serendipity ≫ mario götze

003

        Perhaps it should have occurred to me that, when I climbed into the passenger's seat of Matthias' car, that something life changing could happen this night. There I am, sitting in an old car that would possibly be too small if any more friends of Matthias would enter. There is this girl, whose name I already forgot. She has blonde hair and she is apparently crazy about soccer as she is wearing all kinds of merchandise – just for the record, everyone in the car is wearing soccer-related items, but me. There are these two guys, both extremely attractive and I am sandwiched between them. I have no clue where we are going, neither do I know what any of them are saying, as they are talking in German and I can only follow half. Maybe I could follow more if they would talk a tad slower. But they seem to be excited.

        “So, Lilly, wasn't it? Are you looking forward to see them play?” the guy on my left asks me. I raise my shoulders. His accent is even worse than Matthias' and I think it sounds adorable.

        “I guess, I'm not even sure where we are going,” I say and look at him. He chuckles and throws an arm around me, which I think is a bit odd, but I don't say anything about it. He takes of his scarf and gives it to me.

        “Here have this, now it looks like you're a Bayern München fan as well,” he says and wraps it around my neck. It feels fuzzy and it itches a little, but I appreciate the gesture.

        “Thanks, now I feel like I belong too,” I say smiling and feel a bit awkward sitting next to him, “What was your name again?”

        “Andreas,” he says, “And I didn't say my name yet, the guy on your right there, that is Lars.”

        “Hi Lars,” I say and I look to the other side of me, but he seems to be somewhat shy and he just nods his head to my direction and continues looking through the window, “What was her name again?” I whisper towards Andreas.

        “Viktoria,” he whispers and looks at her conversing with Matthias, “But I honestly don't really know her. I think Matthias and her have something going on.” I look at the two and I do think Viktoria is flirting with him, but I can't tell whether he is interested in her as well.

        “I don't really know Matthias for that long, I have known him for about a day now, so I can't actually tell, but now that I know, I'll probably keep an eye on her,” I say grinning. He smirks back at me and then he decides to look through the window again and I keep my head straight and look at the road in ahead of us.

        It didn't take too long before we reached the parking lot of the stadium, which was extremely big and that I didn't expect at all. We were probably way too early because I eavesdropped Matthias and Viktoria and I heard them saying something about the game starting at around 8 and it was only 6. I turn to Andreas and I see that he is unbelting his seatbelt and gets out of the car. I raise my eyebrow and follow everyone out of the car.

        “We are here way too early, was that the idea?” I ask Andreas, who seems to be the only one willing to talk to me.

        “Yeah, we want to be on time, and I guess Viktoria here wants to score some autographs,” Andreas says, winking towards Viktoria. She is definitely flirting with Matthias, I notice right now. It doesn't even look like normally talking anymore. She is leaning towards him and every time he says something she bursts out in (probably fake) laughter and touches his chest or his shoulder.

        “Sounds...eh...fascinating, I guess,” I say as I follow the group. Lars is still quiet and he fishes his phone from his pocket and seems to be texting someone. I ignore him and walk next to Andreas, who has switched to German a few seconds ago and I quickly lose my interest and my concentration.

        We quickly move through the gates where some people take our tickets and appoint us that we have to sit on the places that are written on the tickets. I obviously know that already and find my place sandwiched between the new soon-to-be lovers and offer to trade places with Viktoria so that I'm sitting next to Andreas. I stuff the bag between my legs and I see that it's slowly starting to get busier, even though it's still a few hours before the game. Viktoria and Matthias get up and so do Matthias and Lars.

        “Going to get autographs?” I ask them. They nod. I'm still not sure how they plan to do so. Break into the changing rooms of the team? Wait for them to get into the building? I have no clue, but I just let them do their thing. I was just gonna be waiting here and maybe do some drawing.

        “You can come with us, if you want?” Lars says and it surprises me that his voice is so soft. I shake my head.

        “It's fine, I could watch the bags, so you don't have to carry them along,” I say and smile.

        “Thanks, I'll make sure to bring some,” Viktoria says. Right. Sure. Whatever. They first have to get in contact with those people. The four friends stumble down the stairs and I sigh. First I take a look at my phone and then I try to see into the distance and try to find them. I see some soccer players on the field now. Some are practicing but there are also some that are talking to some fans. I don't know if this is normal, or just happens today, or just because Viktoria is dressed rather skimpy. She is wearing a soccer shirt and she lets it sign by a couple of guys she waves at. They can't resist her tight shirt and hot pants. Neither can Matthias, I really thought he'd be into something else, someone that looks a little smarter. His hand is resting on her lower back and you would almost think they're a couple. Lars and Andreas are just standing there, a little hesitant, maybe scared to even talk to them. I'm not sure if this is Bayern München or the team they will play against. Are they training before the game?

        A few moments later, I find myself sketching some of the outlines of the goalkeeper of one of the teams. Another player is trying to get the ball in the goal, but the keeper is just a little too good. Luckily our seats were fairly close to the field, so it was easy to see. I glare in the distance and see that both Lars and Andreas have situated themselves somewhere else. Viktoria and Matthias are still talking to one football player and I get my concentration back to this drawing I'll most likely never finish. I start to get bored and wonder why I ever said yes to going here. I make eye contact with Matthias and he sprints over to me.

        “Are you entertained?” he asks, and I hope he is sarcastic.

        “Not all,” I say, “I'm really sorry, but I don't know all of you that well, and I don't want to burst into some friend circle and all.”

        “I invited you so that you could invade into our friend circle,” he says, “You're awesome.” I blush.

        “Thanks, I suppose,” I say, “Let me come to you all, because sitting here in the loneliness isn't too much fun either.” Matthias agrees and he takes Viktoria's bag off the chair and leaves the coats hanging on the chair.

        “When is the game starting?” I ask him when we walk down the stairs.

        “They are going to do some training soon and then I guess about 30 minutes later,” he says and he puts his hand on my shoulder, “Don't be afraid, okay?” I shake my head and try to get my social mindset on.

        “Hey Lilly, decided to show your face,” Andreas says when we reach them. Lars is making some photos.

        “Of course, I mean, I thought it wasn't going to take too long, but apparently it was going to take longer than anticipated,” I say and I look down. I wonder why I'm feeling so shy at the moment. I'm usually way more social. Maybe I am just tired.

        Sitting on another chair, I look at the field and I notice some of the players staring at Viktoria. Most of them were adorably cute. Like really cute. Not even American cute, but the German kind of cute. I stare at them and they definitely don't seem to notice me, but one of them does. I look at him, he looks at me. We share a few 'intimate' seconds together and then he looks away again. I try to read the name on the back of his shirt, but he doesn't seem to be wearing one just yet. Maybe later. When he's playing the real game.