Unexpected Lines.

Finding Home.

Nobody's POV

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Kaia sat curled into the corner of Alexia’s sofa, hoodie sleeves tugged halfway over her hands. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, but she ignored it. For the first time in weeks, maybe months, she felt lighter. Tired, yes. Hollow in parts. But lighter.

Alexia came out from the kitchen with two mugs, setting one in front of her before perching on the arm of the sofa. “You ready?” she asked softly, her phone already in hand.

Kaia lifted her eyes, hesitant, then nodded. “Yeah. Let’s… just do it.”

Alexia dialled, putting the call on speaker. Her agent answered almost instantly.

“Alexia,” he greeted, but his voice faltered when she said, “It’s about Kaia.”

Kaia shifted uneasily, biting the inside of her cheek as Alexia explained. The agent asked a few careful questions, his tone kind but cautious, then said he’d loop in Kaia’s coach.

Within seconds, the line clicked, and her coach’s voice came through. “Alexia, Kaia.” A pause, heavy. “I’ll be honest—I’d been waiting for this call.”

Kaia’s stomach turned. She glanced up at Alexia, who gave her a steady nod, silently telling her she didn’t have to speak if she wasn’t ready.

Her coach continued, “I know about Alba. And Alexia. I wasn’t sure until recently, but… I understand now. And with the time you’ve already had away, Kaia, I think it’s best for both sides to move on. We can’t carry a player who isn’t in the squad. And you can’t keep forcing yourself into a situation that clearly isn’t helping.”

Kaia’s throat tightened, but she found her voice. “So… that’s it?”

“It doesn’t have to be an ending,” her coach said gently. “Think of it as a reset. A loan, a permanent move—whatever makes sense. But it’s better than you staying stuck. You’ve got talent, Kaia. But you need to actually play. You need to want to play.”

Her eyes burned, but Alexia’s hand slipped to hers, grounding her.

Her agent spoke next. “I’ll start putting feelers out. We’ll find the right place for you, Kaia. Somewhere to start fresh.”

The call ended with polite goodbyes, leaving a silence in the flat. Kaia slumped back against the cushions, pressing her palms to her face.

“I thought I’d feel worse,” she whispered.

Alexia tilted her head, brushing her thumb gently over Kaia’s knuckles. “That’s because you know it’s the right thing.”

For the first time in a long while, Kaia believed her.

The following evening, Kaia sat cross-legged on Alexia’s bed, her laptop open in front of her. Alba was stretched across the duvet beside her, scrolling lazily on her phone, while Alexia leaned against the headboard with her arms folded, eyes flicking between her sisters.

Kaia refreshed her inbox for what felt like the hundredth time. This time, though, there were emails waiting. Three.

Her heart skipped. “They’ve… already sent through offers.”

Alba sat up instantly. “Who?”

Kaia clicked the first one. “Juventus.” She wrinkled her nose, shaking her head before either of them could speak. “Not happening. Too far, too much change. I don’t even need to think about it.”

The second one loaded, and Kaia’s chest tightened. “Arsenal.”

Alba raised her brows. “London.”