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"We have to meet in the quarter-finals."
That was an absurd addition on their ever-random topics, the ongoing face-time have to be stained by the blond.
The room was dark, there was no light but one emanating from the phone's screen, though only reached to the depth of Jude's face, capturing his freezing expression.
In an instant, Jude knew what was Erling meant, but in reality he pretended as not. "Our team?"
The upcoming match against Mexico was his mind all about —and it felt like forever, he never thought of playing a game that he will lose, there was never a thought of losing. But as if not wanting the few steps ahead, or overthinking the future, that he was taken by the big things so wholly, he forgot to acknowledge the small rewards.
"You and your mates." Erling broke his face to a smug smile, also the silence that consumed them, no, one only on Jude's side.
Oh of course Jude would be thrilled to see Erling again, on the same field! Terrific! But now he couldn't even come up with simple answer to the same person. It had always been simple.
Felt of a dead end, he pulled that infectious smile, strings of gentle air brushed out of his norstrils. Then folded his lips inside, his tongue to lick, and moisten the dryness of the conversation. As eyes trying to escape to another directions. He and his animatedly 100 faces. There was only implied expression but no verbal comfirmation.
Why he was being like this now, why he was so hesitant? Playing with words, just because Erling tested his confidence for playing against the host.
Or there was something unknown, yet to be unveiled, that Jude was unable to share the hint to his current teammates, but possible to his old friend.
"Is that a yes?"
"Was it a question?!"
"No!" , "A proposal!"
Then Jude became jolly again, if that was too difficult for him to stop looking awkward, to be shaken out of his nervousness. Both laughed.
In a second their laughter was gone, and the other noise was absent.
"I really miss you."
"Yeah it's been quite some time." Erling with his bit raspy phone-voice.
The words, the banter, just flew naturally. Jude had always been honest, if not too sincere. And Erling, he always got it.
The two men's gaze was as straight as an arrow, matching their blank expression. They made a noticeable pause as if there was a moment of connection issues.
"So, we'll see each other again. I promise."
Jude didn't think of how he should look like when he said it, but he must have looked determined, his impassive face grew firmer.
That giggles of a highschooler, Erling did it again. His cheeks bloomed fully, "okay!"
"But you will have your match first!"
"I know, I'll wait for you on the finish line."