Little Miss Newry
Drip. Drip. Drip.Maddie groaned, nestling her head in her hands and leaning her elbows on the counter.
6am. Such an excrutiating time to get up. How did anyone manage to do early mornings? It just wasn't natural, if not a little evil. She'd been so used to the student life. This time last year, she would have been going to bed at the time, never mind getting up ready to face the morning.
Christ, it was dark outside.But Fernando wanted to do it now. And she knew that if she was going to attempt to keep on his good side that it had to be on his terms.
And god knows she needed to keep on his good side. It was so hard to slip out of it.
"You're up early..."
She felt herself jump, clonking her head on the cupboard as she did so.
"Sorry," Cameron grumbled, "Didn't mean to startle you. What are you doing up?"
She turned, nursing her head and smiling back at her flatmate, "Torres."
"At 6am?"
"He wants to show me something," She replied glumly,
"His talent?" Cameron raised an eyebrow, "Does he have that hidden away somewhere?"
"Cam," She warned him and he smirked approaching her.
He placed a hand on her hip and then brough his lips down to the forming bruise, "Be careful Mads. I don't like this guy."
"You would say that," She replied, "You're United through and through."
"Yeah there is that," He wrinkled his nose up, "-But that's not the only reason. There's something about him that doesn't add up. I wouldn't trust him with my own worst enemy never mind my-" He stalled and she perked up hopefully.
Wishful thinking.
"I'll be fine," She chewed her lip nervously, "-Seriously. It's cool. I'm a big girl."
"I know," He pressed his head against hers and placed a small kiss on her nose, "That's why I admire you so much. I am proud of you, you know? My flatmate... getting the world exclusive from Fernando Torres."
She smiled nervously, "I don't have it yet."
"You will though," He stroked hair from her face, "I have every faith. Need a lift to the stadium since your cars in for repair?"
She nodded.
"Let me shower... and I'll be out in ten."
*
Chelsea training ground, 6.35am,"You're late."
"Sorry," Maddie spoke as she approached the waiting Spaniard, "Traffic."
"Where are you coming from? Scotland?" He swiped, "Surely it doesn't take that long to get here."
She rolled her eyes, "Why did you even want me to come this early anyway? Isn't it illegal to be up this early..."
"Let me guess you've only just graduated," He spat, "Figures I'd get stuck with the student."
"I'm not a student anymore," She bit back, "I'm a journalist."
"They're one in the same," He replied, "Both leeches on society that have it far too easy."
"Are we going to do something or are you just going to stand here and abuse me all day?" She asked in annoyance, "Cos, you know, if I wanted that I'd go home."
"Let's go," He spoke moodily.
*
"Do you like it here?" Maddie asked, taking a look around the changing rooms.
Photos, plaques, medals and memorabilia plaqued the walls around them. Photos of team line-ups, framed shirts from retired greats, you name it. They were all there. It seemed fitting. If anyone could give Chelsea FC anything it was their pride.
Fernando shrugged pulling off his shirt and changing promptly, ignoring the pinking of his acquaintances cheeks, "A jobs a job at the end of the day."
"A job?" She asked skeptically, "You get to play for one of the best teams in Europe and... a jobs a job?"
"Look, football isn't everything," He sat down lacing his boots up, "It may take up a lot of my time but... it's not.
Not anymore anyway."
For a moment, Maddie could have sworn she saw sadness in his eyes. Only for a moment though. He quickly put that to rest without much thought.
She swallowed hard and nodded deciding to change the subject, "Tell me about the national team... It must be pretty cool to have been part of a Euro and a World Cup win."
"I hardly helped with the World cup," He spoke moodily,
"You were part of the team. You were given a medal."
"I spent the good part of the match on the floor," He shrugged,
"Still won it," She insisted, "The boss must have thought you were good to play you."
He raised an eyebrow towards her spetically before nodding, "I love my country. There's no better feeling than knowing you've made your people proud."
"I can only imagine," Maddie nodded, "When I was eight, mum put me in for Little Miss Newry. You know where that is? It's my hometown in Northern Ireland. I won, and then I got to take part in Little Miss Northern Ireland."
A small cynical smirk crept onto his face, "Did you win?"
Her eyes glazed over and she shook her head, "I came second. Caelyn Walsh won instead with her blonde hair and her doe eyed look. Not bitter at all."
His smile grew wider and he chuckled, "It shows."
Her cheeks pinked. She'd never taken defeat very well, even at eight. Infact, she was pretty sure it had started when she was eight... losing out to Caelyn Walsh and her fame hogging mother.
"Ready to see the stadium?" Fernando asked, "Wait here. I need to check something."
"O-Okay," She watched as he sprinted through to another room. She looked around nervously. She'd never done this before. She'd never even been to a stadium to watch a game, let alone come into the Chelsea changing rooms. This was where the magic happened... She said magic but she doubted there was nothing magical about a few dozen men sweating it out and showering together.
Her train of thoughts were interrupted by the door swinging open. She spun around, shell shocked as she came face to face with a group of men.
"Alright?"
Ashley Cole. She'd recognise that face anywhere. Plastered over the papers, magazines, you name it...
"Uh, I'm... I'm-" She stuttered,
"Maddie, right?" He extended his hand and she shook it, bewildered, "Nando told us you were coming. It's nice to meet you. Don't look so scared. We don't bite."
She forced a small smile, "Do you... all come this early?"
"We like to get in extra training," Ashley shrugged, "Well, some of us anyway. Nando and Juan mostly... and the new kids. I like to keep on top of everything,
"-No pun intended." The guy to his right spoke flashing her a cheesy grin, only to be met with a clout around the shoulder,
"Man have some manners around the lady, yeah?" Ashley warned, "Sorry about Sturridge. He thinks he's funnier than he actually is."
"Fuck you Cashley," 'Sturridge' replied, "I'm fucking hilar-balls, me. Lovely to meet you Maddie. I trust you've had the tour."
"Why are you talking like a rent boy?" Ashley bit back,
Maddie laughed, feeling herself becoming more at ease. If they were pretending to make her feel welcome, they were doing a good job.
"Ready... Oh," Fernando stopped behind her,
"You need to be careful where you leave your things Nandito," Ashley punched his shoulder, "Someone'll steal them."
"You wish Cashley," Fernando punched him back and looked back at Maddie, "She'd choose me hands down."
She folded hair behind her ears and looked down feeling the nerves return. He chuckled, "Later twats. Come on Mads."
She followed him obediently until they were out of ear shot, "Mads?"
"Yeah," He shrugged, "I like that name."
"It's just a pointless nickname... It's like me calling you... Fer."
"You can call me Fer if you like,"
"It's pointless."
"How?"
"It just is... At least think of something fun like..."
"Maddie?" Fernando raised an eyebrow, "Madeleine?"
"Nobody calls me Madeleine anymore," She tutted, "Not since I was at least eight."
"Losing out to Caelyn West?"
"Walsh."
"I wonder what she's doing now," He spoke, "Have you Facebooked her?"
"I don't have a Facebook," She spoke moodily, "It's a waste of time."
"She's probably 15 stone overweight with a drug addiction and a thyroid problem now. I wouldn't worry," He grabbed a ball and started bouncing it skilfully, "Wanna warm up with me?"
"Uh... sure."
"You'll have to keep up."
She watched as he ran off into the field, startled by his sudden change in attitude, "Boys."
*
