Wishes - Hector Fort

Back in the stands

🎵 Better in the dark - Jordana & TV Girl

The roar of Camp Nou was like a pulse, loud and steady, vibrating through the stadium seats.

Luna lived for moments like these.

She loved the energy of the crowd, the way people from all over came together, chanting and singing as if they'd known each other all their lives.

It didn't matter how her parents felt about her; here, she could be a López and feel proud of it.

Tonight was a big game for Barça, and she wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Though her parents had yet again found a last-minute reason not to come—some work emergency, some plan with her sister—Luna had shown up to cheer for her brother.

She knew Fermín appreciated it, even if he'd never say it out loud.

She pushed her way through the crowded aisles, making her way to her usual seat in the family section, a few rows back from the field where she could watch the players close up.

A handful of her brother's teammates waved her over as she settled in, familiar faces she'd grown up around.

For as long as she could remember, these players had been like a second family to her—brothers who teased her, joked with her, but never let anyone else mess with her.

They were a piece of her life that felt real, that felt steady.

As the players warmed up, Luna spotted Hector, one of Fermín's best friends and Barça's star defender, stretching on the sidelines.

He caught her eye, did a double-take, then flashed her a smirk.

"Hey, López! You still a princess these days, or what?" he shouted, loud enough for a few nearby fans to turn and look.

Luna rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips.

She was used to Hector's teasing—he'd never let her forget her "blonde phase" that she had 15 long years, till her blonde hair turned brunette. Instead, it had earned her the title of "princess," a nickname Hector took particular delight in, calling her that every time she showed up.

"No crowns today, Hector," she shot back, smirking.
"You gonna focus on the game, or are you too busy admiring me?"

Hector chuckled, shaking his head as he jogged over.
"I don't know. You're making it hard not to notice, López. Last year, you looked like you belonged in a pop band, but now..." He shrugged, giving her a once-over, still looking a bit surprised.
"Guess I didn't expect you to look so different."

Luna raised an eyebrow, trying to hide the satisfaction she felt.

She had changed over the past year, growing into herself in a way she hadn't anticipated.

She hated that her blonde was turning brunette but now it's her thing, she'd picked up her own style, and she carried herself with a confidence she'd never had before.

She liked the feeling of surprising people like Hector, who thought they had her all figured out.

"Guess you'll have to get used to it," she said with a grin. "I'm not here to play princess anymore."

"Noted," Hector said, still smiling, as if trying to figure her out all over again.

He gave her a nod before jogging back onto the field to join the others, shaking his head as he went.

The whistle blew, and the game was on.

Luna's attention shifted, her eyes trained on her brother as he maneuvered across the field with his usual focus.

Fermín was in his element, sharp and confident, and Luna couldn't help but feel a burst of pride every time he passed the ball, every time he dodged a defender.

Seeing him play reminded her that he wasn't just the golden boy of their family—he was genuinely brilliant at what he did.

Every time Fermín made a great play, Luna cheered with all her heart, joining the crowd in their shouts and chants.

In moments like these, she felt closer to him than she did at home.

She knew he felt it, too; every so often, he'd glance her way after a play, as if checking to see if she was still there, cheering him on.

At halftime, as the players filed back toward the bench, Hector walked by again, flashing her a look of exaggerated surprise.
"López! Still here? Don't you have a glitter crown to put on or something?"

Luna rolled her eyes but leaned over the railing, calling back.
"Keep talking, Hector. I'll remember this when I'm the one cheering after your next missed tackle."

He laughed, but this time, it felt different—a little more respectful, like he was starting to see her as more than just Fermín's little sister who showed up in sparkly jackets and bright blonde hair.

Maybe it was just her imagination, but she thought she saw a flash of something else in his eyes, a curiosity he hadn't shown before.

The second half was intense.

Barça was up by a single goal, and the pressure was on.

Every time the opposing team got close, Luna's heart pounded, her eyes darting to her brother and then to Hector, watching the defense in action.

At one point, Hector slid in for a dramatic save, blocking what would have been a game-changing shot, and the crowd erupted.

Luna found herself cheering loudest of all.

When the final whistle blew and Barça had secured their win, Luna felt a rush of adrenaline and pride.

The players gathered on the field, high-fiving and embracing, celebrating the victory.

Fermín, grinning from ear to ear, jogged over to the stands to give her a quick high-five.

"Thanks for coming, Lu," he said, out of breath but genuinely happy. "It means a lot, you know."

"Wouldn't miss it," she replied, smiling. "You killed it out there."

Hector came up behind him, throwing an arm over Fermín's shoulder and giving Luna a playful wink. "So, princess," he teased, "you sticking around for the celebration, or did all that cheering wear you out?"

Luna smirked.
"I'll be there, if only to make sure you don't hurt yourself trying to dance."

"Touché," he said, looking almost impressed.

As Fermín and Hector headed off to join the rest of the team, Luna couldn't help but feel a thrill run through her.

She'd always loved these games, the way they made her feel part of something bigger, the connection she had with her brother and even with his teammates.

And maybe—just maybe—she'd started to prove to them, and to herself, that she wasn't just someone's little sister anymore.

She was Luna, someone worth noticing, on her own terms.