10.000 Hours | Julian Brandt

15.

Julian POV:

I was fucked. I was so fucked I had no idea how to do this.

Listen, when Liv and I started whatever we started back then none of us thought it would lead us to be here, in the position we are now. I don't regret it and I feel like she doesn't as well, but of course we still need to tell Kai and that's an entire other story.

So here I am in my living room trying to figure out a good way to ask Olivia to be my girlfriend. You see, being 24 years old and have done this before you would expect me to be relaxed about this, but with her is like everything is different, everything needs to be perfect and special.

The plan so far is quite good, we'll start by having dinner in one of her favorite restaurants in Leverkusen, then come back to my place where the outdoor will be decorated and with a television so we can watch her favorite movie, Mamma Mia in it since it's almost summer and the cold isn't as strong as before.

The question should be asked before the movie starts and along it I'll be giving her this bracelet she saw the other day but refused to spend the money, basically, simple but still special and I feel like it's something she would like.

- Julian, stop stressing, she's going to love it. - Jannis, my brother said to me.

- Easy for you to say it - I scoffed at him and he laughed - I don't even know if she's going to say yes

- Of course she will, your birthday proved it. - He shot back at me and I smiled remembering the insane surprise she made me - Your only concern should be how you two are going to tell Kai.

- I have no idea, probably invite him over with Sophia and tell them after dinner - I said - And hope he'll be ok with it.

- Honestly? Soph mentioned once that you two would look cute together and he looked unbothered - Jannis said and I nodded

- Hopefully he'll remember that I'm also his best friend - I said laughing - But before any of this happens, I still need her to say yes.

- Don't worry about it, now, when are you doing this again?

- Saturday, after my game. - I said and he nodded

- You have two days to calm down, so do it. - He said and I nodded agreeing - Fortnite? - He said giving me one of my controllers which I gladly took

- Kai is joining, imagine in the future you guys being in laws - Jannis said and I scoffed at him

- Shut up and focus on the game. 

Olivia POV

- Julian, thank you, thank you, thank you - I said kissing his cheek repeatedly after we left my favorite restaurant

- You're very welcome, now let's go cause after enjoying some french cuisine we still have more to do - He said making a french accent making me laugh at the blonde one 

Julian Brandt is something else. He probably always were I just never stopped to pay attention to it. That was until moving back here. The footballer had something to him, I would never understand how he managed to make everyone around him happy, but I definitely appreciated it, specially since for the past months I've been the one getting the most out of it. 

Julian is special and he makes you feel special. He genuinely cares and will listen to anything you might have to say, from the smallest thing I did in my day to the biggest concern I have for the brand, he's there, ears open, paying attention to it and trying to help even though he has no idea what he's talking about. 

Those are just a few of the little details that made me fall for the boy, he was able to make me fall in love, something I wasn't looking for at all when moving back. 

- Close your eyes, ok? - He said in front of his door and I looked confused - Just do it - He said and I nodded closing my eyes before sensing him guiding me inside the house

- If you let me fall or run into something I'm ending you - I warned hearing his laugh as a response 

- Don't worry, we're here. You can open your eyes now - He said letting go of my hand and I was soon presented with the backyard decorated and with Mamma Mia ready to be played on a giant movie screen he definitely rented for today.

- Julian - I started saying just to be interrupted

- Before you say anything, let me say what I have to say before I forget everything - He said chuckling and I nodded - When I first met you I had no idea we would become friends or even be where we are right now, might I remind you that you weren't my biggest fan - He said and I chuckled feeling my eyes fill with tears 

"When you moved back, I got to see you after the game and that night I actually saw potential in our friendship, for a second, I though we would have something close to what me and Kai have. I didn't start to hang out with you thinking about anything other than friendship, that was until a few months ago. 

I don't want to be your friends with benefit. I don't want to be just your friend. I certainly don't want to be just your brother's best friend. I want to be with you, not having to sneak around Kai's or anyone's back, I want to show how proud I am of you and I want you to know that I'll always be here if you need anything, even if you just need someone to watch Mamma Mia for the millionth tim.

What I wanted to ask is, Liv would you be my girlfriend?" 

- Of course, Jule - I said hugging him while the tears I was keeping in were falling - You made me cry idiot - I laughed seeing him laugh with me 

- Come here loser - He said kissing me and I smiled after we parted - This is for you - He said handing me the bracelet I've seen at Swarovski a few weeks prior 

- You shouldn't have - I said looking at it before he started to put it around my wrist 

- Said the girl who gave me a Rolex - He said ironically 

- Oh shush, so you know... How are we telling Kai? - I said looking at him who shrugged

- Invite over for dinner? - He asked and I nodded - Now, before we go watch the video, let's go change out of this clothes - He said and I looked confused - I picked a few clothes from your apartment, although for now I know you'll only wear my hoodie 

- You're absolutely right, now let's go quickly cause I want to watch the movie - I said pulling my now boyfriend with me 

- What a girlfriend I found - He said ironically and I rolled my eyes 

- Oh shut up and let's go.