020 | im worried

The room had grown quieter as the night deepened. The city outside, with its constant hum, seemed to fade into a distant murmur, leaving Gianna and Hector in a peaceful but fragile silence. She was still sitting on the couch, though now her head was resting gently on his lap, her breathing calm and steady as sleep had overtaken her once again.

Hector let out a soft sigh, his hand absently brushing through her hair, his fingers moving rhythmically, soothingly, as if trying to erase the lingering tension in her muscles. The weight of the evening's conversation still lingered in the air, and though Gianna appeared calm now, Hector knew that the storm of anxiety wasn't gone. It was only momentarily stilled, like the calm before the storm.

His eyes were fixed on the ceiling as his thoughts raced. He wanted to help Gianna, to make things better for her, but he could feel how deeply she was struggling. There was something more to it-something beyond just the injury, beyond just the pressure of being a professional athlete. He couldn't quite place it, but he could sense it.

Looking down at her, Hector gently shifted, making sure not to disturb her. She was so still, so vulnerable in that moment, and he couldn't help but feel protective of her. She'd always been the tough one, the one who kept everything together, even when life tried to knock her down. But now? Now, it felt like she was teetering on the edge of something she couldn't control. And that scared him.

He knew there was someone who might understand-someone who had known her all her life, someone who would know how to help her when she couldn't even ask for it.

Hector reached for his phone, unlocking it and scrolling through the contacts. His thumb hovered over Marc Bernal's name for a moment. He had never been one to ask for help easily, especially when it came to something as personal as this. But Gianna wasn't just a teammate to him; she was family. And when family needed help, you didn't hesitate.

With a deep breath, Hector tapped Marc's name and waited for the call to connect.

It rang twice before Marc picked up, his voice sounding tired but alert on the other end. "Hector? What's up?"

"I... I need to talk to you about Gianna," Hector said quietly, his gaze never leaving her sleeping form. "I'm really worried, Marc."

There was a pause on the other end, and Hector could practically hear Marc's mind whirring as he processed his words. "What's going on?" Marc asked, his tone shifting, now laced with concern. "Is she okay? Is she hurt again?"

Hector shook his head slightly, though he knew Marc couldn't see him. "No, it's not her injury this time. I think... I think it's something deeper than that. She's been really off lately. More than usual. I don't know how to explain it, but she's been acting like she's holding everything in. I can tell she's struggling, but she won't talk about it. And tonight... she said she was scared. She looked... vulnerable, Marc. Like she's about to break, and I don't know how to help her."

There was a long silence from Marc's side of the line, and Hector felt the weight of that silence pressing down on him. He was used to Marc being the practical one, the one with solutions, but now, it seemed like even Marc didn't know what to say.

"I'm not surprised, honestly," Marc said after a moment, his voice quiet but heavy. "Gianna's always been the strong one, you know? The one who never lets anyone see how much things are affecting her. But... lately, I've noticed it too. She's been quieter, more distant. I've tried talking to her about it, but she just brushes it off, says she's fine."

Hector's fingers curled slightly around his phone. He wanted to shake her, to get her to open up, but he knew that wouldn't work. Gianna was too proud, too stubborn to let anyone in when she was struggling.

"I just... I don't know what to do, Marc," Hector admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "She won't let me help her. And it's driving me crazy because I can see that she's not okay. She needs someone to reach her, but she's pushing everyone away."

Marc's voice softened then, and Hector could sense the worry in it. "I think you're doing the right thing by being there for her. She won't ask for help, but she'll always turn to you, Hector. You've known her longer than anyone. Just keep being there. Eventually, she'll let her guard down. You just have to give her the time."

Hector glanced down at Gianna, her face peaceful in her sleep, but her expression still held the faint traces of the turmoil she had been fighting earlier. He didn't know how long it would take for her to open up, but he couldn't give up on her. Not when she needed him the most.

"I just don't want her to feel alone, Marc," Hector said quietly. "I don't want her to think she has to handle all of this by herself."

"She doesn't have to," Marc replied. "Not with you around. I know it's frustrating, and I know you want to fix it for her, but sometimes... sometimes all she needs is time. She'll talk when she's ready. Just keep showing her you're there."

Hector closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, Marc. I just... I hate seeing her like this. It's not like her."

Marc's voice was reassuring on the other end. "I know, man. But you're doing the right thing. You've got her back, and that's what matters."

Hector hung up the phone, the weight of Marc's words settling over him like a heavy blanket. He knew Marc was right. Gianna would come around eventually, but for now, he just had to be there. Be her constant. It wasn't about fixing it for her; it was about showing her she didn't have to go through it alone.

As he looked down at her, her face still relaxed in sleep, Hector gently ran his fingers through her hair again. He would be there for her. No matter what. She wasn't alone.

And with that thought, Hector settled back into the couch, allowing the stillness to wrap around them both, knowing that in this moment, simply being present was enough.