Football Fan Fics

“One life lost in this senseless way is tragic. Four lives lost...

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:18:48 -0500

“One life lost in this senseless way is tragic. Four lives lost is a crisis. And these are just the stories we hear about. How many other teens have we lost? How many others are suffering in silence? Being a teenager and figuring out who you are is hard enough without someone attacking you.” - Ellen.

So, you've stopped writing I'm Yours?

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 02:38:57 -0400

Sadly at the moment yes.

please update - S.A. Anon

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 02:38:48 -0400

Bear with me, I beg, I’m going to try and finish it real soon and once its done I’ll have a nice new story and idea to share with you guYs that i hope you’ll like

I miss you and gonzo :c

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 02:37:29 -0400

Naww I miss writing about gonzo and your comments too, but I’m so sorry I have been writing and hopefully will have it done soon I’m so so sorry

when you finish your Gonzalo story are you gonna write a new story or are you gonna stop posting stories. please say the first option. i love your stories to much to imagine a life without them. S.A. Anon

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 08:16:24 -0400

Well once I finish the Gonzalo story I’ll be moving onto a Marc Bartra short story I’ve got planned. And nawwwwww, you’re so sweeeeeeeet! :3

Seeing that you haven't posted in a month is a bit depressing:C

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 10:43:04 -0400

I swear I am soooooo sorry!!! :( I’ll try to update soon, I’ve just been struggling with writing and with life in general but it shall be soon! Xx bear with me please!

I love your Pipa story. Update soon!

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 10:41:30 -0400

NAWWWW, thank you!! And I will try to get some more writing done soon so I can update! Sorry for the wait!!!

please update soon - S.A. Anon

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 10:40:58 -0400

Awww I will, I’ve been trying to start writing something down but it’s a but hard to cos of I want it to be the perfect ending and nothing I’m writing sounds good :(
Anyway, thank you for checking my blog and bearing putting up with my ridiculous update schedule! xx

I looooooved look closer and they're are so many problems to solve I can't wait to read the ending. I can't believe it's almost finished I'm gonna miss it. :(

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 10:39:26 -0400

Awww well the wait is almost over, I’m working on the chapter now and hopefully it’ll be up in the next week or so (no promises)
Thank you!!

what a beautiful update but damn you Gonzo. Why does he have a girlfriend. Ahh please update soon. the suspense is killing me. - S.A. Anon

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:27:24 -0400

Awwwww thank you sweeeeeeetie!! I really wasn’t confident posting this chapter especially after the long wait I was thinking no one reads my story anymore but thank you!
I will be updating soon and omg the story is almost over can you believe that!!!!!! AHHHH! I haven’t decided yet but it’s either one or two more chapters left.
Xx

Look Closer: A Gonzalo Higuain Story, Chapter 11.

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 02:16:13 -0400

HAI GUYS! Sooooo Sorry for being AWOL lately I’ve just had a hard time lately with problems and the whole writers block wasn’t helping! So here is a loooooong chapter to make up for lost time. Incase you guys can’t remember what happened in the last chapter here is a recap:

Gonzalo and Mia are still not talking to each other and Mia is convincing herself that she doesnt need him anymore especially after what he did and that she will get over him (a bit hard when they’ve both admitted their feelings) ANYWAY, we were introduced to Mia’s cousins children Pedro and Alma who she is now taking care of for a few weeks. (It was mentioned in the last chapter that Pedro had a tummy ache, and this is where this chapter takes off.

So, to any one who still reads this thank you for bearing with my long delays on posts. (PS: there is ONE chapter left :/ CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!) FEEDBACK PLS GUYS!

A knot formed in my stomach as Pedro squirmed violently in his sleep, his groans becoming more audible. I patted his hair soothingly and hummed a soothing beat. My eye lids were heavy and the soothing sounds were only making it harder for me to keep them open. Pedro’s eyes opened suddenly and he sat up wrapping his hands around his body, “Aunty, it hurts!”

I sat next to him on the bed, “I know baby, it’s okay,” I patted his head soothingly, “Where does it hurt kiddo?”

His hand slid down from his face and stopped at his low-right side abdomen. It took me a moment to remember all the organs in that area but when I did I jolted out of my seat as if someone had electric shocked me, “Appendix,” I whispered under my breath. I held my hand out to Pedro, “Come on kiddo, we’re gonna take you to the hospital.”

After throwing a robe over Pedro’s pyjama’s and waking Alma and getting her wrapped up, I slipped into a pair of flats and rushed out the door to my car wearing an old pair of yoga pants and a flimsy cardigan thrown over an old t-shirt. Pedro’s groaning throughout the car ride kept me stressing about all the possible causes of the pain.

The hospital staff acted immediately as soon as I mentioned the pain was coming from his appendix area. They put him in a bed and ushered him away into a room. I paced along the window as they prodded him with needles, wrote on their clipboards and walked in and out of the room. Each second longer he stayed in his room, another seed of worry grew in my mind.

***

Memory:

I sat on the bed a pen clenched between my teeth and a highlighter in my hand that I was twirling around as I read through my biology notes. Gonzalo who sat on the opposite side of the room, his nose stuck in his history test book looked up, “Wait, so I’m confused,” he turned around to face me, “The French revolted against their oppressing government which led to some dude holding power and starting the reign of terror. What a waste!”

“Gonzalo I don’t think they realised at the time that the dude, whose name might I add is Maximilien Robespierre, would end up being such a dictator.”

Gonzalo groaned, “And I’m supposed to write an essay on this bullshit.”

“Trust me it’s got to beat writing an essay on the functions of an appendix in the body, which in case your wondering is a totally useless organ.” I waved my text book at him as I turned and flopped onto my back.

Gonzalo stood up threw me a banana and took one for himself, “But, my aunty had hers blow up inside of her, sounds dangerous not useless.”

“It used to be useful, a long long time ago, but our diets have changed and now it’s only use is contracting infections that means it has to be removed or in severe cases to explode.” I looked down at my book and began reading, “If an infection continues without treatment, your appendix could rupture, spewing out bacteria and possibly resulting in sepsis and death.”

Gonzalo threw his pen at me, “Dork.”

I threw the pen back, “Jerk.”

***

Tap, tap, tap, tap, my fingers drummed a rhythm on the handle of the plastic chair. The arm Alma was leaning on was numbing but I didn’t want to move in case she woke up. Just as my eyes began to feel heavy and close to shutting, I heard a voice call out, “Excuse me?”

I sat up in my chair and Alma stirred in her sleep, rubbing at my eyes I looked up at the kind faced plump woman, “Yes.”

I carefully adjusted Alma’s head, “You’re the guardian of Pedro Alboran, no?” I nodded and she continued, “he is asleep now, they’ve performed some tests but he was in too much pain so they medicated him and they’ll continue once he is awake.”

I nodded, “Will he be okay?” She nodded vehemently, “Thank you for letting me know.”

I slid back in my seat realising that Alma sat straight in her seat rubbing at her eyes, “Hey, you alright?”

She shook her head frowning, “I’m tired and hungry.” She whined, “Is Pedro okay?”

I smiled reassuringly, “Yeah they’re just running some tests on him.” I stood up and held my hand out for her, “Let’s get you something to eat.”

Alma may have been tired but she still had the energy to talk as we walked to the canteen, “Do you have a boyfriend? Mummy says you don’t, but I don’t believe her, all adults have boyfriends and girlfriends or husbands and wives.”

She looked up at me with her big green eyes waiting for my answer, I tensed up before smiling weakly down at her, “It’s not that easy.”

“Why not?”

Because life’s not a fairy tale, I stopped myself before I crushed all her fantasies. “Adults have a lot of problems to deal with. For some, love isn’t as important as having a job and being healthy.”

We stopped in front of the hospital cafeteria entrance, “Everyone needs love.” She persisted before running off the the counter.

I’ve heard that one before, I thought as I trailed behind her. Everyone needs love, bullshit. I grew up without the love of a father and a mother who loved me close to never, I hadn’t had a serious relationship, ever and ever since Nicole, I kept my friends at arm length. All my friends except, him. He replaced all the love I had ever been deprived of throughout my life but that was before he went and ruined everything. And here I was again, unloved.

Alma’s head rested on the table as she fiddled with her slice of apple pie, “Why aren’t you eating?”

“I’m tired,” she whined and rubbed irritably at her eyes, “I wanna go to your house and sleep.”

I bit my lip, “Alma, we can’t leave Pedro here alone though, don’t worry they won’t be much longer.” I lied, the truth was I had no idea what was keeping them so long and why. Alma huffed and groaned audibly, “Do you wanna play a game on my phone?” I asked pulling my phone out of my pocket and noticing the time.

Almost 6 in the morning, it wasn’t fair on poor Alma that she doesn’t get a good nights sleep and sleeping in the uncomfortable hospital chairs wasn’t either. I sighed internally and knew I had to do the inevitable, I had to call the person I could always count on in an emergency, Gonzalo.

But what would I say when I haven’t spoken to him in weeks, almost months. What do I say to the guy who caused me so much pain? Why should I let him feel like my hero, again.

I looked over at Alma and I thought with a sense of finality I thought, this wasn’t about me, this was about Alma needing to get home and in bed. When I saw her squirming trying to get comfortable on the plastic chairs I knew that I couldn’t be selfish about this.

While my heart warned me against it, my brain couldn’t come up with anyone else and before I could think about it again my fingers were dialling the number I’d memorised off by heart.

“Hello?” I called into the phone once it stopped ringing.

“Oh,” The voice replied snidely, “So I’m only allowed to talk to you when you want me to, huh?”

I was taken aback, “I-I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have called,” I muttered my voice shaking slightly.

Immediately I heard Gonzalo’s voice call into the phone, “Wait, Mia, are you alright?” His voice was soft and concerned.

I sighed, “I’m in the hospital. Pedro,” I began before he jumped to conclusions, “Vic’s son, he’s in the emergency room. He had really bad tummy pains. And the doctors are testing to see if it’s anything serious.”

I heard keys clinging on the other end, “Say no more, I’ll be there in a bit.”

I nodded even though he couldn’t see me, a knot had developed in my throat. As if I wasn’t nervous enough about the doctors testing Pedro but talking to Gonzalo left me feeling uneasy.

“And Mia?”

“Yeah?” I replied.

“It’s all going to be alright.”

I walked with Alma back to Pedro’s room and as I passed the nurses desk she smiled sweetly and reported that there had been no news. No news is good news, no news is good news, I chanted in my head as I sat in one of the seats waiting for Gonzalo.

Alma dozed off with her head leaning on my arm while I sat up in my seat lost in a daze thinking about pointless things just to keep my mind of Pedro who I had only seen once since they ushered him into a room. I let my mind wander to lesson plans for next week, to trying to remember whether I had put the washing out to dry or when my next gas bill was due.

I was in such a trance that when I heard my name being called from across the hallway I jumped out of my seat knocking Alma and waking her up in the process.

He strode over and before I could take anything in I was throwing my arms around him out of habit. Slowly his arms reached around and wrapped around me too. I shut my eyes feeling relieved and safe and nostalgic in his arms, the same arms I fell into every other time I needed help.

These were the arms that held me up when Nicola died, these were the arms that I fell into when my dad disowned me, when my mum died. These were the arms that I ran to on bad days, these were the arms that made everything better in the worst of times.

I pulled away from Gonzalo, my hands still wrapped around him and his around me. I opened my eyes and looked up at his face, but when I did I no longer saw the comforting eyes I was used to, but instead my eyes met his and the only thought running through my mind was liar.

All of a sudden I was thrown back into reality where no matter how much he hugged me I wouldn’t forget, it wasn’t the same arms. No, these were the arms of a liar. But I needed his help and well, beggars can’t be choosers.

I pulled away from Gonzalo and avoiding his eyes I turned to Alma, “Alma, come,” Alma rushed over to my side and clung to my pants. “Gonzalo this is Alma,” I knelt down beside Alma, “Alma this is your Uncle Gonzalo.”

I could feel Gonzalo staring at me as he tried talking with Alma, they seemed to be getting along well until Gonzalo stood up and turned to me, “How is Pedro?” he asked placing a hand on my arm.

I kept looking down at my hands not wanting to look up, “So far, he is okay, but they’re still running some tests.”

Gonzalo’s hand that rest on my arm moved up to my face and pushed it up so that I was square on with him. There was no avoiding his gaze now, I thought as I took my first long glance at Gonzalo.

His hair was a mess and he had stubble growing along his jaw, his shirt was misbuttoned which I couldn’t help but smile at and then I let my eyes wander to his and well, he looked - the way he looked at me was - was weird. It left me feeling giddy but annoyed and watered the seeds of confusion that had been planted weeks ago.

“Mia, are you okay?” he asked.

I sighed, “Look, I need a favour,” I pointedly avoided his question, “Alma is tired and god knows how much longer we will be here for, could you take her home and well you know.” I trailed off.

“And take care of her till your done here?” I nodded, “Of course I will.”

I sighed, “Thank you.”

Gonzalo smiled down at Alma and held his hand out for her, “I guess you’re coming with me princess.”

Alma grinned as she heard him say princess, “Really Aunty?” She asked looking up at me, I nodded, and she took Gonzalo’s hand grinning.

“You be a good girl okay?And Gonzalo, you take good care of her please.” I pleaded with a sense of warning in my voice.

Gonzalo nodded grinning, “You just take care of yourself, let the nurses take care of Pedro, okay?” He leant his free hand out to mine and squeezed it before turning and walking off hand in hand with Alma. Alma chatted animatedly to him and Gonzalo looked down at her listening attentively.

I sat back down in my seat and covered my face with my hands in frustration, why did nothing ever feel right anymore.

***

I had gone through a cycle of pacing and sitting over the passed hour or so as I waited outside of Pedro’s room. Half an hour had passed since the doctors had gone in to perform their last tests. I paced the length of the waiting room once more before sitting down. Just as I was about to pull my phone out of my pocket to check on Alma, the doors of Pedro’s room opened and out walked a doctor followed by a nurse.

The doctor walked towards me patting down at his grey hair, “How is he?” I blurted out before he could speak.

“He has mild food poisoning, but with the help of the medication we’ve given him, he will be okay and back to normal soon.”

“So how soon can he checkout?”

“Within an hour or two, as soon as he’s done with the IV drips we have him on.”

I quickly thanked the doctor before he rushed over to another patient. I walked up to the nurses desk and asked her if she could keep her eye on Pedro while I popped out to go home and change then pick Alma up before returning to the hospital to take Pedro home. The nurse smiled reassuringly and promised she would keep a close eye on him, but I couldn’t help but worry about him the whole ride home.

I opened the door to my apartment and walked straight into my room to shower and change knowing that if I sat down I would never get up again. After showering I noticed a missed call on my phone from Gonzalo and immediately my mind jumped to the thought that something had happened to Alma.

I quickly dialled his number my hand shaking and my heart beating faster with each ring of his phone. Finally, he picked up, “How is she?” I shot.

“She’s fine, she ate, she slept and she just woke up now.” I sighed in relief, “How’s Pedro?” His voice sounded genuinely concerned.

No, no, no I scolded myself, there was nothing genuine about him. “It was food poisoning, he’ll be okay.”

“So will they be releasing him soon?”

“Yeah, in an hour or two.” I sighed knowing I’d have to face him again, “I’m coming around to pick up Alma now, is that alright?”

“It’s okay I can bring her over.”

“It’s on my way to the hospital anyway, it’s fine.” My voice came out sharper than I meant it to.

There was a long pause before Gonzalo continued, “So you’re home now? That’s good, you take care of yourself and I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay,” was all I managed for a goodbye before hanging up.

***

Hesitantly I knocked on Gonzalo’s front door. I was going to get Alma and leave straight away. “Coming!” I heard him call over another voice giggling as his footsteps neared. The door opened and Gonzalo smiled at me widely, “Hi.”

I again avoided looking at his face by pretending to look behind him searching for Alma, “Where is she?”

“Come in, she’s playing in the lounge room.”

“I think I’ll just pick her up and leave, thanks.”

Gonzalo cut off my protesting, “Come in.” He said sternly.

I stepped into his apartment and followed him through the hallway. I stopped before I entered the living room, “Come on Alma, we gotta go now,” I called out.

Gonzalo turned around, “Stay for a bit.”

“I’ve left Pedro alone, I can’t.” I smiled apologetically.

Alma came pounding towards me and threw her arms around my waist. “Aunty, it was so cool here.”

“That’s good.” I patted her hair and looked up at Gonzalo appreciatively.

Alma smiled up at Gonzalo, “Guess what Uncle Gonzalo said?”

“What?”

“He said I can come visit any time I want and he would even take me out as well.”

“Did he now?” I took the robe Alma held in her hands and snuck a glance at Gonzalo who was smirking.

“What else did I say?” He asked Alma.

“You said my beautiful Aunty is invited to join us.” I blushed as Alma continued, “Can we Aunty? Can we?”

I could see Gonzalo staring at me from the corner of my eyes and I prayed he didn’t notice the colour that rose in my cheeks, “We’ll see. Right now we gotta get back to Pedro.” I smiled down at her and nodded towards Gonzalo still smiling genuinely, “Thank you Gonzalo.”

“It was my pleasure.”

I smiled once more before taking Alma’s hand in mine and making my way towards the door, “Bye Gonzalo!” Alma yelled as we neared the door.

Just as I was about to reach for the door a shrill new voice call out “Wait!” I stiffened up as Alma let go of my hand as I turned around slowly knowing I wasn’t going to like what I see. A blond thin girl stood next to Gonzalo holding out a block of chocolates towards Alma, “You forgot your chocolates!” Alma ran back to take her chocolate before rushing back to my side.

The girl stood next to Gonzalo protectively and turned to me with a sly look in her eyes. “Hi, are you Alma’s mother?”

I laughed hysterically as if it were the funniest thing I’d ever heard, “No I’m her aunty.”

“Oh, well I’m Anastasia,” she paused pointedly, “Gonzalo’s girlfriend.”

As much as I tried to smile back I couldn’t. Not because it hurt that he was with someone else, but because here I was pining away for him while he had moved on as if nothing had happened. Why couldn’t I do the same? I couldn’t because he had a hold over my feelings that had consumed me.

There he goes again tries charming me like that and make me feel so happy before ruining everything and making me feel like shit again. I shot Gonzalo, who looked down at the ground embarrassedly, a dirty look and slowly shook my head as I took Alma’s hand in mine again and began walking towards my car.

I rubbed at my eyes in frustration so much for not letting him hurt me again. Within less than a day he had me feeling helpless and weak all over again. I hated feeling weak which was exactly why I kept my heart sealed off, but of course the one person I open it to is the person who breaks it into tiny pieces.

hey when u gonna update again?

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 02:09:33 -0400

I am so super super sorry for the late late late update, so its an extra long chapter to make up for it!! I’m updating now so I hope you like :)

(sorry again I’ve just been so busy :/)

I love the Bartra one shot! Please consider making it a story! :)

Wed, 16 May 2012 04:04:30 -0400

Awww THANK YOU!!! And I WILL consider it though thanks again :)

you promised to update.... y u no keep ur promises?

Wed, 16 May 2012 04:04:03 -0400

IM SORRY :( I have been having a lot of personal problems and I’m only just starting to get time to focus on other things, so yeah I’m going to write up a chapter, and have it done soon sorry again :)

please make Bartra's one-shot a long story, it's so good!!!!! xx

Wed, 16 May 2012 04:02:44 -0400

Awww thank you! This is so nice of you. And I can’t say for sure but I will be starting a new one after look closer but I’m not a hundred percent sure if it will be the bartra one, but if I do come up with anything, I will :) xx

I loved your one shot of Marc. Have you considered in making it into a full story?

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:18:19 -0400

thank you!

I loved the marc story! Connnntinuuue! :D

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:14:15 -0400

Aw thank you
And nothings certain but after look closer, I will start a new story.

Photo

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:18:21 -0400

Photo

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:18:17 -0400

Make It Mine: A Marc Bartra One Shot!

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:14:42 -0400

For the lovely Tasmin who requested a Marc Bartra one shot that I enjoyed writing :) I hope you guys like it and FEEEEEEEDBACK (I cant say it enough, but please feedback)

Also, Look Closer will be up VERY VERY SOON, hopefully during the next week! Sorrrrrry for the wait!

I stared at the shelf in the supermarket, there was row upon row of chocolate, eggs, rabbits and every other type of chocolate possibly imagined. I was never big on celebrating Easter. My family was never raised us that on Easter we went to the church for Jesus.

No, we stayed at home, coloured Easter eggs and ate chocolate. But as I grew older the tradition died out and now that I had moved out of my parents house, I usually just bought an Easter egg or bunny for myself.

Just as I reached out for the perfectly wrapped purple bunny, Jose, my roommate pounded over, “I finally found it,” he tried to catch his breath as he threw the food dye into the basket I held.

Jose had left me in the most tempting isle in the store as we stocked up for his Traditional Family Easter dinner, he needed food dye for the eggs he planned on colouring and he left me in search of it. I snatched the list out of Jose’s hands the chocolate bunny that waited on the shelf for me was long forgotten.

“Is that everything?” He asked taking the basket out of my hands.

I double checked the list and nodded, “We’re all set!” I was glad to finally be getting out of this supermarket. I never thought the day would come when I spent close to an hour in a supermarket for grocery shopping.

“Uh, there is one more thing.” Jose bit his lip and ran his hand through his short curly hair, “Well you see, this dinner is really important. And well, my family they don’t know I broke up with Eva and they’d be so disappointed because they didn’t even get to meet her and you know how my parents are when they get annoyed.”

“Out with it Jose.”

“I-was-sorta-wondering-if-you’d-be-my-date?” He spoke so fast that his question came out as a single word.

“What?!” I choked on my own saliva.

“Well its not like you’re planning on doing anything tomorrow anyway.” Jose muttered under his breath.

“And how are you so sure I’m not?!” I actually wasn’t but I was not ready to agree into this quite yet. Jose’s family was crazy, if I agreed to go with him as a date I’d have to be prepared to be questioned and prodded to see if I passed their test.

“You’re not religious nor are you close with your family,” He stopped at one of the cash registers and waited in line, “Come on, Carla, you’d be doing me a massive favour and you’d be saving my butt.”

I groaned, “And you’d be throwing me into the hell that is your family.”

“You haven’t met them, how would you know?” We began emptying the contents of the basket on to the checkout bench.

“You’re always complaining about them.”

Jose paid and took the bag from the woman who served us, he smiled at her sweetly and walked out of the store towards his car, “They’re not all as bad as my parents.”

I groaned loudly and poked Jose in the side, “Fine.”

Jose slapped me on the back grinning, “Thank you Carla,” He opened the car door and threw the bag in, “I’m so happy I could kiss you.”

My face scrunched up, “Uh, I’ll pass.”

Jose hopped in the car, “You’re right, we should save it till the dinner tomorrow.”

I slapped his chest hard, “You’re on thin ice buddy, I wouldn’t push it.”

“Don’t worry, there’ll be food,” Jose enthused in a sing song voice.

“Oh I am so there.”

***

I stood in front of the full length mirror that hung in the hallway of our flat. I was scrutinising my outfit when Jose walked up and stood behind me, “Am I covered enough?” I knew Jose came from an incredibly conservative family so I chose the most modest outfit I could find from my wardrobe. It was a short sleeveless white lace dress that stopped just above my knees that I had thrown a white blazer over to cover my exposed arms.

Jose chuckled, “Yes.”

“Are you sure they won’t freak out at the sight of my bare knees?” I turned around to face him.

“Don’t worry, you look fine amor,” he laughed as he pulled me closer to him.

I wriggled away from him and patted his cheek, “Nice try.”

The car ride to Jose’s family’s holiday house which laid at the outskirts of Barcelona, was long, the whole ride I bit nervously at my lip until it started bleeding and I stopped. Jose kept trying to get me to lighten up, but no amount of joking could lighten up the doom I was about to face.

Jose was an only child and so, his parents only wanted the best for him. I had heard story after story of relationships his parents had disapproved of that they forced to break up. I had heard all the stories of disastrous dinners with his parents. So I felt extreme pity for Jose’s actual girlfriends who actually had to put up with his parents.

Jose’s car came to a stop in front of a reasonably big mansion, I turned to him aghast, “If this is the holiday house I can only imagine how big your home is.”

Jose laughed quietly and got out of the car. I stepped out carefully holding the coloured eggs Jose and I had made. Jose and I began walking towards the house and I couldn’t help but notice the amount of cars parked in the driveway, “That’s one big family,” I muttered under my breath.

Jose pressed the doorbell and turned to me, “Seriously Carla, thank you so much.”

“The food better be damn good,” I smiled as footsteps could be heard behind the door.

Finally the door opened and a young tanned man around the same age as me stood at the door, “Ah Jose!” The man threw his arms around Jose and the pair exchanged greetings and how are you’s.

Jose turned to me, “Marc, this is my girlfriend Carla,” it was weird hearing him refer to me as his girlfriend, “And Carla this is Marc, my cousin.” Marc held his hand out for me to shake.

“Hi,” I took his hand in mine and I finally got a look at his face, he had the same amazing eyes as Jose but they stuck out more on Marc’s tanned skin then Jose’s paler complexion.

“Hola,” He let go of my hand but his eyes remained trained on me as he said, “Come on in guys, the food is already on the table.”

Marc walked ahead of us guiding us through the hallway. I leant in closer to Jose and whispered, “Is the rest of your family this handsome?!”

Jose slapped my arm playfully, “Tonight, you keep your eyes on me.”

Marc stopped in front of a large dining room, “Here we are.” My eyes struggled to take in all the detail of the decoration of the room, it was heavily decorated with special drapes, crystal mantle pieces and photos. My eyes fell on to the large dining table where at least thirty people or so were huddled around.

No body noticed our entrance until Marc boomed over everyone’s voices, “LOOK WHO’S HERE.”

Immediately the table fell silent and thirty pairs of eyes fell on Jose and I. I gulped hard and Jose reached out and took my hand in his own. A woman stood up from the table beaming, almost forcefully, and walked over to us.

“JOSE, MI HIJO,” The woman cried as she showered him in kisses. A man stood up slowly from his seat at the table and sauntered over and shook hands with Jose.

“Mama, papa,” Jose turned to me, “This is my girlfriend Carla and Carla, these are my parents.”

I smiled at them sweetly as they looked me up and down, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Jose’s mother acted as if I hadn’t spoken as she turned to address Jose, “I thought you said her name was Eva.”

Jose’s hand that I gripped onto fell slack, “Uh, you must have gotten muddled, I never dated an Eva,” Jose tried to laugh it off and I was surprised when his parents fell for it.

“Come, come,” Jose’s father began, “It’s time to eat.” they guided us over to two free seats at the table. I took my seat, wedged between Jose and Marc, and smiled and said hello to the other members of the family who sat at the table.

I tried to keep the butterflies in my belly at bay as everyone began spooning the food out of the bowls. Jose turned to me asking what I’d like to eat. And as I surveyed the food on the table I was overcome with options, “I don’t know, it all looks so delicious.”

Marc leant over towards me, “You’ll have to try my Aunty’s lovely pasta with white sauce. It’s my favourite, I happen to have a thing for stuff covered in white,” he ran his finger over the material of my white blazer as his breath tickled my neck. I smiled uneasily and gulped hard as the butterflies in my belly that had begun to subside started fluttering crazily all over again.

***

Jose’s mother who’s name I had learnt was Anastasia, looked up at Jose and asked, “So, tell me Jose, what does Carla do for a living?”

She spoke to him as if I wasn’t there and it bugged me, as if Jose had read my mind, he placed his hand over mine reassuringly. “Well, why don’t you ask her.”

Anastasia’s simply looked at me with I displeased expression on her face. “I work at my uncle’s law firm as a secretary, that is, when I’m not studying.” I tried my best to smile sweetly at her.

“Oh, a secretary,” she cleared her throat, “That’s…interesting.”

Jose’s father, Juan, looked up from his glass of wine, “And what is it you’re studying?”

“I’m almost finished my degree in Philosophy, I should have my certificate by the end of the year.”

“Thats grea-” he began before his wife interrupted him.

“Don’t you think Philosophy is a useless degree?”

I looked down at my hands angrily. Of course she thought I wasn’t good enough for her son, her amazing son who is studying medicine. Just because I wasn’t really Jose’s girlfriend, didn’t mean it hurt any less.

I looked up trying to keep my facial expressions neutral but before I could even open my mouth, Marc, who put down his fork before looking up began, “I disagree Aunty, I think it’s a really interesting degree.” Marc turned to smile at me which I returned with a grateful look before he looked back down at his plate.

Marc’s snide comment wasn’t enough to stop Anastasia and she continued her inquisition, “What about your parents, do they work?”

I nodded, “My mother owns a florist.”

“And your father?”

I bit my lip, I hated talking about my father. Jose knew this and he placed a reassuring hand on my thigh, I took a deep breath before beginning, “I’ve never seen him before.”

Anastasia’s eyebrows shot up and her mouth keeps opening and shutting like a fish out of water, “Have you ever tried to look for him?”

I shake my head, “If he doesn’t want me, then I don’t want him either.” I shrug and try to keep unaffected as possible from the topic but I can’t help the tears stinging my eyes.

I thought Anastasia’s eyebrows couldn’t get any higher but she proved me wrong when she raised them at my comment, “Everyone needs a fatherly figure.”

I gulped down hard. This woman barely knew me and she was already pestering me for my life story. “Mama, leave it.” Jose warned.

Anastasia shut her mouth and sent a dirty look my way, “Look Anastasia, I know it’s hard for you to understand. But not everyone can live in a perfect world where they’re all a happy family and everyone is smart and successful.” Anastasia’s face was screwed up in anger and her face was red, “I have worked hard to get where I am today and I won’t let you make me feel ashamed of myself or my life decisions.”

I stand up push my chair out of the table and walk away in the direction of the hallway. I have no idea where all the doors lead to so I just open the first one I see and step in, the room is dark but the light from the open door allows me to see enough to notice a chair, I shut the door and throw myself in the chair.

By now I was sure I had screwed things up for Jose, he had brought me here to please his parents and get them off his back. But I ended up making it worse by being a rude little girl.

I was always like this, I could never be the suffer in silence kind of person. If I didn’t like something I made sure it was known that I didn’t like it.

I laid my head on the cold marble of the desk. Just as I had summoned the courage to walk out again the door creaked open a little and a the room lit up dimly. Immediately I ran over and threw my arms around Jose who slowly placed his hands on my back, “I’m so sorry Jose, but she just hit a nerve.” It wasn’t until I pulled away and a light flickered on in the room that I realised it wasn’t Jose. “Marc,” My face warmed up in embarrassment. I went back and sat where I was before, “I’m sorry.”

“Nah it’s okay, Jose and I were looking for you,” He shrugged. He followed me and sat on the floor next to the chair.

“I meant I’m sorry for ruining your family dinner, she just- ugh-” I groaned.

“No it’s not your fault, my aunty was totally out of line.” He smiled sympathetically.

I shook my head, “I knew this dinner was gonna be difficult, I never should have come.”

“Look Carla, my aunty she gets really protective over Jose. Your his girlfriend, she sees you as a enemy.”

I shook my head chuckling, “I’m not really Jose’s girlfriend. He just asked me to come because he knew his parents would give him a hard time if he came without a date.” I sighed, “Looks like he gets a hard time whether he brings a date or not.”

Marc laughed, he actually laughed, I threw him a dirty look, “What’s so funny?!” I stood up from my seat and Marc followed me in standing up.

His beautiful eyes met mine, “I was starting to think I was being an idiot for being attracted to my cousins girlfriend.”

I blushed and looked down embarrassedly. Did he just say attracted?

He bent down and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. A voice echoed from outside, “MARC? DID YOU FIND HER?” It was Jose.

“Maybe when your duties as my cousins girlfriend are over we could go out sometime.”He smiled against my cheek before standing straight.

Jose walked into the room just as Marc pulled away. My hand ran over the part of my cheek he kissed as butterflies fluttered in my belly madly. Jose walked up to me, “Are you okay Carla?”

I looked at Marc who stood at the doorway and smiled at him. He turned on his heels and walked off.

Maybe we could Marc, maybe we could.