Haphazardly | leon goretzka

Forty-Two: World Cup Final 2018

TWO MONTHS LATER

"I can't believe you're a Bayern player now!" An exuberant Joshua bopped Leon on top of the head. It had been a sentence the newly-signed Bayern boy had been hearing every day for the past two weeks from his best friend. Joshua couldn't wait for Leon to move to Munich when the World Cup was over; the two of them were even planning on living together in Joshua's house until Leon found a place of his own.

The Bayern 'veteran' told him it would be like a sleepover everyday, and that he was the happiest he had been in a long time; however, Leon thought Germany winning the World Cup would overtake the number one spot in Joshua's heart soon enough.

Leon peered out the window, headphones sat upon his ears listening to the newish Drake album. He was attempting to get into the zone for the World Cup Final taking place against Spain later today, but he was having a hard time doing so because Joshua was constantly talking his ear off about unnecessary things.

"Hey Leon," Joshua tapped on his shoulder for what seemed like the millionth time that day. "Do you know that male polar bears can weigh more than 1,500 pounds but are only 2 pounds when they are born? Isn't that nuts?" He grinned happily, flipping through an English animal encyclopedia he had bought in a random bookstore in St. Petersburg.

"Yes, it's absolutely fascinating, Kimmie," Leon spoke monotonically whilst putting his headphones back on.

"Wanna know something even better than my cool animal facts?"

"And what would that be, Jo?"

"Emilia's coming to the match today," Joshua tried to hold back his smile, but failed miserably. He was just so excited to see his friend, and was watching Leon closely to see his reaction as well.

Unsurprisingly to Joshua, as soon as he mentioned the name, Emilia, Leon's eyes were on him. The curly-headed boy rubbed his hands together nervously before asking, "Are you serious? She's going to be here today?"

"Isn't that what I said?" The German right-back challenged, folding his arms across his chest.

"Holy shit," Leon put his face in his hands, unsure of what to feel. He was still so into Emilia, but wasn't sure if he was ready to meet with her for the first time since their breakup.

"Is something wrong, Le-Le?" Joshua said with a smile, knowing fully aware of what he was doing; he just hoped it wouldn't cause Leon to be distracted during the match.

"No, no," He ran a hand through his curly locks. "I'm more nervous now, though. If I get the opportunity to play today, and if I score, I'm dedicating my goal to Emilia. Then she'll know that I'm still serious about us, and―"

"―And that you fucked up, but you're sorry for it. Don't worry Leon, everyone knows of your mistake," Joshua patted his friend on the back reassuringly. "Don't let the Emilia situation distract you from the match though; she'll be more impressed with a winner than a loser," He winked at Leon jokingly.

Leon pushed his headphones back on, leaning his head against the window. If winning the match meant winning Emilia over again, he would do anything in his power tonight to get the World Cup trophy and his girl.

∞

"So, let's go out there and become repeating champions!" Joachim Löw exclaimed, trying to pump up his squad before the match started momentarily.

With that, the starting eleven rushed onto the pitch. Leon sat down on the bench, admiring the scene in front of him. He couldn't believe that he was here, in this moment; part of a World Cup squad. And luckily for him, no matter the outcome of the match, he was at least guaranteed a silver medal. He didn't want second place however; he wanted to hoist that trophy over his head and make the world aware of his team, of him. He was out to prove that Leon Goretzka could be a monster on the pitch, and he was coming for them this year. This would be his year.