𝐀 𝐁𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐬︱Pablo Gavi

59: Friends again

Isabella's Pov

The next couple of days flew by in a whirlwind of excitement. Barcelona had a home game against Osasuna, and the team was determined to secure a win. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd roaring with anticipation as the players took to the pitch. Pablo was in top form, his focus and determination shining through every move he made. I watched from the sidelines, my heart swelling with pride as he played with the skill and passion that had always drawn me to him.

When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard showed 3-1 in our favor. The entire stadium erupted in cheers, and the team huddled together in celebration, their hard work paying off with a well-deserved victory. It was moments like these that made everything worth it—the long hours of training, the sacrifices, the emotional highs and lows. The joy was contagious, and I found myself smiling, caught up in the euphoria of the win.

As the team made their way off the pitch, I caught Pablo's eye. He gave me a small, genuine smile, and I felt a flicker of warmth in my chest. We hadn't talked much since Matteo's birthday party, but there was a mutual understanding between us now. We were both trying, both making an effort to mend what had been broken.

Later that evening, the team decided to celebrate the win at one of their favorite clubs. It was a tradition, and tonight was no different. The club was buzzing with energy, the music loud and the drinks flowing freely. I arrived with Valentina, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. This was the first time I'd be in a social setting with Pablo since everything had happened, and I wasn't sure how it would go.

As soon as we walked in, I spotted the guys already gathered at a large table. Pablo was there, laughing and chatting with Ansu, Balde, and Lamine. It was good to see him like this, relaxed and happy, surrounded by his friends. I took a deep breath and made my way over, determined to be part of the celebration without letting the past weigh me down.

When I reached the table, Pablo looked up and smiled at me—really smiled. It wasn't the hesitant, guarded smile I'd seen before, but a genuine one, warm and inviting. It was as if a barrier had been lifted between us, and for the first time in a long while, things felt...normal.

"Hey, Isabella," he said, his voice carrying over the music. "Glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss it," I replied, smiling back. "Great game today. You were amazing out there."

"Thanks. It felt good to be on the pitch again, especially with a win like that."

As the night went on, Pablo and I found ourselves drifting towards each other, drawn together by the shared history and mutual understanding that had always been there. We talked about the game, the upcoming fixtures, and even joked about some of the more ridiculous moments from the match. It was easy, comfortable, and I found myself enjoying his company without the heavy weight of unresolved feelings hanging over us.

At one point, we ended up at the bar together, waiting for our drinks. There was a moment of silence between us, but it wasn't awkward. It was more of a pause, a brief acknowledgment of how far we'd come in just a few weeks.

"Isabella," Pablo started, his tone serious but soft. "I know things haven't been easy between us, and I've made a lot of mistakes. But I want you to know that I'm really trying to get better, to be a better person, and I hope we can at least be friends again."

I looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "I want that too, Pablo. We've both been through a lot, but I think we're stronger for it. I miss having you in my life, even just as a friend."

He nodded, relief washing over his face. "Me too. It's going to take time, but I'm glad we're both willing to try."

We clinked our glasses together, a silent toast to new beginnings. It wasn't a perfect resolution, but it was a start. We were both taking steps toward healing, and that was what mattered.

The rest of the night passed in a blur of laughter, dancing, and celebration. I felt lighter, freer than I had in a long time. Pablo and I didn't cling to each other, but there was a newfound ease between us, a sense that we could navigate this new phase of our relationship without the pressure of the past.

As the night wound down, I realized that I was genuinely happy. It wasn't the overwhelming, all-consuming happiness that I'd once felt, but a quieter, more stable contentment. Pablo and I were finding our way back to each other, slowly and carefully, and for the first time in a long while, I felt hopeful about where we were headed.