Chapter Seventy-Four

In the electrifying atmosphere of the Olympique de Marseille stadium, the group found themselves in one of the VIP boxes, overlooking the expansive football field.

The energy was palpable as fans chanted, waved flags, and wore their team's colours with pride. The anticipation for the UEFA Champions League match between PSG and Marseille FC was almost tangible.

Lola had struck up conversations with the locals earlier in the day and learned about the upcoming match, and had thought it would be a great experience.

So unknown to the rest of the group she had managed to get all of them Vip tickets for the match tonight.

She excitedly shared the news with the group, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Guess what, guys? There's a UEFA Champions League game tonight! PSG versus Marseille FC," she announced, her excitement contagious.

It would be her first time going to such an event so she was of course excited.

Harley's face completely lit up with delight. Without hesitation, she joined the home fans, her face painted in light blue to match the team's colours.

She chanted along with the crowd, even though she had no clue about football. To her, the game resembled a chaotic dance with players running around, and she couldn't figure out why they weren't tackling each other like in American football.

"Pftt, Haha, Harley of course their not tackling each other, this football Is different, In America, it's called Soccer." Ivy corrected Harley's confused train of thought.

"Ohhhhh, that makes more sense, because there kicking a ball with their feet...wait then why do we call it football."

To that, everyone in the surroundings just lifted their arms helplessly, they were as clueless as Harley was.

....

As the match progressed, the stadium buzzed with tension and anticipation. The cheers of the fans, the roars of the crowd, and the pulse of the game created an exhilarating backdrop.

But as the home team began to falter, some fans couldn't contain their frustration. A few tried to breach the barricades and rush onto the pitch, turning the scene into a whirlwind of chaos.

Amidst the madness, Harley's spirit thrived. She joined in the frenzy, cheering, and even screamed, "Finally, my people have appeared!"

Her distinctive voice added a touch of levity to the intense atmosphere. To the rest of the group's exasperation, she disappeared into the mob, embracing the mayhem as if it were an average Tuesday.

Flares lit up the night sky, casting a surreal glow over the stadium. The combination of the passionate fans, the swirling colours, and the intensity of the game created a visual spectacle that was simply unbelievable.

Jayden and the rest of the group watched in awe as the energy surged through the stadium.

After around ten minutes the security managed to calm the surging fans and even kicked and arrested a few fans that took things too far.

When Harley secretly returned, Jayden couldn't help but shake at her enthusiasm. He noticed her mischievous grin and raised an eyebrow. "Harley, what do you have behind your back?" he asked, with a questioning look in his eyes.

Harley's grin widened as she revealed a flare, painted in all sorts of pinks and blues. "Just thought I'd bring a little extra spark to the party," she said with a wink.

Just then one of the security was walking by and Jayden had to grab Harley to sit down, while also hiding the Flare.

Jayden smiled at the security guard and he smiled back before going on his merry way.

"Wow, you saved me Mr Knight, my hero..." Harley said in a Princess-like tone, as she then wrapped her arm's around his neck.

Jayden rolled his eyes and Ivy finally reigned Harley in by pinching her ear.

"Owowowow, Uncle! Uncle! I give in."

.....

As the match continued, the group got caught up in the ebb and flow of emotions, the camaraderie of the fans, and the pulse of the game.

Even though Harley's understanding of football remained questionable, the infectious spirit and the unforgettable chaos of the match would forever be etched in her memories.

.....

Unfortunately, the home team had Lost 4-2, but still, it was a great game.

After the thrilling football match, the group decided to top off their incredible day with an exquisite dining experience at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

With stars twinkling in the night sky above, they savoured each meticulously crafted dish, indulging in flavours that danced on their taste buds.

The aroma of culinary artistry filled the air, and every bite was a symphony of delight. The exquisite food was not only a feast for the senses but also for the eyes as well. Or how The girls liked to put it' Instagram Worthy'.

With satisfied stomachs and content hearts, the group exited the restaurant.

They hopped into a taxi that efficiently brought them back to the SSS Santana in under an hour, the cruise ship standing proudly in the harbour.

But before they headed back to the ship, they couldn't resist the allure of a nearby ice cream stand.

As they lined up, they were discussing which flavours they wanted to get. And finally, it was their turn to order.

Harley opted for a combination of Redbull and butter beer flavours, which wasn't too surprising.

Ivy's choice was a refreshing lemon-lime scoop, while Jayden, with a penchant for classic treats, chose a comforting cookie crumble.

Lola chose a unique flavour of caramel apple, and Selina's choice of Neapolitan and strawberry cheesecake was a fusion of elegance and indulgence.

"Wow, this is bloody amazing, here Jayden try some." Selina said scooping some up on her spoon and feeding him.

The girls seeing this couldn't help but feel a certain way." Me too me too, Jayden try some of mine." Harley said feeding him a mixture of butter beer and Redbull, and it was surprisingly good.

Ivy and Lola also gave him some of there's, and by the end of it, Jayden was being fed spoon after spoon of ice cream.

'Seriously are you girls trying to fatten me up or something.' Jayden thought with mirth as the group headed back to the ship.

Now, back on the SSS Santana, they found themselves on one of the decks, reclining on comfortable loungers.

The night sky stretched above them, a multitude of stars that seemed to hold secrets and knowledge beyond most human comprehension.

They gazed up, allowing the vastness of the universe to remind them of how small yet connected they were to it all.

'The universe really is big isn't it...' Jayden thought.

One day he's living his normal mundane life, and the next he's laying side by side with people he thought were just characters in a comic book.

As the gentle sea breeze whispered its lullaby, the group relished the tranquillity of the moment.

The laughter and excitement of the day had given way to a peaceful stillness.

Amid the quiet beauty of the night, Jayden's voice broke the silence, adding a touch of magic to the moment.

"See that one?" he pointed, a glint of enthusiasm in his eyes. "That's Polaris, the North Star. It's a guiding light, and that one, over there the one...."

One by one, they each pointed to different stars, asking Jayden to name them. He obliged, a warm smile on his lips as he shared the stories behind each twinkling luminary.

The night sky transformed into an arras of stories, connecting the universe...

They laughed, they marvelled.