𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐏, joão felix

𝟬𝟭 | 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗔

i aimlessly scrolled through my phone, pretending to be interested in the game going on in front of me. the crowd roared around me as the ball went back and forth on the pitch, but i couldn't care less.

my friend isla, on the other hand, was fully engrossed in the action, cheering and booing along with the others. "come on, keegan!" she yelled, waving her arms madly.

i shot her a half-assed smile. i loved isla to bits, but her enthusiasm for football was like nails on a chalkboard to me. especially when my brother was playing. i didn't see the appeal. it was just a bunch of men running after a ball.

i rolled my eyes, putting my phone down. "you do realize keegan can't hear you, right?"

"oh, shut up," isla retorted, elbowing me playfully. "he can feel my energy. i'm here to support him."

i resisted the urge to roll my eyes again. if keegan could feel her energy, he was probably feeling annoyed right about now. but i didn't say that out loud.

the game continued, and the players raced around the field. keegan was quick and agile, darting around opponents with ease. but my eyes were drawn to joão as usual, even though i tried to fight against it.

he moved with grace and dexterity that was almost supernatural. every pass, every dribble, every shot - he made it look so effortless.

the crowd cheered and booed around me, and i found myself involuntarily reacting to his every move. "come on, keegan!" isla yelled again, slapping my arm excitedly. "joão's got the ball!"

"i can see that," i muttered, feigning boredom. but deep down, i couldn't deny the way my heart thrummed in my chest every time he touched the ball. the man was infuriatingly captivating, and i hated myself for it.

i crossed my arms, trying to convince myself i didn't care. it was just a game, and he was just another player. but damn, he was making it difficult to keep up that nonchalance.

isla was practically vibrating with excitement beside me, and i envied her unabashed enthusiasm.

"oh my god, he's going for it!" she exclaimed, as joão ran with the ball towards the goal. the crowd around us held their collective breath, anticipation hanging in the air.

i couldn't tear my eyes away, even though i wanted to. my heart thumped in my chest, matching the beat of the game. this was the part i hated most about being at these games. the pull he had over me, even when i was trying my best to resist.

isla gripped my arm tightly, her fingers digging into my skin. "go go go!" she whisper yelled.

the moment seemed to stretch forever. the world around me faded into the background as i watched joão make his move. he dribbled past defenders with ease, his eyes glued to the goal like a predator targeting its prey.

then, in a split second, he kicked the ball with perfect precision, sending it sailing through the air and into the back of the net.

the crowd erupted in a roar of cheers and applause. keegan and joão embraced, their arms wrapping around each other in a tight hug. keegan's face was split into a huge grin as he slapped joão on the back.

isla was practically jumping up and down with excitement, her eyes fixed on the two players. "yes!" she yelled, pumping her fists in the air. "that's what i'm talking about!"

i couldn't help but feel a twinge of something in my chest at the sight of them together. it was a strange mix of annoyance and something else i couldn't quite put my finger on.