serendipity ≫ mario götze

005

        “I guess we can conclude that München is huge,” Matthias says in German and sips his beer. And let me just say, that it is a huge glass of beer. I grin at them both and I realize that Viktoria is actually a nice girl and not like I expected her to be. She does look like a bimbo, but she isn't one of them. At least that is how she acts towards me.

        “It most definitely is,” I answer back and I finish my drink, not really wanting to have more, as I will most likely have to visit the toilet over 10 times at night if I take another one. The German glasses are huge if you don't mention you want a small drink. It's already past 8 and we have spent our times in a few museums and we went for a walk around the best shopping streets of München. Viktoria told me all the great places where I could find cheap, but awesome items, which was definitely what I was looking for. Matthias explained me about some sporting facilities and that I could still join him for a basketball training if I wanted to. They are kind to me, maybe a little bit too kind.

        “If you'd excuse me,” I say ,”I have to visit the bathroom for a moment.” The pub was filled with people, it was loud and we were happy that we were able to find a place in the first place. People are talking, laughing and having fun. There are even a few dancing on the shitty music I hear in the background. I squeeze myself past them and find my way to the shared bathroom. I really hate shared bathrooms, at least, the ones that have an opening to both the female and male toilet. I am not sure why I really dislike them, but it must have been something from the past.

        Right before I wanted to enter the bathroom, someone started yelling something and I lost track of where I was. I startle and want to go, but walk right into someone. I bounce back but he wraps an arm around me that prevents me from falling down. We stand there for a few small moments, I'm still into thoughts and I'm unsure where to look or what to say. I inhale his cologne – and really it smells great, it's definitely a smell I want to smell again. Or does that sound creepy?

        I stable myself and he lets his hands go off my back and this is the moment I look up to his face. It's him. What is he doing here? What am I doing here? I step back and without saying anything I walk past him right into the bathrooms.

        He is there again. I think he is waiting for me. I feel my social anxiety playing up and I try to act as normal as possible. I mean, we have shared some intimate seconds together back on the soccer field. He must surely remember those, why else is he waiting there? I breathe in deeply and walk up to him.

        “Hey,” I say, thinking that my accent is way too American, “I'm sorry for that, I guess the yelling just startled me.” He looks at me, his dark eyes examining me. At least, that's how it feels.

        “It's totally fine, could happen to anyone,” he asks in a very German accent, it is even worse than Matthias speaking German and I giggle a little bit, “You're American?” He probably did forget that I was there on the field.

        “Yeah, I am,” I say. I get a little nervous because he stepped a bit closer, because it was probably easier talking to me, “I saw you play yesterday.” I didn't know why I said that. I definitely should not have said that.

        “I know,” he smirks, “I'd been hoping to see you around sometime again.”

        “You did?” I ask, surprised. I can't lie, because I had been hoping to see him as well, but definitely not like this. Way too awkward. He nods and I feel like he is a bit nervous and so am I, and in nervous situations like this, I'd rather just get away from it, “I guess I should go, my friends are waiting for me.”

        “Right, yes...eh...nice to meet you...” he says, assuming I would now say my name.

        “Lilly,” I say.

        “Nice to meet you, Lilly,” he says and extends his hand, “I'm Mario.” I smile and then walk away. It wasn't my intention to walk away, because I'd rather learn more about him, but I couldn't. Matthias and Viktoria were having a deep conversation and with my head as red as a tomato I sit down again.

        “That took you some time,” Viktoria said, “You missed the whole fight.”

        “I'm glad I missed that,” I sigh, “I did run into someone.” Matthias' eyebrows raised.

        “Do tell,” he says.

        “Not so much to tell, I saw him at the game yesterday and I accidentally ran into him here,” I say and I sip the drink they ordered for me. I strictly said they didn't have to do that, but now that it's there in front of me, it's too tempting to not drink.

        “Who is it?” Viktoria asks and she looks around her, a little cautiously.

        “Don't look around like that,” I hiss at her and glare over the people whether I can spot Mario. He isn't too tall. Neither am I, so that would make a nice match. I'm overthinking, “I don't see him right now, he might be already gone.”

        “I doubt that,” I hear someone say behind me. My eyes widen and I see Viktoria and Matthias, who are both grinning widely, looking at me. I turn around and there he is again. Mario.

        “Ehm...hi,” I stumble, I think my voice is trembling. He takes the empty chair next to me and sits down. “So you're not gone yet?”

        “I am not as you can see,” he says and I see Matthias and Viktoria making signs and they stand up and walk up to the bar. I glare at them, knowing what is their plan, but I'm too nervous to make a conversation with a guy this handsome. Plus he is German, his English might not be as good, and my German isn't as good either. I look at them with pleading eyes, but they giggle and walk off. I look back at Mario who is now sipping a beer and I only wonder where he got that one from.

        “I think you should go out on a date with me,” he suddenly says after a minute of silence.

        “You think I should go out on a date with you...?” I ask.

        “I do,” he says.

        “I don't know you, you don't know me...,” I say, “why do you think this is a good idea?”

        “I suppose you could see it as a blind date, however we have already seen each other,” he says, smirking at me. I must admit, I'm definitely not a person to go out like that, but I think that moving to Germany was something I wouldn't have done before and maybe it's time to try something new. Besides, Mario is absolutely adorable. “We could get to know each other better like that,” he says this time to persuade me. “I suppose I could go out with you.”

        “Really?” he questions not realizing that I actually really said yes.

        “Yes really,” I say smiling, not sure what I'm doing right now. I haven't been on a date in forever plus I barely know this Mario guy. I think I could find a bunch of information about him on the internet, but who does that. I'm not one of the people that do that before a date.

        “How about I pick you up tomorrow at 6?” Mario says. He seems to be glowing and a little excited too. He is still gorgeous and it makes me a little fuzzy from the inside. I nod, approving of his offer and I write down my home information on a piece of paper I fish from my bag. I also scribble my phone number underneath it, not sure if he wants it, but what if he does.

        “I'll see you tomorrow at 6?” he says.

         “I guess you will,” I say to him.