Unexpected Lines.

Finding Home.

When the fixtures were officially posted on the training ground board, the locker room buzzed. Everyone clustered around, groaning or cheering depending on their opponents. Kaia hung back until Alexia waved her over, already smirking.

“Guess who you’ve got,” Alexia teased, nudging Alba.

Kaia scanned the paper and froze. Arsenal.

Alba was grinning. “Your sister, Kai. And Jill.” She wrinkled her nose, muttering something under her breath about not even saying Jill’s name, then added, “And Leah…” She dragged the last syllable out deliberately.

Kaia rolled her eyes but felt her cheeks warm. “Don’t start.”

Alexia raised an eyebrow, voice full of mischief. “What’s wrong with Leah? She’s nice. Solid defender. Blue eyes…”

Kaia threw her training top at her, groaning. “Shut up.”

But Alba wasn’t letting it drop. She leaned closer, sing-songing, “Steph and Leah at the same time… what a reunion that will be.”

Kaia laughed despite herself, running a hand through her hair. “You two are menaces. Absolute menaces.”

Alexia slung an arm around her shoulder, squeezing. “We’re just saying. London’s going to be… interesting.”

Kaia let herself sink into the embrace, trying to ignore the weight in her chest. She was right — it was going to be more than interesting.

_______

Training had barely finished when the draw was announced, and already the squad were buzzing. Arsenal. Away leg at the Emirates. A big tie.

“Arsenal, huh?” Mapi grinned, plopping down next to Kaia as she unlaced her boots. “That means you get to see her.”

Kaia blinked. “Her?”

Mapi widened her eyes dramatically. “Tu hermana favorita. Steph Catley.” She dragged the name out with exaggerated reverence, hand pressed over her chest.

A couple of the girls snorted from across the dressing room, half-listening in.

Kaia rolled her eyes, fighting a laugh. “You make it sound like she’s Beyoncé or something.”

“She kind of is,” Mapi shot back instantly. “Left foot like a rocket, cheekbones sharp enough to cut glass, captain of bossy big sisters anonymous—”

“She’s not my bossy big sister,” Kaia interrupted, but the grin on her face betrayed her.

Mapi leaned in, eyes glinting. “So when we play them, who are you supporting? Us, obviously… or Steph?”

“Obviously Barça,” Kaia deadpanned.

Mapi wagged her finger. “Hmm. I don’t know. If she scores, I’ll be watching you. If you smile even a little—traitora.”

That made Kaia laugh properly, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously right,” Mapi said with a smirk, before hopping up and skipping away to join Ingrid.

It was a few days after training when Kaia wandered into the gym for an extra session. She expected it to be empty, but found Jana already there, headphones in, juggling a ball between her feet with effortless control.

“You never stop, do you?” Kaia teased, leaning against the doorframe.

Jana looked up, flashing a grin. “Coming from you? Didn’t you run five kilometres before breakfast?”