To maria gzz , Maryfer7, xdancingthroughlife, AgnesSophia:
Gracias!
I appreciate a lot your positive comments, and I hope you keep liking my story (and forgiving my typing mistakes). Thank you.
June 11, 2011
Javier looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting the light leather jacket to make it look just right. He smirked at his reflection, thinking that he was after all somewhat good looking. True, he wasn't the typical alpha male with broad shoulders, thick eyebrows, and a deep voice, but he had his charm, right? Still on Giovanni's quizzical look he proceeded to spray some cologne on his gray shirt, almost ready to go out.
"Don't tell me you're actually doing it" broke Gio, staring at his friend with disbelief.
"Then I won't tell you" smiled the young player, fun mixed with excitement and nervousness, in expectance of what was to come.
"Dude, if de la Torre finds out you are not here resting he's going to kill you for sure. Not to mention me, as well, for not ratting you out!"
Javier turned around. To see Dos Santos in a very uncommon worried mood was priceless.
"Ok, let's just hope he doesn't find out" said he simply, leaning on the table.
"Now, that is precisely the problem! You have always been such a goody-two-shoes; you don't even know how to do it!"
Rather defiant, Hernandez asked, impatient to get out:
"I agree, Gio. Then help me pass unnoticed."
His friend broke into laughter, dismissing him with his hand.
"Nah-uh, you won't trick me there. These two legs of mine have work to do tomorrow, and they will rest. Go, now, before I call daddy myself."
Grabbing the key to his room, Chicharito sneaked out.
June 9, 2011
It was close to midnight. Despite the terrible events of the evening, the game had gone so well, it had seemed magic. He knew Gio was glad; having scored two goals in the match was meaningful for his friend. Chicharito stepped out of the shower, sleepy eyes all too evident on his face, just to be received by Giovanni shacking a slip of paper on his face.
"What's this?" he asked, resisting the urge to snatch it.
"Well... I could tell you, but first I have to ask: Are you going out?"
Thru his willing-to-shut eyes, Javier glared at him.
"Let's say I have an appointment."
The curly haired guy laughed in his very light manner.
"Right. Then I can tell you. That is June's number"
"June? How did you...?"
"Marisol called me. She asked me to give it to you only if I saw you getting ready to go out. Which you are, right?"
"But of course. Why would I need the number?"
The dark skinned boy shrugged.
"She just said you should call before going out."
Javier did not wait for any other instruction, but immediately grabbed his cellphone.
Three rings after, a soft voice answered.
"Hello?"
"June? Is it you?"
He heard a giggled, and he was certain it was her.
"Yes, Javier? What are you doing?"
"Well, I was going to get dressed but Gio told me to call you and well..."
"Are you tired?" she said, interrupting.
The boy doubted his answer.
"Err... well, it was a good game, and... honestly?"
"Aham."
"Yes" he said simply, sighting.
"I know, I just wanted to know if you would keep up with what you promised. Now, why don't you go to sleep?"
"But... the Swann..."
"Tell you what, in two days we will both be in Chicago. You won't be sleepy, and I will have my recorder ready. Call me when you think you can sneak out, alright?"
Javier closed his eyes. 'Is this worth it?' he thought 'Because it's driving me crazy'
"Javier?"
"Ok, we'll see then. Good night."
June giggled, and wished him a good night before hanging up.
As he put away his phone, the boy noticed Gio staring funny at him. "What?"
"Are you serious? You were going to break rules for that girl?"
"It's more like I owe her" he explained.
"No, you don't. You want to do it."
"Goodnight, Giovanni"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll make you confess tomorrow."
June 11, 2011
From afar, a little pale hand waved. Soft, brown hair falling on skinny shoulders. Yes, she was there.
"Javier! You made it!" "Yes," he said, feeling oddly out of breath "I didn't think I could. I have never done it before."
"Good, there's always a first time. Now, ready to keep your part of the deal?"
Chicharito nodded, and followed the girl as she showed him the way to an empty room.
The interview was brief, and revolved mostly about the expulsion of the 5 Mexican players, the changes de la Torre made, and general comments from him and his teammates. At some point, Javier wondered if she was there for the interview or for him. He couldn't forget how quickly her attitude changed a couple of days ago, when he offered to 'make it up' to her. But once it was over, she seemed lighter, and a smile spread across her lips again.
"Well, now that you took the risk to sneak out, we should take advantage. Do you drink? 'Cause Marisol told me of this nice club a couple of blocks away, but I'm not much of a fan of clubbing myself."
Javi scratched his head.
"Me neither. Listen... I passed in front of this really good looking ice cream shop. With luck, it might still be open."
As if on cue, June's eyes brightened.
"I love ice cream! Please, show me the way!"
And as the pair walked away, lively like two child friends, they began to talk casually. Sooner or later, however, the conversation would have to turn to 'that night at the club'.
"You have to admit it, Javier, you were truly a jerk" she said, teasingly.
"I already said I'm sorry! Plus, it wasn't my idea, it was Gio's! I would never do that!"
That made June giggle, something that didn't seem too hard for him to obtain.
"Oh, but you did! With zero smoothness!" she replied between laughs. "Look, Javi, I'm not a saint, it's not like what you told me could never be. But please, as a lesson, you have to learn how to speak to women better."
He smiled, embarrassed, as he took the two baskets of ice cream: chocolate/vanilla and hazelnut.
"I promise I will. And I promise I won't do it again, really. I will not risk getting another smack like that!"
At the mention of it, June's eyes grew wide and serious. She had totally forgotten of that.
"Oh, Lord! I am so sorry! I should not have done it, either!"
Javier put his hand on her shoulder, calming her down.
"Nah, I totally deserved it."
They sat to eat their nighttime ice cream, surrounded by one of the most beautiful cities the United States could offer. In contrast to the dark, almost black sky, a great number of tall buildings gleamed and sparkled with their lights, glasses and mirrors. The streets were empty, and even if the city seemed too big and they seemed too little, in the quiet of the night they felt like it belonged only to them. Simple things are usually the greatest.
As Javier, like any good gentleman, walked June to her hotel, she thanked him for the night, and added:
"Hey, if you don't get in trouble with your coach... would you like to go to church with me next Sunday?"
Javier was taken aback. 'Wait until Gio hears this' he thought.
