Before Us | Pablo Gavi

📍 Paris, 20th August, 2022

Both Kika and I were sat at a window seat, outside a cute cafe on the streets of Paris. I had decided to come see her before I started back University and I needed to be back in Barcelona. "It's been a lot recently, are you coming back to the paddock soon?"

"I actually don't know Kika, I was talking with my professors, I'm debating switching to Laliga. I just can't endure the hate I'm receiving from the F1 fans, but on the other hand. I can't just move to LaLiga, people will assume it's for Pablo."

"Don't you have your big football break soon? You're covering the Barcelona, City game?"

"It's a friendly but yes, sky are letting me cover it, I'm really excited" Kika giggled at my enthusiasm.

"And your date? How did that go?"

"It went really well, the two of us spoke about the game on Wednesday, about some of the things going on in life, for people who live together, we never run out of things to say?"

"Yeah, how's that fairing out? living together? is that not weird"

"It's a little weird, I think he's looking for a place of his own. He wants to buy an actual house, opposed to an apartment. I'm happy for him to do that. I will get my wardrobe back!" I cheered, waving my hands about, Kika snorted out a laugh.

"You and that damn wardrobe"

"What can I say!"

It was currently later in the day, Kika and I climbed through the large window onto the smaller makeshift balcony. I had been dying to take pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower and her apartment so happened to have a view of it.

In many ways I felt at peace here. The fact I knew my family was here, my best friend. It was much different from Barcelona. Here I felt an escape where Barcelona felt like home to me. I never have to question if I want to be there. I just do. I had two of my best friends living in my apartment block and then another two a couple of streets over.

Collectively we decided to get ready and go for something to eat. We got ready with SZA in the background. I tied my hair up into a sleek ponytail, paired with a black silk dress and some black slingback heels. The restaurant we had booked was a little bit of a walk but there was many sites along the way. I grabbed my camera and hang bag, preparing for the walk.

The streets were beautiful, I was planning Kika and I's day tomorrow, she gladly was tagging along. Amongst the many people a female voice called my name, I looked at Kika confused, she shrugged her shoulders, the voice wasn't Spanish or Portuguese, I was unfamiliar. Turning around I spotted a younger girl, early teens rushing towards me. "Catelina! Catelina on peut prendre une photo?"
[can we take a picture?]

"Oui bien sûr" smiling at her, leaning down to pose for the picture with her. "oh mon Dieu, tu es encore plus jolie en personne!"
[ yes of course !. Oh my god, you're even prettier in person]

"Merci" smiling at the girl, waving as she rushed off back to her friends, I turned back to Kika. "my bestie is famous" she wiggled her brows, smiling at me. "I'm not famous, my dad is!"

Nodding her head we continued on with our journey, arriving to the restaurant with a few minutes to spare.

📍 Paris, 22nd August, 2022

I had asked Kika to come with me to the Art school in Paris, I had seen many pictures online and was curious to see if they were real. Much to my pleasure they were, beautiful artworks decorated the walls, I took my fair share of pictures. I was in awe of the architecture, the design, the interior, furniture and the artwork.

"Dios mío, es muy lindo" scrunching my nose up with a smile. "you are a crazy art fanatic, I will never understand why you are in PR and journalism"

"Me either Kiks"

"Ew no" she visibly shuddered at the nickname.

"Tell Gavito I hate it"

"Oh I will, and I will tell him his new nickname, I like it. That way I can keep Pablito to myself" winking at Kika. "No! god no! ew catie, I do not want to think about that" giggling at her disgust, slinging and arm over her shoulder. "come on, you can come help me pack"

I was leaving Paris, making my way back to Barcelona tomorrow evening, I wanted to be able to write some notes, prepare myself while I was on the flight. To distract myself from the flight itself.

"It's just under a two hour flight, Catie you will be fine" Kikas hands now held my shoulders, like she was staring through my flesh and bone, straight to my soul, nodding my head anxiously in response. "I can't help it, I just I panic"

"You also have a sleeping problem, they don't exactly go hand in hand do they" giggling at her I now shook my head with a soft smile. "you will be perfectly fine. I will send you life updates through the flight, look forward to opening them once you land"

"I will, I will"

Currently I was sat in my seat on my flight back to Barcelona. My foot tapped anxiously on the ground, my hands sat on top of my knees as they bounced up and down. I took deep breaths trying to focus on my music, eyes screwed shut. In my head I was thinking of all the possibilities that could go wrong. Not any good thoughts, sadly.

Luckily, the agonising one hour and forty minutes were up. I was quick to rid myself of the seatbelt, jumping to my feet, rushing to the aisle. I thanked the flight attendants and exited the aircraft.

I turned my phone off airplane mode and the many text piled in. I stood at the carousel waiting for my bag to appear, soon enough I saw the pale pink hard shell coming around, grabbing it off the carousel before steadying myself. Letting out a puff of air, sigh of relief. In my pocket my phone buzzed, taking it out, glancing at the name. 'Pablito🤍'

I answered it, my voice was panicked. "Is everything okay? Are you okay? Has anything happened?" all came out in one breath. "Oh no, I'm good, everything and everyone is good, go outside"

"Pablo? I'm waiting for my uber to ring me?"

"Um, Lena-"

"Catie come outside!" eyes widening at the voice.

"Is that Mads?"

"Would you just come outside!" he practically whined, my suitcase and I made its way outside. There's where I spotted it. The green mini. Gasping at the three of them. Pedri perched on the hood, Pablo with his phone pressed to his ear and Maddie. She was stood practically bursting with excitement. It had been a while since I had seen the two of them properly. The last time being the match.

I let out a squeal charging towards the girl, throwing my arms around her. She too squealed, her arms engulfing me in a hug. "I've missed you!"

"Oh I've missed you too"

"Okay, okay, enough what about me?" Pablo stood with his arms at the ready, a bright smile graced my lips. I now engulfed the boy.

"Hola bebé" Pablo mumbled into my hair, his arms tightly wrapped around my waist, hoisting me up. "Te vi hace dos días cariño"

"I know, I know. I can't help it princesa" shaking my head, resting on his shoulder, my arms dangling around his neck and shoulders. "Wanna put me down?"

"Oh yes, I'm sorry"

My feet landed safely on the ground, Pablo's hand never leaving my waist. "I'll put your bag in the car" Pedri announced

"Now you can prepare yourself for you big break!" Mads climbed into the front seat quickly. Pablo and I shaking our heads with a smile.