A Bet That Changed Us ︱Pablo Gavi

97: Early mornings and new stories

Pablo's Pov

I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring at 6:00 AM, the early hour harsh but necessary. It had been a while since I'd had to get up this early for training, and the post-Seville blues made it even tougher to crawl out of bed. The memory of the trip still fresh in my mind, I could almost feel the warmth of Isabella's hand in mine and the laughter we shared. But the reality of professional football was waiting, and I had to focus on the day's training session.

After a quick breakfast and a rushed shower, I threw on my Barcelona training gear and headed out the door. The air was crisp and cool, a reminder of the winter chill that was now settling over the city. I drove to the training center, the streets relatively empty at this early hour. My mind wandered back to Seville—our days exploring the city, the time spent with my family, and the thrilling football match we watched. It had been perfect, but now it was time to shift gears back to the routine.

Arriving at the training center, I was greeted by the usual early-bird players, stretching and preparing for the session. The buzz of conversation was a welcome distraction, and I quickly fell into the familiar rhythm of pre-training banter. My teammates were eager to hear about the trip, and as we gathered, I couldn't help but share a few highlights.

"Man, Seville was incredible," I said, leaning against the wall while I waited for the warm-up to begin. "We had the best time exploring the city. The game was intense, and just being with Isabella and my family made it all the more special."

Pedri, always curious, looked up from his stretching with a wide grin. "What was your favorite part? The game, or the time with your family?"

"Definitely both," I replied. "Watching Seville play was exciting, but spending time with my family, including Aurora and Javi, was really meaningful. Isabella and I also got to check out some great spots around the city. The whole trip was just... perfect."

Ansu, who had been quietly listening, chimed in. "Sounds like you two had an amazing time. It's nice to hear about something other than just football for once."

 "Anyway, enough about me. How have you guys been?"

The conversation shifted to various topics, from upcoming matches to holiday plans, as we all prepared for the intense training session ahead. The drills were demanding, and I poured my energy into each exercise, focusing on improving my performance and preparing for our next game.

Training finally wrapped up, and I was drenched in sweat, exhausted but satisfied. I showered and dressed quickly, knowing I'd have to head to the club's meeting room for a strategy session later in the morning. As I left the locker room, I glanced at my phone and saw that Isabella had sent me a message.

"Good luck with training today. I have a meeting until 10, so I won't be able to see you before then. Miss you!"

I smiled at her message, feeling a pang of longing. It was a bit odd not seeing her first thing in the morning, but I knew she was busy with her own schedule. The thought of our next meeting kept me going, and I eagerly anticipated seeing her later.

As I made my way to the meeting room, my mind drifted back to the trip and the upcoming days. It was a bit strange to be apart after such a close and enjoyable experience, but I was excited to catch up with Isabella and hear about her morning.

The meeting with the coaches and the team was routine, focused on game strategies and upcoming matches. Despite the intensity of the discussions, my thoughts kept wandering back to Isabella and the time we had spent together. The anticipation of reuniting with her later in the day was the perfect motivation to push through the remaining tasks.

By the time the meeting concluded and I was ready to head out, I felt a sense of excitement building. The day had been long and demanding, but the thought of seeing Isabella made it all worthwhile. I knew that our time apart, though brief, only made our moments together more precious. As I walked to the club's cafeteria for a quick bite before heading home, I couldn't help but smile, looking forward to the evening we would finally get to spend together.

Isabella's Pov

After a long and busy morning, I finally arrived home, feeling both relief and exhaustion. The hustle of the training center and the anticipation of catching up with my friends made me look forward to being back in my apartment. As I unlocked the door and stepped inside, I was greeted by an unexpected, yet delightful sight: Valentina, Mikky, Clara, and Matteo were all gathered in my living room.

"Hey, everyone!" I exclaimed, surprised and excited to see them all there.

Valentina looked up from the couch with a wide grin. "We missed you! We thought we'd surprise you and hear all about your trip."

Clara, who was sitting next to Matteo, nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, we've been dying to know how everything went with Pablo and the family. Spill the details!"

I set my bag down and kicked off my shoes, feeling a wave of relief to be surrounded by familiar faces. "It was amazing, honestly. I'm so glad we went. The trip was full of unforgettable moments."

Matteo leaned forward, curiosity evident in his eyes. "So, what was the best part? Was it the game, or was it something else?"

I took a seat on the couch, surrounded by my friends. "The game was incredible, but the best part was definitely spending time with Pablo's family and exploring Seville. We had so much fun just being together and soaking in the city's atmosphere."

Valentina leaned in with a mischievous smile. "Tell us everything! did you get to do any sightseeing?"

"We did plenty of sightseeing, it was wonderful," I began, my eyes lighting up as I recalled the experiences. 

Mikky interjected, "And how was Seville? I heard it's beautiful this time of year."

"It really is," I said with a smile. "We visited some amazing places. The architecture is stunning, and the food was delicious. We even watched a game between Seville and Sociedad. It was such an intense match. And, of course, Pablo and I had a great time just exploring the city.""

Matteo looked impressed. "Sounds like you two had a fantastic time. I'm glad you got to enjoy it. And how did things go with his family?"

"They were great," I reassured him. "We had a chance to get to know each other better. Pablo's family is th best, and it was nice to see how close they are and welcoming they are. It made the trip feel even more special, even if I've already met them."

Valentina, always curious, asked, "And what about the match? Any memorable moments?"

"The game was intense," I said, recounting the experience. "Seville played really well, but it ended in a draw. It was exciting to be there and to experience the atmosphere. Pablo was so focused and passionate about it."

The conversation flowed easily as I shared more details about our trip. We laughed and reminisced about the highlights, and I felt grateful to have friends who were so interested in my experiences.

Eventually, the topic shifted to other things, and we spent the rest of the afternoon catching up and chatting about our plans for the coming days. It was a refreshing break from the hustle of work and training, and I cherished the time spent with my friends.

As the evening approached, I began to think about Pablo and how he was probably finishing up his training. I felt a warm glow just thinking about him and our time together. The trip had been wonderful, and the support and enthusiasm from my friends made me feel even more grateful.

When the time came for everyone to head out, we all said our goodbyes with promises to catch up again soon. I was left feeling content and excited for the next chapter of our lives, both personally and professionally.