A Bet That Changed Us ︱Pablo Gavi

74: Fifa tournament

The next day at training, the atmosphere was unusually charged with energy. The players were all buzzing, but a certain undercurrent of mischief was particularly noticeable. Ansu and Balde had clearly decided to make good on their joking threats from the previous night.

As they  warmed up, I could see Ansu and Balde exchanging smirks and whispering to each other. Lamine, who was stretching nearby, seemed oblivious to the plan being hatched against him. I tried to focus on my own work, but the anticipation in the air was hard to ignore.

After a few drills, Ansu and Balde executed their plan. They moved in on Lamine as if they were about to tackle him in a mock fight. Ansu made the first move, pretending to throw a playful punch at Lamine's shoulder, while Balde followed with an exaggerated swing, both of them laughing hysterically.

Lamine, initially startled, quickly realized they were just messing around. He played along, ducking and dodging with a grin. "Alright, alright! I get it, I get it!" he said, laughing. The three of them engaged in a light-hearted tussle, much to the amusement of the rest of the squad.

I watched with a smile, enjoying the camaraderie and the playful side of the team. It was moments like these that made the intense training sessions more bearable and reminded me of the strong bonds that held the team together.

As the training session continued, the teasing settled down, and the focus shifted back to the drills and exercises. But the laughter and playful banter from earlier lingered, adding a bit of extra lightness to the day's work.

After training, the energy was still high as the team headed over to Frenkie and Mikky's place for a casual gathering. The promise of a fun evening filled with laughter, FIFA matches, and good company had everyone excited.

When we arrived at Frenkie and Mikky's home, the place was already buzzing with activity. The living room was set up with gaming consoles, snacks, and drinks, creating the perfect environment for a relaxed evening. The boys immediately gathered around the TV, ready to dive into a competitive FIFA tournament.

I found Mikky in the kitchen, preparing some snacks and drinks for everyone. She greeted me with a warm hug. "Hey, Isa! How was your day? I heard from Valentina that you had quite the beach day."

I grinned, taking a seat at the kitchen counter as Mikky bustled around. "It was amazing. Pablo and I had a really great time. We spent the day at the beach, and he got me this beautiful necklace with a seashell charm and pearls. He even tucked a hibiscus flower behind my ear while we were walking on the beach. It was so romantic."

Mikky's eyes lit up with excitement. "That sounds incredible! I'm so glad you had such a wonderful day. Pablo seems to be really good at making special moments. Tell me more about the beach. Did you guys do anything else?"

I nodded, my smile widening as I recalled the day. "We also had dinner at this lovely seaside restaurant. The view was perfect, and the food was delicious. And we ended the night with a fun flour fight while making pancakes. It was such a mess, but so much fun."

Mikky laughed, clearly enjoying the story. "Wow, sounds like you both had an amazing time. I'm glad to hear that things are going well."

As the conversation continued, we chatted about other recent events and plans for the weekend. The boys' voices grew louder from the living room as they got into the thick of their FIFA tournament.

As the night went on, the FIFA tournament was in full swing. The living room was a mix of excitement and competitive energy, with everyone eager to take their turn at the console. The boys had divided themselves into teams, and it was time for a new match-up.

The players gathered around the TV, discussing who would pair up with whom. Frenkie, ever the organizer, was busy setting up the game. "Alright, let's make this interesting. How about we mix things up a bit? Isa, you're joining Pablo's team. Lamine and Balde, you two are up against them."

I looked over at Pablo, who was already giving me an encouraging smile. I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Lamine and Balde exchanged a confident glance as they took their positions on the couch, clearly ready to take us on.

The teams were set:

Pablo and Isabella
Lamine and Balde

The game started, and the room filled with cheers, groans, and playful taunts. Pablo and I quickly fell into sync, our teamwork evident as we coordinated our passes and attacks. It was clear that we were both enjoying the challenge, and our chemistry on the virtual pitch matched our real-life connection.

Lamine and Balde were no pushovers, though. They were quick and strategic, making it a tough game. The match was tight, with both teams scoring goals and creating near-misses. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone shouting advice and encouragement.

At one point, Pablo managed a brilliant pass, and I took the opportunity to score a stunning goal. The room erupted in cheers from our side, while Lamine and Balde exchanged determined looks, clearly plotting their comeback.

As the game progressed, the tension mounted. Lamine and Balde scored a goal, bringing the score back to a tie. The final moments of the match were intense, with both teams giving it their all.

With only a few minutes left on the clock, Pablo and I made one last push. Pablo made a crucial play, and I finished with a decisive shot that sent the ball into the net. The final whistle blew, and the game ended with a narrow victory for Pablo and me.

The room was filled with a mix of cheers and groans. Lamine and Balde, though disappointed, were good sports about it. They high-fived Pablo and me, laughing and joking about the match.

"Good game, Isa," Lamine said with a grin. "You and Pablo make a pretty solid team."

"Yeah," Balde added. "We'll get you next time. We've got to keep the competition fierce."

Pablo gave me a high-five and a playful nudge. "Great job tonight. You were fantastic."

We all settled back onto the couches, still buzzing from the excitement of the game. The evening continued with more laughter, snacks, and friendly banter. It was moments like these that made the long days worth it, and I was grateful for the chance to share them with such great friends and teammates.