005 | celebration on the pitch

The final whistle blew, and the roar of Barcelona's traveling fans filled the Santiago Bernabéu. The scoreboard read 2-1, and Gianna Guiu's decisive goal was the headline moment. The players from both teams began to disperse, but for Gianna, it was like a dream she didn't want to end. The adrenaline still coursed through her veins as she jogged toward her teammates in the center circle, the weight of victory pressing pleasantly on her chest.

The team huddled together, arms wrapped around one another, celebrating the hard-fought win. Cienna pulled Gianna into a tight hug, her grin wide. "You absolute beast! That header was insane!"

Gianna laughed, out of breath but ecstatic. "What can I say? Your corners are always perfect. I just finish the job."

Before Cienna could respond, Gianna heard familiar voices shouting her name from the sideline. Turning, she saw Marc Guiu and Hector Fort running toward the pitch, somehow having convinced security to let them on.

"Gianna!" Marc yelled, his voice almost hoarse from cheering during the game.

Hector was right behind him, his arms spread wide as if he were coming in for a touchdown. "There she is! The queen of El Clásico!"

Gianna barely had time to process what was happening before her brother reached her, wrapping her in a bear hug and lifting her off the ground. "That was incredible," Marc said, his voice filled with pride as he set her down. "That goal? Unstoppable."

"I told you we'd win," Gianna said with a smirk, brushing imaginary dirt off her shoulders.

Hector stepped in next, his grin as wide as ever. "Not just win—you basically carried the team on your back. The fans are never going to forget that celebration."

Before Gianna could respond, Hector crouched slightly, his hands gripping her waist. "What are you—?" she started, but her words were cut off as Hector hoisted her effortlessly onto his shoulders.

"Hector!" Gianna squealed, gripping his head for balance. "Put me down!"

"Not a chance," Hector said, laughing as he spun her around in a circle. "Everyone, look! The MVP of the match! Gigi Guiu, unstoppable force of nature!"

Marc doubled over with laughter, clutching his stomach as Hector paraded Gianna around the pitch like a trophy. The Barcelona fans in the stands went wild, cheering and chanting her name as Hector waved her arms in the air.

"Wave to your adoring fans!" Hector called up to her, grinning like a madman.

Gianna couldn't help but laugh, raising her arms in mock victory. "You're insane, Hector!"

"Insanely proud," he shot back, turning to face the stands where the Barcelona fans were still going crazy.

As Hector finally stopped spinning, Marc joined them, ruffling Gianna's hair affectionately. "You know, they should just name the game ball after you. Gigi Ball has a nice ring to it."

"Shut up," Gianna said, laughing as she swatted at him. "You're just jealous you didn't score in your last game."

"Touché," Marc said, holding up his hands in surrender.

Hector finally set Gianna down, but not before giving her one last boost into the air. When her feet touched the ground, she stumbled slightly, still laughing.

Cienna walked over, shaking her head at the spectacle. "You two are ridiculous," she said, looking at Hector and Marc. Then she turned to Gianna with a teasing smile. "But I guess you earned it."

Gianna grinned, still riding the high of the moment. "I think we all earned it."

The celebration continued on the pitch, with teammates joining in the laughter and fans staying long after the final whistle to soak in the joy. Gianna looked around at her team, her friends, and the thousands of supporters who had traveled to Madrid to cheer them on.

For a moment, she let herself take it all in—the noise, the energy, the pure, unfiltered happiness of it all. This was why she played, why she fought so hard on the pitch. It wasn't just about the goals or the wins; it was about the people, the memories, and the moments that made it all worthwhile.

As the team began to make their way toward the locker room, Hector walked beside her, his arm slung casually over her shoulders. "You know, Gigi, you're going to be on highlight reels for the next month. That goal was legendary."

Gianna smiled up at him, her cheeks still flushed from the excitement. "It wasn't just me, you know. It was all of us."

"Yeah, yeah, teamwork and all that," Hector said with a mock wave of his hand. Then he grinned. "But you were the star, and you know it."

Marc, walking on her other side, chimed in. "He's right. I'll even admit it—for once, my little sister outshone me."

Gianna rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. "Don't get used to it, Marc. Next time, I'm leaving you both in the dust."

"Deal," Hector said, ruffling her hair.

As they disappeared into the tunnel, the cheers of the fans still echoing behind them, Gianna knew this was a night she'd never forget. And with her brother and best friend by her side, she felt like she could take on anything.