Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
❦
Imani had been looking forward to the team dinner all week. After months of hard work documenting the England squad's training sessions, capturing their journey leading up to the tournament, she finally had the chance to showcase the players off the field. It was a well-deserved opportunity for everyone to relax, and she was excited to film all the jokes that came with these gatherings.
As she approached the trendy restaurant, the soft glow of the lights and the buzz of laughter spilling out onto the street welcomed her. Imani adjusted her camera strap and took a deep breath, ready to capture the night. The media coordinator had given her the green light to film the players interacting during dinner, a behind-the-scenes look that fans would love.
Inside, she spotted Keisha, Bukayo, and Declan already at a table, their plates filled with food and drinks in hand. Imani made her way over, the laughter of the group bringing a smile to her face.
"Look who finally made it!" Keisha called out, waving her over. "We were about to start without you!"
"Not a chance! I'm here for the good stuff," Imani replied, grinning as she set her camera down to join them. "I'm ready to capture all the embarrassing moments."
As she settled in, the energy of the table was infectious. Jokes were flying, stories were shared, and for a while, Imani felt completely at ease, her worries about the upcoming tournament melting away. She took a few candid shots, capturing the playful banter between the players.
Just then, she stood to get a wider shot of the group, her camera ready to film the laughter and camaraderie. She walked backward, trying to get the perfect angle, when she suddenly collided with someone.
"Whoa—sorry!" Imani exclaimed, quickly spinning around.
Her heart dropped as she recognized the person standing before her. Gio.
He was leaning against the bar, looking entirely too comfortable in a crowd that was meant to celebrate her new life. The sight of him sent her heart racing, memories flooding back—the manipulation, the lies, the constant feeling that she was walking on eggshells around him.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice shaky despite her best efforts to sound calm.
Gio's lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes held a darkness that made Imani's skin crawl. "Just came to see some friends. Didn't expect to bump into you."
Imani felt a wave of panic wash over her. She wanted to turn and run, to escape the moment and the memories that flooded back. But before she could even think about moving, Keisha appeared at her side, her eyes narrowing at Gio.
"Back off," Keisha said, stepping protectively in front of Imani. "She doesn't want to talk to you."
The tension in the air thickened as Gio looked from Keisha to Imani, trying to assess the situation. "I'm just trying to have a conversation," he replied, feigning innocence.
"Not a chance," Keisha shot back. "You need to leave."
At that moment, Trent and Declan joined the scene, their expressions serious as they stood beside Keisha, forming a protective barrier around Imani. "You're not welcome here," Trent said firmly, his arms crossed.
Gio's demeanor shifted, his confidence wavering as he looked at the united front of Imani's friends. "I don't need to explain myself to you," he replied, but there was an edge of uncertainty in his voice.
Imani's heart raced, the adrenaline pumping through her veins. "I'm done talking to you, Gio," she said, her voice steadying with newfound courage. "You need to leave me alone."
For a moment, Gio hesitated, his facade cracking as he processed her words. "Whatever. You'll regret this," he said, taking a step back.
As he turned to leave, Imani felt a rush of relief wash over her. The weight of his presence started to lift, and she could finally breathe again.
"Are you alright?" Keisha asked, concern etched on her face as she turned to Imani.
Imani nodded slowly, her heart still pounding. "Yeah, I think so. Thanks for stepping in."
Trent clapped a hand on her shoulder, offering a reassuring smile. "Always. We're here for you, Imani."
As the team settled back into their dinner, Imani felt a wave of gratitude for her friends. They had stood up for her, protecting her from someone who had tried to disrupt her life. She was part of this team now, not just as a content creator, but as a friend.
As she focused her camera on the laughter and lighthearted moments that resumed around the table, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. She was determined to show not only the players' personalities but the bonds they shared as a team—and she was proud to be part of it.
A/N: I'm so sorry for not updating I've been busy w school.
