Chapter 12 - Game of Hearts

                                    

                                          

Alessia's POV
The days turned into weeks, and as our next game approached, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves. Not just about the match itself, but about Kyra. Our bond had grown stronger, but that also meant the stakes felt higher. I was determined to show her how I felt without pushing her away. It was a tricky balance—one I was still learning to navigate.
During our training sessions, I could see Kyra becoming more comfortable on the field. Her confidence blossomed as she made plays, her smile contagious. I often caught myself watching her, feeling my heart skip when she laughed or focused intently on a drill. It was both thrilling and terrifying.
One afternoon after practice, we all gathered for our pre-game meeting. Jonas went over strategies, and I was buzzing with anticipation. As the session wrapped up, I noticed Kyra lingering behind, looking a bit pensive. I approached her as everyone filed out.
"Hey, you okay?" I asked, leaning against the wall beside her.
She glanced at me, her brow furrowed slightly. "Yeah, just thinking about the game tomorrow. I want to make a good impression."
"You've already made a great impression," I assured her. "You've been killing it in practice. Trust me, everyone notices."
Kyra smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thanks, but it's different when it's game time. I don't want to let anyone down."
I understood her feelings all too well. The pressure to perform could be overwhelming, especially for someone who was still finding her footing in a new team. "You won't let anyone down," I said, my voice steady. "Just play your game. Remember why you love this sport."
Her expression softened, and I felt a warmth spread through me. "You're right. I just need to remember that." She took a deep breath and straightened up, a flicker of determination lighting up her eyes.
"Exactly! And besides, we're a team. We win together, and we lose together. No pressure, okay?" I reached out and nudged her shoulder playfully. "I'll be right there with you."
Her smile returned, and I could see the tension easing from her shoulders. "Thanks, Alessia. You always know how to make me feel better."
"Just doing my job," I said, but inside, I felt the familiar flutter in my stomach. It was easy to support her, but I also wanted her to see just how much she meant to me.
The day of the match arrived, and the atmosphere was electric. The stadium buzzed with energy as fans filled the stands, their cheers echoing through the air. I felt the adrenaline surge as we warmed up, the anticipation building with each passing moment. I glanced over at Kyra, who was stretching with a focused expression. She was ready—no doubt about it.
As the game kicked off, the intensity ramped up. The first half flew by, with both teams playing hard. I could see Kyra hustling on the field, weaving in and out of defenders and making smart plays. Every time she touched the ball, I felt a rush of pride. She was proving herself, and I knew she could see the impact she was having.
During halftime, we gathered in the locker room, the team buzzing with excitement. Jonas went over our performance, and I could see Kyra's enthusiasm shining through. "We can definitely win this," she said, her eyes bright. "Let's keep the momentum going!"
"Absolutely!" I chimed in, feeling the same energy. As we filed back onto the field, I caught Kyra's gaze, and we shared a quick smile. It was moments like this that made everything feel right.
The second half was even more intense than the first. We worked together seamlessly, communicating with one another on the field. When I made a run down the wing, Kyra was right there, perfectly timing her pass to me. I took a shot on goal, and the crowd erupted when the ball found the back of the net.
"YES!" I shouted, turning to celebrate with my teammates. Kyra joined me, her face lit up with excitement. In that moment, everything felt perfect.
As the game progressed, I could see that Kyra was starting to tire. I could relate; I knew the feeling of exhaustion creeping in, especially during a tough match. I kept an eye on her, ready to support her whenever possible.
With just minutes left on the clock, we were up by one goal. It was an exhilarating feeling, but it also meant we had to defend fiercely to maintain our lead. I noticed Kyra tracking back to help with the defense, and I was impressed by her commitment.
Suddenly, the opposing team made a break for our goal. I sprinted back, determined to help, but I could see Kyra lagging slightly behind. A pang of worry shot through me. "Kyra!" I yelled, urging her to push harder.
She seemed to snap out of it, her focus sharpening as she sprinted towards the action. Just as the opposing player attempted to take a shot, Kyra slid in with perfect timing, intercepting the ball and sending it to safety. The crowd erupted in cheers, and I couldn't help but rush over to her.
"Nice one!" I exclaimed, high-fiving her as we jogged back into position.
As the final whistle blew, our team erupted in cheers. We had won! The joy was palpable as we celebrated together, but my eyes were immediately drawn to Kyra. She was beaming, and it lit up my entire world.
After the game, we gathered for our usual post-match debrief. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, but I could see Kyra glowing more than anyone. "You played incredibly today!" I praised her, feeling proud of everything she had accomplished.
"Thanks! I was so nervous, but it all just clicked," she said, her eyes shining. "I couldn't have done it without you all supporting me."
I knew she was being modest, but I couldn't resist the urge to pull her in for a quick hug. "You did it yourself. You showed everyone what you're made of."
The moment lingered, and I could feel the familiar flutter in my stomach again. As we pulled back, I locked eyes with her, and for a heartbeat, it felt like the world around us faded away.
Just then, Caitlin and Steph swooped in, breaking the moment. "Group photo time!" Caitlin shouted, her phone already in hand.
We gathered together, laughter ringing out as we posed, arms draped around each other. I stood next to Kyra, feeling the warmth radiate from her.
As the picture was taken, I couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to capture this moment forever—not just for the victory but for the connection we were building.
Once the excitement settled and everyone began to disperse, Kyra and I found ourselves lingering at the edge of the crowd. "You were amazing out there today," I said again, unable to contain my admiration.
"Thanks, Less. It really felt good to play well, especially with you by my side." Her smile sent a rush of warmth through me.
"I was thinking," I said, my heart racing, "maybe we could celebrate together? Just the two of us? Dinner or something?"
Her expression shifted, surprise dancing in her eyes. "I'd love that," she said, her voice soft. "I'd really love that."
"Great! Let's figure out when," I replied, a wave of relief washing over me.
As we stood there, the world buzzing around us, I felt hopeful. This was just the beginning.
The sun began to set as we walked together to our cars, laughter spilling out between us. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were on the brink of something beautiful. We had taken our time, but now I sensed we were ready to explore this new chapter together—no rushing, just the two of us, side by side, embracing whatever came next.