028 | post-game revelations

The stadium lights were starting to dim as fans filtered out, but Gianna and Marc made their way down to the pitch where the players were cooling down. Cienna was standing in the middle of the field, beaming as her teammates patted her back, celebrating a solid performance. She turned when she spotted Gianna and Marc approaching, her face lighting up even more.

"Look who decided to show up!" Cienna called out, jogging over, her cleats kicking up small sprays of grass.

Gianna smiled, leaning on her crutches. "Like I'd miss your big game, Bernal."

Cienna threw her arms around Gianna in a quick hug before pulling back to eye her suspiciously. "You're not supposed to be walking around so much. Rehab or not, you've got to take it easy."

"I'm fine," Gianna said with a dismissive wave, though the twinge in her knee reminded her to be careful. "Anyway, you killed it out there. That assist in the second half? Pure magic."

Cienna grinned, shrugging like it was no big deal, but the pride in her eyes was undeniable. "Thanks. It feels good to actually be out here and contributing."

Marc clapped her on the back, grinning. "Don't let it go to your head, Cienna. You're good, but you've still got to catch up to my level."

Cienna rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, please. You're lucky to even have the Guiu siblings cheering for you from the stands. That's the real privilege."

Gianna laughed, shaking her head at their playful bickering. It felt good to be surrounded by people who made everything feel normal, even when her world had been turned upside down by her injury.

As the players began packing up, Cienna turned to Gianna, her expression softening. "You okay? For real?"

Gianna hesitated, her fingers tightening around the handles of her crutches. She forced a smile, nodding. "I'm getting there."

Cienna didn't look convinced, but she didn't push. Instead, she said, "Come on, let's go grab something to eat. I'm starving, and Marc's probably dying for a burger."

"Always," Marc said with a grin.

As the three of them left the field, the cool evening air settling around them, Gianna found herself lost in thought. Watching Cienna play had reminded her of what she was working toward, but it also stirred a deep ache in her chest-a longing for the pitch and for the camaraderie that came with it.

But more than that, Marc's earlier words about Hector lingered in her mind, refusing to let go.

As they reached the parking lot, Cienna's phone buzzed, and she glanced at it with a frown. "Hang on, I've got to take this. Go ahead without me; I'll catch up."

Marc nodded, and the two siblings continued walking toward the car. The quiet between them wasn't uncomfortable, but Gianna felt the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her.

"Marc," she said suddenly, breaking the silence.

He glanced at her. "Yeah?"

She hesitated, biting her lip. "Earlier, when you said Hector's... protective of me. What did you mean by that?"

Marc smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Exactly what I said. He's always been like that, hasn't he? Ever since we were kids. I just think it's more than him being your best friend."

Gianna frowned, her heart skipping a beat. "More than that how?"

Marc stopped walking, turning to face her fully. "Gigi, come on. You're not that oblivious, are you?"

Her stomach flipped, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Okay, let me spell it out for you. Hector cares about you. Like, really cares about you. More than he probably wants to admit to himself."

Gianna's breath caught, her grip tightening on her crutches. "That's... ridiculous. He's my best friend. That's all."

Marc's expression softened, and he stepped closer, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Maybe that's all you think it is, but trust me, Gigi, there's something there. And if you're not careful, you're going to let it slip through your fingers."

She opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. Instead, she looked away, her thoughts swirling with confusion and a hint of something else-something she wasn't ready to name.

"Just think about it," Marc said, his voice gentle. "And maybe ask yourself what you really want. Not what you're scared of, but what you actually want."

Gianna nodded silently, unable to meet his gaze. As they continued walking toward the car, Marc kept the conversation light, giving her space to process his words.

But deep down, Gianna knew she couldn't avoid the truth forever. Whether she liked it or not, something was changing. And for the first time, she wasn't sure if she was ready for it-or if she even wanted to be.