***

Despite her third strike, things had started to improve for Clarissa.

She pushed herself to improve. Real Betis was everything she had. Clarissa had been with this team for years - though she didn't know what the future held, she knew she didn't want her temper to be the thing that forced her from the club she loved most. She owed it to herself to become better.

Clarissa had always had a bit of a hidden temper.

She remembers when she was younger and her dad watched a lot of Formula One. Back then Fernando Alonso, native Spanish driver, had his own period of dominance, and because he was Spanish and a big deal in Spain and Clarissa was young and thought he was fiery and interesting and a cool driver — because all kids care about is who is the cool person — she preferred him to other drivers.

Because he was slightly known for his temper, Vincent Diaz did not let Clarissa's moods go unnoticed. "Hija, if you're wanting to follow Fernando's footsteps, you're playing the wrong sport" — was amongst some of the comments. Even now, she still gets them, and proving Vincent's point about her attitude, she often rolls her eyes to those comments.

So, if anybody ever asks Clarissa who her sporting idol is she, a footballer, would probably say Fernando Alonso just to confuse them all.

"I think I need to... leave."

The words shocked Clarissa herself as they came out of her own mouth.

Because it was the first time they'd come out of her mouth too.

In front of her football coach.

She spoke to her parents about possibly looking for a new club. That it might be time to take that step in her career. But never had she said, I need to leave.

"Is that the conclusion you've made after this, Clarissa?" Her coach, Sanchez, responded. She had this way of seeing through a person, which Clarissa knew she was able to do so on that day Maddie had to go to the hospital. And she still yelled at her, even though she could have been compassionate. Coaches.

"I..."

The truth is, leaving Betis could never be a thing concluded until acted upon. She would never just want to leave the only football team she

Then one day she'd find herself at a new club and think, how the fuck did I get myself to leave?

"No, um. It was just a thought." Clarissa answers Coach Sanchez finally.

"And why is that?"

"Things have been a bit rough recently. It's made me think a bit more about my career."

"Rough, how?" Sanchez raises an eyebrow. "You're our starting left-back. Last season, you registered the second most assists in the female under 18s league. Your performances were never the issue, it was your attitude. You can't be wanting to leave just because of that?"

"It's not a want, Coach," says Clarissa. "I can't believe the words coming out of my mouth. I love this team with my entire heart, I'd never want to leave. I just think it's something I need to do. For me. Because I'm more important than my career."

Sanchez opens her mouth, then shuts it. Reconsidering her words.

"I'm not happy that the team is losing a talent like yourself," says Sanchez. "Is your family okay with this?"

"I'm not happy that I'm leaving the only place I've been able to call home." Clarissa says, "I'm trying to trust my gut. My parents understand and they want to support my move, wherever it is."

Sanchez nods. "I get it. Leaving altogether might be too daunting. But... how's a loan? You can try playing for another team, if it works out, grand. You can stay. But... if it doesn't work out, and I hope to God for the sake of your career that's not the case. You can always come back."

Clarissa nods. "I... I'd like that." She presses her lips together.

Was she really doing this?

"I'll talk to your agent," says Sanchez. "See what options are available for you, what clubs. You're in luck actually, because quite a few scouts were present at the previous game versus Barca."

"Really? What clubs?"

"Elche, Valencia... Barcelona, obviously. A Real Madrid scout too. That was one of your best games since I've coached you, too. Until you made a prompt exit."

It relieved Clarissa a little that Sanchez had a smile on her face as she said that, as small as it was. That she was supporting Clarissa's wish not just to get rid of her, but because she also believed it would be good for her. Assuring Clarissa that her thoughts weren't just theoretical delusions.

"I am sorry," Clarissa says. "For being a pain recently. You've been a good coach, you've helped me a lot. That's not how I should've repaid you."

"You had your reasons to be a pain, Clarissa," says Sanchez. "And I had my reasons to become a coach. This one of them. To put you on the right track."

Clarissa smiles.

"Go get the girls to start jogging," Sanchez nods in the direction of the door. "Tell them I'll be out in a minute."

Clarissa nods obediently. "Gracias, coach."

***

"There is some good news and bad news."

The bearer of both sat in his chair tucked into his desk as Clarissa yet again found herself in someone's office. This time, that of her agent, Rafael.

Clarissa, in her school uniform still as she had just finished classes for the day. Rafael was kind enough to pick her up directly from her high school on the way back from meeting one of his clients, and she had a good enough relationship with him that sitting in his car for ten minutes listening to Led Zeppelin didn't make her uncomfortable.

Yes, he showed up to meetings ten minutes late sometimes smelling of baby sick claiming it was because his infant didn't eat his mushed banana quick enough (loosely translating to I didn't burp him well enough), but it was better than having an agent that didn't know how to tie their shoelaces.

(The first step to mental insanity, in Clarissa's eyes.)

"Let's get the bad news over with," says Clarissa, loosening the school tie around her neck. These uniforms got so stuffy in the heat, and it was late August in Sevilla. It would obviously still be hot outside.

"Well, it's almost September," explains Rafael. "Mere days till the transfer window will close, and most teams have already announced their squads for the coming season. Because your transfer request is quite late, it rules out quite a few under-18s teams for you to join."

Clarissa takes a deep breath. "The good news?"

Rafael nods. "Well, because you're you, and an insane talent, a couple of teams have re-drafted their squad announcements. There are quite a few contenders."

"Okay, suspenseful."

Rafael chuckles. "Clarissa, have a little patience."

"I'm nervous," says Clarissa. "I don't want no one to take me."

"Hey, if it all falls out — and I'll make sure it doesn't — you still have a contract at Betis for another season. As much as I know you want a breath of fresh air, I know that staying won't be hell for you, right?"

Clarissa nods.

"Sweet." Rafael continues, "Well, Athletic Bilbao are under pressure for a new left back and hadn't yet confirmed their squad list. They're an option and really like your profile."

"That's on the other side of the country."

"My thoughts too. Just putting it out there. Levante are looking for more squad depth. Their current left back is injury prone, and need someone reliable and less fragile."

"They overwork their players," says Clarissa. "I saw it in Estelle when she moved from Betis."

"Good point," says Rafael. "We want a club that takes care of you, dear girl."

Rafael taps at his computer keyboard, scanning his screen. He leans back in his desk chair, pressing both palms to the back of his head, examining the contents on his computer.

"Almeria's a bit closer to home," he says. "While you won't be able to stay here in Sevilla if you move to another club, it might make it a bit easier to come home more. Their squad is one of the most hospitable in the south of Spain."

Clarissa pressed her lips together into a sort of grimace. "They're not exactly championship contenders, Raf."

"Give me a break here, Clarissa," Rafael laughs. "We've almost reached the end of the transfer window. Quite a few teams are willing to take you on for a loan but it's very tight. Forgive me if I can't arrange you a transfer on a silver platter."

"I—I know, Raf, I'm sorry, you're fine. Don't worry." She sighs. "I know I left it late but... I want somewhere that challenges me. Something difficult, you know? Rewarding."

Rafael nods. "There is one more team interested that I think... well, there's no doubt they'd be good for you."

"Oh. Um... which team is that?"

"Barcelona."

Clarissa's brain took a second to process it.

"Wait, Barcelona?"

At the bewilderment in the young girl's face, Rafael raises an eyebrow. "Surely you've heard of the La Masia academy."

"I—" Clarissa splutters. "Of course I have. Just—they want me? Barcelona is interested in me?"

"Of course they are. Most championship teams are, hence why a number have redrafted their squads. It seems that Barcelona have recently kept an eye out for you, especially after the game you played for them a few weeks ago."

"You mean the one I ditched after fifty minutes?"

"The very one. I wasn't there at the game but you've made a lasting impression, that's for sure. One of my clients is an under-22s player for them."

"Um, I'm flattered." And baffled. "I didn't realise they liked my shit-eating tackle that much. I almost broke the winger's leg."

"Well, you didn't. And it was perfectly legal. So. You're on Barca's good side. There is a catch, though." Rafael says the last part staring deeply at the bottom of his computer screen. It must be a report of clubs interested in Clarissa from when her transfer request was sent out.

"What's the catch."

There's always a catch, Clarissa finds herself rolling her eyes.

"When Barcelona responded to your transfer request... it wasn't the coach of the under-18s. It was the under-22s coach. He says here, Clarissa Adams-Diaz has been found as one of the most hidden gems within the female under-18s championship. Despite not turning eighteen yet, she has the profile of a matured wingback, fierce and unafraid to make risky decisions. We believe for some time within the La Masia ranks to benefit her progressing career a lot and believe that she has the makings of a player to make first team football in a couple of years. We would strongly like to meet with her and potentially trial her with our players, should the player be willing to do so."

"Holy fuck," Clarissa's eyes were wide, reading the screen Rafael turned around for her.

"Language."

"Sorry dad."

Rafael snickers.

"Does it interest you?" He asks.

"Of course, Raf," says Clarissa. "It's Barcelona. I hardly know anyone to decline them. It's a team with a profile you dream of playing for since you're a kid. To know that they're interested in me... How could I not be."

Clarissa's dream was to always play for Betis. But it was also her dream to get to the top of football. And she knew that no matter how dear to her heart Betis would always be, that she wouldn't be able to get to the top with them. She always knew she had to leave and the fact that Barcelona was an option for her...

It was the moment every young girl gambling her career in football would wait for.

"I've not even made my professional debut with Betis under-22s," she says, tapping her hand against the desk. "Only ever friendlies. And I'd be going straight to the under-22s at Barcelona? Literally Barcelona Femeni B. The final junior team before the first team."

"They've seen the confidence you have playing. Barca have made the offer knowing that you're a player with confidence in herself. That's something that many first team players don't even have. You're more than capable of making it big in this team, who cares if you're the youngest."

Clarissa nods once, twice. "I know." She inhales. "It's really far. Like, further than Bilbao. My sister Sophia takes at least ten hours in the car when she travels to go to uni. Six hours in train. I don't know how far I can go from home."

"Well, you won't be travelling so far from home," Rafael reasons. "It's like you say. Sophia stays in the city. I'm sure your parents would have the peace of mind knowing you two were together. You two... you are in good terms, right? Oh, and what's all that about her supposedly dating a Barcelona player?"

"She's not supposedly dating anyone," says Clarissa, remembering very well the argument they had right before Sophia left to go back to Barcelona. "Her and Pedri were friends."

Rafael raises an eyebrow. "Were?"

"Stop being nosy, Raf."

He leans back in his chair, hands up in surrender.

"Of course, we're fine," says Clarissa finally answering his first question. "More than fine. I'd just... I'd be leaving my parents. Matt. Rosie. My boyfriend. I don't know if my therapist thinks I'm ready to stop our sessions. I've still got a year before I finish school. I'm not getting cold feet but I just... didn't imagine this all to be happening so soon."

"Dear girl, it's a big move," says Rafael. "Nerves are natural. Take some time to think about it all, chat to your parents, your siblings. Your therapist. But... not too long, because we have mere days before the transfer window closes."

Clarissa nods.

Rafael raised an eyebrow, "By the way, when did this whole boyfriend thing happen? I was totally unaware."

A small smile crawls up Clarissa's face, ready to detail the story of how her father's milk supplier stole her heart.

***

Life was coming at Clarissa really fast.

One minute she was in her coach's office at Real Betis airing her thoughts about possibly leaving, the next minute she was sitting on the bench, lacing up her boots, for a football trial.

For Barcelona.

Pinch her.

Personal terms with the team had all but been agreed. She would join the team on loan for a year from Betis, and should things work out excellently, Barca have the option to buy Clarissa permanently. She didn't know how she felt about that yet. Right now she just needed to get through this trial. This was the last step.

"Hola, Clarissa!"

She looks up from the bench, putting way too much focus into tying her boot laces, and sees the beaming face of a man in a Barcelona track jacket. This was Alexandro Perez, the Argentine-American who had been in charge of Barcelona Femeni B for the past two years. The man who had put forth all those lovely words about Clarissa's playing style, the one who responded to her transfer request.

"Hola, Mister," she gets to her feet, her hand going to shake the one Alexandro already had outstretched. A few of the under-22s player had noticed a new girl on the bench when they were coming in, some smiling, some with a curious stare, and quite a few were definitely looking over this way now, all thanks to the coach's loud voice.

"Are you well? Very happy you were able to make it, I know it's a very long way to make it from Sevilla."

Clarissa smiles. "Very well, gracias for giving me the opportunity to come in today. I'm excited to see how today goes."

"Me too." He grins, a hand gesturing to the Barcelona training kit that had been left for Clarissa at the door. She felt strange wearing a colour that wasn't Betis's. "Uniform's a perfect fit too. Did your family manage to make it over?"

She nods, gesturing to the stands of the training area. "My siblings, parents, boyfriend and cousin are all here. Sophia lives in Barcelona so we're staying with her. The whole squad had to be here."

Yeah, even Katherine came from Manchester to bare witness to Clarissa's first training in the blaugrana. As well as Carlo, Milk Boy, her boyfriend, who had to endure a six hour train ride with her parents and younger siblings. She's got to check in on him, because this is the first time she's seen him since coming to Barcelona. Seeing as she came a day early to stay with Sophia and Sira.

"Guardiola's coaching partner, that's fantastic," says Coach Alexandro, laughing. "Come on, chica, let's introduce you to the squad and get today started."

Clarissa smiles at him with an approving nod of the head, but had to gulp down the weight rising in her chest. As he gathers the group, Clarissa turns back to the stands, where everyone she calls her family were eager with anticipation, the first moment in a new step of Clarissa's career. They all give her excited waves, and Sophia gives her younger sister a thumbs up with a smile that was everything reassuring.

This was happening. She couldn't chicken out now. She had to go through with this.

***

And she did go through with it.

Fucking hell, she thought at the end of it, because her legs had caved in with exhaustion by the end of practice, finding herself collapsed upon a spot of grass in the shade. Away from everyone else in a sense too, as the rest of the players were chugging down water in the bleachers, where Clarissa knew her family was. She didn't mean to isolate herself, but she just felt more comfortable. She's not been the new girl in a long, long time. She doesn't know how to socialise.

But as she rolls onto her back, grass twining into her tousled french braids, cool air directed on her face from the shade, she can't help but smile.

That was really good.

She was shattered, and bruised, and dehydrated, but she felt really good.

She kept up with the strong legs of the older girls, as difficult as it was, and she intercepted a couple of balls during Rondos. She got a very enthusiastic high five from a blonde in the team after assisting her goal in their mock match, and Clarissa even managed to beat one of the tall players jumping to header the ball. All those days jumping on the trampoline in her back garden were meant for this one day.

"Dios mio, I see what the hype was all about now."

Because she'd shut her eyes, dissociating from the session to gain back some of the breath she'd lost from all the running she'd done, she hardly registered footsteps approach her head. She squints her eyes as she opens them to find the girl from before, the blonde that high-fived her.

"Oh, um, hi," says Clarissa, scrambling into a seated position. But her legs still ached, so she kept them outstretched in front of her.

"Mind if I join you, New Girl?" The blonde asks, crouching down.

"Of course." The Andalusian outstretches a hand. "It's Clarissa."

"Maeve," the other girl introduces herself, clasping Clarissa's hand.

"That doesn't sound like a Spanish name, no?"

"My dad's from Ireland," Maeve explains. "Yours either."

"My mum's Scottish," says Clarissa.

Maeve nods. "I didn't mean any offence, by the way. About you being worth the hype."

"None taken. I'd understand if people had their doubts about a 17 year old joining a Barcelona B team."

"You are good, though," Maeve points out. "I think the team needed a pair of fresh, young legs."

Clarissa snickers. "You say that like most of you aren't twenty-one or under. Your legs aren't that old."

"You'd be surprised," Maeve laughs. "For twenty, my knees sure crack like they're eighty. We should get coffee once you've signed the deal. Chill about with some of the other girls too. I know they get intimidating when they're competitive, but they're cool, trust."

"I'd like that," Clarissa smiles.

"You'll fit in just fine, New Girl." Maeve grins. "You'll be staying at the La Masia facilities, right? Since you're under nineteen."

"Um, probably. Not too sure on the logistics yet. My agent was covering it all. I'm still kind of in shock that I'm here, let alone thinking about where I'll be staying in a weeks time."

"Enjoy it while you're here, Clarissa. I'll see you around."

Maeve gets to her feet, fist bumping Clarissa before she jogged away, tied-up blonde hair swaying behind her.

A new friend, if she could say so.

Clarissa felt a new presence join her and this time shot to her feet, despite her aching bones, because Coach Perez had jogged up to Clarissa, absolutely beaming.

"I don't know about you, chica, but that was fantastic," says Alexandro, and seeing how he was smiling made one crawl up her own lips.

"I had fun," she says, unsure of how exactly to respond.

"You looked like you did. Your family looked so proud." He asks her, "Are you up for having the fun continue, Clarissa?"

"Of course," she says, and without hesitation, because it was Barcelona, and the B-team coach was just asking her if she wanted to stay after her mind blowing trial. She can't believe she just did that.

"Just the answer I was hoping for. Let's get your presentation scheduled."

***

im aware that im moving the plot on quite fast but it's got its reasons dw guys😭 feel like most of yous could have foreseen me making clarissa a barca player, it just *fits* ngl 🤭

disappointment in dembélé is real btw he's so ungrateful for leaving after everything xavi did for him, can't be surprised though considering how he left dortmund, he has a shitebag reputation, i just thought us fans meant sth to him uno :/

i keep forgetting that i live in such a tiny country like the uk is fucking TINY half the size of the entirety of spain and so end up so shocked that it takes 10 hours to drive from barca to sevilla like wdym it takes 5 hours to drive from glasgow to manchester and that's across 2 countries why so long spain xxxx

im so tired and i start work at 9am tmrw and 1am LOL GN love you all xxx