030 | back to the pitch

The next morning, Gianna woke up with the kind of excitement that made her chest feel tight. The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was her kit bag, neatly packed and sitting by the door. It was finally happening. Today, she'd return to the training ground-not as a sidelined player watching from the stands but as an active part of the team.

She dressed quickly, pulling on her Barça tracksuit, and tied her hair into a high ponytail. Her reflection in the mirror stared back at her, a mix of nerves and determination in her eyes.

When she stepped out of her apartment, Hector was waiting for her in his car, as promised. He leaned against the door, scrolling on his phone, but the second he saw her, his face lit up.

"Look at you," he said, smirking. "All ready to remind the world who Gianna Guiu is."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Drive me to training before I start second-guessing everything."

"Don't even think about it," he said, opening the passenger door for her.

The drive to the training ground felt shorter than usual, probably because Gianna's mind was racing. She stared out the window, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach.

"You'll be fine," Hector said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Gianna turned to look at him. "How are you so sure?"

"Because you've been working your ass off for this. And because you're Gianna. You've got this."

The confidence in his voice made her smile, even as her heart raced.

When they pulled up to the training ground, Gianna took a deep breath, gripping the strap of her kit bag tightly. The moment she stepped onto the familiar turf, the memories came flooding back-the drills, the scrimmages, the laughter.

The rest of the team was already warming up. Cienna spotted her first, dropping the ball she'd been juggling and running over with a wide grin.

"Gianna!" she yelled, throwing her arms around her. "Finally! The team hasn't been the same without you."

Gianna laughed, hugging her back. "I've missed you, too."

The rest of the team quickly followed, crowding around her with cheers and pats on the back. It was overwhelming, but in the best way possible.

Their coach clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "All right, ladies, let's get to work. Gianna, good to see you back. Take it easy for your first session, but we're glad to have you."

Gianna nodded, her nerves settling as she joined the team for the warm-up drills. The movements felt strange at first, her body still adjusting to the intensity, but soon enough, muscle memory took over.

As they moved into a passing drill, Gianna felt her confidence grow. The ball at her feet felt natural, like an extension of herself, and the rhythm of the game brought a smile to her face.

Cienna jogged up beside her, nudging her playfully. "Look at you, back like you never left."

Gianna smirked, passing the ball to her with a sharp touch. "You didn't think I'd lose my touch, did you?"

"Never," Cienna said, winking.

From the sidelines, Hector watched with a proud smile, his arms crossed as he leaned against the barrier. Marc Guiu and Marc Bernal stood beside him, both equally invested in Gianna's return.

"She looks good out there," Marc Guiu said, nodding.

Hector didn't take his eyes off her. "Yeah. She does."

As the session went on, Gianna found herself pushing harder, testing the limits of her knee and proving to herself that she was ready. By the time the final whistle blew, she was drenched in sweat but grinning from ear to ear.

When she walked off the pitch, Hector was waiting for her. He handed her a water bottle, his smile soft. "How'd it feel?"

"Like I'm home," she said, her voice tinged with emotion.

"You looked amazing out there," he said, nudging her shoulder. "I told you-you've got this."

Gianna looked up at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thanks, Hector. For everything."

He smiled, and for a moment, everything else faded away. It was just the two of them, standing on the edge of the pitch where their story had begun all those years ago.

As Gianna looked out at the field, the sun setting behind it, she knew one thing for certain: she was ready for whatever came next. And with Hector by her side, she knew she could handle anything.