~𝗠𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿~

21

"...What the hell are you doing here?"

It was the next day and Afya had finally woken up from the deep sleep she'd been having - clearly forgetting who it was that brought her to her bed and why that person was in the same room.

"Good to see you too," Bukayo yawned while grinning. "Sleep well?"

Afya scrunched up her face. "Apparently," she sighed. "Maybe even too well. How did you get here? What are you doing here anyway?"

"You, er, asked me to stay," the boy said sheepishly. "So, um, I did. I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted, I can leave now if-"

Afya firmly shook her head. "It's okay," she said. "I like having company anyway."

She poked his nose with her finger and giggled.

"What?"

"You've got a cute nose," she said, shrugging. "And those dimples, oh my god! Smile."

The request was met with confusion, but then Bukayo eventually did as she asked, resulting in her squealing and now poking his cheeks.

"Awww look at you!" Afya gushed. "You're adorable! Like, the most adorable 19 year old I've ever seen!"

"Aww, look at you!" said Bukayo, mocking the girl's actions and began stiffly poking her face. "It's so soft."

His fingers traced her face delicately, outlining her lips and circling the tip of her nose, which left Afya a jittering mess.

"I was wondering," she said suddenly. "You ever get tired of playing football all the time?"

"I mean, sometimes, but that's why we take breaks. It's a balance of work and play," Bukayo said in response. "What about you? Does it get tiring?"

The girl blew a raspberry dramatically before delivering her answer. "To be fair, it does," she said. "One minute I'm in Lagos recording and editing and writing, the next I'm performing at someone's concert. Then I'm back in Ghana to check up on Dad's family and the house building. And then I'm probably shooting another music video or doing an interview or something. "

Afya shook her head and looked back to the boy she was cuddling with. "It's nowhere near what you guys do though," she remarked. "You train, you play, you discipline yourselves, the cameras are always on you assuming the worst. Doesn't it get stressful?"

"When you put it like that, yeah. But I try and remind myself that I'm not resisting the urge for a McDonald's for no reason. I don't train and work hard for no reason. I do all this because I've been preparing for it my whole life."

Afya smiled."True," she replied. "Remember that time you nearly kicked the ball in my head?"

"Nah, come on, you were the worst goal keeper I've ever seen."

"It was you and your dodgy shooting that did it. I barely walked away alive."

"Okay, but did I actually hit you though?"

Bukayo smirked as Afya huffed in response. "No."

"Exactly. I even gave you a plaster to help!"

"Bukayo Saka, a kiss on my cheek does not count as a plaster."

"Then what about a proper one?"

"After I've brushed my teeth, you barbarian."

Bukayo rolled his eyes and kissed his teeth before finally blurting his awaited question.

"What are we?"

Afya looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"Like, our relationship. I mean we kissed and all, but I just wanted to know if you, well, you know. Felt anything."

"I-I'm not sure," Afya stammered. "My last relationship was horrible for me, I don't know what'Ll happen this time."

"We don't have to be jumping straight into things," Bukayo said reassuringly. "We can take it slow and go at your pace, if that makes you feel better."

"But what about you? What if you want to take things slow and I'm going too fast?"

"Who cares what I want? I just want to make sure you feel comfortable all the time, no matter what."

That comment made Afya smile brightly - had she been a couple shades darker, her blush would definitely have been evident upon her face.

"You've got a nice way of words," she said in response, smiling once more. "It's cute."

"Is there anything about me at all that isn't? I mean, I'm a full package."

"Full package, huh?"

"Mhm."

"Then I guess you can freestyle?"

Bukayo blinked in confusion. "The fuck is that?"

"You know? Rapping but you come up with the lyrics as you speak! It's all in your head."

Bukayo shook his head frantically. "Not a chance," he insisted. "What about you?"

"I mean, I'll try for you."

***

"Okay, jeez!" Bukayo chuckled. "You've got a lot to say in such a short amount of time."

Afya shrugged. "It takes a lot of practice," she replied. "After a while, it just flows."

"Those were some serious bars you had. Not even joking."

"Don't be ridiculous. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to brush my teeth and get on with my day."

"But my toothbrush is in my room!"

"Then get off your arse and go sort yourself out."

"You're so mean."

"Love you too, idiot."