We Could Be Something

Resting back against the mattress he sat on, Iker spared a small sigh, his eyes glancing around the slightly unfamiliar bedroom. It had been a few days, after he’d arrived back in Portugal, he had been quick to find somewhere a little more permanent to stay, but the apartment felt strange to him, even if it was filled with his things and decorated with his pictures, it still didn’t feel like home to him.

Shifting a little, he attempted to get a little more comfortable before the sound of his phone buzzing reached his ears, causing him to let out a small groan. It wasn’t the first time, since he had landed back in Portugal, more than one of his former teammates had attempted to call him, and as silly as it was, it irked Iker. He knew that they meant well, more often than not, they called to wish him the best of luck and insist that things wouldn’t be the same without him around, but still Iker was tempted to duck them, even if it was a little petty. Part of him wanted to avoid anything to do with Madrid for a while.

Letting out a breath, he retrieved his phone from the end table before he placed it against his ear. “Hola?” he mumbled.

“You picked up” Sergio noted, a small amused laugh falling out of his mouth.

“You called me” Iker replied “And I tend to answer my phone when it rings. How are you, Sergio?” he added, trying to keep his tone light and cheerful.

“I’m fine” Sergio noted “But I was really calling to check on you. I didn’t get the chance to see you when you were back here the other day and I wanted to ensure that you’re alright after…you know” he added hesitantly.

Iker noted the tone of his voice before he let out a sigh, resting his head against the pillow. “I’m fine, Sergio” he mumbled gently.

“Are you sure?” the defender countered “Iker, I saw the press conference...”

“I’m fine” Iker interjected “It just got the better of me for a moment, but I swear, I’m fine. It’s going to be strange for a while, but I am sure that I will get used to it quickly. It’s just different” he added, shaking his head a little. He knew what Sergio was going to say, since he had arrived back in Porto following the confirmation of his transfer, more than one person had enquired as to whether he was doing OK, and whilst Iker appreciated their concern, he merely wanted to avoid talking about his transfer for a while.

Sergio was quiet for a moment before he let out a small sigh. “I know you probably don’t want to hear it, but if you need anything…”

“I appreciate the thought, Sergio” Iker interjected softly “But I think I will be alright. I’ll see you when I come over for internationals, OK?” he posed gently.

“Alright” Sergio agreed “Adios, Iker. I’ll speak to you soon” he added before he hung up.

Iker allowed the silence to linger for a few moments before he shook his head, settling the phone on the end table. He knew that his friends meant well, since the news had broken that he was due to move on from Real Madrid, they’d been particularly thoughtful towards him, and whilst Iker was grateful for their support, he wanted time to get used to the idea of being away from Madrid, something which wasn’t going to happen quickly.

Shaking his head, he spared another glance around the room before he spotted the coffee cup which sat on the dresser, Adriana’s number etched onto its side. It had been sudden, Adriana giving him her phone number had caught him a little off guard, but part of him was tempted to call her, wanting to get his mind off of things for a little while.

Pausing for a moment, he debated whether or not it was silly to call her before he pushed himself to his feet, quickly dialing the number which had been written on the cup.

Shaking his head, he contemplated hanging up for a moment before the sound of Adriana’s voice snipped into his ears. “Hello?” she posed.

“Hola, Adriana” Iker breathed softly “It’s Iker” he added.

“Iker” Adriana mused “I didn’t exactly expect you to call” she added.

Iker shook his head. “Did I interrupt something? Because if I did…”

“You didn’t” Adriana interjected with a small laugh “I was just surprised you actually called. You seemed pretty hesitant the other day” she quipped, her tone soft and warm.

Iker’s cheeks warmed a little before he shook his head. “I shouldn’t have called” he mumbled softly “I’m sorry” he added.

Adriana let out a small laugh, something which made the hint of pink on Iker’s cheeks darken a little. “Iker, it’s fine” she insisted softly “I told you to call me. Are you alright?” she posed.

Iker thought for a moment, briefly contemplating telling her that everything was fine, before he shook his head. “I need to get out of my apartment for a while” he noted gently “And I thought you might know somewhere I can go for a couple of hours, just so that I am not stuck in here all day” he added.

“Have you eaten dinner yet?” Adriana posed “Because if you haven’t, I know a place not too far from me that serves the best food. It’s not the most exciting place, but it meets the criteria, no?” she added.

Iker marveled at the tone of her voice for a moment before he nodded. “It sounds great, Adriana” he noted gently, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

“I’ll give you the address” Adriana enthused.

Iker nodded. “Will you meet me there?” he posed gently. He knew that it was a little forwards, he barely knew anything about her, but part of him felt at ease around her, even if he did still appear awkward and uncertain, there was merely something about her that offered him some comfort.

Adriana made a small noise. “Did you want me too?” she posed.

“It beats eating alone” Iker noted, shrugging slightly “But if you were busy, you don’t have to. It was just a suggestion” he babbled.

Adriana was quiet for a second before she let out a small sound. “I’d love to, Iker” she noted softly “I should be able to get there in about 20 minutes” she added.

“That sounds great, Adriana” Iker agreed gently “But I do want to ask you to do me one favour. For tonight, do you think we can avoid mentioning Madrid and my transfer?” he enquired softly. He knew that it wasn’t a topic he was going to be able to avoid often, for a while, people were going to ask about it, but he wanted to evade the topic, even if it was just for a night.

“I think we can manage that” Adriana noted gently “I’ll text you the address and see you in a bit, OK?” she posed.

Iker nodded his head before he quirked a small smile. “I’ll see you” he agreed gently. He knew that it was going to take a while, the move he had made was going to take a little while to sink in, but he was confident that eventually he would get used to it, even if it did take longer than he would have liked.