#alejandro balde fluff

you’ve been deep in the trenches of youtube for three days now. full-on war mode. “basic spanish phrases to survive meeting your boyfriend’s mom” is typed in the search bar and you’ve got six tabs open: duolingo, a random blog by a girl named beth who apparently married a spaniard, your notes app full of random spanish words, a spanish podcast playing in the background on 1.25x speed like you actually understand anything, and then, somewhere in the mess, the tab with your class assignment due in two days—forgotten, abandoned, neglected like your gym subscription and that plant you swore you’d keep alive.

you press play on yet another video, elbow propped on your knee, pen in hand.

“hola, señora. mucho gusto.”

you pause. repeat, brows furrowed like you might actually be doing quantum physics.

“hola, señor… señor-ra… mushy gusto.” you close your eyes and groan. your whole body slumps back into the mattress like you’ve just been defeated in a battle no one prepared you for. you toss the pen to the side dramatically. it bounces off the bed and disappears under your dresser, but you don’t care. let it go. convince yourself that it’s over for you.

you’re so deep in the pit, you don’t even hear alejandro walk in. he’s standing at the door with a water bottle in hand, watching you mumble to yourself like a girl possessed.

you’re halfway into whispering, “¿yo... uh, quiero… to… be polite... para your madre…” when you finally see him out of the corner of your eye.

he’s already grinning. that soft, smug smirk he does when he knows he’s about to be annoying.

you turn your head toward him, squinting, your index finger already pointed in his direction like a warning shot. “don’t even play with me right now, ale. i’m fighting for my life.”

alejandro raises both hands like he’s surrendering, but that damn smile is still on his face.

“baby, what is this?” he asks, doesn’t even bother hiding his amusement as he drops his keys on the nightstand and toes his shoes off before falling back onto the bed next to you.

you shove the laptop into his lap like it personally offended you. “that is me trying to not embarrass you in front of your family.”

he clicks the touchpad, squinting at the screen. the youtube video is paused mid-sentence, the lady frozen with a bright smile and big earrings, and the title below says “50 essential phrases before meeting la suegra.”

he glances at your notes app, where you’ve written:

– “moochy goose-toe” = nice to meet you

– “perrrrddooon” = sorry / excuse me?

– “dios mio” = omg (ale says this a lot when i mess up)

– “puta” = not for polite convos 😭

he snorts, “why is ‘puta’ on here?”

“because you taught me that first, and you keep saying it during fifa, so now i’m scared it’s gonna pop out by accident if your mom asks me a question i don’t understand.”

he snickers, tucks your freshly done braids behind your ear, then leans in, voice soft. “deja de pensar tanto, baby. you’ll be just fine.”

—

you try to. genuinely, you do. but you just can’t stop overthinking.

because the thing is… this matters to you. a lot.

not just because you want to make a good impression. but because you’ve seen the way alejandro lights up when he talks to his family. when he’s on the phone with his mom and his voice gets all boyish. when he switches to catalan mid-sentence without realising. when he’s laughing so hard at something his cousin said that he’s clutching his stomach, and you’re sitting there smiling, pretending like you caught the joke even though you understood none of it.

you want to be part of that. even if it’s just a little. even if it’s just being able to say “thank you” properly when his grandmother hands you a plate. you want them to see you and know you tried.

so, you keep practicing.

you record yourself. play it back. cringe. repeat.

he catches you again two days later, whispering phrases under your breath while brushing your teeth.

“mi nombre es y/n. tengo… treinti… treintiocho años?”

he leans against the doorframe, hands tucked into the pockets of his sweatpants, that amused little smile playing on his lips. “baby, you’re twenty-two. not thirty-eight.”

you pause mid-brush, glare at him through the mirror with a mouth full of foam. “shut up. you know that’s what i meant.”

—

the day of, you’re damn near hyperventilating.

you spent two hours trying on outfits, sending your best friend voice notes like “should i wear the jeans or the dress? jeans feel chill but the dress says i’m respectable. does my ‘respectable’ scream ‘boring?’ does this say ‘wife me?’ do i even want to be wifed right now or do i just want them to not hate me?”

you end up wearing the dress. simple, soft yellow. the one he once said made you look like a sunflower. you also wear the bracelet he got you in mallorca. just for luck.

during the drive to his parents’ house, your hand is shaking slightly. he notices. doesn’t say anything. just reaches over and takes it, warm and calm and reassuring. his thumb strokes over your knuckles the whole ride. you don’t talk much, just music playing softly in the background. your heart’s in your throat.

when you get there, his mom’s waiting at the door.

you don’t even get to say anything before she pulls you into a hug. tight, warm. she’s shorter than you expected. smells like citrus and something floral. her hands are soft.

“bienvenida, mi niña,” she says.

you choke out a shaky “gracias” and pray to every god that she doesn’t say anything else yet because your brain has shut down and you’re sure if she asks you what day it is, you’ll say “quesadilla.”

she pulls back, cups your face like she’s known you forever, and then looks at alejandro with this smile that makes your chest warm. he leans down, kisses her cheek, and says something in spanish that makes her laugh. you stand there like a deer in headlights.

his dad’s there too. quieter. handshake rather than a hug. kind eyes. says “mucho gusto” and you blurt it back too fast, too panicked. but he just smiles and gestures you inside.

the house smells like dinner already—garlic, tomatoes, something roasting. there’s family photos on the wall. alejandro’s baby picture in a barça kit. you nudge him and whisper, “you had a big head.”

“still do, to be fair.” he whispers back.

you laugh because, yeah. he definitely still does.

—

the evening is… better than you feared.

you understand about 30% of the conversation. 40% on a good stretch if someone points at something while they’re talking. his cousin speaks slow enough for you to catch stuff. his grandmother kisses your cheeks and talks to you like you do understand, even though you clearly don’t, and you kind of love her for that.

you catch alejandro watching you a lot. when you’re fumbling through a sentence. when you’re smiling politely even though you’re lost. when you finally manage to say something right and his aunt claps a little and you glow with pride. he watches you like you’re the most unreal thing in the room. like he can’t believe someone like you wandered into his life and stayed.

when you excuse yourself to the bathroom, you stare at yourself in the mirror and whisper, “you’re doing okay. you haven’t called anyone a bitch by accident yet. that’s a win.”

and that is a win.

on the way home, you finally exhale. really exhale. you sink back in the passenger seat of his mercedes, the leather warm against your thighs, the city lights slipping in through the windshield and dancing across your skin, and you let your head fall onto his shoulder. he doesn’t say anything at first, just instinctively tilts his head and rests his cheek against your hair for a few slow seconds.

“told you they’d love you,” he says after a while, his voice low, mellowed out by the road.

“not with the way i embarrassed myself.” you scoff, nose wrinkling. “i literally said ‘your chicken is very sexy’ instead of ‘very tasty.’”

he snorts, a quiet, half-muffled little laugh. “yeah, my uncle’s probably still laughing about that.”

“see? that’s exactly why i’m never showing my face there again.”

he hums — a sound sitting somewhere between affection and amusement — and leans over to kiss your temple at the next red light. “kind of impossible since they already asked me to invite you to the next family barbecue.”

you lift your head just enough to look up at him. he doesn’t take his eyes off the road, but you can see the smile in his face.

“really?” you ask, voice small. maybe even a little hopeful.

he nods. “really.”

you can’t help but smile into the sleeve of his hoodie, your chest warming in ways you can hardly explain.

—

later, when you’re back at your apartment and brushing your teeth side by side, you catch him watching you in the mirror.

“what?” you ask, mouth full of foam, half glaring.

he shrugs, pretending to play it off, but the smile tugging at his lips betrays him. it’s all sweet. all soft. all charm.

“nothing.”

you rinse, spit, wipe your mouth on a towel, and flick a little water in his direction. “alejandro.”

he chuckles, stepping closer, arms wrapping around your waist from behind. his chin settles on your shoulder, and you both look at yourselves in the mirror — this picture of domesticity you never imagined but somehow ended up in.

“it’s nothing,” he repeats, quieter this time. “just… today was nice, that’s all. felt good to finally have all the people i love in one room.”

you lean back into him, breathing him in, the curve of your spine fitting perfectly against him. and you realise that, yeah. maybe your spanish still sucks. maybe you’ll always be a few beats behind the jokes, maybe the grammar will never come naturally.

but none of it matters.

you don’t have to be fluent in his language to be his.

your voice is a little shy when you ask, “wanna know what else i learned to say in spanish?”

he kisses your cheek, slow and gentle. “what?”

your hand comes up to rest over his on your stomach, fingers lacing gently. then, a little nervous, you say it:

“estoy tan enamorada de ti que me duele un poquito.”

he blinks. then smiles. all teeth, all love. all that affection he doesn’t bother hiding when it’s just you.

“dilo otra vez,” he says, kissing your shoulder. then the side of your neck. “say it again.”

so you do. a little bolder this time. a little more sure. “estoy tan enamorada de ti que me duele un poquito.”

he turns you around with a softness that makes your knees a little weak, hands never leaving your hips. he’s looking at you like you hung the moon, like you saying those words just rewired something in him.

“yo también,” he says, his voice lower now. “yo también estoy enamorado de ti.” his fingers come up to brush your jaw, thumb grazing the corner of your mouth. “y lo voy a estar. siempre.”

you blink up at him, heart slamming so hard against your ribs it almost drowns out your voice.

“yeah?” you whisper.

he nods, forehead pressing to yours, noses brushing.

“forever.”

and in that moment — toothbrushes on the counter, bathroom mirror slightly fogged from your shower, his hands still steady on your hips— you believe him.

you believe all of it. every syllable.

you don’t need a translator to understand love when it sounds like this.

the sun beat down on the turf, the heat rising in waves as y/n finished lacing up her boots, her fingers moving mechanically. her heart wasn’t in it today—hadn’t been for a while, really. the pitch that had once felt like home now felt like a stage where every mistake was magnified, every second slower than before a sign that she was losing her edge. the media didn’t hold back, and their words echoed in her head, swirling around with the doubt that had been creeping in for months.

“left winger, y/n!” the coach’s voice sliced through her thoughts, sharp and authoritative. she lifted her head, blinking, her stomach tightening as she jogged to her position. the joint practice between barça femení and the senior team was supposed to be light-hearted, a bit of fun and camaraderie. but all she felt was the weight of expectations.

across the pitch, alejandro balde stood, his eyes already on her. the easy smile on his lips didn’t quite reach his eyes, like he could see something wasn’t right. they knew each other, of course—how could they not? years at la masia together, growing up with football at the heart of everything. but they had never been close, just two people who shared the same space. today, though, something in the way he looked at her felt different, more observant, like he was picking up on things she thought she’d hidden well.

“you ready for this?” he asked when she reached him, his voice casual but tinged with something else—curiosity, maybe. concern, even.

y/n nodded, though her heart wasn’t in it. “yeah,” she mumbled, eyes dropping to the grass. she didn’t trust her voice to hold steady if she said anything more. her mind was too clouded with self-doubt, the constant barrage of criticism ringing in her ears. they said she’d peaked at 15, that she was slowing down, no longer the prodigy who had set the world on fire.

the whistle blew, and the first drill began. y/n took her position out wide, squaring up against alejandro. the ball came her way quickly, and instinctively she moved, but she was a fraction of a second too slow. alejandro easily closed the space between them, his speed a stark reminder of the gap between where she was and where she used to be. her chest tightened with frustration, the familiar sting of failure prickling under her skin.

but then, he did something unexpected. instead of pressing hard, alejandro eased off, just enough for her to recover and make a decent pass. he didn’t say anything, didn’t make it obvious, but y/n noticed. she glanced at him, her brows furrowing slightly, but he just nodded like everything was normal, like he hadn’t just thrown her a lifeline.

as the drills continued, y/n found herself locked in a strange rhythm with alejandro. every time she stumbled or hesitated, he was there, subtly shifting the pace to give her room to breathe, to remind herself of who she was. it wasn’t blatant—he wasn’t babying her—but he was deliberate. he set her up for success without making it seem like charity.

the ball came to her again, and this time, she saw the opening before her mind could get in the way. she darted forward, her boots skimming the grass, the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. alejandro was right there, tracking her movement, and for a moment, it felt like old times—like she was 15 again and nothing could stop her. she cut inside, beating two defenders before sending a sharp pass down the line, her heart thudding in her chest.

“nice one,” alejandro muttered as they jogged back to position, his voice low but approving.

y/n shrugged, trying to play it off, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was going easy on her. “you’re holding back,” she said, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.

he gave a small, lopsided grin, his eyes flickering with amusement. “just making sure you get the spotlight.”

she opened her mouth to say something, but the words stuck in her throat. there was no malice in his tone, no patronizing edge. just… kindness. she hadn’t expected that from him. the drills kept coming, each one more intense than the last, but y/n was starting to find her groove again. it wasn’t perfect—far from it—but there were moments, flashes of brilliance where she remembered why she loved this game, why she fought so hard to be here in the first place.

near the end of practice, they ran a two-on-two drill, y/n and alejandro paired together against two defenders. alejandro was quick, always in the right spot, and his passes were sharp, precise. he set her up perfectly, threading the ball through to her in space, and without thinking, she drove forward, her body moving on instinct. she felt the defender on her heels, but she didn’t hesitate this time. her foot met the ball cleanly, sending it sailing across the pitch to her teammate, who finished with a clean strike into the net.

“there she is,” alejandro said with a grin, jogging over to bump her shoulder lightly. “told you you’ve still got it.”

y/n wanted to smile, wanted to feel the rush of accomplishment, but the knot of doubt in her chest hadn’t loosened entirely. she still felt the weight of everything—the pressure, the criticism, the fear that maybe she really wasn’t good enough anymore.

as they wrapped up, alejandro lingered nearby, his gaze flicking toward her every so often. when most of the players had started heading off, he finally spoke again. “hey,” his voice was softer now, more serious. “don’t listen to them, okay? the media, the critics… they don’t know you. they don’t know how hard you’ve worked to get here.”

y/n blinked, his words cutting through the fog in her mind. “what?” she asked, almost startled by the sincerity in his voice.

“they’ve been talking a lot,” alejandro continued, his tone steady but firm. “but you’ve done more at 20 than most players do in their entire careers. you were always the example, y/n. you showed all of us at la masia that it’s possible to make it big, and you did it at 15. don’t let them take that away from you. this is your dream, right? don’t forget that.”

his words hit her harder than she expected, striking at the core of the insecurity that had been eating away at her for months. she stared at him, feeling something shift inside her—something small, but real. she hadn’t realized how much she needed to hear it until the moment the words left his mouth.

“thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but it carried all the weight of her gratitude, the relief that someone had seen her struggle and hadn’t judged her for it.

alejandro smiled, a genuine, soft smile that reached his eyes this time. “anytime,” he said, his voice light again, like he hadn’t just lifted a huge burden off her shoulders.

as he jogged off toward the locker rooms, y/n stood there for a moment, staring after him, feeling lighter than she had in a long time. it wasn’t a magic fix—there was still so much she had to work through—but his words had given her something she hadn’t felt in a while: hope. and maybe, just maybe, that was enough to keep her going.

the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the pitch as y/n sat on the wooden steps of the common area, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety. alejandro's words echoed in her mind, a steady rhythm that pulsed with renewed energy. he had called her an example, a beacon for others, and that description lit a fire within her she hadn’t realized was still flickering beneath the weight of her recent struggles. it was a spark of hope in a time when she felt all but extinguished.

she had stayed back after practice, the late afternoon sun warming her skin while her thoughts spiraled. what if he didn’t want to talk? what if he thought it was weird that she was waiting for him? she paced back and forth, the nerves coiling tighter in her stomach. it wasn’t like they were friends; he had complimented her, sure, but that didn’t mean he’d welcome her showing up out of the blue. would he think she was a stalker? she could already imagine the headlines if anyone caught wind of this—barça femení star pining for senior team’s left back. her face flushed at the thought.

just as she felt ready to turn back, she heard familiar laughter. her heart skipped a beat when she looked up to see alejandro walking toward her, dressed in the same training kit she wore. he was flanked by a couple of his teammates, including fermín and lamine, who were both grinning mischievously.

“hey, what are you doing here?” alejandro asked, his brow raised in surprise. “you don’t usually stay back after practice.”

y/n swallowed hard, suddenly feeling small under their curious gazes. “uh, hi,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. “i actually wanted to talk to you.”

his eyes widened slightly. “me?” there was a hint of amusement in his tone, which drew the attention of his teammates.

“what could a star like you want with this guy?” fermín teased, elbowing alejandro. “looking for a new left back?”

lamine joined in, “or she finally giving you the autograph you wanted?”

alejandro rolled his eyes, shooting them a playful glare. “can you guys give us a minute?” he said, dismissing them with a wave. they exchanged exaggerated glances and giggles but retreated, leaving y/n and alejandro standing together.

“let’s talk here,” he said, nodding toward the wooden stairs. they settled down, the familiar scent of grass and sweat lingering in the air. “so, what’s up?”

y/n took a deep breath, her words tumbling out in a rush. “okay, so I promise I’m not stalking you or anything,” she started, her cheeks flushing at her own awkwardness. “but I’ve been thinking about what you said during practice. you called me an example, and honestly, I haven’t heard that in a long time. it kind of lit a fire in me. I want to live up to my potential, and I hate hearing the media say I’m not good enough.”

alejandro listened intently, his expression shifting to one of understanding. “I get it,” he said softly. “the pressure is real, especially for a club like Barça. it’s a badge that holds so much weight. it’s easy to feel like the world is crushing down on you.”

y/n nodded, grateful for his empathy. it felt good to share her struggles with someone who understood. “and that’s why I wanted to see you,” she continued, her heart racing. “I was hoping you could train with me. I know we don’t know each other that well, but when we practiced together, you treated me like an equal. I need that. I feel like I have to be perfect in training, and I just… I don’t know if I can do it alone anymore.”

there was a brief silence as alejandro processed her request, and she could see the confusion on his face. “why me?” he finally asked, his brow furrowing. “you’re y/n, the future face of fc barcelona. why would you need my help?”

“because I need to remember what it’s like to have fun,” she replied, a note of desperation creeping into her voice. “I want to feel confident again, and I know you could help with that.”

alejandro’s expression softened, but he still looked unconvinced. “if you’re getting all that, what do I get out of this? you know how busy our schedules are.”

y/n thought for a moment, a mischievous smile forming on her lips. “I could get you a date with one of my teammates, salma. I heard through the rumor mill that you have a crush on her.”

alejandro’s eyes widened in surprise. “how did you know that?” he asked, genuinely shocked. “I never knew you were such a gossip.”

her cheeks burned with embarrassment, but she laughed it off. “it’s not gossip, it’s just… football news.”

“sure, sure,” he teased, shaking his head. “so, if you help me get a date, I’ll help you train?”

“yes!” she said quickly, her enthusiasm bubbling over. “so, what do you say? will you do it?”

“fine,” he replied with a grin, “but you better deliver on that date with salma. I’ll hold you to it.”

they shared a laugh, and it felt easy between them, the earlier tension melting away. “and,” alejandro added, “I need your number. for training schedules, of course.”

y/n’s heart raced at the suggestion, her shyness creeping back in. “why?” she asked, her voice soft.

he leaned in slightly, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “to make time in your schedule, superstar,” he said, a playful smirk on his face. “can’t have you disappearing on me again.”

after a moment's hesitation, she nodded, pulling out her phone to share her number. “okay,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, a smile breaking through her nervousness. “just don’t make me regret this.”

“never,” alejandro promised, his smile genuine as he typed her number into his phone. “you’re going to be just fine.”

and in that moment, y/n felt a warmth spread through her, a flicker of hope igniting once more as she realized that maybe she wouldn’t have to face this battle alone after all.

after a long, relaxing shower at home, y/n wrapped herself in a towel, her skin still warm from the steam. she wandered into her bedroom, grabbing her phone from the nightstand, and noticed the text from the unknown number again. she left it on read, sitting down at her vanity to start braiding her hair. her hands moved methodically through her curls, fingers finding a familiar rhythm, but her mind was elsewhere, thinking about alejandro’s earlier words. they echoed in her head, a reassurance she didn’t realize she needed.

as she finished the first braid, her phone buzzed again. this time, it wasn’t a text. it was a call from the same unknown number. hesitating for a second, she picked up.

"hello?" her voice was tentative, unsure.

"wow, you don’t have my number saved?" alejandro's teasing voice came through the speaker, making her smile despite herself. "this is why you don’t deal with celebrities."

y/n let out a small laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing. “i’m sorry! i don’t use my phone that much.”

she didn’t mention that, most days, she barely did anything at all. her days were filled with rewatching old telenovelas and occasionally reading the latest news about her career, the critiques that always found a way to cut deep. but she kept those thoughts to herself.

“anyway, i wanted to talk about this training thing,” alejandro said, shifting the conversation. “how’s this going to work?”

y/n paused, biting her lip. “honestly… i haven’t thought that far ahead,” she admitted, her voice a little softer. “i didn’t know if you’d actually agree.”

"truthfully? i don’t think i could say no to you," he said casually, as if it was the simplest thing in the world. "you’re y/n. i think i could learn more from you than you could from me."

his words made her chest tighten, a warmth spreading through her at the unexpected kindness.

“but it’s been bugging me," alejandro continued, "why me?"

y/n took a breath, steadying herself. "i already told you why."

“yeah, but is that all?” his tone was playful now, the teasing lilt she was starting to get used to. “are you secretly in love with me?”

y/n let out a laugh, shaking her head. "no!" she said, still smiling. "but you are handsome, i’ll give you that."

there was a beat of silence, and she could practically hear his grin over the phone.

"so you think i’m handsome," he said, his tone mock-offended.

“that’s what you got from all that?” she laughed again, shaking her head as she tucked a braid behind her ear.

"well, it’s not too late to cancel this arrangement, is it?" she joked, feeling a little more at ease.

"way too late," alejandro shot back, sounding amused.

the playful banter between them continued for a few minutes longer until they finally got around to the logistics of training together.

“we’re both off tomorrow, right?” y/n asked, already checking her schedule in her head.

“yeah, let’s meet in the morning,” alejandro suggested.

"that works for me," she agreed, but then hesitated for a second before adding, “could we… maybe keep this between us? just for now. the last thing i need is more rumors.”

"dating rumors, huh?" he teased. "speak for yourself. i think the media would eat this up."

“yeah, well, let’s keep it low-key,” she insisted, though there was a smile in her voice. "at least until we figure things out."

"fine, fine," alejandro chuckled, his tone softening. “just don’t be surprised if it slips out anyway. i’m terrible at keeping secrets.”

"please, try," y/n teased.

"i’ll do my best," he promised. “oh, and save my number, superstar.”

“i will,” she smiled.

“see you tomorrow, then.”

after they hung up, y/n sat there for a moment, her phone still in her hand. she felt lighter, like some invisible weight had been lifted. maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up.

the sun was barely rising as y/n entered the training facility. the familiar scent of fresh-cut grass and the sound of the sprinklers greeted her as she walked towards the field. it was quiet, almost too quiet, but that’s what she liked about coming here on her off days. there wasn’t much difference between being alone at home or alone here. at least at the facility, she could pretend she was working towards something, even if lately it felt like she was chasing ghosts.

as she warmed up, her muscles ached slightly from the previous day’s practice, but she welcomed the burn. it was better than feeling nothing at all. her thoughts were scattered, drifting back to alejandro’s words from the night before. it had been a long time since anyone had spoken to her like that—like she was still worth something, still had potential.

she was midway through a set of stretches when she heard footsteps approaching. looking up, she spotted alejandro jogging onto the field, already in his training gear, a grin on his face as he waved.

“you’re early,” he commented, stopping a few feet away from her.

“i didn’t have anything else to do,” y/n replied with a small shrug, though she avoided his eyes. “might as well spend the day here.”

“same here,” he said, rolling his shoulders and glancing around the empty field. “so… how are we doing this?”

y/n stood up and dusted off her shorts, crossing her arms over her chest. “well, first off, don’t go easy on me. i’m not looking for a light session.”

alejandro raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “i should be the one saying that to you.”

“you know i’m not this superstar everyone makes me out to be,” she muttered, her voice quieter now. the familiar self-doubt crept in as she added, “i’m just… me.”

he gave her a pointed look, and before she could continue, he interrupted, “that’s exactly what this is about.”

y/n blinked, confused. “what do you mean?”

“it’s not about skill, y/n,” he said, his tone serious. “it’s about confidence. and right now? you don’t have any.”

her lips parted in surprise, and she instantly felt her defenses rising. “i’m not always in my head,” she argued, frowning.

“really?” alejandro shot back, his eyes searching her face for any sign of denial. “then tell me the media, the expectations from the club—that’s not affecting you?”

y/n bit her bottom lip, the weight of his words settling uncomfortably on her chest. she didn’t respond at first, her gaze dropping to the ground, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her training shirt. after a beat of silence, she muttered, “so what if it is?”

alejandro sighed, watching her carefully. he could see it now, the frustration simmering just beneath the surface. it wasn’t just about the drills or the game. this was about her self-worth, the pressure that had been building for years, the expectations that came with wearing the barça badge.

"they want me to be perfect all the time," she continued, her voice tight. "what am i supposed to do? how can i live up to that? how can anyone?"

he studied her for a moment, feeling a spark of something—relief, maybe—because at least now she was letting it out. at least now, there was fire in her words. this was something he could work with.

“that’s exactly it, y/n,” he said gently, stepping closer to her. “you’re trying to be perfect when you don’t need to be. no one is perfect, not even messi was perfect every single game. but he had confidence. that’s what kept him going. you can’t play your best when you’re always in your head, doubting yourself.”

y/n looked at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. “so, what’s your advice, then?”

“stop trying to meet their expectations and start meeting your own. find that part of you that loves the game. the part that used to have fun with it, not the part that feels like it’s a job you can’t afford to mess up,” alejandro explained. “you’ve made it this far because you’re you, not because you’re trying to be perfect.”

she didn’t respond immediately, the words sinking in deeper than she wanted to admit. but she couldn’t argue with him. deep down, she knew he was right. the love for the game that used to come so easily had been overshadowed by the constant need to prove herself, to silence the critics.

alejandro saw the hesitation in her eyes and decided to push a little more. “look, i’m not saying it’s easy. but if you keep thinking like this, it’s going to destroy you.”

her jaw clenched, and for a moment, she wanted to argue, to defend herself, but instead, she took a deep breath. “okay. what do you suggest?”

he grinned, stepping back and gesturing towards the empty field. “let’s start with the basics. drills. nothing fancy, just get out of your head and focus on the game.”

they started simple, running through passing and dribbling drills, alejandro pushing her to her limits but not overwhelming her. y/n could feel the tension in her shoulders easing as they worked through each set, his presence steady and supportive. there were moments where she slipped, the frustration creeping back in, but alejandro was quick to remind her to shake it off.

“you’re thinking again,” he said at one point, tossing the ball to her with a grin. “just play.”

and, for a few moments, she did. the voices in her head quieted, the weight of the media and expectations faded, and it was just her, alejandro, and the ball. the game she had fallen in love with years ago.

after what felt like hours, they both collapsed onto the grass, panting and sweaty. y/n wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, a small smile tugging at her lips. “that was… better than i expected.”

“told you,” alejandro said, his own grin wide as he sat up. “you’ve still got it. you just needed someone to remind you.”

y/n chuckled softly, leaning back on her elbows as she looked up at the sky. for the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of hope. maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as lost as she thought.

as they wrapped up their first practice session, the sun dipping low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the pitch, y/n was wiping the sweat from her forehead with the hem of her shirt. her muscles ached in that good way, the kind that came from pushing herself just a bit harder than she had in a long time. the drills with alejandro had been intense, but surprisingly fun too. she hadn’t felt this alive on the field in what seemed like forever.

alejandro, on the other hand, looked almost too relaxed for someone who had just trained. he rolled his shoulders, letting out a content sigh before turning his gaze toward her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“so,” he started, crossing his arms and tilting his head slightly, “did you save my number yet?”

y/n blinked at him, caught off guard by the question. she felt her face flush slightly as she fumbled with her phone in her hand. “uh, yeah, i did,” she said, pulling up her contacts and showing him the screen.

alejandro leaned in closer, squinting at the display before his eyes went wide with exaggerated shock. “alejandro balde?” he read out loud, his voice dripping with mock offense. he shot her a look, eyebrows raised as if she had just deeply insulted him. “really, y/n? that’s what you went with?”

she blinked, her face scrunching up in confusion. “what? that’s your name!”

he let out a laugh, shaking his head. “you could’ve at least put ‘ale’ or even just ‘balde.’ some personality, y/n!”

before she could protest, alejandro quickly reached for her phone, catching her by surprise. with his longer reach, he easily held it out of her grasp, the phone now completely in his control. “hey!” she exclaimed, half-laughing as she tried to grab it back, but he was too quick, stepping back and holding it just out of reach.

“oh no, no, no, you’re not getting this back until i fix it,” he teased, his fingers already flying over her screen.

y/n could only watch helplessly, half-amused, half-exasperated, as he worked his mischief on her phone. “what are you doing?” she asked, trying not to sound as flustered as she felt, but her heart raced a little, noticing how close they stood, how his effortless charm seemed to fill the space between them.

after a few seconds, alejandro handed the phone back to her with a self-satisfied grin. y/n looked down at the screen, and her eyes widened as she saw the new contact name: ale 😍.

“seriously?” she asked, her tone half-scolding, half-laughing.

“what?” alejandro raised his hands in mock innocence, towering over her with an unbothered smirk. “we already established you think i'm handsome. trust me, it’s much better now. some personality, right?” he said, clearly proud of himself.

y/n couldn’t help but roll her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed how much the little gesture amused her. she glanced back at the contact name, shaking her head. “fine, whatever,” she mumbled, trying not to laugh.

“and wait for it…” alejandro interrupted her, holding up his own phone now, where he had apparently taken a selfie of the two of them in the midst of the small phone battle. in the picture, y/n was caught mid-laugh, trying to reach for her phone while he had it held high above them, the playful scene captured perfectly.

“oh my god, delete that,” she groaned, covering her face with her hand, though she couldn’t help the smile spreading across her face.

“never,” alejandro said, grinning as he tapped a few buttons. “in fact, i might just set this as my wallpaper.”

y/n reached out again, trying to grab his phone, but he pulled it away once more, still laughing. “alejandro!”

“it’s ale, remember?” he teased.

y/n shook her head, trying to hold back her own laugh, feeling the warmth of the moment settle in. alejandro had this way of making her feel light, of making her forget about everything else swirling in her mind. for a brief second, it was just the two of them, caught in their own little world, with no expectations or pressure weighing her down.

“okay, okay,” she finally relented, stepping back and sighing. “i’ll let you have this one.”

alejandro grinned, his eyes sparkling with victory as he slipped his phone back into his pocket. “as you should.”

as they made their way off the pitch, the setting sun casting a warm glow over them, y/n couldn’t help but glance at her phone one more time. ale. she shook her head, a small smile still on her lips as they walked side by side, wondering how in the world she had ended up here—training with someone like him, feeling lighter than she had in months.

and yet, as ridiculous as it all seemed, she didn’t mind it one bit.

days paste since their first session, a gruelling day, y/n wrapped up her training session with the women’s team, her legs heavy with exhaustion, but her mind heavier still. as the other girls chatted and laughed, making plans for their evenings, she quietly slipped away from the group, her boots dragging against the grass as she walked towards the locker room alone. she loved her teammates, really, but lately, there was this gnawing feeling inside her, this sense of disconnect she couldn’t shake. every time she saw their smiles and heard their laughter, it reminded her of how distant she felt. they seemed so… carefree, so sure of themselves. meanwhile, she couldn’t help but think she was holding them back. maybe they felt it too, the weight of her underperformance. maybe that’s why she felt so isolated.

with her head down, she didn’t hear the footsteps approaching from behind until someone called her name.

"y/n!"

she turned, blinking in surprise as she spotted alejandro jogging towards her, still in his training gear, his face flushed from what she assumed was a men’s session that had just finished.

“hey,” he greeted her, a smile tugging at his lips as he fell into step beside her. “didn’t think i’d run into you here.”

y/n blinked, her heart racing slightly as she looked up at him. “oh, um… yeah,” she mumbled, awkwardly brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “i, uh, i was just heading back.”

“you always this quiet after training?” alejandro asked, his tone teasing, though there was a softness to it.

y/n felt her cheeks heat up, caught off guard by his easygoing nature. it wasn’t like she and alejandro were friends, not really. sure, they had trained together recently, but it wasn’t as if they talked like this. “i guess,” she replied, her voice quieter than she intended. “i just like to, um, you know… think.”

alejandro grinned at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “thinking’s good. but you know, you don’t always have to overthink.” he nudged her playfully with his shoulder, and y/n nearly stumbled, her face flushing even more. “sorry, didn’t mean to knock you off balance there.”

“no, no, it’s fine,” she stammered, trying to laugh it off, though she could feel her palms sweating. god, why was she so clumsy? “i just, uh… wasn’t expecting to see you.”

he chuckled, clearly noticing her awkwardness but not calling her out on it. “yeah, i guess it’s not every day you run into the future face of barça, huh?”

y/n’s eyes widened, and she immediately waved her hands in front of her, flustered. “what—no, i’m not—i’m really not—”

“relax,” alejandro interrupted, laughing softly. “i’m just messing with you, superstar.”

there it was again. superstar. he always called her that. and every time he did, she didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or flattered. maybe both.

“you really need to stop calling me that,” she muttered, trying to hide her smile but failing miserably.

“why?” alejandro teased, his grin growing wider. “you don’t like it?”

“it’s just… not true,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced down at her feet. “i’m not really… all that.”

“hmm, i don’t know,” alejandro mused, pretending to think it over. “you’re kind of a big deal. and anyway, i thought you’d be used to the attention by now. you know, with the media always talking about you.”

y/n cringed slightly at the mention of the media, but alejandro’s playful tone made it hard for her to feel too down about it. he wasn’t teasing her in a cruel way, more like… he was just trying to lighten the mood.

“yeah, well,” she muttered, awkwardly scratching the back of her neck. “i try not to think about them too much.”

“good,” he said, giving her a small nod of approval. “they don’t know what they’re talking about half the time anyway.”

y/n smiled shyly, her heart fluttering at his words. there was something about the way he talked to her—like he saw her, really saw her, beyond all the noise and pressure. it was nice, but it also made her nervous, like she didn’t know how to respond without tripping over her words.

“so,” alejandro continued, breaking the silence. “are you gonna keep making me do all the work at these training sessions? or are you actually gonna push me next time?”

y/n blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. “what?”

he grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “you know, the drills? don’t go easy on me, superstar. i’m starting to think you’ve been holding back.”

her face flushed again, and she stumbled over her words. “i-i’m not holding back! you’re just… really good.”

“oh, is that so?” he teased, leaning in slightly, his voice dropping playfully. “so you’re saying i’m better than you?”

y/n’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as she tried to come up with a response. “no! i mean—i didn’t—i just—”

alejandro chuckled at her flustered state, his smile softening as he watched her struggle. “relax, y/n. i’m just messing with you.”

she let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding, a small, awkward laugh escaping her lips. “you’re really good at that.”

“at what?” he asked, feigning innocence.

“making me look like an idiot,” she mumbled, though there was a hint of a smile on her face.

alejandro laughed again, his voice light and easy. “nah, you do that all on your own.”

y/n’s jaw dropped in mock offense, and she lightly shoved him with her shoulder. “hey!”

he grinned, not at all fazed by her attempt at pushing him. “i am just kidding. you’re far from an idiot.”

there was a brief pause, and for a moment, y/n found herself looking at him—really looking at him. the way the setting sun cast a warm glow on his skin, the easy smile on his lips, the way he made her feel less… alone. it was nice, but also scary, because she wasn’t used to this kind of attention. especially not from someone like him.

“anyway,” alejandro said, breaking the silence once again, “i’ll see you tomorrow for training, right?”

y/n nodded, her heart still racing a little too fast. “yeah. see you tomorrow.”

“good,” he said with a wink, turning to jog back towards his teammates. “don’t keep me waiting, superstar.”

as he jogged off, y/n stood there for a moment, staring after him, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. she wasn’t sure what just happened, but one thing was clear: alejandro balde had a way of making her feel things she hadn’t felt in a long time. and it scared her, more than she cared to admit.

the afternoon sun filtered through the trees at ciutat esportiva, casting a soft glow on the grass where y/n and alejandro sat side by side, the atmosphere relaxed but carrying an undercurrent of something new, something that neither of them fully acknowledged yet.

alejandro tilted his head, studying her thoughtfully. “why are you still so shy with me?” he asked, genuinely curious. “i mean, you’ve known me for years, right?”

y/n tucked a loose braid behind her ear, her voice barely above a whisper. “i’ve never really been alone with a boy before.”

his eyebrows shot up in surprise, and he grinned. “and you chose me?”

she shrugged, feeling her cheeks warm. “i don’t see why not. you were nice to me.”

he smirked, teasingly nudging her shoulder. “you’re really beating those allegations of secretly being in love with me, huh?”

she rolled her eyes, playfully pushing him in return. “oh, please.” but there was a smile on her lips, and it felt lighter than she had in days.

they both fell back onto the grass, laying on their backs now, gazing up at the sky. the breeze was cool, but their conversation warmed the space between them.

“so, we’ve known each other for years, but i feel like i don’t really know you,” alejandro said, his voice softer now, more serious. “tell me something about you. like, when’s your birthday?”

“april 29,” y/n replied, her voice steady.

“april, huh? i’m october 18,” he offered, smiling. “we’re the same age, after all these years. funny how we never really talked.”

she nodded, feeling a bit more comfortable. “yeah, it is.”

“okay, what’s your favorite moment at barça?” he asked, shifting the conversation to something familiar, something that might put her more at ease.

they stayed seated on the grass, the comfortable silence stretching between them as they both leaned back, propped up on their hands, the sun warm on their faces. it was a moment that felt normal—easy—and y/n realized she hadn’t felt that kind of ease in a long time. she glanced at alejandro, noticing the way his dark curls caught the light, his expression open, curious, waiting.

“so… what about you?” she asked, her voice softer now, more at ease. “what’s your favorite moment at barça?”

he didn’t hesitate, his grin immediate. “my first goal, no question.”

“figures,” y/n teased lightly, shaking her head, but there was a smile on her lips. “you always seem so sure of yourself.”

alejandro chuckled, the sound rich and genuine. “not quite. you should’ve seen me back then when i use to play winger . i was nervous as hell, but once i saw the ball hit the net…” he paused, his eyes drifting as if he could still feel the moment. “it was like everything clicked. all the hard work, all the sacrifices—it felt like it was worth it.”

y/n looked at him, seeing the joy in his expression, the pride that lit up his face. it was the same look she used to wear, the same feeling she had when she was younger, back when football felt like a dream instead of a weight on her shoulders.

“you must’ve felt the same, right?” alejandro asked, glancing over at her. “when you scored your first goal? it was huge. you were, what, sixteen?”

“fifteen,” she corrected, her voice quiet, almost like she didn’t want to acknowledge it.

he let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. “fifteen? that’s insane. i was still trying to figure out my place in la masia at that age. and there you were, scoring for the first team.”

y/n smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. she felt the weight of his words, the pressure of them. she should’ve been proud—everyone else always said she should be—but all she could think about was how distant that moment felt. “yeah… but that was a long time ago,” she said softly, staring down at the blades of grass beneath her fingers.

alejandro noticed the shift in her mood immediately. “hey, don’t do that.”

“do what?” she asked, though she knew exactly what he meant.

“don’t downplay it,” he said firmly, his gaze steady on her. “what you did was incredible, y/n. most people only dream of what you’ve already achieved.”

she shrugged, trying to push away the heavy feeling that was creeping in again. “it’s just… i haven’t felt like that girl in a long time, you know? the one who believed in herself, who wasn’t constantly second-guessing everything.”

alejandro studied her, his expression softening. “what happened?”

y/n hesitated, unsure of how to explain it. how do you explain losing your spark? how do you explain the slow unraveling of confidence that happens when the world’s eyes are always on you, waiting for you to fail? “i guess… the pressure got to me,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “the media, the expectations. everyone always expects me to be perfect, and i just… i don’t know if i can do it anymore.”

alejandro frowned, his brow furrowing as he took in her words. “you don’t have to be perfect, y/n. no one’s perfect.”

she scoffed lightly, shaking her head. “tell that to the media. they don’t care about mistakes. they just want headlines.”

“yeah, well, screw them,” alejandro said with a shrug, his tone casual but his eyes serious. “they don’t know what it’s like. they don’t know what it feels like to have the weight of the world on your shoulders. but we do.”

y/n looked at him, surprised by his words. she hadn’t expected him to understand—not like this. but as she watched him, she realized that he did. he knew exactly what it felt like to be in her position, to have expectations so high that they seemed impossible to meet.

“that’s why we need each other,” alejandro continued, his voice softer now, more earnest. “to remind ourselves that we’re not alone in this. we’ve got to keep pushing, not for them, but for us. for the love of the game.”

y/n felt a lump form in her throat at his words, a mixture of gratitude and something else—something she couldn’t quite name—swelling inside her. she had spent so long feeling isolated, like she was the only one going through this, and hearing alejandro speak so candidly made her feel… seen.

“yeah, you’re right,” she murmured, her gaze dropping to her lap. “i just… i don’t know how to get back there. to that place where i felt confident, where i wasn’t constantly doubting myself.”

alejandro watched her for a moment, then a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “that’s what we’re here for, remember? to help you find that spark again.”

she looked at him, a little bit of hope stirring in her chest. “you really think i can?”

“i know you can,” he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “you just need a little push.”

y/n smiled at him, a genuine smile this time, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she believed him.

alejandro leaned back on his hands, stretching his legs out in front of him. “so, what else? favorite color?”

y/n chuckled, the shift in conversation catching her off guard. “blue. you?”

“green,” he replied with a grin. “but only because i look good in it.”

she rolled her eyes. “humble as ever, i see.”

“hey, it’s not bragging if it’s true,” he teased, nudging her lightly with his shoulder. “come on, your turn. what’s your favorite food?”

“pasta. literally every kind” she said quickly, and he laughed.

“good choice. can’t go wrong with pasta, ” alejandro agreed. “mine’s pizza. no contest.”

“of course it is,” y/n said, smiling to herself. “you seem like the type.”

“what’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, pretending to be offended.

“it means you’re predictable,” she teased, her voice lighter than it had been in a long time.

he smirked, shaking his head. “oh, you’re gonna regret saying that, superstar.”

the nickname made her blush, as it always did, but she couldn’t help but smile. “yeah? what are you gonna do about it?”

“oh, i’ll think of something,” he said, his tone playful, but there was something in his eyes—something softer, something deeper—that made y/n’s heart skip a beat.

they sat there for a moment, the teasing banter falling away as the silence settled between them again. but this time, it wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable. it was… nice. comforting, even.

she stood up, brushing off her training pants, offering him a small, almost apologetic smile. “thank you, alejandro. for today.”

he watched her, the sadness in her eyes tugging at something inside him, something that made him want to take that look away. “wait,” he called, sitting up quickly. “let’s make a deal.”

y/n raised an eyebrow, curious but still guarded. “a deal?”

yeah,” alejandro grinned, his playful side returning. “if you score a goal this weekend, we’ll skip one of these training sessions and do something fun. like, really fun.”

her eyes widened, and for a moment, her sadness seemed to lift, replaced by intrigue. “alejandro, come on. be serious.”

“i am serious,” he insisted, standing now and stepping closer. “if you score a goal, you get to pick something fun to do, and we’ll do it. no training, no football. just… something to remind you there’s more to life than this.”

y/n hesitated, the thought of something fun, something light, was foreign to her lately. she hadn’t done anything for herself in so long, not since her siblings barged into her apartment to drag her out. but this? this sounded… nice.

“fine,” she agreed, a small smile pulling at her lips. “but don’t blame me if i don’t score and your stuck with me.”

he laughed, a sound that was becoming more familiar to her now. “deal. but you better score, superstar.”

the energy in the stadium was buzzing, the warm-up drills for match day in full swing as y/n jogged across the field, her mind half-focused on the movements, half-drifting into that space where anxiety and anticipation wrestled for control. the season had been rough, her confidence low, but she was determined to make today count. the chill of the late afternoon air hit her skin as she wiped sweat from her forehead, feeling the familiar weight of eyes watching her every move.

suddenly, the speakers blared over the stadium, announcing the presence of the barça men’s team. her head snapped toward the sideline, curiosity piqued, and her eyes immediately found alejandro. he stood casually among his teammates—fermin, lamine, and gavi—leaning against the barrier, looking out over the pitch. unlike the others, who wore their typical training gear, alejandro was in street clothes, a varsity jacket hanging off his broad shoulders, casual jeans that hugged his legs just right, and a pair of sneakers that completed his laid-back look. y/n found herself momentarily caught off guard, taking in the way he looked so different, yet so… himself. she hadn’t ever really seen him outside their training sessions, and something about him standing there in his jacket, hair tousled from the wind, made her heart skip a beat.

before she could stop herself, her mind wandered, analyzing everything about him—his easy smile as he talked to his friends, the confidence in his stance, and how effortlessly cool he seemed even when he wasn’t trying. her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly shook herself from her thoughts when she saw alejandro wave at her and call her over to the sideline.

“y/n!” his voice was playful, full of that teasing tone she’d grown accustomed to, and it was enough to break her from her trance.

just as she started to jog over, her captain, who had been nearby, raised an eyebrow and gave her a smirk. “your boyfriend’s here, y/n,” she teased, giving her a light nudge.

y/n’s eyes widened in shock, her heart stumbling over itself. “w-what? i—no! he’s not—” she stuttered, her words tripping over each other in a desperate attempt to clarify, though her face was quickly turning pink. did she know about the extra training sessions? were there rumors already spreading?

her captain laughed lightly, shaking her head. “relax, y/n. some culers noticed you two together during practice and thought it was cute, that’s all. i don’t know why you’re so red about it,” she said, her voice teasing but kind. “go say hi. we’re finishing this drill anyway.”

with her heart still racing in her chest, y/n nodded quickly, trying to shake off her embarrassment as she made her way over to where alejandro and his friends stood. she could feel the eyes of her teammates on her, probably waiting to tease her more later, but she focused on keeping her cool. when she reached the sideline, she gave alejandro and his teammates a small smile, still trying to regain her composure.

“hey,” she greeted, her voice a little shy, still rattled by her captain’s teasing.

alejandro grinned at her, leaning forward slightly. “hey yourself. looking good out there, superstar.”

y/n felt her face warm again at his words, but she managed a smile. “thanks, but the game hasn’t even started yet.”

he shrugged, his gaze steady on her. “doesn’t matter. i know you’ll kill it.”

his words were casual, but there was a sincerity behind them that made something inside y/n flutter. it was the way he said it, like he truly believed in her, even when she didn’t believe in herself. her throat tightened slightly, emotions bubbling up that she hadn’t expected. he wasn’t just teasing her now—he was serious. he believed in her, just like he had during their extra training sessions.

“i—thanks,” she managed to say, her voice quieter now, almost vulnerable. she wanted to tell him how much it meant, how she wasn’t used to people saying things like that to her anymore, but she couldn’t find the words. instead, she just looked at him, hoping he could see how much it mattered.

“no need to thank me,” alejandro said softly, his usual flirty tone fading for a moment. “i’m just saying what’s true. you’ve got this, y/n. i know you do.”

before she could respond, one of her coaches called out to her from across the field, signaling that it was time for the players to head to the locker room before the match. y/n glanced over her shoulder, nodding before turning back to alejandro and his friends.

“i—i have to go,” she said, a little shyly, not quite ready to leave the comfort of his presence just yet. but she knew she had a game to focus on.

“of course,” alejandro replied with a grin, stepping back a little but not before giving her an encouraging smile. “go show them what you’re made of.”

his teammates chimed in, all wishing her luck in their own way. fermin gave her a thumbs up, lamine offered a small grin, and gavi, ever the quiet one, simply nodded, but his expression showed that he was rooting for her too.

“thanks, guys,” y/n said, her voice a little steadier now, a bit of her confidence returning. as she turned to walk away, she glanced back at alejandro one more time, his words still echoing in her mind.

“hey, y/n,” he called after her, his voice playful again. “remember our deal.”

y/n couldn’t help but smile at that, rolling her eyes but feeling the weight on her shoulders lighten just a little. “i remember,” she said before jogging back to join her team, her heart still fluttering in her chest.

as she headed toward the locker room, she felt a small surge of confidence growing inside her, like a spark that had been reignited. maybe today would be different. maybe today, she could believe in herself the way alejandro did.

as the match started, alejandro tried to focus on the game, but he couldn’t help but glance over at y/n. she looked sharp, intense, but there was still that vulnerability in her, something that made him want to cheer her on even harder.

gavi leaned in, already smirking. “so… you and y/n, huh?”

alejandro frowned. “what? there’s nothing going on.”

“sure,” fermín chuckled, not convinced. “you canceled plans to be here, man. don’t play dumb.”

“yeah,” lamine joined in, grinning. “and what happened to salma? weren’t you supposed to go out with her? y/n even promised to set you two up.”

at the mention of salma, alejandro blinked. salma. the whole reason y/n had even offered to train with him. but somehow… it didn’t matter anymore. he hadn’t thought about salma in weeks. because all he could think about was y/n.

“salma?” alejandro shrugged, suddenly realizing how little she had crossed his mind. “there’s nothing going on there.”

fermin raised his eyebrow, giving him a knowing look. “nothing? or did y/n make you forget all about her?”

alejandro opened his mouth to argue but found himself pausing. the truth hit him hard, clearer than before. he had forgotten about salma. not on purpose, but because y/n had become something so much more important to him than he’d expected. she was on his mind constantly—the way she trained, the way she talked, the way she quietly doubted herself when no one else did.

y/n moved across the pitch with an elegance that didn’t fit the tension she had been carrying around lately. it was as if the grass was her canvas, and she painted every pass, every run, with deliberate, graceful strokes. the ball seemed to respond to her touch like it was waiting for her command, and alejandro couldn’t tear his eyes away.

he couldn't help but compare her to an artist—delicate yet bold, each movement calculated, yet instinctual. there was something mesmerizing about the way she played, a quiet brilliance she herself didn’t seem to recognize. she wasn’t just a footballer. she was a masterpiece in motion.

how doesn’t she see it? he thought, watching her weave between defenders like it was second nature. the same girl who shyly stuttered through conversations, who avoided eye contact with him like it was a crime, now controlled the pitch with ease.

alejandro felt his chest tighten, and it suddenly hit him. the reason he hadn’t thought about salma—the reason why he had forgotten all about the setup y/n had promised—was because… well, because it was y/n. it was always her. the more time he spent with her, the more he realized just how deep she’d worked her way into his thoughts.

her shyness, her uncertainty, the way she pushed herself despite the weight of expectations crushing her—it all drew him in. maybe it had been a slow realization, but as he sat there, watching her command the field, it hit him all at once.

he was falling for her. falling for the girl who didn’t know how incredible she was. shy, unsure y/n, who he wanted to protect and cheer for all at once. and the worst part? she had no idea.

his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden roar from the crowd. y/n had the ball at her feet, just outside the box, and before anyone could react, she sent a strike flying toward the goal. it was one of those moments where time seemed to slow down, the entire stadium holding its breath. the ball soared through the air, curving just right—and then hit the back of the net with a satisfying thud.

the stadium exploded.

alejandro was on his feet before he even realized it, cheering loudly along with the others. but his gaze remained locked on y/n, whose expression was one of pure shock. she stood there, frozen for a split second, before her teammates mobbed her, piling on in celebration.

and then, that smile.

that bright, beaming smile that lit up her entire face. the one that made the weight she carried seem nonexistent, even if just for a moment. and when it flashed on the jumbotron, bigger than life, alejandro felt his heart stop.

there it was. that was the confirmation he needed.

“you’ve got it bad, don’t you?” fermín teased, leaning in with a smirk.

but alejandro didn’t even respond. he just stared at y/n, grinning like an idiot. yeah, he thought. i’ve got it bad.

after the match, y/n found herself surrounded by a whirlwind of attention. teammates, coaches, staff—everyone was congratulating her, patting her back, telling her how incredible her performance was. it was always like this when you won, when you made a difference. the appreciation, the excitement—it flooded in, and yet, despite the noise around her, the only person she could think about was alejandro.

her eyes scanned the crowd, and when she finally spotted him waiting in the tunnel with fermín, gavi, and lamine, she couldn’t stop herself. the adrenaline from the match still buzzed in her veins, and before she knew it, she was rushing toward him, arms flung around his neck in a tight embrace.

alejandro froze for a moment, completely taken aback. he hadn’t expected that from y/n, especially not in front of all these people. but the surprise melted away quickly, and his arms instinctively wrapped around her, holding her close. for a few fleeting seconds, it was just them in their own world.

then, reality hit, and y/n realized what she had just done. she pulled away awkwardly, her face flushed as she glanced around, remembering how it might look. but instead of awkward silence, she was met with playful whistles and teasing from alejandro’s teammates.

as y/n stood there, her heart still racing from both the game and the sudden embrace, she found herself surrounded by alejandro and his friends, all still riding high on the excitement of her goal.

"seriously, that goal? ridiculous." gavi said, shaking his head in disbelief. "i mean, from that distance? you're amazing!"

"we all saw it," fermín added with a smirk. "alejandro nearly jumped out of his seat. thought he was going to start sprinting onto the pitch."

alejandro gave him a playful shove, grinning. "i was just… caught up in the moment, alright?"

y/n laughed softly, her nerves still buzzing. "thanks, guys. but it was just one goal." she shrugged, trying to downplay it, though her smile gave her away.

alejandro tilted his head, giving her a look. "just one goal? nah, that was the goal. you were incredible." his voice was soft yet insistent, and it made y/n’s cheeks flush all over again. he leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping just for her, "i knew you had it in you."

y/n blinked, the words hitting her square in the chest. there was something so genuine, so unshakable in the way he said it, like he had no doubt in his mind. "i… i couldn’t have done it without you," she admitted quietly, looking down at the grass for a moment before glancing up at him. "i guess that means i owe you now."

"you can pay me back by being ready at six," he teased with a grin, nudging her shoulder lightly.

she smiled, rolling her eyes, trying to ignore the way her stomach flipped at his words. "fine, fine. deal’s a deal."

gavi laughed, shaking his head. "you two sound like you’re plotting something."

"yeah, alejandro’s got you working overtime, huh?" fermín teased, crossing his arms with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "what, did he promise to teach you his questionable dance moves if you scored?"

alejandro shot him a look. "at least i have rhytmn. my dance moves are great, thank you very much."

y/n giggled, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. "no questionable dance moves, i promise," she said with a grin. "but we might skip a few drills next time."

"oh, skipping drills, huh? that's dangerous," fermín replied with mock seriousness, waggling his eyebrows. "what else are you two skipping?"

alejandro waved him off with a laugh, but y/n found herself flustered, suddenly aware of the teasing. "nothing like that!" she stammered, glancing between them. "it’s just… he said we could do something fun if i scored."

"oh, we know what fun means," gavi said, grinning wickedly. "don’t worry, we won’t tell salma. i mean, she is on your team, right, y/n?"

the mention of salma hit y/n like a jolt, but before she could say anything, alejandro was already shaking his head, his face serious for once. "what about her?" he said flatly. "there’s nothing going on there."

y/n blinked, caught off guard by how quickly he shut that down. she could see it in his eyes—he wasn’t just saying it for the sake of it. he really… meant it.

"well, if you say so…" gavi trailed off, exchanging glances with fermín and lamine, clearly not buying it.

alejandro cleared his throat, his gaze softening as he turned back to y/n. "anyway, you were incredible out there," he said again, his voice low, meant just for her. "i’m proud of you."

the words hit y/n deep, and she felt a warmth spread through her chest. she wasn’t used to hearing things like that—not from someone like him, someone whose opinion mattered more than she cared to admit.

“thank you,” she whispered, her voice soft but sincere. “really.”

before the moment could stretch on too long, y/n’s coach called her name from across the tunnel, and she turned, realizing she had to head back to the locker room. "i’ve gotta go," she said, biting her lip. "but… thanks again. for everything."

alejandro nodded, his eyes lingering on her for just a second longer. "see you tomorrow, superstar," he said, flashing her that familiar grin.

as y/n walked away, cheeks flushed and heart racing, she couldn’t help but smile at the nickname. she felt lighter, more confident. it wasn’t just the goal that had her feeling this way—it was alejandro. his belief in her.

watching her retreating figure, lamine finally piped up, shaking his head in disbelief. "hermano," he said with wide eyes, "you’re smooth. like, real smooth."

alejandro just shrugged, but his gaze stayed on y/n until she disappeared down the tunnel. "what can i say?" he muttered, half to himself. "she’s special."

he had a feeling this was only the beginning.

y/n spent the entire morning trying—and failing—to focus on anything other than the conversation from the day before. gavi’s teasing about salma, alejandro’s nonchalant expression when the guys brought her up, the way he had just shrugged it off… it played on repeat in her head. she sat on the edge of her bed, holding her phone loosely in her hand, staring blankly at the wall, lost in thought. why did she care so much?

it wasn't like she had feelings for alejandro. she didn’t. he was just a teammate helping her train. right? but as she tried to brush off the thoughts that had been bothering her since yesterday, something kept nagging at the back of her mind. maybe it was the way alejandro had looked at her when he thought no one was paying attention. or maybe it was the teasing from his friends that struck a chord with her. salma. the name echoed in her mind. why did it matter?

she let out a frustrated sigh and stood up, heading to her closet. maybe a distraction would help. she needed to get out of her head. but even as she rifled through her clothes, she couldn’t stop her thoughts from wandering back to alejandro. she paused, pulling a soft grey cardigan from the hanger, her fingers brushing against the fabric as she absentmindedly thought of him. his easygoing charm, that self-assured way he carried himself, the confidence that seemed to ooze from him without even trying. y/n frowned slightly as she pulled on the cardigan over her tank top, pairing it with a flowy maxi skirt that skimmed the floor. alejandro was… well, he was handsome. undeniably so. she’d be lying if she said she hadn’t noticed that from the start. he had that kind of natural good looks that were hard to ignore.

but that wasn’t what kept her thinking about him, was it? it was more than that. it was his kindness. the way he had gone out of his way to help her, even though they barely knew each other. y/n rarely let people in, rarely let herself trust others so easily, and yet… alejandro had this way of making her feel like she could rely on him, like he cared.

she shook her head, trying to rid herself of the thoughts swirling around her brain. why does this even matter? she wondered for the hundredth time. it’s not like there’s anything between us. yet, no matter how many times she tried to convince herself of that, something tugged at her, something she couldn’t quite shake. something that made her think about alejandro a little more than she probably should.

just as she finished getting ready, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. she picked it up, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the message from alejandro.

alejandro: ring me up when you’re ready

she stared at the message for a moment, biting her lip. why did even the smallest interactions with him feel like… something more? she quickly sent back a reply, not wanting to overthink it too much.

y/n: i’m coming

she slipped on her shoes, her nerves jittery, though she couldn’t explain why. when she opened the door to find alejandro standing there, her breath hitched in her throat. he was leaning casually against the doorframe, but there was something different about him today. maybe it was the way the sunlight filtered in behind him, casting a golden glow around his figure. or maybe it was the way his smile faltered for just a second when his eyes landed on her, his gaze sweeping over her like he couldn’t help himself.

he blinked, almost like he had been caught off guard. y/n tilted her head, unsure of what to make of his silence. “hi,” she said, her voice soft, waiting for him to respond.

it took him a second longer than usual to gather himself. “hey,” he finally replied, his voice a little too casual as he stepped inside. “sorry, I was… uh, distracted.”

“i could tell,” she teased, closing the door behind him. she didn’t often feel this comfortable with people, but alejandro had this way of making her walls come down, even if just a little.

he gave her a sheepish grin as he looked around her apartment, his eyes sweeping over the cozy space, the framed pictures on the walls, the little touches of her personality in every corner. his gaze landed on a family photo on the coffee table—a picture of y/n with her siblings, all smiling brightly at the camera. alejandro picked it up, studying the image for a moment. “you’ve got a big family,” he commented, setting it back down.

“yeah,” y/n nodded, walking over to stand beside him. “i’m the oldest. my parents and siblings went back home recently, so… it’s just me now.”

“that must be weird,” alejandro said, leaning against the back of her couch. “i can’t imagine being alone all the time. my house is basically chaos 24/7 even with my two brothers.”

y/n smiled, imagining the noise and energy of his family. “yeah, it’s definitely quieter now. but… i like it sometimes. the quiet, i mean. though I do miss the noise too. but… seeing my parents retire and finally get to relax back home? that makes it worth it.”

alejandro found himself watching her as she spoke, the way her eyes softened when she talked about her family, the way her voice carried this quiet strength. he didn’t know why, but he found himself completely drawn to her in a way he hadn’t felt with anyone else. not even salma. the thought of salma seemed so distant now, almost irrelevant.

y/n cleared her throat, pulling him out of his thoughts. “so… what exactly are we doing today?”

a playful grin tugged at the corner of his lips. “it’s a surprise.”

“i don’t do well with surprises,” she warned, though there was a teasing glint in her eyes.

“trust me,” he said, stepping closer, his voice low and sure, like he held the answer to a question she hadn’t even thought to ask. the way he looked at her, a quiet confidence in his eyes, made her breath catch for a moment. it wasn’t just his words; it was something more, something deeper in the way he said them, like a promise.

y/n had always been cautious—trust didn’t come easily to her, not after everything she had learned about people. but with alejandro, things felt… different. she couldn't quite explain it, but from the moment he offered to help her train, something in him had put her at ease. and now, standing here with him, that same feeling settled into her chest, warm and unexpected. she hadn't meant to trust him—hadn't even realized she did, not until this moment. maybe it was his steady presence, the way he made her feel like she didn’t have to carry the weight of everything alone. or maybe it was how he didn’t expect anything from her in return, just… patience, and belief in what she could do.

she wasn’t used to this. to someone like him. but, somehow, she wanted to be.

alejandro was waiting for her response, his eyes soft and unwavering as they met hers. she hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her cardigan, her mind racing for just a second. trusting someone this easily wasn’t her. but here, with him? it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

finally, she let out a small breath and smiled, the corners of her lips lifting as she looked at him, a mix of nerves and something else swirling in her chest. “alright, fine,” she said softly, her voice sincere, “i trust you.”

and she really did.

as the words left her mouth, she realized just how much she meant them. it was strange, unexpected even, but she didn’t doubt it for a second. with alejandro, it felt… easy. maybe that was what scared her most of all.

alejandro’s grin widened, and without another word, he motioned toward the door. “let’s go then.”

as they walked out of her apartment together, y/n felt a strange flutter in her chest. it was subtle, but it was there, growing with every passing moment. she tried to tell herself it was just excitement for the day ahead, but deep down, she knew it was more than that. it was something about the way alejandro made her feel—something that she wasn’t quite ready to admit to herself yet.

meanwhile, alejandro was trying his best to keep his cool, even though his heart was pounding in his chest. he didn’t know exactly when his feelings for y/n had shifted, but they had. the more time he spent with her, the harder it was to ignore. he knew this wasn’t just about helping her train anymore. this was something more. something that scared him and excited him all at once.

the cool evening air brushed y/n's skin as she stepped outside, the sky painted in warm hues of orange and pink. when alejandro had told her they were going out, she hadn’t expected an amusement park. it had been years since she’d been to one, not since she first arrived in spain as a kid. but it was clear from the twinkling lights, the sounds of excited screams, and the colorful rides ahead that this was going to be different.

"you’ve never been here?" y/n asked in disbelief as they walked through the gates of the amusement park. she glanced over at alejandro, who seemed almost too calm for someone about to experience their first visit. “like, ever?”

he chuckled softly, shaking his head. “nope, not once.”

her eyes widened as she processed the revelation. “and you wanted to come for the first time with me?”

alejandro turned his head, meeting her gaze, and flashed that signature grin of his, the one that always seemed to have a little extra meaning behind it. “well, who else would i wanna come with?” he teased, the question lingering in the air.

before she could respond, he reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a light tug as they moved deeper into the park. y/n's heart skipped a beat at the sudden contact, her brain scrambling to catch up. she wasn’t used to this—his touch, his warmth. she’d barely noticed him being so physically close during their training sessions, but now, walking hand in hand, it was impossible to ignore.

her mind raced, trying to figure out if this was just friendly or something more. of course, it had to be friendly, right? alejandro was playful by nature, constantly teasing and messing around, so maybe this was just part of his character.

yet, something was different today. he was still playful, yes, but there was something more intentional about his actions—less of the usual lighthearted shoves and pinches, more… warmth. affection. she could feel it in the way his fingers curled gently around hers.

but y/n, oblivious as ever, chalked it up to her overthinking. she hadn’t been around guys like this much outside of football. in fact, her whole life had been football. there wasn’t much room for anything—or anyone—else.

as they approached the line for a roller coaster, she couldn’t help but glance down at their still-joined hands before looking up at him again. alejandro caught her gaze, and a playful smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"so…" he began casually as they waited. “you don’t have a boyfriend, right? no guy’s gonna be pissed that i’m taking you out like this?”

y/n blinked, caught off guard by the question. she laughed softly, shaking her head. “you have nothing to worry about. i don’t think anyone’s interested.”

her tone was light, joking, but the moment the words left her mouth, alejandro frowned slightly, his grip on her hand tightening just a fraction. “really?” he asked, his voice more serious than before. “you’re y/n. any guy would fall at his knees for you—you just don’t see it.”

his words sent a strange, warm sensation through her chest, making her heart flutter in a way she hadn’t expected. she tried to brush it off with another laugh. “yeah, right. i’ve never even been confessed to,” she admitted, surprising herself with how candid she was being.

alejandro raised a brow, clearly not buying it. “not for lack of trying. you’ve only ever been invested in football—even when we were younger.”

y/n blinked again, surprised by his response. “wait, how do you know that?”

“you remember my friend xavi? he was in la masia with us,” alejandro said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

her brow furrowed as she thought back, nodding slowly. “yeah… he plays in germany now, right?”

alejandro nodded. “that’s the one. he was obsessed with you back then. poor guy would leave sweets in your locker every day, and you never noticed.”

her jaw dropped as the realization hit her. “that was him?” she asked, genuinely shocked. “i thought my coach was just being nice or something.”

alejandro grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction. “yep, that was xavi. he was heartbroken for months when you didn’t acknowledge it.”

“oh my god,” she groaned, running a hand through her hair. “now i feel bad.”

alejandro chuckled, nudging her playfully. “you should.”

she nudged him back, rolling her eyes, but the smile never left her face. “poor xavi.”

“he’d probably die if he saw you here with me right now,” alejandro teased, the corners of his mouth quirking up.

“why’s that?” y/n asked, her tone light, but there was something about the way alejandro looked at her in that moment, something more intense.

he grinned, shrugging nonchalantly. “because i got what he didn’t.”

the words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, y/n wasn’t sure how to respond. they stepped forward in the line, their turn approaching, but the weight of his words lingered in her mind.

alejandro's grip on her hand didn’t falter as they moved closer to the ride, his thumb brushing against her skin absentmindedly. y/n’s heart raced, but she told herself it was just the adrenaline from the amusement park.

at least… that’s what she wanted to believe.

the day had turned into the perfect evening, the sun slowly setting and casting an orange glow over the entire park. y/n had the biggest smile on her face as they walked away from the roller coaster, her energy infectious, but alejandro wasn’t feeling as enthusiastic. his stomach churned, a mix of leftover adrenaline and the fact that he’d never been on a roller coaster that intense before. he’d tried to play it cool at first, but now, as they walked, he could feel his legs slightly unsteady, and his face a bit paler than usual.

y/n, still bouncing from the thrill of the ride, glanced over at him and immediately noticed. without hesitation, she gently grabbed his arm, her touch soft but grounding. “ale, are you okay?” her brows furrowed with concern, her voice light but sincere. “we can leave if you’re not feeling well. honestly, i had a lot of fun already.”

he looked down at her, surprised by the genuine concern in her eyes. even though she had just come off the ride with the biggest smile he’d seen, she was ready to drop it all for him. it made his chest tighten a little—not in the way it did from the roller coaster, but in a way he wasn’t used to. she was caring, gentle, and in that moment, he realized just how much he admired that about her.

but as much as he appreciated her offer, he couldn’t bring himself to cut the day short. she was glowing—so happy, so full of energy. and her smile, god, her smile was enough to make him want to endure ten more roller coasters if it meant seeing it a little longer.

alejandro shook his head, putting on a brave face. “nah, i’ll be fine,” he said, offering her a weak smile. “just need a minute to recover. but maybe we should get something to eat or drink, you know… to help settle everything.”

y/n’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “good idea. let’s find one of those booths! i could definitely go for some churros or something.”

as they walked towards the various food stands, the vibrant sounds of the amusement park buzzing around them, alejandro found himself watching her more than anything else. the way her eyes seemed to light up at each colorful booth, her soft laughter when she saw a child running by with a balloon too big for their small hands—it was all so… mesmerizing. the golden hues of the setting sun only added to the way she seemed to glow, making her look like something out of a dream. and for a moment, he forgot all about the roller coaster and the sick feeling in his stomach.

they stopped at a churros stand first, y/n excitedly ordering for the both of them while alejandro leaned against the counter, still catching his breath. when she handed him a churro, warm and covered in cinnamon sugar, he smiled, feeling a little better already.

“you good?” she asked, taking a bite of her churro and watching him with that same concern she’d shown earlier.

alejandro nodded, taking a bite as well. “yeah, i’m good,” he replied, his voice more stable now. “besides, i couldn't let you eat all these churros alone.”

y/n chuckled, shaking her head. “you’re the one who looks like you might pass out. but seriously, if you need to sit for a while, just let me know.”

he appreciated her concern, but he wasn’t going to let anything ruin the night—especially not after seeing how happy she was. “i’ll be fine, really,” he insisted, his eyes catching hers. “besides, seeing you smile like that made it all worth it.”

her cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, and she quickly looked away, trying to hide her reaction by taking another bite of churro. but alejandro noticed. of course he noticed.

after they finished their churros and grabbed a couple of drinks from another booth, they continued wandering through the park, passing by a game booth where stuffed animals were displayed as prizes. y/n’s eyes immediately landed on a large, fluffy panda bear, and alejandro noticed the way her gaze lingered just a little longer than usual.

without saying a word, he grinned and walked over to the booth, pulling out a few euros to pay for a turn at the game—a classic basketball shooting game.

“ale, you don’t have to—” y/n started, but he cut her off with a wink.

“watch and learn, y/n,” he said confidently, stepping up to the line and taking the basketball in his hands. the first shot missed. and so did the second.

y/n couldn’t help but giggle from behind him. “you’re gonna have to do better than that if you want that panda.”

“i know, i know,” alejandro muttered, focusing. with a deep breath, he shot the next basketball, and it went straight in. “yes!” he cheered, turning to y/n with a triumphant grin.

the vendor handed him the large panda bear, and y/n’s eyes lit up as he presented it to her.

“here,” he said, holding it out.

y/n reached for it, her face bright with excitement, but alejandro pulled it back at the last second. “actually, it’s for me.”

her expression dropped in mock offense, and she pouted playfully. “what? after all that, you’re keeping it?”

alejandro laughed, watching her pout with amusement. “okay, okay, fine. joint custody, how about that? but just so you know, you can’t take my first child from me.” he said the last part with a teasing grin, handing her the panda at last.

y/n giggled, hugging the stuffed animal tightly. “fine, joint custody it is.”

they continued walking, y/n clutching the panda close, and alejandro couldn’t stop admiring her. everything about her—her laugh, her smile, her playful nature—it was more than he’d ever expected. she was something special. as the sun continued to set, casting a beautiful golden light across the park, he knew that this day would stay with him for a long time.

as they reached the exit, the night beginning to settle in, y/n turned to him, her smile softer now but still just as genuine. “thank you, ale. this was… really fun,” she said, her voice quieter than before. “i didn’t realize how much i needed this.”

he smiled back, feeling his chest warm at her words. “i’m glad you had fun. we’ll have to do it again sometime.”

y/n nodded, her eyes flicking between his. “yeah. i’d like that.”

as they stood there, the sounds of the park fading into the background, alejandro realized just how much he wanted that too. not just the amusement park, but more moments with her. more moments where he could see her smile, hear her laugh, and be the reason behind her happiness.

he didn’t say any of that, though. instead, he simply smiled at her one last time before they parted ways, the stuffed panda still in her arms as she waved goodbye. and as he walked away, his heart racing just a little faster than usual, he couldn’t stop thinking about how much he wanted to see her again.

“damn,” he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair. “i’m in trouble."

the next day in what was supposed to be a quiet lunch, a moment of peace in an otherwise hectic week. y/n had found a spot in the corner of the cafeteria with her plate of food, hoping for a little downtime. but as soon as salma and vicky lopez slid into the seats across from her, she knew she wouldn’t be getting any solitude.

"so," vicky started, her voice teasing as she leaned forward, eyes glinting with mischief, "we heard a little something about our y/n."

y/n paused, fork midway to her mouth, blinking up at them. "what are you talking about?" she asked cautiously, already suspecting where this was going.

salma smirked, leaning back in her seat as she crossed her arms, her tone playful but filled with curiosity. "don’t play dumb. word on the street is… you went on a date with alejandro balde."

y/n choked on her water, her eyes widening in panic. "it—it wasn’t a date!" she stammered, her face instantly flushing. she shot vicky a glare. "and don’t call me ‘little y/n.’ i’m older than you!"

vicky giggled, raising her hands in mock defense. "yeah, yeah, but you're not denying the date part."

salma leaned in with an amused glint in her eye. "both of you posted the same story at the amusement park. same rides. same sunset in the background. it’s obvious."

y/n felt her face heat up further. "he was just being supportive!" she rushed to explain, looking between them, trying to sound convincing. "he’s been helping me ever since the open practice. that’s all it was. just… support."

vicky grinned, clearly not buying it. "oh really? then why did he show up at our game the other day? i’ve never seen him do that before."

y/n's mind raced for an answer, anything that could brush it off as nothing. "he’s just… being nice. you know, we’ve been spending some time together. it’s not like that."

"mhmm," vicky hummed, her tone dripping with disbelief. "and what about the little make-out session in the tunnel after the game? i saw you two before coach cut you off."

"what?!" y/n squeaked, nearly knocking over her water. "we did not make out!" her voice was high-pitched, filled with embarrassment, as her cheeks burned. "vicky, i swear, we didn’t—"

salma’s eyes widened in mock surprise. "vicky, don’t make her more embarrassed than she already is!" she shot vicky a warning look. "and quit teasing her. go away, let the adults talk."

vicky pouted but obeyed, waving as she stood to go grab something else from the food line. "fine, fine. but this isn’t over, y/n."

once vicky was gone, salma’s expression softened. she leaned across the table, resting her chin in her hand as she studied y/n carefully. "okay, now that she’s gone… how are you really doing?" salma asked, her tone gentle and concerned.

y/n’s throat tightened as she stared at her plate, the food growing cold and untouched in front of her. the weight of salma’s words pressed down on her, but they didn’t do much to soothe the ache that had settled deep in her chest. she chewed on her bottom lip, trying to hold back the surge of emotions threatening to spill over. what was wrong with her? why did she feel like this? like her world was suddenly off-balance, spinning out of control because of someone who had never even shown her romantic interest in the first place.

but still… the thought of alejandro being drawn to someone else—specifically to salma—had a sharp, painful edge to it. it twisted her heart in ways she hadn’t anticipated, ways that felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable. her stomach had bottomed out at the mere idea, and now that she was sitting here, with salma right in front of her, it only amplified the feelings swirling inside her.

she glanced up at salma, guilt tugging at her insides. salma was so beautiful. effortlessly confident. the kind of person people naturally gravitated toward. and for the first time, y/n felt a twinge of envy. there had never been envy between them, never a moment where she had questioned their friendship or felt threatened by it. but now… now, knowing that alejandro might be interested in salma—might prefer her—made y/n feel small, inadequate.

how could she possibly compete with that?

"honestly," y/n began, her voice tight, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, "it’s nothing, salma. i’m not even sure why everyone’s making such a big deal out of this."

salma wasn’t buying it. her expression didn’t change, and her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she could see right through y/n’s flimsy attempt at deflection. "come on, y/n. i’ve known you long enough to know when something’s bothering you." she leaned forward, her voice soft but firm. "this isn’t nothing. you’re not good at hiding things when they’re eating at you, and this is clearly eating at you."

y/n swallowed hard, her gaze dropping back to her plate. she didn’t want to talk about this—didn’t want to feel it. but it was there, like a stone lodged in her chest, and no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, the weight of it was suffocating her.

"i just… i don’t know," y/n muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "it’s all so confusing."

salma didn’t push her. she just waited, her hand still resting on y/n’s, her presence steady and reassuring. it made it harder for y/n to keep pretending, to keep brushing everything off like it was nothing.

and before she knew it, the truth began spilling out, piece by piece.

"he… he likes someone else, salma," y/n said, her voice cracking slightly as she forced the words out. "alejandro… he’s interested in someone else."

the confession hung in the air, heavy and bitter. y/n felt her chest tighten as she said it out loud, the ache spreading deeper, cutting into her with every breath. she didn’t want it to be true, but she had seen the way people looked at salma, the way they talked about alejandro. she had seen the rumors, the whispers, and even if she didn’t want to believe it, some part of her had accepted it as inevitable. of course he would like salma. of course he would choose someone like her.

salma’s expression softened immediately, her gaze filled with concern and understanding. she squeezed y/n’s hand gently, her voice laced with warmth. "oh, y/n… he’s an idiot if that’s true. you’re incredible, you know that, right?"

y/n’s heart clenched, the words washing over her like a balm that didn’t quite reach the wound. she wanted to believe salma, wanted to believe that she was enough, that someone like alejandro could ever see her the way she wished he did. but no matter how hard she tried, that lingering feeling of inadequacy gnawed at her, pulling her back into the darkness of her doubts.

"i just… i don’t know what to do," y/n admitted, her voice shaky as she looked up at salma, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "i’ve never felt like this before. and now, i can’t stop thinking about him. i… i didn’t even realize it until now, but i like him, salma. i really like him. and it’s scary, because i don’t think he feels the same way."

salma’s grip on her hand tightened, her expression fierce and protective. "y/n, listen to me. alejandro would be lucky to have you. he’s probably too blind to see it right now, but that’s his loss, not yours."

y/n looked down at her unfinished plate, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the napkin. lucky. the word felt foreign, like it didn’t belong to her. how could alejandro ever be lucky to have her when she felt so small in comparison to someone like salma?

"but what if he doesn’t like me that way?" y/n whispered, her voice barely audible. "what if… what if i’m just not what he’s looking for?"

salma shook her head firmly, her gaze unwavering. "you’re enough, y/n. more than enough. and if alejandro can’t see that, then that’s on him. but trust me—there’s no one like you. you’re strong, you’re talented, and you’ve got a heart bigger than anyone i know. and if alejandro can’t see that? then he’s not worth it."

y/n blinked back tears, her throat burning as she tried to hold herself together. salma’s words were kind, and they meant everything—but they didn’t change the sinking feeling in her stomach, the fear that no matter what she did, she would never be enough for someone like alejandro.

and that hurt more than anything.

salma's expression softened even more as she leaned closer, reaching across the table to grab y/n’s hand. "oh, y/n… he’s an idiot if that’s true. you’re incredible, you know that, right?" salma’s voice was firm but filled with warmth. "you’re beautiful inside and out, and any guy would be lucky to have you. alejandro included."

y/n bit her lip, trying to fight back the sting of tears that threatened to well up. she knew salma was trying to comfort her, but the truth was, it just hurt. because now, as she sat there, she realized something else—something she’d been trying to avoid this whole time.

she liked him.

and it hurt.

she liked alejandro more than she wanted to admit, and knowing that he might be interested in someone else made it feel like her heart was being crushed in her chest. how could she have let this happen? she hadn’t even noticed how her feelings had developed, hadn’t realized until now just how much he’d started to mean to her.

but it was too late.

"thank you," y/n whispered, squeezing salma’s hand. "i just… i don’t know what to do."

salma gave her a small, sympathetic smile. "you don’t have to do anything right now, y/n. take your time, figure things out. but whatever happens, remember that you’re amazing. anyone with half a brain can see that."

y/n tried to smile, but it wavered. she nodded, taking a deep breath and trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. "i’ll try."

as lunch went on, y/n’s thoughts were still in turmoil. she couldn’t shake the realization, couldn’t ignore the way her chest ached at the thought of alejandro with someone else—of him with salma, who was everything y/n wished she could be.

but now, there was no turning back. she had to figure out what to do with these feelings, and she had no idea where to start.

alejandro stood outside the dining hall, his heart racing with excitement for the upcoming training session. he had been looking forward to spending time with y/n ever since they’d gone to the amusement park together. it felt different now, as if they were building something special. he smiled to himself, picturing her laughter echoing through the park, the way her face lit up on the roller coaster.

but as y/n walked out, flanked by salma, his smile faltered. something was off. her shoulders were slumped, her gaze focused on the ground as she approached. the bright, carefree y/n he had come to adore seemed dimmed, replaced by a shadow of sadness. salma gave him a sideways glance, her eyes narrowed as if she was reading a situation he couldn’t quite grasp. he frowned, genuinely confused.

“hey, y/n!” he called out, stepping forward, his enthusiasm faltering. “you ready for our session?”

y/n looked up, and for a moment, their eyes locked. he searched her gaze for the spark he loved, but it was clouded with something heavy. “uh, hey, alejandro,” she replied, her voice softer than usual. “actually… I think I need to cancel today. I’m not feeling well.”

the words hit him like a cold splash of water. “not feeling well?” he echoed, concern flooding his chest. “what do you mean? is it something serious? did you eat something bad?”

salma crossed her arms, watching the exchange closely, her expression unreadable. alejandro glanced at her but quickly turned back to y/n, his brow furrowing. “you looked fine just a minute ago. are you sure you don’t want to just—”

“no, really. I’m fine,” y/n interjected, a hint of impatience creeping into her tone. “it’s just… it’s been a long week, and I think I need a little time to rest.”

alejandro felt a pang of disappointment wash over him, mixed with worry. he hated seeing her upset, especially when he couldn’t pinpoint why. “but we had this session planned. I was looking forward to it. I thought we could work on some new drills, maybe even grab some food afterward.”

she hesitated, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. “I know, but I just… I really can’t today. I hope you understand.”

his heart sank further, a tightness forming in his chest. “yeah, I understand. but—”

“let her be, alejandro,” salma cut in sharply, a knowing look on her face. “if she says she’s not feeling well, you should respect that.”

alejandro’s confusion deepened, but he nodded, not wanting to press further. “okay, I get it. I just hope you feel better soon, y/n.” he tried to keep his tone light, but the disappointment crept in anyway.

y/n offered a faint smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “thanks, ale. I appreciate it. really.”

with that, y/n turned to leave, her footsteps heavy as she walked away. alejandro watched her go, feeling a mix of concern and frustration churning in his stomach. “what was that about?” he asked salma, trying to understand what had just happened.

salma shrugged, her expression softening as she glanced at y/n’s retreating figure. “she’s just going through something right now, alejandro. you should give her some space.”

“but why?” he pressed, his brow furrowed in genuine worry. “I just want to help her. I thought we were making progress together.”

“you’ll figure it out. just give her time,” salma replied, her tone more soothing now. “she needs to process things, and pushing won’t help.”

he let out a frustrated sigh, feeling helpless as he watched y/n disappear around the corner. he had thought their connection was growing stronger, but now he felt more distant than ever. “I just don’t get it,” he murmured, turning back to salma. “it’s like she’s closing off.”

salma gave him a reassuring smile. “you’ll figure it out, trust me. just be patient with her. it’s not always easy for people to open up.”

he nodded slowly, determined to be there for y/n when she was ready. deep down, he hoped that whatever was bothering her would fade, and she would return to the bright, spirited girl he had come to admire so much.

the days turned into a blur of practices and matches, each one a stark reminder of the void y/n had created between herself and alejandro. the cancelled sessions piled up like a heavy weight on his chest, and with each passing moment, he felt more and more helpless. he attended the barça femení matches, cheering for his friends from the stands, but y/n barely acknowledged him. it was as if she was trapped in her own world, her mind distant and unfocused.

alejandro hadn’t seen her in days.

what had started with one canceled training session, then another, had quickly spiraled into complete radio silence. at first, he thought maybe y/n was busy with extra practice or commitments to the women’s team. but then, when she started pulling away more, ignoring his texts and hardly giving him a second glance when they crossed paths at the facility, something didn’t sit right.

he still showed up to the barça femení matches, always with his friends, sitting in the stands where he had the perfect view of her on the pitch. but lately, y/n looked like a shadow of the player he knew her to be. the intensity she was famous for—the drive, the sharpness, the almost effortless way she danced past defenders—it was missing. instead, she seemed distracted, her movements more hesitant, her mind clearly somewhere else. game after game, he watched her get subbed off early, well before the final whistle, her head down as she made her way to the bench. it was heartbreaking to see her like that, so disconnected from the game that she loved.

and the worst part was that she wouldn’t let him in.

no matter how much he tried to reach out, no matter how many times he sought her out after matches or at the facility, she seemed to slip through his fingers every time, like she was avoiding him on purpose. and maybe she was.

he didn’t understand. everything had been fine, hadn’t it? their sessions, the way they clicked—he’d been so sure that she felt the same spark he did. but now she was nowhere to be found, and it was driving him crazy.

he was going to figure it out, though. he had to. if she wasn’t going to talk to him, he would find a way to fix it, to get things back to how they were. he couldn’t stand watching her fade away like this.

so when he finally spotted her later that week, sitting at the facility’s outdoor seating area, a spark of hope flickered inside him. his pace quickened, relief flooding his chest at the thought of finally being able to talk to her, maybe even convince her to train with him again, anything to break through this wall she’d put up between them.

but that spark was quickly extinguished when he saw who she was sitting with—ansu fati. his best friend.

alejandro stopped in his tracks, watching from a distance as y/n laughed at something ansu said, her smile wide and genuine in a way he hadn’t seen in weeks. they were sitting close—too close—their heads bent toward each other in what looked like a private, intimate conversation. y/n’s whole demeanor seemed lighter, more relaxed than he’d seen her in a while.

and something about the way they were together—it didn’t sit right with him. since when did y/n and ansu hang out? he thought back, realizing that she had always been close with ansu, but it never occurred to him that they might be… that close. she never got on with any of the other boys from la masia quite like she did with ansu.

he couldn’t hear the words, but the sight of them sitting so closely together ignited a fire of insecurity within him.

a sick, twisting feeling curled in alejandro’s stomach as he stood there, frozen, watching them. was that why she had been avoiding him? was it because of ansu?

he knew that ansu and y/n shared some common ground. they both had experienced media scrutiny at a young age, both forced to carry the weight of expectations that would’ve been too much for anyone. y/n had always admired ansu for the way he handled it all, and it seemed like they had bonded over that shared experience.

but still… this?

he watched as y/n leaned in closer to ansu, the two of them seemingly deep in conversation. what were they talking about? alejandro couldn’t hear them from where he stood, but his mind started to race with assumptions, jumping to the worst possible conclusion.

ansu was back from his loan, and now, here they were, chatting away, smiling at each other like they were in their own little world. y/n had canceled all their sessions with him, barely acknowledged him during her matches, and now, here she was, spending time with ansu like nothing was wrong.

alejandro’s chest tightened with jealousy. his mind played back every memory he had of them together—every moment where y/n had seemed distant, every time she had avoided his eyes, every time he had tried to reach out and she had pulled away. had she been pulling away from him to be with ansu?

he couldn’t hear their conversation, but in his mind, it was already filled with the worst-case scenario. he imagined them talking about anything but him, about ansu’s return, about how much they had missed each other. he could practically see y/n falling for his best friend right in front of his eyes. and what if ansu liked her back?

his fists clenched at his sides as he took a step back, willing himself to look away. but he couldn’t. instead, he stood there, rooted to the spot as he watched them.

what he didn’t know was that their conversation was about him.

“ale is my best friend,” ansu was saying, his voice sincere. “i’ve known him for years. he’s like a brother to me. and y/n, i can tell you—he’s crazy about you.”

y/n shook her head, her smile fading slightly. “no, he’s not, ansu. he… he agreed to train with me because of salma. everyone knows that.”

ansu raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “oh, come on. maybe it started like that, but i promise you—alejandro doesn’t care about salma. if anything, that was a childish crush that meant nothing. he likes you, y/n.”

y/n blinked, surprised by the certainty in ansu’s voice. “are you sure?”

ansu nodded. “trust me. i’ve known him long enough to know. ale is a good guy, and he likes you a lot. you don’t have to worry about salma.”

y/n bit her lip, her mind whirling with thoughts. it was hard to believe, but something about ansu’s words made her feel a tiny bit better. maybe she had been wrong about alejandro all along. maybe all those times she thought he was pulling away, he had actually been trying to get closer.

as their conversation wound down, ansu reached out and gave y/n a gentle hug, offering her the comfort she hadn’t realized she needed. she hugged him back, feeling lighter than she had in weeks.

but from where alejandro was standing, the sight of them hugging was the final blow.

he couldn’t take it anymore.

the jealousy that had been simmering in his chest now boiled over, consuming him entirely. he clenched his jaw, his heart pounding in his ears as he turned away, his stomach churning with the thought of y/n choosing ansu over him.

he didn’t want to see any more. he didn’t need to see any more.

she had made her choice.

alejandro was already feeling on edge when he arrived at the barça femení match that day. he and ansu had come together, something ale had suggested with a plan in mind. after days of being brushed off by y/n, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something had shifted between them. ansu, on the other hand, was all smiles and seemed more than eager to join him. alejandro told himself it was just so he could see what was really going on, but the knot in his stomach only grew tighter.

as they settled into their seats near the sidelines, alejandro spotted y/n out of the corner of his eye. she was warming up, the sun casting a golden glow across the field. she looked radiant, confident—so different from how she’d been acting around him lately. just seeing her smile made his heart clench.

but then it happened. y/n jogged over to the sideline, her eyes lighting up when she spotted ansu. alejandro’s heart sank as he watched her approach with none of the hesitance she’d shown around him lately. she didn’t flinch or avoid eye contact like she had been doing with ale, no awkwardness or strained silences. instead, she gave ansu the biggest, most genuine smile, and then… she hugged him. and not just a quick, polite hug either. she lingered for a moment, as though they were old friends, completely comfortable around each other.

"look at our star!" ansu called, his voice filled with playful pride. "you look good out there, y/n. i’m starting to think maybe you’d run circles around me."

y/n laughed, wiping the sweat from her brow as she stopped in front of him. "oh, come on, ansu. you know i'd leave you in the dust."

ansu put a hand to his chest dramatically. "you wound me. i am absolutely shattered." then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he leaned in just a little. "but for you, i’d let it happen. gotta keep my pride intact somehow."

she playfully pushed him. "don't let me boost your ego any more than it already is."

"not as much as you, though," ansu retorted, leaning back against the barrier with a relaxed posture. "i saw you out there. making it look easy. is that what you do to the men’s team during joint practice too? i have to come back and teach you how it's done like before"

y/n smirked. "maybe i’m saving it for you next time we run drills together."

alejandro, standing just a few feet away, watched the interaction with a heavy feeling in his chest. he wasn’t close enough to hear every word, but the way y/n laughed, the way ansu leaned in a little too casually, and how natural their banter seemed… it made his stomach churn. the familiar tug of jealousy tightened around him, suffocating. he couldn’t help but overanalyze every movement, every glance between them.

ansu wasn’t making it any easier, leaning toward y/n with an easygoing charm that seemed too smooth for ale’s liking. he crossed his arms tightly, watching them with narrowed eyes as y/n tilted her head back and laughed at something ansu said.

alejandro felt his chest tighten as he sat there, forced to watch the scene unfold. why didn’t she ever look at me like that anymore? he thought bitterly. what did ansu have that he didn’t?

he tried to focus on anything but them, but his eyes kept drifting back, watching the way y/n and ansu seemed to click so effortlessly. they were laughing, their banter easy and flowing, like they’d known each other forever. it didn’t help that ansu nudged y/n’s shoulder playfully, drawing another laugh from her that sent ale’s heart into a spiral. the kind of laugh she used to give him. the kind of ease they used to share before everything started to feel so complicated.

then, as if it couldn’t get any worse, ansu turned slightly, catching alejandro’s eye with a knowing smile. “hey, y/n,” he called over, nudging her once more in ale’s direction. “don’t forget about this guy over here.”

y/n glanced over her shoulder at alejandro, her expression shifting ever so slightly. she gave him a quick, rushed smile. “oh, hey, ale,” she said, her tone casual—too casual—and then, just as quickly, she was back to talking with ansu. “well, I’ll see you both later, I’ve gotta get back on the pitch.”

alejandro barely had time to process the brief exchange before she was jogging back out onto the field, the sound of ansu’s easy laughter still ringing in his ears. it felt like someone had poured cold water over him. the wave of jealousy that surged through his veins was suffocating.

as soon as y/n was gone, lamine and fermín, who were sitting nearby, noticed his silence. it didn’t take long for them to start teasing him, completely unaware of the jealousy simmering beneath the surface.

“germano, what’s going on?” fermín said with a grin. “seems y/n likes ansu more than you”

lamine, never one to hold back, chimed in with a playful jab. “they do make sense, don’t they? i mean, look at them. they’re so cute”

alejandro’s fists clenched at his sides, the teasing only fueling the frustration that had been building up inside him all week. “shut up,” he muttered, unable to hide the irritation in his voice. he hated how easily the words affected him, how much it hurt to think that maybe… maybe y/n did prefer ansu over him.

his friends laughed, clearly thinking it was all a joke, but alejandro wasn’t in the mood. he stood up abruptly, leaving the others behind as he stormed off. he couldn’t sit there any longer, not when all he could think about was how ansu seemed to be the one making y/n smile now.

as he walked away, his jaw clenched, all he could feel was the bitter sting of envy. i should be the one she laughs with, the one she’s comfortable around, he thought angrily. what the hell happened between us?

despite his anger and frustration, alejandro couldn’t bring himself to leave the stadium entirely. he found himself lingering near one of the exits, far enough away to avoid his friends’ teasing, but close enough to keep an eye on the match. he didn’t want to miss y/n’s performance, even though every second of it was torture. watching her play, watching her shine, knowing that he wasn’t the one who put that smile on her face anymore—it hurt more than he could put into words.

and then, in the final minutes of the match, y/n delivered a perfect assist, setting up her teammate for the game-winning goal. the stadium erupted in cheers, and alejandro’s heart swelled with pride, despite everything. she was incredible, as always. but even that small moment of joy was overshadowed by the gnawing pain in his chest.

he should be the one she celebrated with. the one she ran to after a win. but now, it felt like she was slipping through his fingers, and he had no idea how to stop it.

as the final whistle blew and the match ended, alejandro turned and walked away, not even staying to congratulate her. it didn’t matter that she’d won the game. all he could think about was how he was losing her, little by little, and he didn’t know how to fix it.

alejandro was in a mood. a very petty mood.

he sat across from lamine, arms crossed, lips pursed, staring daggers at the empty seat across the table where ansu usually sat. lamine looked between alejandro and ansu, who was standing by the door, clearly confused as to why his best friend was acting like this.

“bro, what’s wrong with you?” lamine asked, finally breaking the awkward silence.

alejandro didn’t answer him directly, though. instead, he kept his arms crossed even tighter and said, “tell ansu i’m not talking to him.”

lamine blinked, bewildered. “uh… ansu, ale says he’s not talking to you.”

ansu raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the doorframe. “what are we? twelve? why aren’t you talking to me?”

alejandro looked away dramatically, muttering under his breath. "tell him he knows why."

lamine, clearly done with this middle-man business, sighed and relayed the message. “ale says you know why.”

ansu groaned. “come on, hermano. what did i do this time?”

alejandro's eyes flickered with irritation as he turned to face ansu directly. "you really don't know? really?"

ansu raised his hands in surrender, confused. “no, man. enlighten me.”

alejandro stood up suddenly, pushing his chair back a little too aggressively, and walked over to stand in front of ansu. “you’re trying to steal y/n.”

ansu blinked, then blinked again. “steal? steal what? what are you even on about?”

"you know exactly what i’m talking about!" alejandro snapped, eyes narrowed. "you come back from loan, and suddenly y/n is canceling our training sessions. then i catch you two flirting not once, but twice. twice, ansu!"

lamine, clearly invested in the drama now, let out a quiet "ooooh" and looked between them like he was watching a telenovela.

ansu, however, was just beyond confused. "flirting? with y/n?" he started laughing, holding his stomach as he leaned against the wall for support. “bro, you’re out of your mind.”

alejandro's face turned redder. "this isn't funny, ansu! i saw you yesterday at the game, and then the day before in the common area. you're all up in her space, laughing and smiling. it’s obvious!"

ansu laughed even harder, which only made alejandro more upset. “hermano, you’ve got it all wrong. i was literally talking to her about you.”

alejandro blinked, thrown off guard for a second. “…about me?”

ansu nodded, wiping a tear from his eye from laughing so hard. “yes, you, dumbass. she thought you weren’t interested in her! she was all down about it.”

lamine leaned forward. "oooh, plot twist."

alejandro’s eyebrows furrowed as the realization slowly sunk in. “wait, she thought i wasn’t interested?”

ansu nodded, still chuckling. “yeah, man. come on, i’d never do that to you. y/n and i have known each other for ages. if we were gonna be a thing, it would’ve happened already. you’re the one she’s interested in.”

alejandro ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. “how could she not know i’m interested? i mean, i’ve been… you know, obvious.”

ansu gave him a look. “obvious? bro, you’re only obvious when you’re on the pitch. when it comes to girls? you’re clueless.”

alejandro frowned. “i’m not clueless!”

lamine snorted. “you kinda are, bro.”

ansu shrugged. “listen, man. y/n’s whole life has been football. she’s not the best at understanding feelings, especially when it comes to guys. but trust me, she likes you, hermano. she’s just… y/n. she needs a little push.”

alejandro stared at the ground, chewing on his bottom lip as he processed everything. “so… she likes me?”

“yes, idiot,” ansu said, shaking his head fondly. “she likes you. you just need to actually, you know, talk to her instead of accusing me of stealing her.”

alejandro groaned, rubbing his face. “okay, fine. maybe i overreacted.”

lamine raised his hand. “you definitely overreacted.”

alejandro pointed at him. “no one asked you.”

ansu laughed again, slapping alejandro on the back. “look, just talk to her. clear the air. and maybe stop giving me death stares when i’m just being friendly.”

alejandro grumbled. “fine. but you were being a little too friendly, though.”

ansu rolled his eyes. “oh, shut up, ale. she’s yours. now go make it right.”

alejandro nodded, determination settling in. he was going to fix this. no more petty jealousy, no more miscommunication. it was time to let y/n know how he really felt.

and maybe… just maybe… he'd stop giving ansu the silent treatment too.

alejandro's phone buzzed, lighting up with y/n’s name across the screen. his heart leapt into his throat as he hurriedly unlocked it, eyes skimming the message.

hey. i’ve been thinking, and i don’t think it’s fair to keep dodging you when you’ve been the one constantly reaching out. i want to talk. can you come to the training grounds?

he didn't even finish reading the rest of the text before he was on his feet, fumbling for his keys. his mind raced as he grabbed his bag, heading out the door in a rush. it was his day off, but who cared about that when y/n was finally reaching out to him? he practically sprinted to the facility, thoughts swirling in his head, heart pounding in his chest.

by the time he arrived, he was breathless, eyes scanning the pitch until he spotted her pacing back and forth along the sideline. the sight of her, the way she nervously tugged at the sleeves of her training top, made his heart ache. he could see how anxious she was, and it only made him more desperate to be by her side.

“y/n!” he called, jogging over to her.

she froze at the sound of his voice, turning toward him slowly, her expression a mixture of relief and nerves. when their eyes met, the awkwardness hit full force, both of them standing there for a moment in silence, unsure how to start.

“hey,” she finally said, her voice soft.

alejandro smiled, but it was hesitant, unsure. “hey.”

the awkward tension between them hung in the air, thick and suffocating. y/n shifted from foot to foot, chewing on her bottom lip as she tried to find the words.

"i’ve been... avoiding this conversation for a while,” she began, her voice low, unsure. “and that’s not fair to you. you’ve been trying so hard to reach out, and i haven’t made it easy. i’m sorry.”

alejandro wanted to say something, anything, but he stayed quiet, letting her speak.

“i’ve been going through a rough time,” y/n continued, glancing down at her hands. “the last year... i was extremely depressed. i was scared. scared that my form had peaked, that i’d never be the player i once was. that the club would move on from me, and i’d be left behind. all those uncertainties... they were killing me.”

her voice wavered, but she pressed on. “but then... that day during the joint practice... you showed me so much kindness, ale. so much grace. more than i had felt in a really long time. it made me want to train with you. because when i was around you, i felt confident. i felt like maybe... just maybe... i could be that player again. you made me believe in myself.”

alejandro's heart clenched at her words, and he opened his mouth to respond, but she held up a hand, stopping him.

“please,” she said, her voice almost pleading. “let me finish before i lose my nerve.”

he nodded silently, urging her to continue.

“i’ve never had a real crush,” she admitted, her eyes locking onto his. “maybe because of football or... maybe because i just never imagined myself in a relationship. but with you... you made me start to think about those possibilities. and that terrified me.”

her voice dropped lower. “that’s why i’ve been avoiding you. i’m not like salma. i’m not confident, not sure of myself the way you both are. but being around you, ale... it made me happy. you made me happy. and i fell for you. but i also know you like salma, and... i’m okay with upholding our deal. i just... i needed to get it off my chest.”

she looked down at the ground, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her jersey. “i’m sorry if that makes things awkward between us. i just—”

“stop,” alejandro interrupted, his voice soft but firm.

y/n’s head snapped up in surprise. “what?”

without another word, alejandro stepped forward, gently cupping her face in his hands. his eyes searched hers for just a moment, and then, before she could react, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

it was her first kiss, and she froze, completely caught off guard. but alejandro didn’t rush her. he waited, the same patience he’d always shown her, giving her time to process what was happening. and then, slowly, she kissed him back.

the kiss was soft, tentative at first, but as they stood there, in the middle of the field, it deepened. when they finally pulled away, they were both breathless, eyes locked.

alejandro smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “my beautifully stupid y/n.”

y/n narrowed her eyes, playfully shoving him back. “hey!”

alejandro's heart was pounding in his chest as he looked at y/n. her confession had poured out so raw, so unexpectedly, and it left him breathless. he stood there, trying to take it all in, but there was no way he could just let her keep thinking he wanted someone else—especially not salma.

he let out a shaky breath, the weight of everything pressing down on him as he looked at her, still so surprised, so vulnerable. the air between them felt thick with unspoken words, and he couldn’t let this moment pass without clearing the air.

"y/n…" he began, his voice low, soft. "you’ve got this all wrong."

y/n blinked up at him, confusion washing over her face. "w-what do you mean?"

alejandro took a step closer, the space between them disappearing as he gently cradled her face in his hands. “it’s never been about salma, okay? never.”

her brow furrowed, her eyes searching his for the truth. "but… i thought—"

he cut her off, his thumb gently brushing her cheek. "the only reason anyone thought i liked salma was because of some stupid rumor that fermín probably started for a laugh. but the feelings i have for you, y/n… they’re nothing like whatever childish crush people thought i had on her."

y/n looked up at him, her lips slightly parted in shock. alejandro felt his heart race, beating faster as he saw the emotions flicker across her face—confusion, disbelief, hope.

“you’re the one i’ve been thinking about, y/n. not salma,” he said, his voice firm yet tender. “god, it’s you i’ve been falling for this whole time.”

her eyes softened, but she still seemed hesitant. "but i thought… i thought you and salma were…"

alejandro shook his head quickly. “i swear, it was never her. it was you. it's always been you.”

he let his hand slide down from her cheek, taking her smaller one in his and squeezing it gently. "you have no idea how much i've been holding back around you. from the very first time i saw you play, i was in awe. you’ve always stood out to me. the way you move, the way you think, the way you are… it’s impossible not to notice. it’s impossible not to feel something."

his voice wavered slightly, the flood of emotions finally catching up to him. "i tried so hard to keep it under control, to be patient. because i know you're new to this. i know you’ve been so focused on football, and you’ve got this pressure weighing you down. but i can’t—i won’t—pretend anymore.”

y/n’s breath hitched as she stared up at him, her eyes wide and glistening.

“you’re the strongest person i know," he continued, his words softening as his thumb traced circles against her knuckles. "you’ve been dealing with all this self-doubt, but y/n, you don’t see yourself the way i do. you don’t see how incredible you are. you make me laugh like no one else does. you make me care more about everything. when you’re around, i feel like i can do anything… because you’re there, right beside me."

his words were pouring out now, raw and unfiltered. “i’ve fallen for everything about you. the way you push yourself even when you’re scared. the way you care about others, but don’t always let yourself be cared for. the way you’re unsure about so much, yet so determined at the same time. you drive me crazy, y/n.”

she bit her lip, the emotions overwhelming her, and alejandro’s heart clenched at how vulnerable she looked.

“and look, i know you’re scared,” he said gently, his hand still holding hers. “i know you don’t feel confident, like salma or anyone else, but y/n, that’s not what matters to me. you matter. you, with all your insecurities, with all your questions and doubts… i fell for you. not the version of you that everyone else sees, but the real you.”

he paused, taking in the way her gaze softened, her lips slightly trembling.

“i want you, y/n. not salma, not anyone else. you.”

she stood there, stunned, her emotions all over her face as she stared at him. he could see the battle going on inside her—the disbelief, the uncertainty, the fear… but also the hope. the yearning.

and before she could say anything, before she could retreat back into her shell, alejandro leaned in again, closing the distance between them. his lips met hers for the second time, and this time, she wasn’t frozen. this time, she kissed him back, slow and tender, her hand lifting to cup the back of his neck.

the kiss felt like the answer to everything that had been left unsaid between them. it wasn’t rushed; it wasn’t desperate. it was gentle, filled with the patience alejandro had always shown her, filled with the understanding that this was something neither of them could have prepared for.

when they finally pulled away, her forehead resting against his, y/n let out a shaky breath.

“ale,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

he smiled, brushing his nose against hers. “i meant every word.”

she was quiet for a moment, processing, and then she let out a small laugh. “i don’t… i don’t know what to say.”

he chuckled, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer. “you don’t have to say anything. just… don’t avoid me again, okay? if you’re struggling, if you’re doubting yourself… talk to me. i want to be there for you. i want to help you.”

y/n swallowed hard, nodding as she looked up at him. “i’m sorry. i just… i was scared.”

“i know,” alejandro murmured, kissing her forehead softly. “but you don’t have to be scared with me.”

her lips curved into a small smile, and she leaned into his chest, resting her head against him. for a moment, everything was quiet, peaceful.

but then, alejandro broke the silence, his voice teasing. “you know… you almost made me fight my best friend for you.”

y/n pulled back, blinking in confusion. “wait… what?”

he grinned sheepishly. “ansu. i thought you were flirting with him, and that you wanted to be with him.”

y/n stared at him, completely dumbfounded. “are you serious? ansu?”

alejandro pouted, crossing his arms. “it’s not funny! i was burning with jealousy, y/n. poor lamine had to deal with me all week.”

and then y/n laughed. like, full-on hysterical laughter. she doubled over, clutching her stomach as the realization hit her, her laughter echoing across the empty training pitch.

“it’s not funny!” alejandro insisted, his face heating up as he tried to maintain his dignity.

“oh my god, ale…” y/n managed to say between giggles, wiping the tears from her eyes. “ansu and me? that’s ridiculous! i’ve known him way too long for that to ever happen.”

alejandro huffed, still pouting. “well, what about me?”

y/n’s laughter faded into a smile, her eyes softening as she looked up at him. “you’re different.”

alejandro’s pout disappeared, replaced by a smug grin. “i like the sound of that.”

there was a pause, and then y/n, still smiling, asked teasingly, “so… is this the part where you ask me to be your girlfriend?”

alejandro pretended to think about it, tapping his chin dramatically. “hmm… i’ll think about it.”

before y/n could protest, he started to walk away, but she wasn’t having any of that.

“alejandro!” she yelled, launching herself at his back.

they both tumbled to the grass, laughing as they wrestled, rolling across the field. they ended up throwing grass at each other, the tension that had weighed them down for so long finally gone. it felt light, carefree, like they had finally found their way back to each other.

as they lay there side by side, staring up at the sky, alejandro reached over, grabbing her hand and squeezing it gently. “you know… this wasn’t exactly how i imagined this going,” he said with a soft chuckle.

y/n turned her head to look at him, her eyes shining with happiness. “no?”

“no,” he admitted, smiling. “but i wouldn’t change it for the world.”