Fake it - Jude Bellingham

Sem's bday bash

Jude's POV

The referee blows his whistle after just over 90 minutes. A draw, which means we're both through to the World Cup. I jump into Trent and Mason's arms, followed by Kylian who is just as happy with France as we are with England.

"Did you see her?" he says in my ear as we embrace each other.
"Just like the national anthems," I say with a small smile. "In the away section," I add, laughing.

"What's your plan tonight?" I hear Mason say behind me when Jack and Trent join us. I look at Kylian who then says "Sem's birthday is coming up at midnight, so we thought we would have a nice drink in a cocktail bar? Are you in?"
"Are you going too Jude?" Jack then asks doubtfully, after which I nod my head yes somewhat nervously. "Contractual obligations," I add with my hand over my mouth.
"Just freshen up and then gather in the hall?" I nod to Mason's question, walk inside with the men and freshen up, after which all four of us get into the arranged taxi to the cocktail bar. Nice detail, the cocktail sky bar where I saw Isabella for the second time, the same bar where Isabella gave me a full drink. How fun.

"Are you nervous?" Mason asks as the rest, who were previously on their phones, all look up, eager for my answer. I shrug my shoulders. "We'll see, but I'm not really looking forward to a confrontation. I just hope it doesn't get awkward."

I don't have long to be nervous, because we have already arrived at the bar.
When we get out we are blinded by all the paparazzi who have followed us again. I really don't understand why they want to do this as a job all day long, it would drive me crazy. Just as crazy as they make me now. With my hand in front of my face, I follow the other three men inside and sigh as I step into the elevator that takes us to the top floor.

The elevator opens and I follow the men back inside. When the door is opened for us, I see the girls standing in the corner, including Isabella. She looks beautiful again. With simple pants and a shirt, but with heels she makes her outfit perfect as it is. Nice and simple, not too exaggerated, but chic.

The girls all turn around when they see Kylian hugging Sem from behind. After the lovebirds it is my turn to congratulate Sem, who gives me a short smile and then whispers in my ear "You really screwed up, but I don't think you're a dick."
I give her a nod of thanks and give Erica (Jack's girlfriend) and Chloe (Mason's girlfriend) a hug. When I let go of Chloe, I look straight into the eyes of Isabella, who looks at me a bit empty, but full of pain, eyes. "Hey" I say softly.

Kylian understands that it will be more awkward if everyone is quiet, so he immediately says "What are we looking forward to?" which makes the whole group understand that they should not focus on us.
"Hey," Isabella says softly. I give her a hug and then whisper in her ear "Glad you came tonight."
"For Kylian and for Sem" she says in my ear.
"I know, but it feels good for me too.. I missed you" I admit.

"Champagne before the countdown" shouts Jack, who is once again far too enthusiastic for drinks.
I turn to the group, accept a glass of champagne, which I then pass to Isabella and then grab a glass for myself.

Isabella walks to Sem, puts an arm around her and starts counting down "10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1" and then a few waiters enter the bar with champagne bottles and fireworks.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" everyone shouts.

After we have all congratulated Sem, we have had a few drinks and I am discussing with Jack about the DJ, I suddenly hear someone calling Isabella her name. When we look back we see Lando Norris wrapping his arms around Isabella. A feeling of jealousy immediately arises and my face is so easy to read. "Behave yourself," I hear Kylian whisper in my ear, who came to our side of the table as well.
"What the fuck is he doing here?" I say to him.
"Apparently they are on winter break and he is in London this weekend."
"How fun" I say, sighing. I pick up my phone and see the new Instagram posts from both Isabella and Kylian in honor of Sem's birthday.