Crossing Boundaries (Gavi)

Chapter 6

Gavi's POV

I leaned back in my chair, a smirk creeping across my face as I listened to the chatter in the locker room. The guys were buzzing about the news that Julia Martínez, the so-called "golden girl" from Real Madrid, was coming on loan to Barça's women's team.

"Can you believe it? That girl is going to be playing for us," Ferran said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Yeah, just wait until she realizes she's in the shadow of the real stars," I scoffed, chuckling at the thought. "What does she think? She's just going to waltz in here and be the center of attention?"

"Come on, Gavi. She's a good player," Pedri chimed in, trying to defend her.

"Good? Please," I rolled my eyes. "She might've scored a couple of goals, but let's be real—she's still wearing that Real Madrid jersey. She's basically a rival."

Balde laughed. "You're just mad because you hooked up with her and didn't even know who she was."

I shot him a glare. "That was a mistake, alright? I was drunk. And now I'm supposed to act like I'm all chummy with her? Not happening."

"She'll probably be a distraction for you," Olmo teased. "What if she starts flirting with you again?"

I leaned forward, my expression hardening. "If she thinks I'm going to be nice just because she's now in a Barça kit, she's got another thing coming. This is my turf."

As the conversation continued, I felt a mix of irritation and amusement. The idea of Julia joining our ranks was both entertaining and infuriating. I couldn't shake the feeling that her presence would disrupt the dynamic we had going.

"Just wait until she steps on the field," I said, crossing my arms. "Let's see how she handles the pressure. We don't need any weak links around here."

The guys laughed

Julia POV

"Well, I guess this is goodbye to my favorite girls," I said, trying to keep my voice steady as I faced Antonia, Noemí, Teresa, and Caroline.

"We're going to miss you so much!" they exclaimed, their expressions a mix of sadness and support.

Antonia stepped forward, pulling me into a tight hug. "I can't believe you're really leaving. It feels surreal. You have to promise to keep in touch."

"I will, I promise," I replied, my voice muffled against her shoulder.

Noemí looked at me with wide eyes. "It's going to be so weird when we have to play against each other. Just remember, no hard feelings on the pitch !"

I chuckled softly, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. "Yeah, right. I can already imagine the banter. But honestly, I'm not ready for that."

Teresa chimed in, "Just think of all the goals you'll score against us! It'll be like a reunion match!"

Caroline added, "And we'll be cheering for you, even if it's against us. Just don't score too many!"

I smiled through the tears that threatened to spill. "I can't believe I'm leaving Madrid. It feels like just yesterday we were all training together, dreaming about making it big."

As I made my way into the airport, I couldn't shake the feeling of nostalgia mixed with anxiety. I sat down at my gate, staring at the bustling crowd around me. This would be a short flight to Barcelona, but it felt like I was leaving behind a piece of my heart.

Looking back at the girls one last time, I realized how much I would miss them—not just as teammates, but as my closest friends. The thought of facing them on the pitch was daunting, but I knew this was a new chapter I had to embrace.

As I stepped off the plane, a mix of excitement and anxiety washed over me. I made my way outside, scanning for an Uber when suddenly, a swarm of reporters surrounded me.

"Julia, how do you feel about playing for Barça?" one shouted, shoving a microphone in my face.

"Did you get kicked off Real Madrid because of that incident at the club?" another pressed.

"Julia, we dare you to admit you love Real Madrid! How can you play for Barça?" they continued, their questions growing more invasive.

Just as I was starting to feel overwhelmed, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Hey, get out of her face!" I turned to see Pedri stepping in, his expression protective.

"Come with me," he said, motioning for me to follow him to his car.

I hurried over, grateful for the escape. "Thanks," I said as I got in. "You didn't have to save me."

"I did. They can be so annoying," he replied, shaking his head.

"I'm just glad you were here when I needed you," I admitted, feeling relieved.

"Yeah, I was dropping off my parents, so it was just lucky I arrived at the same time as you. Do you need a ride somewhere?" he asked.

"Yeah, just to this address. It's a family friend's place."

"Oh, that's right next door to my house," he said, glancing at me with a smile.

As we drove, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease from the reporters' questions. Would I really fit in here? Would my past with Real Madrid haunt me in this new chapter?

Pedri seemed to sense my hesitation. "Don't worry about them. You'll show everyone what you can do on the pitch," he reassured me.

I nodded, but deep down, the fear of judgment lingered. I had to prove myself, not just to Barça but to everyone who doubted me.