CH 09: Miss You

## Appearances

### Characters

Ana SophíaMatilda BrunetEnzo DeAndreEmma AllenJulie WilsonHunter DuboisNiko Arfa

## Background

### Setting

San Francisco, California

**Miss You** is the ninth chapter to ***Darlin'***. Miss You is the second chapter of *Phase III*, serving as the turning point in Ana Sophía's friendships. Having announced she intends to leave Brazil if she wins the Women's Super League, Ana Sophía begins to realize she must choose who she can trust and who she can't as a new, younger girl is introduced to the friend group that begins to create secretive division. The chapter's title is inspired by Gabrielle Aplin's 2016 song release, **Miss You**.

## Summary

### **Matilda Brunet**

Ana Sophía and other friends celebrate Emma's birthday, all gathered at Emma's parents house. In the presence of Enzo & Julie. The arrival of Niko & Hunter introduces Ana Sophía to a new friend, Matilda, whom informs her that she speaks Portuguese upon Ana Sophía greeting her before being interrupted by Enzo. Ana Sophía turns to Hunter and comments on feeling strange about Enzo treating Matilda differently, referring to Enzo's treatment of Matilda as a "celebrity". Hunter agrees and confesses that an exclusion by Enzo about building a new team saw him being left out of Enzo's plans. Ana Sophía begins to catch on with the situation being strange.

Matilda joins Ana Sophía, Hunter & Julie, discussing how Matilda is from the same home city as Ana Sophía & admires what Ana Sophía has done in the Super League. She points out to one day emulating what she's done for Brazilian reputation in the league.

### **Overhearing**

Ana Sophía excuses herself from the conversation with Matilda, Hunter & Julie. She heads to the bathroom when she unexpectedly overhears a conversation happening down the hall on the second floor. She stays beside the door that the conversation is being inside from, listening to Enzo & Niko talk while sounding agitated and frustrated. The conversation involves the planning of setting up a player from the Women's South City Wolves team, prompting Ana Sophía to assume it involves Emma, Julie or herself.

Enzo & Niko go silent as the sound of glass breaking downstairs and Emma's scream of excitement forces Ana Sophía to step inside the bathroom and play it safe. It pays off, with Ana Sophía listening to footsteps passing by but no one seeing that Ana Sophía overheard. For the rest of the evening, Ana Sophía says nothing but maintains a mind of worry for herself and her best friends over Enzo's intentions.

### **Going home**

Hunter opens up on the events of Emma's birthday as he drives Ana Sophía back home, mentioning something not feeling right about Matilda. He expresses strangeness from Enzo for being forceful on Matilda's arrival to the group and even referring to the inclusion of new members as a group decision, not an individual invitation to join. He explains the group had decided to include Emma, Julie and her as part of the group as a group but Matilda's inclusion was not agreed upon.

Ana Sophía begins to debate in her mind over whether she should tell Hunter about what she overheard between Enzo & Niko. She ultimately decides not to, instead thanking him for the ride and wishing him goodnight. As she is about to open her house door, Hunter raises his voice from his car, warning her by word to no longer trust the group and do what she must to exit the United States.