-𝓟𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮- 𝙇𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙮𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙡

unexpected shifts

little update for the one person reading this cus who told me to leave for no reason...😭

The days passed quickly as the training sessions grew more intense. The women's team was gearing up for an important match, and the pressure was mounting. Zirah felt the strain, but it wasn't just the upcoming game that occupied her mind—it was the growing closeness between her and Lamine.

They had spent more time together in the past few days, their connection deepening with every conversation and shared moment. Yet, despite their bond, neither of them had brought up what it meant. It hung in the air between them, unspoken but undeniable.

The night before the big match, Zirah found herself in the hotel lobby with Marta and a few other teammates, discussing strategies and unwinding after an exhausting day. The atmosphere was lively, everyone buzzing with a mix of excitement and nerves.

Just as Zirah was about to excuse herself to head back to her room, her phone buzzed. A quick glance revealed a message from Lamine.

lami😻: Meet me outside? Got something to show you.

Zirah hesitated for a second before slipping her phone into her pocket and making her way to the door. She stepped outside into the cool night air, spotting Lamine leaning casually against the wall.

"Hey," she greeted him with a smile, though her stomach fluttered with a mix of curiosity and excitement. "What's up?"

Lamine straightened and grinned. "I thought you might want a bit of fresh air before the big day tomorrow. Let's go for a walk?"

Zirah nodded, falling into step beside him as they walked down the dimly lit street. There was something calming about walking through the quiet streets of Barcelona at night, the city lights glowing softly in the distance.

For a while, they didn't say much, simply enjoying the peacefulness of the moment. Zirah felt at ease around Lamine, as if they didn't need to fill the silence with words. He had a way of making her feel comfortable, like he understood her without her having to say much.

They eventually stopped at a small park, the sound of crickets filling the air as they found a spot to sit on one of the benches. Lamine looked at her, his expression thoughtful.

"You nervous about tomorrow?" he asked, leaning back and looking up at the night sky.

Zirah let out a small sigh. "A little. It's a big game, and I just want to do well. I've been working so hard, and I don't want to mess it up."

Lamine glanced over at her, his gaze soft and reassuring. "You won't mess it up. You've been killing it in training, and you're one of the best players out there. You've got this."

Zirah felt a warm rush of appreciation at his words. "Thanks, Lamine. That means a lot coming from you."

They sat there for a while longer, talking about the upcoming match and their respective teams. Lamine shared some of his own pre-game rituals, and Zirah found herself laughing at some of his more superstitious habits.

As the conversation drifted, Zirah noticed how easy it was to talk to Lamine, how natural everything felt. She wasn't used to feeling this kind of connection with someone, especially so quickly, but with Lamine, it just worked.

Eventually, they decided it was time to head back to the hotel. The walk back was quieter, both of them lost in their own thoughts. As they reached the hotel entrance, Lamine paused, turning to face her.

"You'll do great tomorrow, Zirah," he said, his voice steady and full of confidence. "I know it."

Zirah smiled, feeling a surge of determination rise within her. "Thanks. I'll do my best."

Lamine gave her a quick nod, and before Zirah could react, he pulled her into a brief, warm hug. She blinked in surprise but hugged him back, the moment simple but comforting. When they pulled away, Lamine smiled at her one last time before heading inside.

As Zirah made her way back to her room, she couldn't help but think about how much things had changed in such a short time. Her mind was racing, not just with thoughts of tomorrow's game, but with the realization that Lamine had become someone important to her—someone she wasn't quite ready to let go of.

The next day, as the sun rose over the city, Zirah prepared herself for the match. She was focused, determined, and ready to give it her all. But as she laced up her cleats, she couldn't shake the memory of her late-night walk with Lamine and the quiet strength he'd given her.

Whatever happened on the field today, Zirah knew she wasn't alone.

was it good🥲