marlita: a cringe way to disguise myself being downbad for footballers

chapter quatro: you played me, so congratulations.

19h42. camp nou. locker room.

walking towards my number, i felt my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn't help but feel nervous and stressed about the upcoming game. but it's just a practice match, a friendly match that is. no fans, no audience, besides friends and family, and a few journalists and cameramen. and although it wasn't a competitive match, I still wanted to perform well and show my skills on the pitch. I clutched my jersey tightly in my hand as I made my way to my assigned locker. as I approached, i could see my barcelona jacket hanging on the hook next to it.

i chose number 11. for no reason in particular, mostly based on my position, i will be playing as a right winger. therefore i found it appropriate. but 11 sounds cool as well, it's not 10 or 7 like messi and ronaldo, but it's nice. in a few years it could probably mean a lot to me, who knows?

jude was sitting on the bench next to my locker, lacing up his boots, before looking up at me. i must have looked terrified, because his gaze softened before he spoke.

"you look like you could use some help." he said getting my boots for me from behind the bench. i realized my hands were shaking when i took the boots from his. he merely steadied them for me and said.

"brit stop, relax. it's a friendly, remember? you'll be alright, we're all in this together." giving me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder, he let go of my hands and took me in his arms. over the past few months, jude and i got to know each other more, and it felt like a sudden connection between us, he is my closest friend on the team, we agree to disagree most of the time, but it just feels so natural whenever i'm around him. sounds pathetic saying i could even consider him as one of my best friends, since we've only known each other for like 10 weeks. but he's like an older brother to me already.

"thank you, really." i smiled in his embrace. his words were comforting, and I felt my shoulders relax a little. but in reality only lolita would be able to fully calm me in this situation. i hope i get to see her before kick off.

just then, i heard a voice echoing through the red and blue locker room. our captain, jack, showed up, walked in zipping up his jacket calling everyone to hurry up. "alright everyone, let's get ready. we've got a game to win. get to the lounge, pep is waiting for everyone to gather outside."

he said scanning the room when he noticed jude and i, clapping his hands together he strode over to us. "bellingham no messing around, get moving."

jude took his jacket off the hook quickly and headed out, but before he left, he gave me a small encouraging smile. "you've got this. i just know you do."

i smiled in return. jack watched us for a moment, his eyes flickering back and forth between me and jude. I couldn't help but notice a hint of jealousy in the way he spoke to jude.

"don't look at me like that. it's nothing." i spoke.

"i didn't say anything." he responded. i moved to unhook my jacket and put it on, my back facing jack. "what was that about though?" he added.

"nothing, just nervous." quickly adjusting the jacket. when i felt jack turn me around.

"don't be." he said, taking both ends of the jacket, and started zipping it up for me. it was a such a simple thing to do, but i couldn't help feeling flushed, as he stood so close to me. "we're all in this together. we've got each other's backs. you won't be alone out there. play your best, but remember, don't wear yourself out. we wouldn't want any injuries. it's just practice." moving his hands from the zipper, just below my chin, unintentionally carressing it, to his pockets, he looked so majestic. (i imagined him in my head and that is the first thing that came to mind FR)