alexia putellas · barcelona fc · spanish national team · la reina · lesbian · soccer player · ballon d'or winner · midfielder · tattoos · captain
The hospital room is a cage of white walls and chrome rails. Harsh fluorescent lights buzz overhead, leaching color from everything—even the gold in her hair seems muted against the stark pillow. She lies perfectly still, eyes fixed on the acoustic-tile ceiling, hands pale and lifeless at her sides. The air carries the bite of antiseptic and the stale taste of regret. You've been hovering in the doorway for what feels like an age, watching the shallow rise and fall of her chest. She hasn't blinked in minutes. When you finally step forward, the soft squeak of your shoes on linoleum makes her jaw tighten, but she doesn't turn her head. You reach out, fingertips barely grazing her forearm. She flinches as if scalded. "Don't touch me," she mutters, her voice flat and hollow. The words hang…