Teenage Fever // Jude Bellingham

46

Monday, 21st of November

"Tiana, how are you honey?" Denise, Jude's mom, exclaimed as she hugged me.

"I'm good! How about you?" I pulled back, receiving one of the warm smiles I've grown to admire so much. She's been nothing but sweet to me ever since Jude introduced me, which I was more than thankful for.

"We're great, thank you." She caressed my arm, before lightly guiding me along to walk next to her. "Come on, Jobe's been asking for you too."

I had to smile at the mention of my boyfriend's younger brother; I would be lying if I said that I hadn't missed him.

He was pretty funny. And I knew he found me funny too. We were just kind of vibing together.

There were a lot of people around, the lounge practically being filled to the brim due to every player's family and friends being here to support them in such a important tournament.

I only got here now, due to the heavy traffic. I was supposed to be here earlier, so that I could've been able to see Jude one last time before the game.

Sadly, the game would already start in about twenty minutes now. Which left me no time to go down to wish him good luck. I texted him, but he hasn't seen it. I was hoping that he wouldn't be thinking too much into it.

"Hey, Mark." I said, Jude's dad looking over his shoulder at his name being called out. He smiled when he saw me, and stood up to give me a small hug as well.

"Tiana. Everything alright?"

"As always." I nodded, making him smile once again before sitting back down.

I passed by him, to reach my seat that was the farthest to the left. It went Mark, Denise, Jobe — who somehow still hadn't noticed me — and then me.

"Excuse me." I spoke up, Jobe not even sparing me a glance as he let me pass. His eyes were glued to his phone. Maybe even his whole head, considering his posture. He was quite literally humped over.

He wore Jude's jersey, just like the rest of us.

I sat down next to him, waiting for him to maybe eventually notice me. I saw Denise shake her head in disbelief, making me giggle. I seriously missed his family.

Jobe finally looked up at the sound of my giggling, his head turning to his right first to look at his mom before eventually turning it left, coming face to face with me.

"Woah, when did you get here?" His face lit up in surprise.

"Dude, not even a hello? How are you?" I said sarcastically, lightly punching him in the shoulder.

"Dude? What are you, American?" He mocked me, laughing as soon as he saw me roll my eyes at his comment. He never missed a opportunity to slander someone.

"What am I supposed to say? Mate?" I scoffed, adjusting my posture so that my body was now facing the pitch, and not him anymore.

"Maybe just shut up." He mumbled, but his mom overheard and slapped his shoulder just as I did previously, causing me to hold back a laugh.

"Haven't you been asking for me?" I asked cockily, while looking at my phone screen; 15:52.

"Nah, dunno what you're talking about." He replied, leaning his temple against his knuckles.

"Whatever you say..." I trailed, sharing a knowing look with Denise, but before I knew it, the game was starting with the players walking out of the tunnel.

My anxiety and anticipation levels were raising within the minute, I didn't even want to know how they felt.

Due to having met most of them yesterday, I actually was able to recognize the whole lineup.