Finding Love Again

Chapter 7

I woke up by the sound of my alarm and saw it was half past 6.
I quickly dressed in my training outfit and stepped into the cold morning air. I started the music on my ipod and went for my morning run. Again I enjoyed the great landscape.
I returned after half an hour.
'You were up early.' Lee's deep voice said. I turned around and saw a very sleepy Lee with his morning coffee.
'Morning.' I said smiling. 'Do you want me to make breakfast for you too? Then you have time to wake up.'
'That would be great, thanks.'
'No problem.' I said smiling.
I quickly changed in blue jeans and a black shirt.
Then I baked some bacon and eggs.
I heard a knock on my door.
'Come in' I replied.
Lee came in, looking a bit more awake now. I handed him some bacon and eggs. 'Want some coffee too?'
He shortly nodded.
I poored coffee in to mugs and sat at the table.
'So, not a morning person?' I asked grinning.
'Well, actually I am, I just had a short night, I started reading a book at 10 p.m. and before I knew it was 2 a.m.'
Lee said. I chuckled.
'I have that too sometimes.' I said grinning.
He was grinning now too.
We ate our breakfast quickly and went outside to get our make up and costums done.

Amy and I waited for Orlando and Lee because we were done first, again.
Amy and I would start with the company. Amy would already be with Bilbo, after she escaped from Mirkwood. And I would enter after Kili and Fili.
I waited for my turn.
'You know your script Jeanine?' Peter asked. I nod. I must admit I was a bit nervous.
I knocked on the door. Martin opened, looking stressed. Without showing any emotion I bowed and said: 'Lavaneth, at your service.'
'Bilbo Baggins at yours' Bilbo replied.
I entered, put my sword, bow and daggers in a corner and sit beside Fili at the table, serving myself some food.
'Another elf? What on middle-earth is she doing here.' Dwalin said grumpily.
'I came here because Thorin told me so.' I said, shutting him up.
I observed Amy, or Leriella carefully, because I knew she was Thranduil's daughter, but I didn't say anything. Leriella was getting nervous under my stare, so I watched the others enter, without paying much attentions for the conversations.
When everyone had arrived, we started to eat and I started to talk with Kili, Fili and Balin.
When dinner was over, they started to sing and throw everything and I watched them amused. I was an elf so I didn't join in, I wanted to though.
We replayed the scene a few more times and then we were done for today. It was 5 p.m. so I walked to my trailer and dressed in my training outfit and walked to the little soccerfield, and I started to practise my penalties. After practising my penalties I started to shoot against the wall behind the field, in this way I was able to practise my passes, since my teammates weren't here yet.
I kept practising and lost track of time.
Suddenly I noticed a man on the sideline. It was Lee. I smiled a little, how long had he been watching?
I picked up the ball and walked to him.
'Hi, what are you doing here?' I asked.
'I was watching you practising, and I was wondering if you wanted to eat something, for I noticed you hadn't been in your trailer for dinner, and it's already 8 p.m.'

'8 p.m. already?' It was only now I realised how hungry I was. 'I really lost track of time' I grin.
I get a warm and safe feeling inside, a feeling I haven't had in a very long time. He was looking after me. I only wondered why.

I walked back to the trailer with Lee.

'I still have some food left, I can warm it for you if you like.'

'That would be amazing, but I'll change first.' I said with a smile.

'Alright, come to my trailer in 10 minutes.' He said as he smiled back.

I quickly changed in black jeans and dark green shirt and walked to Lee's trailer and knocked.

'Come in!' He yelled.

I opened the door and the smell of lasagne overwhelmed me. Hmm lasagne, one of my favourite dishes. I saw Lee standing in the kitchen. 'I am just finished' He said smiling.

'Thanks a lot!' I replied, hugging him quickly, he blushed a little, which I found adorable.

I ate my lasagne while talking to Lee.

'How is California? I have never been there before.' I asked.

'California is amazing, I really like it there. You should come after the hobbit, you can stay with me if you like.'

'That would be really nice, I missed America so much.' I said smiling.

'I thought you wouldn't miss it, for you haven't had a great time there.'

'Well, actually I had, the year I had there with my parents was wonderful, and even though the orphanage was horrible, I really liked Kentucky. I like the nature and I loved the ranch I always went to if I got the chance. And the team I played in was also amazing. They always were nice to me even though I gave them a hard time.'

He nodded. 'I understand. But what do you mean by giving them a hard time?' He asked.

I sighed, I wasn't really planning to tell this. Why do I always tell to much? 

'After the accident I got kind of depressed, I didn't care about anything anymore. I got myself in loads of trouble. I fought a lot and got the most punishment of the whole orphanage. I became a real rebel and pretended to be emotionless. But the team was always there for me, including Axel, another dutch boy that moved to America. He is also playing for the dutch team now. He has been my best friend since I was 13. He was the only one who really knew me.

When I was 15 years old I decided I had to go on, that I had to make my parents proud, so I trained harder than ever and when Axel and I were 17 we got selected for the dutch youth- team. But because they had a shortage of players in the regular team we got to play with them when we were 18.

During al those years I had my ups and downs, and my teammates were always there for me, and I am forever grateful. That's a part of the reason why I love soccer so much.'

I looked at my hands. Why did I tell him this? What was wrong with me? I only knew him for a few days.

He suddenly put a hand on my hands and looked at me compassionately. 

'If you ever feel down or something, you can always come to me'

'Thank you.' I smiled a little, followed by a yawn.

'You should get some sleep, it's 10 p.m. already, and I think you will be running again tomorrow morning'

I nodded smiling. I walked to the door, Lee following me.

'I really enjoyed having dinner with you, thanks' he said.

'You did? But I was only being dramatic again.' I said looking down sighing.

He put a hand under my chin, forcing me to look up. 

'You weren't, and I am glad you told me' I blushed. I stared into his eyes for a moment, they looked so compassionate, I knew I could trust him.

'Okay, but next time we will talk about you.' I said smiling.

'That will be boring, I am not very interesting.'

'I think you are.' I said, blushing a little, making him blush even more.

'Goodnight Lee' I smiled.

'Goodnight Jeanine.' He replied smiling.

I quickly walked to my trailer and turned the shower on.

By the time I lay in my bed it was half past 10, I had been quick.

I snuggled into the blankets with a warm feeling inside, which I hadn't had for a long time. 

And I drifted off in a peaceful sleep.