Escape | Jude Bellingham

12

Elliana woke up to the soft glow of the morning sun filtering through her hotel room curtains. Today was the day she had to leave Germany and return to her hometown in England. The previous night had been filled with heartfelt chatter and hidden feelings between the two and Jude leaving her with a kiss on her forehead was all that stuck in her mind the next day as well.

The Brummie arrived right on time in a taxi as Elliana made her way outside the hotel with her suitcase in hand, he stood there looking impeccably dressed. His clothes fit him perfectly, highlighting his athletic body. Despite his confident appearance, his eyes held a gentleness since he saw Ellie.

"Morning, pretty girl" Jude greeted, his accent as usual wrapping around her like a familiar comfort. He stepped into the room, his presence filling the space with an easy warmth. "Ready to go?"

Elliana, with her Spanish heritage reflected in her dark hair and expressive eyes, nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and fear. She had grown used to Jude's company and the thought of leaving him was harder than she had thought.

Jude moved to her bags, effortlessly lifting them. "I'll take these" he said, his tone gentle yet firm. He always had a way of taking charge without making her feel overshadowed. As they made their way to the car, Ellie couldn't help but think of how much she was going to miss having him stand there with her.

The ride to the airport was mostly quiet. Neither one of them wanted to live in the moment of knowing that they won't be with each other for awhile. "The pictures are releasing today Els" Jude broke the silence. Their recent SKIMS photoshoot hadn't yet released the photos of the two cozy and up on each other. "Yeah, I'm going to brace myself for everything" Ellie sighed.

"I really wish I could do more to stop it, I'm sorry"

"It's okay Jude, It's not your fault"

The cityscape of Germany passed by in a blur, neither of them willing to break the silence again which had had settled between them. Jude stole glances at her, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn't quite voice. Elliana, on the other hand, stared out the window, lost in her own emotions.

When they finally arrived at the airport, Jude helped her with her bags once more. His movements were precise and considerate, a stark contrast to the cocky exterior he often presented. They walked together to the check-in counter, the reality of them separating from each other was now getting more and more real. "Thanks for dropping me Jude" Elliana said her hands in her pockets as she softly looked at the boy.

"Anytime" He said making his way to hug her. The two of them held each other tightly afraid that this was there way of voicing out the feelings they developed slowly for one another. Breaking apart from the hug Elliana turned to look at her Gate, her flight was too soon for her to be having any second thoughts.

She turned back to him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of what was to come. Jude broke the tension, his voice a tender whisper. "Ellie, before you go... there's something I need to say."

Elliana's heart pounded in her chest. Her eyes soft and meeting with his, longing to hear him speak. "What is it, Jude?" It almost sounded like a whisper.

He took a deep breath, his usual swagger momentarily faltering. "I care about you. A lot. More than just a friend," he confessed, his eyes searching hers for any sign of reciprocation. He felt as if he had let go of a weight holding on to him oh so tightly. "I don't know what the future holds, but I needed you to know that."

Elliana felt as if a whole new world got ahold of her, She wanted someone to pinch her to make sure it was all real. Did the Jude Bellingham just confess to her. Just like she deep down wished he would. Her eyes shimmered and her face lit up making Jude sure that he did not make a mistake here. "I care about you too" She said as she noticed how she was much closer to him now.

He leaned in, closing the distance between them, his lips hovering just inches from hers. "Then let's make the most of this goodbye" he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Their lips met in a tender, heartfelt kiss. It was a kiss filled with all the things they had and hadn't said, all the emotions they hadn't dared to express. It was a promise of what could be between the two of them. It was butterflies in Elliana's stomach it was the shivers down Jude's spine as his hand was placed on her face while their lips were pressed on each others.

For that moment, all the fears and uncertainties melted away, leaving only the warmth of their connection. As they pulled back, Ellie rested her forehead against his, her fingers entwined with his.

"Thank you, Jude. For everything," she whispered.

"Thank you, Ellie," he replied, his voice filled with emotion. "For giving me something to believe in."

He brushed a stray hair from her face, his touch lingering. "Then this isn't goodbye Isn't it, We'll find our way" Ellie let out a deep breath with a smile she forced onto her face, now leaving him behind was just more harder for Elliana to handle but the moment, the feelings and everything between them felt good. It felt real.

Elliana turned and walked towards the security gate. Every step away from Jude felt like she was breaking. She glanced back one last time, seeing him standing there, watching her go with a mixture of hope and sadness in his eyes.

As she disappeared through the gate, Jude stood rooted to the spot. He felt the loss very slightly in comparison to how Elliana did, she really opened her heart to this but maybe it was because he held onto the hope that this wasn't the end for them. He really liked this girl and he was not going to lose it.