I NEED YOU||Jude Bellingham

011.

MARTYNA

What on earth was I thinking when I agreed to come to LA? This morning, Iris arrived, mind you, I barely know her. We've chatted a bit, but all I really know is that her boyfriend is Trent, Jude's friend. As we're sipping our coffee, we concoct this grand plan to go hiking and get a close up view of the Hollywood sign. Hiking? Really? With my iron levels practically begging for a nap? Oh my gosh.

Before I can even voice my concerns or the vague notion of sanity, we're already piling into the car. Wait, what just happened? To top it all off, this vacation means I'll be seeing Jude nearly every single day. Hmm. And then, after LA, we're all off to Miami. Yeah, fun in the sun, but honestly, I'm not sure I'm up for that. My heart is leaning toward a trip to Saudi Arabia and the tranquil waters of the Red Sea where my family is soaking up the sun. How did this whirlwind happen? One minute I'm planning a relaxing getaway, and the next, I'm hiking up hills while my iron levels are wailing for mercy.

It was supposed to be a simple hike,a breezy stroll to the Hollywood sign, a slice of adventure to break our routine. But after what felt like an eternity, and maybe three kilometers into the trek, I was convinced my body was about to call it quits.

"Can we please stop?"

I gasped, my desperate plea getting swallowed by the rustling leaves that sang nature's cruel song of perseverance.

Alya rolled her eyes, hair whipping back like a cape.

"C'mon, don't be so dramatic!"

She chided, bouncing on her toes like an over-energized rabbit.

But honestly? I felt like a zombie marooned in the desert. Just when I thought my legs might fold under me, I spotted a rock that looked perfectly inviting. It was my salvation. I plopped down, gasping for air like I'd just run a marathon,okay, not that dramatic, but close enough.

"Guys, you should go ahead. I'll catch up later."

Their enthusiasm was an unquenchable wildfire, and without so much as a glance back, they continued their journey, leaving me to wrestle with my self-inflicted misery.
"Why on earth did I think this was a good idea?" I muttered, staring at the trees as if they held the answers to my life's biggest, most worthy questions.

Then, a low chuckle broke my trance.

"Low iron, huh?"

I whipped around, only to find Jude emerging from between the trees, his smirk both infuriating and somehow disarming.

"Oh, Jude... you scared me,why aren't you walking with them?"

I tried to sound casual, but my voice betrayed me.

His eyes sparkled with that unmistakable mischief that made my heart race, even if most of that was probably fatigue.

"What kind of man would I be if I left a damsel in distress all alone out here? Besides, I'm tired too."

"One wrong step, and I could end up nursing a twisted ankle, or worse."

I couldn't help but smile, he really wasn't that bad after all. Jude settled on the rock beside me, and surprisingly, our conversation flowed like a gentle stream, devoid of the usual sarcastic barbs that normally punctuated our encounters.

"So... are you joining us in Miami?"

He asked, casually leaning back, arms folded behind his head like some rom-com heartthrob.

I shrugged, the thought of Miami making weariness wash over me.

"Honestly, I don't know. I've been there way too many times already. Not sure I can find a good reason to go again."