World Cup Romance

When in Rio

Words couldn't describe how proud I was of my national team making it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. For myself, it was hard not playing and experiencing every moment with Germany. But it was a joy to see them from a different perspective and be there with them.

Nicole and I were in our seats waiting for the teams to leave the tunnel and come out to sing their national anthems. It was one of my favorite parts about the Cup. I loved singing Deutschlandied, with a feeling of conceit in my heart.

"Here they come!" I got up and started to clap as the teams walked out of the tunnel. Mario wasn't starting today. I saw Nicole's eyes scanning the players closely.

"Where's Mario?" she yelled over the crowd.

"Not starting," I shrugged. She looked down and shook her head.

As France started their anthem, I leaned over to Nicole and asked, "Do you like him?"

At first she didn't respond. But her face was red and I nudged her.

"Yes," she said weakly.

Nicole's POV **

In the 13th minute of the game, Toni Kroos took a free kick from the left side of the field, sending it to Mats Hümmels who scored the only goal of the game. Germany was moving on to the semifinals against either Brazil or Columbia.

"What a match," I pulled the lever on my seat and it sent me back into a more relaxed position. My eyes hurt and my stomach was growling for dinner.

"France," Marco sighed and turned the corner into our hotel. "An incredible team. Thank God we pulled it off."

We walked in and started up to our new hotel room to get changed for dinner.

The hotel wasn't as extravagant as it was in Porto Alegre, but it did Marco and I well.

"I invited Mario," Marco told me as he stepped out of the bathroom in bright blue shorts and a white button-down.

"Good, he has explaining to do," I put myself into the bathroom and slipped on a simple teal dress that reached my mid-thigh. I wasn't excited to see Mario, but I needed another apology.

We left the hotel a half an hour later. From our hotel it took five minutes to get to downtown Rio de Janeiro. The restaurant was along the boardwalk on the beach.

Marco clapped twice and got out of the car. Mario was sitting outside at a table with three chairs. They went to greet each other and Marco took a seat across from him. I got out and walked over to Mario to say hello.

"Nicole," Mario got up right away and placed his hands on my arms. "I'm so sorry."

I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to be rude but I didn't want to let him off easy.

"Don't do it again," Marco shot him a stern look.

"I won't," Mario mumbled. "Can we do something this evening?"

Both boys looked at me. I thought about that one for a minute. If I did anything with Mario I needed Marco there with me this time.

"Check your calender first," I told Mario.

"It's empty," he smirked at me.

"I'm down for doing something," I leaned back in my chair. "But, I'm not going without Marco."

This seemed to dampen Mario's attitude. But he nodded.

"Beach?" Marco suggested.

Mario and I both nodded. Hopefully, this night would be better than the last date.

Mario's POV **

All three of us went down to the beach after our long dinner.

I swear- Nicole got prettier every time I saw her. Her dress was beautiful and looked amazing with her long blonde hair.

"Can we go down to the water?" Nicole almost started running to the waterfront. We ran after her.

I dove in underneath her and picked her up. "Let's race Marco!"

I ran with Nicole all the way down to the water. Marco was pushing us and giving himself a lead.

Nicole kicked him everytime he got close.

"Don't kick!" Marco pushed Nicole hard and we both went crashing to the sand.

"No!" I laughed. Nicole was on top of me and I could feel her heart racing with mine.

She looked at me and ran her hands through my hair. It felt realy good.

"This is better than ice skating," she smiled and tugged on my shirt slightly.

"Way better," I whispered.

It was now or never. I pulled her head towards mine and brought her in for a passionate kiss. Her lips tasted like strawberries, and I never wanted to let that taste go.

I looked for Marco and found him playing with the sand by the water. Nicole looked in the same direction.

"He's such a kid," she laughed.

"You should see him in training," I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her up. I carried her the rest of the way down to the beach.

"I'm going to a shop to get water," Marco started to walk past us. "Do you guys want any?"

"Yes," Nicole answered. I nodded as well.

I placed Nicole down and went to the water, which was very warm.

"It feels good," Nicole came over and joined me.

"So uh, I was thinking about something," I kicked seaweed nervously.

"What is it?"

"What happens after Brazil?" I asked Nicole. She looked at me thoughtfully.

"I'll be in Germany," she told me. "Maybe it would work."

I've been thinking about this ever since I went to the team meeting after our first date last week. More than anything I wanted to start a relationship with Nicole. She was a great girl.

"No, I want this to work," I told her, hoping she'd understand what I wanted.

"I want it to work, too," she moved closer to me. "You're honestly perfect, Mario."

"How would we do it?" I asked.

"I'm sure we would find a way, I mean you and Marco still manage to see each other even though you lives miles away," she noted. I nodded at her comment.

"It's just..."

I didn't know how to tell Nicole that I was in love with her. It was almost like love at first sight, I suppose.

The team found out just an hour ago that we would be playing Brazil in the semifinals. If we lost to them, I wouldn't get the chance to tell Nicole how I felt.

I would have to do some serious planning to make this work.