Chapter 4 - Simon

                                    

                                          
Back in Madrid, after my semi encounter with James, Daniela and I went back home before I said goodbye to everyone.
Keylor took me to the airport and I thanked him one last time for everything, he pulled it off. No one except James, I hope, realized I was in Spain.
Chelsea and her boyfriend Chris come and pick me up at the airport the night I arrive back home.
"How was Spain?" Chris asks as I get in the backseat.
"It wasn't as bad-"
"As you thought," Chelsea interrupted. "See, it's a part of you, Kat."
"You're right," I start. "I've missed everyone and I wouldn't mind going back there."
"Not to stay though," Chris chimes. "Hopefully. You've made your best friends super happy, and I'm happy Chelsea's happy."
"What a joy," I find myself rolling my eyes at the perfect couple.
"Dinner tonight, at Fiamma, you have to come," Chris ordered.
"Oh, sounds great," I smile.
During the trip back to my old apartment, I find myself scrolling through my contact list and I can't help the grin on my face.
I send it.
I send a mass message to my old friends, except for James and Neymar.
Hi.
So I wait. By the time we arrive at the loft my phone begins to buzz frantically.
Hi!
Kat!
How are you?!
Toni, Marcelo, Iker, Oscar, David, Thiago, Leo, Gerard, Marc.
The list goes on, but they all say around the same thing.
I can't contain the joy it brings me and I get a raised eyebrow from Chelsea during the elevator ride. Then I think back to that night in the elevator when I got a call from Pékerman and I realized I had feelings for James. The grin faded.
I put my phone in my back pocket before answering any of them.
"We're ready!" Noori cheers as she opens the door for us.
"Oh," I say confused. "It's a fancy dinner?"
I hadn't noticed the suit Chris was wearing since he was waiting in the car the whole time and it was dark out, Chelsea has her long coat on, but now I see the make up and hair.
"I'll let you borrow something," Noori smiles. "Come on, we're in a hurry."
I rush to Noori's room after I greet Naomi and Vivian.
"Tell me," Noori frowns as she helps pick out a dress from her closet. "Why the long face?"
"I thought about James," I simply sigh.
I can be truthful with Noori, she was also by my side during Spain since I got to visit her. My other three dear friends were back here, across an ocean, far, far away.
"Did you see him while you were there? Did you see anyone?"
"Keylor kept his word, but..."
"But?" She looks up at me after helping me with the heels.
"I was at this burger place with Keylor's step daughter, when she points out that James was at the register. I turn around and see him leave, he doesn't even turn back, and he saw me, he didn't even stop to say 'hi'-"