? "Rivals on the Pitch, Hearts Off It"

Angela didn't notice the photographer.

She'd been too busy laughing—full-body laughing—at something Georgia whispered as they walked Lady and Trump along the quiet edge of campgrounds.

Georgia had leaned in, bumping her shoulder, their hands brushing just for a moment.

It was subtle.
Too subtle for most.

But not for the lens that caught it.

The Next Morning

Angela woke up to four messages from Patri.

Patri: Ange??
Patri: Have you seen Twitter
Patri: Omg
Patri: I'm coming to your room. Get up.

Angela sat bolt upright, dread pooling like lead in her stomach.

By the time she unlocked her phone, the headline had already gone viral:

"Barcelona's Rising Star Spotted Getting Cozy With England Teammate Stanway"

The photo wasn't scandalous.
Just... revealing.

Georgia mid-laugh, leaning close.
Angela half-turned toward her, eyes soft.
Their hands not quite touching.

But it looked like something.
Because it was something.

Minutes Later – Hotel Room Chaos

Patri barged in, phone in hand. "It's everywhere. Instagram, Twitter, even Marca picked it up."

Angela blinked. "They're saying we're... dating?"

Patri raised an eyebrow. "Are you not?"

Angela flushed. "We're... not. Not officially."

"Ang."

"I don't even know what we are yet."

Patri's voice softened. "I think she likes you. I think you like her too. But you have to be careful now."

Angela nodded. "Leah's gonna kill me."

Later – The Unexpected Ally

Angela found Alexia in the corridor.

She was scrolling on her phone, the same photo pulled up. She looked up slowly.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Angela hesitated. "I didn't mean for it to be public."

"I figured."

A beat passed.

Alexia smiled gently. "You look happy in that picture. You don't usually let yourself look that happy."

Angela's throat tightened. "I didn't think anyone noticed."

"I do."

Alexia tucked a strand of Angela's hair behind her ear. "Just promise me you won't lose yourself in this. You're not just someone's sister. Or someone's maybe."

Angela's eyes burned. "I won't."

Meanwhile – Georgia's Side

Back in her room, Georgia was scrolling through the same photo. She hadn't even noticed someone had taken it.

When a knock sounded on her door, she assumed it was Angela.

It wasn't.

It was Leah.

"Can we talk?" Leah asked, serious as ever.

Georgia stepped aside, suddenly unsure.

"I saw the photo," Leah said, cutting straight to it. "And I'm not mad."

Georgia blinked. "You're not?"

Leah shrugged. "You're both adults. You're figuring things out."

Georgia waited.

"But," Leah added, "If this becomes a distraction for her... if this hurts her career..."

"It won't," Georgia said firmly.

Leah looked at her. "Promise me."

"I already have."

Leah finally nodded. "Good. Because she's never looked at anyone like she looks at you. Don't waste that."

The End of the Day – A Rooftop and a Real Moment

Angela and Georgia snuck away again—this time to the rooftop of the hotel, blankets wrapped around their shoulders, hot chocolate in hand, the city lights far below.

"Did you mean what you said before?" Angela asked, watching the night sky. "That you don't want me to get over this?"

Georgia didn't even hesitate. "I meant all of it."

Angela turned to face her. "Even if it gets messy?"

"Especially then."

Angela let herself lean against her, heart thudding. "Then I guess we're something now."

Georgia smiled into her hair. "Yeah. I guess we are."