045 | shifting moments

The days that followed felt like a blur to Gianna. Every time she thought back to that night with Hector, her heart fluttered in a way she hadn't experienced in years. She couldn't deny that something had shifted between them, something deeper than friendship, but still uncertain enough to keep her on edge.

The next morning, after a restless sleep filled with dreams she couldn't quite remember, Gianna made her way to training. Her legs felt heavy as she walked into the locker room, a feeling of anticipation weighing on her chest. She kept replaying the words they had exchanged, the warmth of his kiss, the soft smile he'd given her.

"Oi, Giu!" Cienna's voice broke through her thoughts as she walked into the locker room, her grin wide and playful. "How was your date with the great Hector Fort?"

Gianna let out a sigh, trying to act nonchalant, but the heat rising to her cheeks betrayed her. "It was good. Really good," she said, her voice soft but confident. "We had a great time."

Cienna's eyes sparkled with mischief as she dropped her bag on the bench. "A 'great time,' huh? Is that all you're going to give me? You've got to spill, Giu. I'm dying here."

Gianna bit her lip, glancing around the room as if trying to find the right words. "Well, we... we talked a lot. Laughed a lot. It felt easy. Comfortable." She paused, her heart beating a little faster at the thought of his smile. "And then, at the end of the night... he kissed my cheek."

Cienna's jaw dropped as she threw her hands up in mock disbelief. "He kissed you? On the cheek?!" She raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying her teasing. "Oh, we're getting somewhere now. Tell me more, tell me more!"

Gianna groaned, pulling her sports gear out of her bag and starting to change. "Honestly, I don't know what's happening. I've known him my whole life, Cici. We're best friends. And now... it's different, and I don't know what to do with that."

Cienna raised an eyebrow, her expression softening. "You like him, don't you?" she asked, her tone gentle but knowing.

Gianna hesitated, her heart beating in her chest. She had tried to deny it, tried to convince herself that it was just a phase or a fleeting moment, but the truth was undeniable.

"Yeah," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I think I do."

Cienna smiled knowingly, walking over to Gianna's side and giving her a light nudge. "Giu, you deserve this. You deserve someone who makes you feel this way."

Before Gianna could respond, the door to the locker room swung open, and the sound of laughter filled the air. The team was gathering, ready for their morning warm-up. Hector's voice cut through the chatter as he greeted the others.

Gianna's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice, and without realizing it, she found herself glancing over her shoulder to look at him. He stood at the entrance, talking to Marc Guiu, his easy smile lighting up his face.

"Well, I guess we'll be seeing a lot of him," Cienna said under her breath, nudging Gianna once more. "You've got it bad, haven't you?"

Gianna shot her a playful glare, but it didn't mask the smile that tugged at her lips.

"Shut up, Cici," she said, rolling her eyes but not quite hiding her grin. "I'm still trying to figure this all out."

The team's training session was intense, but Gianna found it hard to concentrate. Her thoughts kept drifting to Hector, to their night together, and to the unspoken tension that seemed to hover between them. Every time their eyes met during practice, she felt a little spark of something, but they didn't speak about it. Not yet.

After training, as the team headed to the showers and changed, Gianna grabbed her things quickly, eager to get outside for some fresh air. As she stepped outside into the bright sunlight, she found Hector leaning against the fence, waiting for her.

"Hey," he said, his smile easy and warm. "You doing okay after last night?"

Gianna stopped in her tracks, feeling her heart beat a little faster. "Yeah, I'm good. Just... a little tired," she said, her voice slightly softer than usual.

He chuckled and pushed off from the fence, walking toward her. "If you're tired, you should take a break. We don't want you overworking yourself."

Gianna nodded, a small smile on her face. "I know. But I'll be fine. I've got this."

He stopped in front of her, his eyes softening as he looked at her with an unreadable expression. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension between them palpable but comfortable.

Then, with a gentle laugh, Hector reached out and ruffled her hair, his fingers brushing against her skin. "Good. You've got this. Always have."

Gianna's heart fluttered at the casual touch, her mind racing with a million thoughts. It felt so natural to be around him, but the way he looked at her-sometimes with more than just friendship in his eyes-left her wondering where they stood. And what came next.

"Thanks, Fort," she said softly, the quiet sincerity in her voice matching the way she felt inside.

He smiled at her, a little more serious now. "Anytime, Giu."

They stood there for a moment longer, both unsure of what to say next. The world seemed to slow down around them, and for the first time, Gianna felt like something was just about to shift again.