Cause and Effect

Four

"Do you have plans to catch up with your family whilst you're in Barça?" He asked me.

"Nothing fixed," I responded, shrugging my shoulders. "They were in London over Summer anyway, so I just saw them recently. We're not that close though."

"Oh really?" Asked Alexis, frowning. "Why's that? You just grew apart, or... I'm sorry if it's a touchy subject. I guess we've never talked much about our families before."

"Nah, they just weren't too keen on me pursuing football as a career," I said. "They're fine with it now, but we kinda went for a good five or so years with barely any contact when me and Hec first moved to Arsenal, and I guess it permanently damaged our relationship. How about your family?"

"They've always been supportive of me, even back when I was just a little kid with a big dream and no money. I think that's part of why I get on with Neymar so well, we've both come from similar backgrounds in South America. That sucks about your family though," he smiled at me. "But at least we all have a football family, right?"

I laughed.

"Twenty or so brothers is pushing it a bit," I joked. "But you're right, this team is like a big family. More sisters would be nice though. Just don't any of you go transferring on me. I can never feel completely at ease whilst the window's still open."

"Do you think you'll leave once your contract's up?" He asked, curiously. "There's been quite a few clubs after you this window, but Thierry's not letting you go even if you wanted to."

"Which I don't," I chuckled. "I'd say I'll probably sign here again next year, but it totally depends on what comes up. What about you?"

"I'll stay if Thierry signs Neymar," he chuckled.

"Oh yeah, when can I meet him?" I asked. "It's weird, I've played against him so many times but I don't think we've actually spoken words to each other. We're playing Barça in about a week, you could introduce us before the game?"

"Oh, you can meet him before then," Alexis smiled. "He'll be at the dinner tonight. He has a conference with the Barça manager, his personal manager, and Thierry, and Thierry invited him to the dinner afterwards."

"That's cool, I guess I'll meet him then," I smiled.

"Just don't go taking a violent dislike to him, like you did with Thierry," he smirked.

"What? I did not..." I began indignantly, but he interrupted me with a laugh, giving me a playful shove.

"I'm kidding, Nia," he chuckled.

We walked for miles up the beach, before turning back, and having a late lunch in a small cafe overlooking the water. Being with Alexis made me feel so relaxed, and I really liked him. We'd been friends for quite a few years now, but it seemed like our friendship was suddenly becoming more. I didn't mind that at all.

~.~.~

By the time we got back to the hotel, it was only an hour or so until the formal dinner. Alexis and I parted ways, He to get ready, and myself in search of Hector and Granit, whom I assumed were still in the pool. At least, if Hector was in the pool, I hoped Granit was with him, otherwise there was no way Hector would remember to get out on time to make it to the dinner by six.

I wandered in the general direction, not really knowing where I was going, until pulling open a door leading into the next corridor, I came face to face with a guy of average height, with the most striking hazel eyes I'd ever seen. It was none other than Neymar Jr himself.

He wore ripped jeans, and Nike trainers, a Nike t shirt, and an NJR SnapBack of his own branding.

"Nia Ramos, we finally meet properly," he said in Spanish, snapping me from my thoughts.