Number Nineteen (Mario Götze/Goetze/Gotze)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A/N

 I made a new cover for the story . . . I absolutely love it and hope you do too! Let me know what you think!

"How does my hair look?" I asked Sarah for the thousandth time. She rolled her eyes.

"Same as it did two minutes ago. Why are you freaking out over this so much? You don't even like her," she complained, referring to Julia.

I shrugged my shoulders. The truth was, I felt insanely insecure because of Julia. She was absolutely stunning, and next to her I looked like a fried fish. I felt like I had to up my game around her.

I wore a white tank top that read into the wild, a light Jean jacket, black skinny jeans with holes in the knees, and my new Adidas superstars.

"What time is it?" I asked, looking back at Sarah from the mirror.

"Quarter before three," she said. I sighed, grabbing my purse.

"I've got to go . . ." I mumbled, heading out to the car.

___

Julia lived in a cute little house on the more country side of town. It was small and white with a red brick wall in the middle, a symmetrical front yard with green bushes and hedges aligning the front, a stone path leading the way from the front yard to the driveway. Her red porsche was parked in it, a BMW golf right behind it. I literally just sat in my car for two minutes, contemplating whether I really had to do this or not.

Finally, I pushed the car door open and made my way to the front door. The doorbell ring was a pleasant little five second tune that made you feel welcome for some reason.

"Hey! I'm so glad you came!" Julia exclaimed as she swung the door open.

"Is that her? Come bring her into the kitchen!" a masculine voice exclaimed.

I followed Julia into a cozy little kitchen, and was immediately in awe of her decor. Instead of regular walls, she had the entire room covered in black and white pictures. There were red frames on the perimeter of the room, with cute quotes written in them. It was gorgeous.

My eyes then fell on a man and a woman who looked about forty or so. The man had rich dark hair to accompany his shining brown eyes, and I could immediately tell he was Julia's father. They looked scarily alike.

Her mother had gorgeous red hair that was cut to crop her face, and she pulled it off like a pro. Her entire family was, unfortunately, flawless.

"It's so nice to finally meet one of Julia's friends!" she said, and extended her arm to greet me. Her husband repeated the gesture, and I couldn't help but notice how kind and welcoming they were.

I sat down at the kitchen table beside Julia, and we began chatting as her mother poured me some tea.

"Wow, you both look so young! My parents would be jealous," I exclaimed truthfully.

My mother was fifty-one years old, a year younger than my father. Their hair was already graying, but their spirits were as young as ever.

Julia and her parents exchanged looks, and I could tell I said something wrong.

"I'm sorry, did I say something?" I asked, sipping my beverage nervously. Julia's father chuckled.

"No, not at all! It's just-- Julia, you haven't told her?"

I looked over at the pretty brunette, who was biting her lip while shaking her head.

"Uh, Lena . . . my parents look younger than yours," she started, " because they are."

I raised my eye brow, looking for clarification.

"I had Julia when I was seventeen," her mother pitched in.

I tried to hide my surprise but I couldn't help it. Her mother had been a teen mom? Poor Julia, it must have been hard growing up. I'm sure money was tight and it was difficult with school and everything.

"That's . . . admirable-- I mean, look how great she turned out. You must be so proud," I said, and I meant it.

Julia's parents beamed.

"Oh, we are. It's the best mistake we ever made. Instead of punishing us for our sin, God gifted us the greatest little girl on Earth."

My heart melted at the way her father looked at her. They were actual family goals. And looking at Julia, so happy and real, all hate I ever felt toward her faded away.

---

A few hours later I stood in a pretty little boutique with Julia, scanning through dresses. She had a date with Mario next week-- she was meeting his parents-- and she wanted to look extra good.

"What about this one?" she asked, pulling out a white floral-patterned fit-and-flare dress. I shook my head.

"No, it's too obvious you're trying to seem prim for his parents," I said truthfully. She looked at it before nodding.

"You're right. I would never wear this otherwise."

We kept looking, and suddenly a gorgeous black romper. It wasn't a dress, but it was so beautiful it made up for it. The fabric was soft to the touch and every detail was stitched perfectly. And most of all, the romper factor was cute and good-girly, perfect to meet the Goetzes.

"Oh my gosh, it's adorable!'' Julia said from beside me, taking it out of my hand.

"Go try it on!" I said, and hurried her to a changing room. It didn't take long for her to come out seconds later. I looked up from my seat and gasped.

It was like she was made for the piece. The shorts fell to the perfect length, the middle matched hers too well, and every curve just went along with it. It was flawless.

"Do you like it?"

She was stunning. She looked like a goddess before me in it, and to look so beautiful in a romper is a skill. Her chocolate brown hair somehow shone against the black instead of dully blending in, her legs looked longer than ever, and her eyes shone brightly.

"Lena?"

I snapped out of my thoughts.

Mario would never let go of someone looking so good.

"I'm sorry Julia . . . I don't know if a romper is the way to go anymore . . ."

Another one of my million lies.

A/N (again):

I am so so so sooo sorry about how late this is. I have been SO stressed lately . . . I got open heart surgery and thinks have been crazy. I HOPE YA LIKED.

Sorry you probably feel bad for Jules now lol.