Veiled Hearts | Pablo Gavi

02 new beginnings

Weeks had passed since my arrival in Barcelona, and life in our new home was starting to feel familiar. The echo of the city's vibrant energy had slowly woven itself into the fabric of our daily routines. My mother and brother had joined us just a few days ago, bringing with them a sense of completeness that had been missing. My summer holidays had begun earlier than Theo's, so I had arrived ahead of them with my father. Now, with August's arrival, our family was finally together again, the pieces of our life settling into place.

My mother was absolutely delighted to be in Barcelona. She had always been the adventurous type, constantly seeking out new experiences, and this city offered her endless opportunities for exploration. Every day she discovered a new corner of the city, from hidden cafes in El Born to the artistic vibrance of Gràcia. Theo, my 13-year-old brother, was equally thrilled. His passion for soccer was only rivaled by his love for surfing, and Barcelona seemed like the perfect playground for both. The city, with its sun-drenched beaches and world-renowned football culture, was his paradise.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, I grabbed the keys to my car and headed out to pick up Theo from the FC Barcelona training grounds. My father's latest project was to make Theo the greatest player of all time—an ambitious goal he pursued with typical German precision. He had arranged for Theo to train with a private coach during the off-season for him to join La Masia next season, someone who specialized in nurturing young talent. It was intense, but Theo loved every minute of it.

As I arrived at the training facility, the late morning sun was casting long shadows across the field, where players of all ages were engrossed in drills. Theo was on the pitch, practicing with his coach, his face a mask of concentration. The moment he saw me, his expression brightened, and he jogged over, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
"Hey, Soph!" he called out, his voice a mixture of excitement and exhaustion. "Watch this!"
I smiled and waved as he launched into a series of intricate footwork moves. As he finished, two older players joined him on the field. I recognized them immediately—Gavi and Pedri, two of FC Barcelona's brightest stars. Their presence here felt surreal, like something out of a dream.

"Hey, Theo, looking good out there," Pedri said, playfully ruffling my brother's hair.
"Thanks, Pedri! Can you show me that trick you did in training today, Gavi?" Theo asked eagerly, his eyes wide with admiration.
"Sure thing," Gavi replied, grinning. "But first, who's this?" He nodded towards me, his gaze friendly and curious.
"Oh, that's my sister, Sophia," Theo said, a note of pride in his voice. "Soph, this is Gavi and Pedri. They're awesome!"
I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as Gavi and Pedri turned their attention to me. "Nice to meet you," I said, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in my stomach.
"Likewise," Gavi replied, his smile warm and genuine. "Theo's been telling us all about you. You're here just for the summer, right?"
"Yeah," I nodded. "I'm heading to Munich in the fall for university, but I'm making the most of my time here."
Pedri chuckled. "Well, you've got quite the little brother. He's got some serious talent."
"Thanks," I said, a surge of pride swelling in my chest. "Our dad makes him work pretty hard."
"Oh yes, Flick is intense. We should be scared of even looking your way probably.", Pedri chuckles as I giggle.

For the next half hour, I watched as Gavi and Pedri demonstrated various techniques and tricks to Theo, their camaraderie evident in the easy banter and encouraging words they shared. Seeing the joy on my brother's face made me feel grateful for this time we had together.

As the session wrapped up, Gavi jogged over to me. "You should join us sometime, Sophia. It's not all serious business. We have a lot of fun out here too."
I laughed, the idea of joining a soccer session with professionals both exciting and a bit daunting. "I'll think about it. But for now, I'm happy being Theo's biggest fan."
Gavi grinned. "Fair enough. See you around then."

As we drove back home, Theo couldn't stop talking about his training session. His excitement was infectious, and I found myself looking forward to the days ahead. Barcelona was turning out to be more than just a temporary stop on my way to Munich—it was a place where new opportunities and friendships were blossoming. And as the city continued to weave its charm around me, I realized that this summer might just be one of the best yet.

Sunday dawned bright and clear, the perfect day for a family hike. We set off early in the morning, driving out to the Collserola Natural Park on the outskirts of Barcelona. The fresh air and stunning views were a welcome escape from the city's hustle and bustle. As we made our way along the winding trails, the conversation flowed easily, our footsteps crunching softly against the earth.

"There's an event on Wednesday evening," my father said, his tone casual but with a hint of excitement. "It's a social gathering with some of Barcelona's businessmen and investors, all connected to the soccer club. It's a rather formal affair, so we'll need to dress accordingly."
My mother raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Formal, you say? Sounds intriguing."
I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Another chance to meet new people," I remarked, though the prospect of a formal event made me a bit nervous. I had never been one for big, fancy gatherings.
"Don't worry, Sophia," my father said, catching my eye with a reassuring smile. "You'll do just fine."

As we continued our hike, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, and by the time we returned home, we were all in high spirits. The rest of the day passed leisurely, with Theo and I spending the afternoon lounging by the pool, splashing around and soaking in the warm weather. My brother's laughter echoed through the garden, and I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment.

Despite being Hansi Flick's daughter, I had always preferred to keep a low profile on social media. My Instagram account was private, and I only shared posts with close friends and family. After our day in the pool, I showered and went through my evening routine: a thorough skincare regimen, haircare, and a light stretch to unwind. The comforting familiarity of these rituals grounded me, a small slice of normalcy in what had become a whirlwind of a summer.

As I settled into bed, the city lights casting a soft glow through my window, I picked up my phone to check my notifications. I wasn't expecting much—just the usual messages from friends back home. But then, a new request caught my eye. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the name: Pablo Gavi.

Curious and a bit excited, I opened his profile to make sure it was really him. The blue verification check confirmed it. His request was a pleasant surprise, and I couldn't help but wonder what had prompted him to reach out. It felt almost surreal, considering we had only met briefly that morning.

I took a deep breath, my fingers hovering over the "Accept" button. After a moment's hesitation, I tapped it. Almost immediately, a message notification popped up.

Gavi: Hey, Sophia! Hope you had a good day. It was great meeting you and Theo yesterday.

I smiled, feeling a flutter of excitement. Typing back, I kept my response casual.

Sophia: Hi, Gavi! It was great meeting you too. We had a fantastic day, thanks. How about you?

As I waited for his reply, I couldn't help but think about how much had changed in such a short time. Barcelona was turning out to be more than just a summer destination; it was becoming a place filled with new opportunities, friendships, and unexpected connections.
Gavi's response came quickly.

Gavi: It was good! We had some light training today, but mostly just relaxing. Looking forward to seeing you around more often. Maybe you can join us for a game sometime?

I chuckled, the invitation both exciting and a bit daunting.

Sophia: That sounds fun! I'll think about it. Thanks for the invite.

Gavi: Anytime. Have a good night, Sophia.

Sophia: You too, Gavi. Good night.

As I set my phone down, a contented sigh escaped me. The thought of a summer in Barcelona had once filled me with uncertainty, but now it brimmed with possibilities. With each passing day, the city was drawing me in deeper, wrapping me in its warmth and vibrancy. From chance encounters and budding friendships to the thrill of new adventures, it was clear that this summer was going to be unforgettable.

And as I drifted off to sleep, the sounds of the city humming softly in the background, I knew that whatever the future held—whether in Munich, Barcelona, or beyond—I was ready to embrace it all.