentration.
"Lola." Sergio's voice rang through.
"Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?" She asked as she drifted on a corner to get closer to the finish line.
"Yeah, but I couldn't."
"And you decided to call me? How sweet. What's up?" She laughed as she went faster.
"Well yeah, I mean. You're you. Not a whole lot, I'm out in the balcony, Fernando's sleeping." He responded.
"Hmm.." Lorena said as she saw on her mirror that one of the cars she was racing against wasn't far behind. How did it catch up?
"He told me about Olalla... and how he's feeling about the whole situation." Her cousin admitted.
"What do you think about it?"
"I think he needs to talk to her about everything," he sighed, "I just hate seeing him this way. When he's on the pitch he's fine and it's great, but when he's not... it really sucks. But he's so quiet about it, like he's the same but not. I don't know how to explain it.."
"Hmmm, well you definitely know more about him than I do, but from what I've seen and gathered, he's a strong one. He'll pull through," Lola said.
The finish line was close. It felt like it had been an hour, but in reality, it had only been ten minutes of driving.
"He sure will. I wish there was a way I could help him," Sergio said.
"You kind of did." Lorena said smugly making a face.
"What do you mean?"
"You brought me." Her voice was singing in a way.
"That was supposed to be for my entertainment and moral support, but yeah... I think you needed more friends..." Sergio chuckled.
"Oh, shush. You're probably right though.." Lorena said switching gears yet again.
"Where are you?" Sergio asked.
"Out and about." Lorena said hoping he wouldn't ask further questions.
"Finally enjoying Brazil? I didn't want you to be locked up, but you know... you insisted."
"Yes and I know. No riots today.. I think they're waiting for tomorrow..."
"Speaking of, it's an earlier game tomorrow so you better get there early." Sergio responded.
"Yeah, I know. Eloá is psyched." She crossed the finish line and noticed that she had gotten second.

So many distractions going on right now, "Eloá is very pretty no?" Sergio asked.
"Yeah, she better not put any moves on you though." Lorena said as she slowed down.
"Why not? It's what I'm used to."
"What about Camila?"
"What about her?"
"You know what I'm talking about Sergio." Lorena replied.
"We are nothing right now. I can do as I please." He sounded like a child.
"You're impossible. Anyway. I have to go. Play well tomorrow." She hung up the phone before he could even reply.
Camila was Lorena's closest woman friend besides her mom. Sergio was her best friend. They were madly in love with each other but haven't realized it yet. Whenever Camila came over and Sergio happened to be there they would always start talking and could not shut up. Lorena learned that it was best to leave them alone and let them be. They did play the game quite a bit though, Sergio had never really confessed his feelings towards her best friend. Camila played the game too, they would go and sleep with other people not really caring about what the other would do, flirt with everybody, but then something changed. Camila stopped doing what she did because she knew that Sergio was the one for her. She knew that him being one of her friends and how he respected her no matter what she did, he was it. She had told him, but he just brushed her off and pretended that nothing was wrong. Camila couldn't talk to him for a while, but when she did, she pretended that no words had been exchanged between the two and pretended to go back into the game. Sergio on the other hand, instead of stopping, went out and slept some more, did everything to not be with Camila. Lorena could see what he was trying to do, but they never spoke about her when she was gone. Then all of the sudden, Camila began to hang out with them again and everything seemed fine.

Lorena knew better. Camila just wouldn't tell her what had happened with her and Sergio. Lorena had no idea what was going on between the two, but she sure hoped that they would figure it out. Then. She thought of a great idea that none could get out of. When she returned to Spain she would invite Camila to the family reunion so they could talk and get all their feelings out. After all, Sergio's only doing what he's doing because he loves to be an ignorant jerk that doesn't want to grow a pair of balls and man up to his feelings.

The Spaniard girl walked up to the guy that was dealing all the money, "here you go." She said handing him a wad of two grand. That was the bet, although second place got four grand back. First place was ten grand.
"For a Spaniard it wasn't that bad." He smiled at her.
Eloá came over, "you are so good!"
"I try! I'm sorry I lost it for you guys though," Lorena said as she and Eloá began walking back to Thiago and Alvar. They just stood and stared at her, "you are so good Lola. This wasn't about the money, it was more about your skills. You proved everybody wrong." Thiago said.
"Oh, well I'm glad I could be of assistance.." Lola said laughing as she gave them the cash that she had received.
"Sorry about not calling you into the shop last week... I had a lot of business and forgot." Thiago said.
"It's cool, I'm sort of busy now anyway. What with Eloá being with me and having to entertain her..." Lola winked.
"She needs the vacation." Thiago said nuzzling Eloá's hair.
She whacked him on the arm, "well. I guess we better go. You know, football match tomorrow and all."
"Bye guys. This was really fun." Lorena smiled as Eloá dragged her away.
"What? No kiss kiss for Alvar?" Lola joked.
"Not today." Eloá laughed.

***
"So Fernando seems nice. He's real cute." Eloá mentioned as they went up the stairs to the entrance of the stadium.
"Yeah he's nice." Lorena replied shrugging.
"You guys were out there a long time the other night." Her Brazilian friend noted.
"He needs a friend right now..." Lorena trailed off, "that's all I'm being to him. A friend." That was her final statement and by the way that she said it, Eloá didn't question her further, she only nodded towards her friend.
"What's up with you and my cousin?" The Spaniard suddenly asked.
"Nothing.. shameless flirting?" Eloá giggled as they scanned their tickets and made their way down to the seats.

It was a beautiful sunny day here in Rio De Janeiro, a great day to play some football. Or rather, watch some football in Lorena's case. She never understood why she didn't watch football more often. Maybe it was because everybody in Madrid was a fanatic and she felt like she needed to be a rebel. She mentally took note of starting to watch more football, it was an interesting sport to watch.
"Just be careful okay? He can get carried away..." Lorena informed her.
"We're both adults, it's nothing to worry about." Eloá said as she waved her hand in the air brushing it off.

Lorena shrugged and then noticed that David and Diana were there again. A smile swept across her face as her new friends were ready for the game. Then her eyes adverted to another figure, a woman with long brown hair, petite, creamy skin. She was sitting next to David. Eloá waved to David and Diana while she sat down next to David. This was going to be fun. The bickering was going to be funny, and Lorena was preparing herself, but then a voice called her to the present.
"Lola. This is Ema. Ema this is Lola." David said.
Lorena gave a small wave to the girl with the creamy skin, her eyes were big and brown--full of curiosity. Lorena adverted her eyes and noticed that she had a belly.
"Hola. Mucho gusto. (Pleasure.)" She said as she smiled.
Lorena noticed that the belly was because she was pregnant, "she's Iker's wife. Ema decided to come early to watch her man play. Although I don't think he's playing today..." Diana winked.
"Ah. Makes sense." Lorena responded smiling, "I'm Sergio's cousin..."
"Oh! He's told me so much about you! It's nice to finally see you in the flesh." Ema exclaimed.
"He really needs to stop bragging about me, I'm not that great." She had a coy smile.
"Oh, but you sound so wonderful, he shares nothing but his love." Ema winked.
"Ah, sorry. This is my friend Eloá." Lorena gestured to her friend that was sitting down, she smiled and waved at her.
"Pleasure." Ema said in English.
"Same," Eloá responded.

Eloá and David then began to talk about the upcoming match, of course it would be an easy win for Spain, but they couldn't help but talk statistics. Lorena's mind and eyes drifted to the center of the stadium were both teams were walking out onto the pitch. She had to squint her eyes to see the players, but then realized that there was a jumbo tron. They showed every player and much to her delight, Fernando was indeed playing. Tahiti was an easy team, last thing Lorena heard was that all players except one weren't even professional. Her mouth turned into a frown as she wondered why anybody would invite them to play with a lot of the good international teams. There was a voice that rang throughout the stadium and it said that the Spanish National Anthem was to be played first. Lorena, along with her Spanish friends stood up and joined along with all the other Spanish people. The anthem didn't have any words, since it was the Royal anthem or whatever. Lorena didn't mind, the music was pretty and it was very short. She noticed Fernando's expression as they showed it on the big screen: deadly serious. Don't mess with a serious Spaniard that was in the zone, you'd be bound to get hurt. Her body got goose bumps as she then proceeded to sit down on the chair. The other anthem was playing and she saw how proud the Tahitians were singing. The corners of her mouth turned upwards at the example they were setting. They were proud and that's what mattered, they were here to play and give it their best even if they weren't the best. She admired them and as soon as the anthem was over, the whistle blew. Let the game begin... Lorena could only keep her eyes on a certain Spaniard as he jogged down the field and waited for the ball to be given to him.

Not even five minutes and Fernando easily scored. He ran down the field with both hands making a sign with the number one. Lorena jumped up from her seat and cheered as loud as she could. Eloá smiled as she too stood up to cheer. Spain was definitely dominating this game as Tahiti helplessly tried to stay afloat. Lorena couldn't bear to watch the Tahitians tiring themselves out. Even though, it seemed like they were about to give up, they didn't. What an example was all she could think of. Eloá and David continued to talk about the different plays and the players themselves. Diana and Ema were talking amongst themselves as well, occasionally glancing at Lorena. Lorena could only focus on Fernando. The boy lacked confidence, she could tell, but he seemed to have it together in this game and from what she thought, he was playing well.

At the 33rd minute, he scored again just following a minute after David Silva. He was elated she could tell, but also kind. It seemed that the keeper for Tahiti's team had been hurt, but Fernando went over to help him get up. This was an unbelievable experience for her. Never had she seen such great sportsmanship. She felt like crying. The thing was, Lorena wasn't emotional, and it wasn't in her genes although her mamá was a crier. She cried at every Disney movie, no matter how many times she saw it. Her father on the other hand, boy he was a robot when it came to feelings and emotions. Lorena was more like her father in that sense. There was just something about crying that didn't appeal to her-- she liked to think it was because she was a happy person deep inside and couldn't bear to think about the fact that people could be sad in the world. Anywho, the display of kindness and humility that was being displayed on the field made Lorena think that if there was an award for Best Sportsmanship, they should definitely win it.

Before she knew it, the halftime whistle blew with David Villa scoring a goal after Fernando.
"Well that was just..." Lorena trailed off.
"Tahiti is playing with their hearts." Eloá pointed out.
"Something that we can finally agree on." David said chuckling while giving Diana a kiss on her cheek.
"This is so heartbreaking you guys!" Ema said as she turned to the group.
"Tahiti knew what they were going up against Ema," David said, "they're playing for fun.."
"Yeah, the coach even said that he was expecting Spain to score 15 to 20 goals. This is better than they expected." Eloá said.
Before they had come to the match, Eloá had put on the news. They had shown a clip of the coach being interviewed before they showed all the riots that were happening. People in this country really did not take no for an answer and Eloá liked to keep up with the news. Lorena understood, but she was happy being in her own world because honestly--the world was going to shits.
"Lorena, you seem kind of lonely over there... why don't you come over here and sit next to us? Don't let the two people that know about the sport intimidate you." Ema said as she montioned for the young woman to sit next to her.
Lorena looked at David and Eloá, "you kids have fun... mingling." She laughed and went to sit next to Ema.
Ema was so pretty, Lorena looked down at her belly and then asked, "is it a boy or a girl?"
"It's a boy. We're so excited, he must take after his padre because this boy keeps kicking every chance he gets...I think he's asleep now, so it's better." She smiled as she put a protective hand over her stomach.

Babies. There were a lot of babies being born right now. It's like a baby boom. Lorena had noticed how many pregnant women were walking around with bellies and how every stand of magazines had some celebrity plastered on the cover with a pregnant belly, she was happy for the keeper and the keeper's wife.

"Congratulations." Lorena said smiling.
"Thanks." Ema smiled giving off a glow.
"So, we were wondering if you wanted to be part of our little group?" Diana asked as she leaned in closer to the two other Spaniard women.
"What group?" Lorena asked curiously, eyebrows raised.
"We are usually known as the wives and girlfriends club, or more commonly known as WAGs," Diana explained.
"It wouldn't make sense to be in that group... I'm nobody's girlfriend or wife." Lorena smiled sheepishly.
"Well, family is kind of included. It's a given. There are other girlfriends that you haven't met, and wives. It's really a big group, but we don't want to leave you out. You seem so nice and you'd fit right in." Ema said.
"Erm.." Lorena squirmed in her seat. Did she really want to be a part of this world?
"It'll be fun! We do a lot of fun things... like go shopping and gossip... and talk about boys..." Diana gushed.
"Heh. I'm almost the complete opposite... but Sergio has been pushing me to make friends so I guess I can? You guys don't seem like the quick type to judge someone...I'm in." Lorena beamed.
Ema and Diana clapped their hands, "you won't regret it. I promise." Diana said.
"You guys are so nice... and so pretty!"
"Look at you! I mean, I know you are related to Sergio and things, but he never mentioned that you were hotter than him." Ema winked.
"Oh thank you...you flatter me." Her cheeks showing off a deep velvet color.
"So Lorena, how come we haven't seen you surface the football world until now?" Diana asked.
These girls didn't beat around the bush did they? "Hmm.. This is Sergio's world, not mine..but he wanted me to come and hang out with him during this tournament..." Lorena said.
"That's sweet of him; he always has talked about you like you are his little sister. It's nice that he's protecting you, but it is also nice that he wants you more out there." Ema piped in.
"I suppose. He always tries to be controlling over what I do, but I thought I'd let him have his chance." Lorena laughed at her childish remark.
"He tends to do that... but he's very sweet." Diana agreed.
The girls went quiet as the players made their way out to the pitch again, "do you like football Lorena?" Ema asked.

It seemed like they were interviewing her, but they seemed nice so she played along. "Umm. Never really got into it and I'm asking myself why after all these years."
"It is very interesting no? All of that hard work for a muddy ball." Diana chuckled.
Eloá and David would not shut up in their conversations. Lorena reminded herself to ask Eloá any rules and things that she didn't understand; it seemed like other than cars football was her passion. Then again, she was Brazilian. Brazilians died for this sport. No, really. They did. Eloá had mentioned something about it being fifty years ago where Brazil lost to Uruguay here in this same stadium and people killed themselves because of it. That World Cup was extremely intense, and Lorena couldn't believe it. People killing themselves over a silly sport? For them it was a way of life, and she was beginning to slowly understand that.
"Yeah, it is." Lorena smiled to herself as she noticed Fernando running down the field again.
Her eyes looked at her cousin as he was also jogging a little, kicking the ball far away from their goal. All these players, playing for a trophy. All that exercise and hardwork for a title. Lorena turned to Ema, "is your husband playing?"
"Oh no. He's on the bench, but I thought I would surprise him. He doesn't know that I'm here yet... I was attained by some business but I was able to come early." Ema giggled. She sounded so in love.
"That's so sweet of you, I'm sure he'll be thrilled." Lorena said.
Diana was talking to David and Eloá, occasionally giving her man a kiss on the cheek, "he should be. You don't mess with a hormonal pregnant woman..." Ema laughed.

David Villa scored in the fourth minute again. Spain was getting an easy win, but they were playing well. During the13th minute, Fernando scored again. This boy was on fire and Lorena couldn't help but be happy and feel joy for him. She used the smile that she used for the ocean. The smile that gave her joy, or if she felt joy for someone else. Maybe he was gaining his confidence again? Lorena didn't know, but she was sure happy that he was doing something to let everybody know that he was still here. She was glad for the player as he had commented that his form wasn't the same, well maybe this was a step in the right direction.

The blue eyed Spaniard kept her focus on the match and she must have made it clear because Diana and Ema stopped talking to her as the match went on. There was just something about the sport that attracted Lorena; or maybe it was the fact that for the past two days she hadn't been able to see her cousin. They were training hard to keep focus and his coach was being rather strict with just sitting around and not doing much so they had to put their energy to good use and practice. He must have been grilling them because when Lorena called up her cousin yesterday he was exhausted. She wanted to see if they could hang out for a bit, but he was just not up for it. She understood, physically draining your body was hard work; especially when your body was your work.

She just missed her cousin.

Although two days wasn't as bad as before. The last time she had seen Sergio before he dragged her out of Madrid, had been a month. He was a busy guy, with all his football work and busy schedule that he had to keep up with. Happiness washed over her as she remembered that they had the family reunion which meant a little vacation time for him and everybody that was coming along. Maybe this was not going to be so bad...Lorena was so out of the loop with her family. They were going to ask her a million questions as to why she hasn't seen them out of the respected holidays.
What was she going to say? "Oh sorry, been driving illegally for the past two years..." That wouldn't go well, she had to make something up. Lying was never her forte, but they shouldn't ask questions that they didn't want the answers to. It's not her fault that her parents didn't let her be a race car driver as a profession. It's too dangerous they said, when they didn't even let her drive. Driving was her passion and she wasn't about to give it up because her parents forbade her to do it.

David Villa scored again, followed by Juan Mata. They just kept going and going, Lorena winced as she noticed the scoreboard-- 9-0. Surely this wasn't normal for a football match. Tahiti was playing with all their might, they looked tired, but they kept striving; something that Lorena could relate to. Fernando scored in the next ten minutes. Four goals in one game? Who knew? Lorena stood up and clapped her heart out as she screamed. Everybody looked at her, "what? This sport is exciting..." She quickly sat back down as everybody continued to go back to their conversations. The game was finished, the score being 10-0 with Spain taking a victorious win. Lorena smiled at the gestures that the Spanish players had made towards the Tahitian team. It was a breath of fresh air and this suddenly reminded Lorena why football was the world's greatest sport; something that Sergio constantly reminded her about.

"Well that was interesting." Diana said as she giggled while grabbing David's hand.
"Oh yes it was." Eloá said.
"Lorena won't you come to dinner with us?" Ema said as she stood up as well.
"Er, I don't know. Eloá's staying with me as well..."
"She can come too!" Diana exclaimed.
"We would love to go to dinner with you." Eloá responded before Lorena could interject.
"¡Genial! (Brilliant!)" Ema said as she asked Lorena for her number.
They said they would call them to let them know which restaurant they wanted to go to.
"Are any other girlfriends or wives here?" Lorena asked just so she could try and prevent herself from embarrassment.
"Hmm. No. They'll most likely get here for the semi's if anything." Ema said, "don't worry. You're going to fit in fine."
Lorena gave her a smile as her and Eloá left the Spaniards.
"They seem nice." Eloá remarked.
"Yeah... it should be interesting I suppose." Lorena said.

***

"So you need to tell us how your skin is so flawless... and you don't even wear make-up!" Diana said giggling as all four girls sat around the table.
They had chosen a somewhat casual restaurant to eat at. Diana and Ema were grilling Lorena question after question, asking her about her life, her job, the schools that she went to, anything.
"Water." Lorena replied smiling.
Eloá had been playing moral support and Lorena was really glad that she had come with her because if she had been by herself... things would probably have turned for the worse. She was happy that she had a friend to share all of this experience with.
"And what else? I drink plenty of water and get the rest I need, but my skin is just.. as you can tell." Diana replied.
"Well, I don't drink alcohol," Lorena made a face, "I hate it. So that could be why. Sergio has mentioned some stories were the girlfriends like to drink and get wild every once in a while no?" Lorena giggled like a school girl.
"Si. It's true. Sometimes you need to let loose, you know. Drink your jiggle juice." Ema said giggling.
This was like preparatory school all over again for Lorena. They really did giggle and gossip like nobody's business, although they never said anything bad about anyone which was good. Still, the feeling of nostalgia hit her as she reminisced her old school days where she didn't have to care about bills and being a grown up. Lorena hated being an adult and having to be responsible... driving made her feel reckless so that's one of the main reasons why she did it.
"Jiggle juice?" Eloá burst out giggling.
"Yes! Jiggle juice! The liquor makes you feel fine, like you're floating." Diana said nodding her head.
"So Lorena. Do you have a boyfriend?" Ema asked in all seriousness.
"Boyfriend? Pfft." Lorena blew incoherent noises through her mouth.
"Why don't you? That's surprising.." Diana piped up.
"I really don't know... the last time I had a boyfriend was probably in kid school. You know, puppy love. Other than that, no dice. It's just. I don't know. I don't have time for that." Lorena shrugged. She didn't mention that she was thinking about someone.
"Oh come on... eres preciosa. (you are gorgeous.)" Ema said.
"Você está à espera de que jogador de futebol (you are waiting for that footballer.)" Eloá said in her native language.
"¿Qué?" All three girls asked.
"I meant to say, she is just waiting for the right one." Eloá winked.
Ema and Diana looked at her skeptically, "do you have a boyfriend?"
"That's a loose term." Eloá laughed and then proceeded to tell them all about Alvar.
Lorena didn't hear anything because she caught one or two words from what Eloá had said. She had said the word football and wait. What did she mean? She wanted to bang her head on the table; what was it with people telling her things that she couldn't decipher? Her mind didn't work like that, she had to be told straight up what was happening or else she was completely oblivious. Not that she minded, her own world sometimes was a lot better than reality.
As they continued to talk and eat with one another, a phone began to ring. It was for Ema.
"¿Hola?" She said as she tried to hold her giggles, "oh hey mi vida. Actually I'm here in Rio. Surprise! I'm just out with Diana and Lorena... you know. Sergio's cousin. Yeah, her. You need to meet her. She's amazing! Get this. She's hotter than Sergio. I'm not lying... the world has come to an end." Ema gushed to Iker.
Ema continued to talk to Iker while Diana and Eloá were talking amongst themselves. Once, Ema hung up, "so, he's estatic that I'm here so early, and he wants to meet you real soon." Ema said towards Lorena.
"Can't wait," she smiled.

Well...might as well embrace the football world Lorena thought as she continued to have a few more fun moments with the new girls that she had so easily become friends with.

***

"Sergiooooooooo," Lorena said in a sing song voice.
"What?" He said as he was sprawled out on the couch.
"I met Ema today." She said as she sat on the floor next to her cousin.
"Iker told me. You were out with the girls, that's good."
Eloá was currently taking a shower.
"Yeah, they seem real nice..." Lorena said as she fidgetted with the end of her shirt.
"They are.." Sergio said as he yawned.
"They invited me to join the WAGs club," Lorena said, "and I said yes."
"That means you'll have to go to my matches. And you'll have to start dressing more properly.."
"Are you saying that I dress bad?" Lorena asked appalled.
"Erm. No. You don't, but they're high maintenance."
"Well, they saw me and they liked what they saw, I don't think they're going to judge me. If they do, I'll come to you so you can kick their booties. They're like barbies I swear." Lorena laughed.
"You can stand on your own two feet. You're tough." Sergio said.
"You are so confusing." Lorena said laughing again.
"Huh?" Sergio asked.
"First you say that you kind of sort of want me to be in this world, and then you're like 'you can do it by yourself.'" Lorena mimicked him.
"Well.. you just needed a push." Sergio chuckled.
Lorena hit him on his leg, as she also laughed. He must be so tired, "poor Sergio.. do you want to go back to your room?"
"No. Fernando is in there, talking to Olalla on the phone. They've been at it for hours."
"Oh?" Lorena pretended to not be interested.
"They're arguing about stupid stuff... well, more like she's arguing and he's just listening and trying to find reason in what she's saying because she really doesn't make any sense anymore.." Sergio sighed.
"He's having a real tough time isn't he? He played well today though, that's good right?" Lorena asked nonchalantly.
"Yes to both. Something clicked inside of him and I think he just wanted to tell everybody that he is still here."
"Hmm." Lorena said.

"What are you people doing?" Eloá asked as she came out with her hair wet and hands on her hips.
"There's this thing called conversing." Lorena laughed.
"Oh no, no. Spain and Brazil have won! We must celebrate!" She said as she had brought out an Ipod speaker along with her Ipod.
"Do you just carry all this stuff with you wherever you go?" Lorena asked curiously as Eloá was setting it up.
"Duh. There has to be someone to start the party everywhere." Eloá said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Excuse me..." Lorena mumbled as Sergio stayed in place.
"Oh no you don't." The Brazilian put some music and Lorena guessed it was Brazilian and grabbed Sergio by the wrist, got him up and started dancing with him. It sounded like samba... Lorena did not dance, at least not in public.
Sergio and Eloá were dancing... or more like Eloá was trying to teach Sergio how to dance Samba when there was a knock on the door, both of them not even paying attention. Lorena got up swiftly and made her way to the door. She turned the knob to reveal a tired Fernando Torres.
"Hello," she said in English as she let him through.
"Hola. What is going on here?" He chuckled as he walked through.
"Something about celebrating España's win and Brazil. Great job by the way! Four goals." Lorena gave him that one smile.
"Thanks.. it was so odd. When I went to Tahiti I had a tour guide, and one of the players happened to be one them! Crazy this world we live in." He mused, "told you I'd score..."
Lorena only nodded as Sergio and Eloá waved to Fernando. Before Eloá and Lorena had arrived to the room they had bought a few essentials. Okay, more like drinks and different sorts of snacks because they wanted to have some fun and not care what they're eating. Luckily, Lorena thought of getting water bottles for herself, while Eloá of course got some Brazilian soda that was her guilty pleasure.
"Wow. Talk about a small world.. but really nice goals...should be a statement to your coach no?" Lorena said as she went to the little kitchenette to get two bottles of water for her and for him... if he wanted one.
"I hope so." He chuckled.
The Spaniard lady came back around and handed him the water bottle as she took a sip of her own and watched her cousin in amusement as he failed to do the dance that Brazil is most known for."
"Sucker!" Lorena burst out laughing.
Fernando was sitting on the couch as was Lorena and he was watching with tired eyes, "aren't you tired?" Lorena questioned him.
"Extremely, but for some reason I can't sleep."
Wonder why. "You look real sleepy though..." Lorena said as she took another swig.
"Meh," Fernando said as he took a swig of his own water.
"Sorry..." Lorena said, "just thought I'd point out the obvious." She smiled sheepishly.

The song ended and Sergio went to get a drink as Eloá looked through her Ipod, "Lola wanna dance?"
"No..." She shook her head.
"No? You better know who you're talking to." Eloá said as she put a hand on her hips. Before she knew it, Eloá had grabbed her wrist and dragged her to the small area that the dancing was being done.
Lorena gave her a face as a new song came on, one that Lorena had never heard of before.
"This one is easy, just follow my lead." Eloá said.
Her Brazilian friend stuck both hands out, did a body roll, then pretended to fan herself, extended both hands out and did an air thrust.
Lorena could only stare, "OH I KNOW THIS ONE! CRISTIANO AND MARCELO PLAY IT ALL THE TIME!" Sergio squealed like a woman and went to do it next to Eloá who only giggled as she continued to do it. Lorena quickly shuffled away and sat on the couch again.
"You don't dance?" Fernando asked.
"No..." Lorena trailed off.
"That's surprising. Most girls I know dance..." Fernando chuckled.
"I'm not most girls... and I don't dance... in public." She stated, "do you not dance?"
Fernando coughed and cleared his throat, "I'm not very good.."
"I'm sure that's a lie," Lorena replied.
"He's not lying. He's really bad." Sergio laughed as he continued to do the dance.
"Shut up." Fernando said as he chuckled, "why don't you dance in public?"
"Just don't. It's not my thing." Lorena shrugged.
"She dances well," Sergio said.
"Sergio.. nobody's talking to you." Lorena replied making a face.
"Just ask abuelo. He knows." Sergio continued taunting her.
"Oh?" Fernando asked.
"It's just that whenever abuelo and I hang out. Or whenever I was little actually, I always demanded that he play music on the guitar so I could dance for him." Lorena said her cheeks growing hot.
"He played for hours and hours."
"Sergio! Eloá keep him busy," Lorena waved her hand around, "but anyway. Long story short, I was a little dancing machine..." Lorena said.
"So what stopped?" Fernando asked.
"I grew up I guess." She shrugged.
"That's too bad," Fernando said yawning, "when girls dance it's nice." The footballer smiled sheepishly.
"I guess...but anyway. Are you sure you don't want to go to bed?"
"Yes, I don't want to go back to the room."
"Speaking of, why did you decide to come here?" She asked as she fiddled with the cap.
"Mata is asleep." Fernando said simply.
Lorena made an oh face and then nodded, "there's nothing really exciting going on here as you can see."
"We make for great entertainment!" Sergio said as the song changed to something mellower.
"This one goes like this," Eloá said as she began to do the next dance.
"I'm going out to the balcony. Too much excitement over here, " Lorena said.
"Party pooper..." Sergio said chuckling, he lightly hit Lorena as she walked by.

Her nose inhaled the salty air as she sat down on the chair, noticing that Fernando had trailed behind her. He sat on the other chair and gently stared out at the ocean.
"You were so nice to the Tahitians today... my heart broke for them." Lorena broke the silence.
"I admire them so much, they played with their hearts." He softly smiled.
"They did...it was great sportsmanship to watch."
"When you see someone trying their hardest and just playing because they love what they do, it just. It's indescribable."
"It really is, it made the whole sport for me so much better. I keep asking myself why I was never interested in football until today." Lorena giggled.
"So you're interested now? Are you going to start following clubs?" Fernando asked curiously.
"I guess? I don't know anything about football..." Lorena said.
"I can tell you all about that...as long as you promise me something."
"What's that?" She asked putting her hand under her chin and looking at him.

Fernando's brown eyes bored into hers, "as long as you cheer for Chelsea.."
"Is that the club that you play for?" She asked.
"Yes."
"Why ever would you want me to cheer for you?"
"You believe in me." He simply stated, "it reminds me of how much my abuelo believed in me too." Fernando said softly.
Somehow, this seemed like a sensitive subject to Lorena, and she didn't question him further, but only nodded.

Lorena listened intently as Fernando began to explain to her all the different divisions in Europe as he talked enthusiastically about his passion--his life. Her heart couldn't help but swell a little as the corner of his lips turned into a smile that she had never before seen on him, it made him look breathtakingly handsome, and she was sure that little by little she was falling deeper into him.