Chapter Eleven

~Olivia~

She was beginning to think that she didn't belong in he world of WAGs. Just looking around at the group of women around her, she was more than convinced. And more than ever she longed for Aina to be with her, because she was comfortable, unlike the others.

It wasn't that she was miserable at the Christmas ball, it was that she just felt so classless compared to everyone else.

Gerard had stayed with her most of the night, but she didn't want to appear dependent on him...even though she was. As he talked with Carles Puyol, she wandered over to the desert table, balancing her glass of red wine.

As she tried to switch the glass to her other hand, some sloshed over the rim, and onto her skirt. She cursed softly, blessing the day Aina recommended the maroon colored dress. She had almost gotten a silver one, and that would've ended in a complete disaster, she realized.

"Hola, Olivia," she heard a soft voice, and found Messi smiling at her.

"Hola, Leo," she replied.

She noticed he was alone, and never remembered hearing recent news about him dating. He figured he had come single. He too seemed uncomfortable, his long hair combed neater than normal, though still maintained a boyish look.

But like her, he seemed to want to fade into the background, despite that being impossibe. Others, however, didn't seem to have that problem at all.

Malena Costa, Carles' girlfriend, was one of them. She was a professional model, so such events were common for her.

Olivia was sure that Aina would have been completely comfortable had she attended as well. She was very close with a majority of the players, though she confessed to having favorites.

Gerard smiled at her as he returned to where she stood.

"Having a good time?" he asked hopefully. She nodded, waving as the other two headed off toward some of the other couples. "Leo is really nice," she commented.

"Sí, he always has been," he smiled, and took her hand in his.

~Aina~

Since Gerard, Olivia, and the other players were at the Ball, Aina was alone in her apartment, soft Christmas music playing in the background.

Noche de paz, noche de amor, Todo duerme en derredor.
Entre sus astros que esparcen su luz
Bella anunciando al niñito Jesús.
Brilla la estrella de paz,
Brilla la estrella de paz.


She sighed as the soft melody continued. The only lights on were the Christmas lights, and several candles she had lit.

Noche de paz, noche de amor, Todo duerme en derredor.
Sólo velan en la oscuridad
Los pastores que en el campo están
Y la estrella de Belén,
Y la estrella de Belén.


Normally she loved Christmas time, but this year was different. She had her family with her, but she really wanted to spend time with Cesc. Her whole world seemed to be changing, her priorities, and what she valued.

She had meant what she said about moving to England, if Cesc wanted to stay at Arsenal, or if he had to. She didn't know what he would want in several months, or several years, even.

Noche de paz, noche de amor, Todo duerme en derredor.
Sobre el santo niño Jesús
Una estrella esparce su luz,
Brilla sobre el Rey,
Brilla sobre el Rey.


She looked at her small Christmas tree. It was rather barren, since most presents were sitting under the tree at her parent's house.

However, one package was under the tree. It was wrapped in metallic gold paper with a red ribbon tied artfully around it.

It had arrived from England a few days after her return to Barcelona, from Cesc. He had insisted she wait to open it, so she was waiting.

Noche de paz, noche de amor, Todo duerme en derredor;
Fieles velando allí en Belén
Los pastores, la madre también,
Y la estrella de paz,
Y la estrella de paz.


The music faded to an end, and the next song took its place, an instrumental version of 'Carol of the Bells'.

But everything just felt so empty. She just wanted to be back in England, despite the cold weather and the snow. She wanted to be curled up with Cesc on the sofa by the fire, listening to Christmas Carols.

She sighed softly, forcing herself to overcome that overwhelming abyss of loneliness.

~Gerard~

It was elating to show off his girlfriend to all of his teammates - his girlfriend - he loved that.

He hated to admit it, but he was a possessive person and he liked that he had some sort of claim over her (though he'd never admit that to her face).

Carles had been ecstatic to meet his girlfriend at long last, and the two instantly bonded over their love of sheep.

But what made him happiest was the fact that she visibly grew more comfortable with everyone around her, and began to enjoy herself instead of acting proper constantly.

He watched as she spilled some of her drink on her dress, and chuckled. It was an endearing sight.

She was just perfect.

~Cesc~

Once again he was attending the Arsenal Christmas Ball alone. It was just more blatant, since he was dating someone. He had a girlfriend, and he wanted to show her off to the world. But she was in Spain, probably alone, he realized.

For the first time he just wanted the night to end. He wanted to get back to his condo, and to call her. He wanted to hear her voice - needed to.

He wondered if she was curled up in her bed, or on the sofa - he guessed the latter.

He also wondered if she was feeling lonely like he was. He wondered if she regretted entering into a long distance relationship.

But he also wondered if she was thinking of him at that moment, as he was thinking of her.

He looked around the room moodily. Jack was with his longtime girlfriend, as was Robin. Nasri was with his new girlfriend. A group of WAGs passed by a few seconds later. He was disgusted by it all, and jealous.

Just several more hours, and he would be free.

But as he sat there, alone, he realized no one would miss him. So silently he slipped out, and drove back to his home.

He yanked off his tie, and shrugged off his suit jacket. She quickly changed into his pajamas, and carried his laptop over to his bed. Opening up the lid, he turned it on, and quickly signed into Skype. He was relieved to see her name on the list as available, and video called.

He felt instantly happier upon seeing her face, though it wasn't easy to make out in the dim light on her side.

"Feliz Navidad, nena," he greeted, "Mi amor."

'Feliz navidad, mi cielo,' she said softly in return, 'Was the Ball fun?'

He sighed, "Not without you there. It's not the same here, with you gone."

She smiled sadly, 'Sí, it's a lot different being alone here. Everyone went to the party, so I've been listening to carols, thinking about you.'

He smiled softly, "You're all I've been thinking about." She blushed, 'Pienso sólo sobre ti tambíen."

They talked well into the night, him unable to say goodbye.

He hoped that next Christmas would be spent together, and not through a computer screen. He yearned for that. He swore to himself to make it happen, at any cost.

He wasn't going to loose her. Not after he finally got her.