Teenage Fever // Jude Bellingham

58

Warm. It was too warm.

I was awake — again. The room was darkened by the blinds being rolled down, so it took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the lack of lightning.

Soft breaths were fanning against my neck, but they weren't unfamiliar. A pair of arms were wrapped around my waist. It was too warm, but i liked it.

I sighed, forcing my eyes back shut when i suddenly felt a weird sensation of the breathing pattern behind me changing into something uncomfortable. The pair of arms drastically tightened around me, slowly robbing me of my ability to breathe.

"What...?" I chocked out, panicking as i started kicking around me, trying to wiggle my way out of the strong hold. "Jude!"

My attempts stayed unsuccessful, but i managed to turn around instead.

My struggling died down, the warmth that should've bring me comfort suddenly caused me to break into a sweat and my face probably went pale when i looked into lighter brown eyes than the darker shade i was used to.

"No, you can't be—"

"Tia, wake up." Jude's soft, but worried voice ripped me out from the dream I hadn't even realized i was dreaming.

My breath was a little quickened, and i felt hot. Jude's hand was on my shoulder, before it was on my cheek as he tried calming me down by stroking it.

I hated being like this. All troubled when he had other things to worry about. It was in the middle of the night, and there was another game coming up he needed to rest for.

"I'm sorry, go back to sleep." I mumbled, laying back down myself as i attempted on getting comfortable in his hotel rooms sheets.

"What? No. Talk to me, please." He pressed, his tired voice making my heart clench from guilt. This honestly wasn't the time for him to be the thoughtful, caring person he was. I wanted him to drop it, but i didn't want to sound ungrateful for his concern either.

"It's fine, i promise. It was just a dream i had about you... not making it through group stage..." i lied, not sure if it was convincing enough though. Considering he was not fully awake though, his expression told me he believed me.

He nodded, laying back down next to me, but not without tugging me closer against him, my chest to his back and his face buried into my neck. He sighed contently, whispering a small 'i love you' into my ear and then slowly but surely drifted back into sleep.

I laid awake for another hour, or two. I couldn't think, but i couldn't sleep either.

The next morning, I was allowed to go grab breakfast with the team again. I don't think any of the staff cared that much anyways, considering there was more than enough food provided by their hotel.

Seen as i had also warmed up to a couple of them, i was gladly welcomed to join them.

"Switching sides?" Trent commented with a amused smile when i sat down next to him, a few different foods gathered on my plate. I looked down at the navy blue nike sweatshirt i was wearing, that also had the three lions on them. It was a random one i found in Jude's room.

We might've drawn spain yesterday, but that didn't mean everything was lost... i hoped.

"No, i'm just cosplaying as staff today." I answered back with a smile, mine more sarcastic though.

"Or as a fan, perhaps? If you want my autograph just say it..." Mason butted into our short-lived conversation, a smirk on his face as he took a sip of orange juice.

"Ha-ha." I replied half heartedly, earning a chuckle from Jude, who sat to my right and had been listening to the whole thing.

I turned and smiled back at him. He still looked tired, and i felt bad. He shouldn't be. Not because of me. I decided then that i should probably sleep in my own hotel tonight. It was for the best. Until then, i should probably enjoy the time i have left with him today, and should quit thinking about everything that happened yesterday...

"Hey, where did you get that?" I used my fork to point at the cut pieces of dragonfruit on his plate. I loved it, but i hadn't seen it when i got my breakfast at the buffet.

He didn't answer, instead he just spun his plate so that i could reach the small cubes of fruit, his expression as unbothered as ever as he used water to wash down the bite of his oatmeal in his mouth before speaking to me. "Here. I got it for you."

"Awe, thanks." I beamed, pressing a chaste kiss on his cheek before using my fork to stab the first piece and bringing it to my mouth. I hummed in approval of the delicious fruit i sadly hadn't had the opportunity to eat often.

"How'd you know i like dragonfruit?" I asked, genuinely interested if he guessed, or actually got it for himself and just acted like he got it for me when i asked, to make me happy. Or if he just knew, who knows.

"You always order drinks with, like," he paused, trying to find a word as he waved around his fork helplessly, "exotic fruit in them whenever we go out. I just figured."

I tilted my head to the side in admiration for him. How come that he was always paying attention to such small, insignificant things? Things that could make me happy though, nonetheless. It was endearing, really.

I put another piece in my mouth, smiling to myself as i chewed.

We both finished breakfast, me taking a little longer since i took my time with the dragonfruit, savouring every piece of it since it now kind of had a special meaning for me. I don't know, i let small things get to my head easily.

I had occasionally fed him a few, both of us engaged in different conversations to other people. His hand was on its usual spot on my thigh.

I hadn't wasted a single though to neither Gio nor Bree the whole time we had been having breakfast. I shut it out, to be able to have a little peace and calmness in my mind.

And i did, surprisingly, for the rest of the day. I watched the guys train for tomorrow's game, and then hung out for a little more with Jude until i decided to head back to my hotel, where me and Khai spontaneously decided to go out.

Clubbing, just us girls. She invited Soph too, which i hadn't had anything against since she seemed really sweet, and fun. I could also use the opportunity to give her back her blazer.

When we got ready in my room, blasting Drake on full volume, i felt relief wash over me. I felt awake again, and i wanted to stop locking myself in this dark place in my mind, where anxiety ruled over me. I needed to get myself out there again.

I simply ignored my problems, future-me would have to deal with it.

Right now, the only thing i had to deal with was what color of lipstick i should put on.