For yoursweetfaller_17: James Rodriguez

Alexa sat patiently as the stylist team did her hair and makeup. Alexa didn't care much for fancy hair or makeup. She was a footballer, her job wasn't to look good. Her job was to put the ball in the back of the net. And she was really good at it, too. Having transferred to the Portland Thorns straight after graduating college, she immediately had an effect on the team.

People had wanted to get to know more about Alexa, who was an unknown before the World Cup, and so some interviewer was coming to their training center to interview Alexa as well as Tobin Heath to talk about the World Cup. Alexa had at first insisted that Alex would be the better person to fit the job but the interviewer insisted on interviewing Alexa.

The stylist team left Alexa and Tobin finally, and the interviewer walked into the room. He was a medium-height man with salt and pepper hair. He took a seat across from the two and introduced himself before the camera started to roll. "In five, four, three, two, one, and we're live," the producer announced.

"Hello America, this is Ted Hill, and I'm in the presence of two brilliant ladies of football today: Tobin and Alexa. How are you guys?"

"Great," Tobin and Alexa chorused at the same time.

"Tobin, I'm going to start with you . . ." Alexa zoned out as her teammate explained her run in the World Cup, waiting patiently for her turn to arise. "And now we turn our attention to Alexa over here. How do you think you did in the World Cup?"

"I think I did decently. It was my debut and such, so I was a little nervous," Alexa smiled.

"Decent? I wouldn't call five goals just decent! You won the bronze boot because you didn't have any assists but you still did amazing. You won the Young Player award, your thoughts?"

"I hope that it's the start of a great World Cup career for me. I picked up my goals in the group stages and then another one in the round of sixteen, and I'd like to play through the tournament next time. But, at the same time, I'd happily sit the bench if my team would advance or win."

"People are saying that you're the next Abby Wambach, the next Marta. What do you have to say about that?"

"I'm highly flattered. I don't know if I would say I'm nearly as good or will be as good as those two women but I'm once again highly flattered by their comparison," Alexa replied.

"People have also compared you to James Rodriguez. You were both break out stars during your debuts of the World Cup. And it seems that James has a bit of a crush on you. Your thoughts?"

"James Rodriguez has a crush on me?" Alexa asked, surprised.

"You haven't heard about it?" Ted questioned incredulously.

"I can show her," Tobin chuckled, pulling out her phone. She clicked on a YouTube video before handing it to Alexa. Curious, Alexa stared down at the screen as James was being interviewed.

"So, James, you are one of the most eligible bachelors in Madrid. You must surely have your eye on someone," the interviewer stated.

"I do have admiration for one woman, yes," James agreed.

"Great! And who would this lucky lady be?"

"Alexa, the women's World Cup Young Player Award winner," James smiled, his cheeks tinting pink, causing a few of his teammates to tease him.

Alexa handed the phone back to Tobin. "So how do you feel about being James Rodriguez's crush? A lot of women would kill to be in your position."

"I don't know," Alexa laughed.

"How can you not know?" Tobin laughed as well.

"I'm a Barça fan," Alexa admitted.

"So?" Ted asked.

"You obviously do not understand how serious the Barcelona and Real Madrid rivalry is," Alexa chuckled. "I was raised a Barcelona fan, 'Real Madrid' was the no-no word or phrase in my house. Unless it was followed up by 'sucks' or 'will never be better than Barça'," Alexa explained.

"So that's it? You're just going to blow off James Rodriguez? Do you have your eye on someone else?"

"No, I'm as single as can be and James is absolutely gorgeous and an amazing player. But, I don't know if I can date let alone talk to a Real Madrid player. My dad's probably screaming at the screen as I speak because that's how serious the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid is taken in my house," Alexa laughed. The interview concluded shortly afterwards. A week passed before Alexa was called up to guest anchor the Real Madrid friendly.

She accepted and was standing on the side of the Bernabéu, a microphone in her hand and a headset on her head. The camera was in front of her, the producer behind it counting down to airing. With the signal from the producer, Alexa smiled before speaking. "Thank you Pedro. I'm standing right in front of where Real Madrid is warming up. As you can see, a few familiar faces are missing due to injury, amongst them Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Real Madrid, like any other club of its size, is stacked with players who can easily fill in the gaps."

The producer signaled that she was off air and Alexa relaxed. She wouldn't have to do anything else until half time, so she went to her seat. The game started shortly afterwards. Real Madrid quickly took the ball down the side of the field. A few shots on goal went amiss and the score was 0-0 at half time. But, the foreman for Madrid in this game was definitely James. He led the stats game, with six shots, four on target. Alexa straightened her jacket before smiling for the camera once more.

"Thank you Pedro. Real Madrid have been dominating the first half and from pitch-side, it's obvious that all it takes for Madrid to start a rampage of goals is one person to put a ball past the keeper. James Rodriguez has done so the most out of all of Madrid's players, with Bale close behind him in the stat war. Back to you at the studio, Pedro."

"Okay, you're done for now. They want you to hand out the man of the match award afterwards so when the game has finished, follow me to the tunnel," the producer instructed. Alexa nodded and retook her seat. It wasn't hard to guess who the man of the match would be after the final whistle blew. James had scored two goals, assisted another, and was by far the leadership up top for Madrid. Making her way to the tunnel, Alexa was handed the man of the match trophy and told to stand in a room while the players filtered off the field.

Waiting patiently, Alexa looked up when a recognizable figure stepped into the room. "Alexa this is James, James this is Alexa," the producer introduced. "We're live in a minute."

"Nice to meet you, James," Alexa smiled, extending her hand.

"Nice to meet you too, I'm a big fan."

"Likewi--"

"—And we're live!"

"So, the man of the match award today goes to James Rodriguez. Congratulations," Alexa handed the small trophy to James, who smiled in return.

"Thank you."

"How do think Real played today?"

"I think we played well. Obviously we are missing a few players to injury but we've kept the dynamic going best we could and we got the result we wanted."

"You played exceptionally out there today. Two goals and an assist, are you happy with your performance?"

"Of course. There's always room for improvement but overall I was happy with the way I played today."

"Back to you at the studio, Pedro," Alexa signed off. She and James visibly relaxed after the camera was turned off. "It was nice meeting you, James."

"Same. If you don't mind me asking, how long are you staying in Madrid for?"

"My flight leaves in two days. I'm completely free for anything tomorrow," Alexa smiled.

"That should give me enough time to prove that Real Madrid isn't that bad. Of course, only if you'd like to go," James flirted.

"Are you asking me out on a date?" Alexa laughed.

"Depends. Would you say yes, even though I'm a Madrid player?"

"I think one date wouldn't hurt," Alexa stated.

"Then, I'll see you tomorrow. But, I'll need your number first so I can contact you." Alexa wrote her number on James' jersey, complete with signature, before giving him a kiss on the cheek and walking towards the door.

"Don't be late. I'm not one of those girls to wait around for Prince Charming to roll in whenever he feels like it," Alexa winked, before closing the door behind her, leaving a stunned James behind. Touching the lipstick mark on his cheek, James let a large smile creep up onto his face.