hard feelings - an erling haaland story

ten

Grabbing her hand, he pulled her closer to him, away from the sight of prying eyes, noticing her sporting a 'Grealish 10' shirt. "Buon compleanno, mia bella!" His eyes scanned her up and down, shaking his head in disapproval. "This is not rude, no? You are my visitor and you wear another's name? Amelia, you know better than that." The sight of her wearing his teammate's shirt filling him with jealousy. Though the words spoken presented itself as a joke, they had stemmed from a place of truth. He had found it to be rude.

She perched on her tip toes, barely managing to get her mouth level with his ear. "Do something about it then, Erling. Why don't you take it off me?" The woman whispered, her eyes scanning the people that passed by them, landing on their families watching them from afar causing her to instantly back away from him into the wall, not wanting to get caught in such a close proximity to her childhood best friend. Erling noticed this, not aware as to the reason for her sudden movement, and stepped forwards, keeping their closeness. The air felt suffocating as the woman grew more flustered at the idea of being this close to him, his body almost pressed to hers as their families stood and watched this interaction.

Her sweet perfume filled the air, he fought the urge to kiss her. To claim her as his in front of their family. Although, he was unaware of how close they were to the couple who had been backed into a corner, he knew they were near, hearing his father's booming voice echo through the corridors. He knew if one member of the party of people saw them intertwined with each other, it would be enough to ensure that Amelia would stop seeing Jack, most likely crumbling under the pressure from both families. Erling knew this was a bad idea, however, he wanted her to pick him, not force her into picking him. There was no fun in it for him if he were to eliminate Jack by default.

"I would if we had time available but I shall be warming up soon." He whispered. He watched as she tried to step past him, Erling instantly reacting and stepping in front of her. "Where are you going, kjæreste? Leaving already? I said soon, not now. I'm not needed at warm up for a few minutes yet."

He analysed her face and body language, attempting to understand what her thoughts on the current situation was. Although, this had been a task he had found simple, being able to read her like a book, in their youth. He struggled to place as to if she had wanted to be in his presence in the current moment. He questioned whether this was part of her game, to act completely uninterested from afar but crumble under his touch and presence. He liked that he had that power over her. It had always been their dynamic, Erling leading whilst Amelia blindly followed, knowing that he would never purposely put her in danger or trouble. A dynamic both of them were happy and contented with. Erling liked that despite a massive change in their personalities, they both still fell into old habits when it came to each other.

The sound of footsteps running snapped the both of them out of the weird staring contest they had found themselves in. "Are you the guy that daddy and Uncle Alfie were talking about?" The small voice spoken from behind him. He turned around, walking towards him before crouching down instantly. It was her younger brother, no more than five years old.

"What were my pappa and yours talking about, little man?"

The child ignored the question, looking over at his older sister. "I want to spend time with Lia, you get to spend this much time with my sister." He frowned, holding up seven of his fingers. "Uncle Alfie says you need to stop pretending like you don't have feelings for her. I don't know who her is." He paused, looking over at her and then back at him. Amelia took note that despite being crouched down, he had still been taller than her previous ex. Something she knew she would joke about with her friends. Giovanni once again spoke, eyes squinting at him, almost as though he was trying to intimidate the older Norwegian man. "I don't like you."