My Love Journey's
Watching The Game

Week pass.

A few days ago was the last time I met Paul when he took me to dinner. Despite all the truly amazing times we had, I started to ignore them. I didn't answer his phone or return his message.

I hate to do it, but as much as I can try to survive. Our closeness was already far beyond what we should have been, considering we were just dating and there was nothing serious about it. Also, recently there have been many articles about us popping up, saying that my presence on his side might interfere with his concentration in training ahead of the World Cup.

That day, as soon as I got home after we had dinner, a photo showing her guiding supermodel Stefanie Giesinger to her car, started circulating. And the media is crazy for that.

The photo was apparently taken the day before we had dinner, and he specifically sent me a message and said he was eager to see me after their match against Iceland, which Germany won, thankfully, but I can understand that he is too tired to go back to Germany. So, I told him that I had no problem with the photo and he had to rest ahead of the next game.

He's been lying to me, and playing around with a beautiful woman out there. Honestly, I was upset that I kept thinking about it, and there was nothing I could do about it. I realized it was all my fault for having such strong feelings for her. I mean, how can a man like Paul be satisfied with a woman like me? There's no way, dude!

Even the title of the article about her and the super model made me even more hurt.

I don't need this kind of excessive drama, being in the public spotlight after getting to know Paul alone is hard enough. Almost every day, people on the street, in cafes, restaurants, hospitals, even my own neighbors without feeling hesitant to take pictures of me with their cell phone cameras!

I really no longer have a private space in a public place, and why would he have to make a statement about our relationship to the public if we ended up having fun with his model and embarrassed me?

***

His name appeared on my phone screen but I did not answer his call. Germany played Colombia today, and I know he was eager to explain the picture before the start of the game.

I tried so hard to try to take my mind off all the things that were related to Paul, but it was impossible. He's a star that shines brightly all over Germany, people keep talking about him, discussing his personal life and everything. And what's worse than me is, I'm still wearing his jacket in my sleep because... Damnit damnit! That stuff makes me comfortable.

I flipped the screen of my phone and smiled at Travis. "I'm sorry, ignore that" I said to him, shaking my head to get rid of everything about Paul.

Travis returned my smile, sipping his coffee across from me. He joined me at the cafe for coffee during the afternoon break. "No problem. By the way, are you going to watch today's game in the stadium?" ask Travis.

I shook my head, didn't want Travis to know about my relationship with Paul and I haven't told anyone. "No. I'm watching at home." I reply. "What about you?"

"Same. Can I join you?"

I was silent for a moment, hesitating. Travis and I have never done anything more than friends before. Then I thought it might not hurt if we watched together. "Okay." I muttered in the end. "You can accompany me screaming in front of the TV."

Travis chuckles. "I didn't know you were so interested in football."

"Eh, no. I don't even know the slightest bit about it. I just hope Germany can win at the World Cup." I said explaining then lowered my head staring at my coffee glass.

"Wow, love country, huh? I love the idea." her smile turned into a little grin. "I think we have the greatest chance of winning, but I also support France."

I looked around the cafe. Luckily today we got a rather hidden table, away from the window, which was, which means there is no chance for anyone else to take a sneak photo from the outside like the three teenage boys did before. I'm not so sure about the two women sitting a few feet away from our table, I feel like they both glanced at me whenever they thought I was busy doing something. Maybe they noticed Travis, they were interested in him, but it's also possible that they recognized me.

Despite all those possibilities, I felt somewhat uncomfortable, and paranoid. I don't want people to call me a woman who only warms Paul's bed for a few weeks.

I would like to tell Travis that the German national team coach is also worried that France will win, but I immediately abandoned that intention. I can't stop thinking about Paul, and wonder why I'm so bothered by this.

A few minutes later, Travis and I went back to the hospital. Our relationship seems to be improving and coming back as before. She continued to do her job as a doctor while I entered the nursing class, instead of following Dr. Grey visits patients. I sat down next to one of my friends and pulled my laptop out of my bag, getting ready for class today.

***

Travis and I headed straight to my house after our working hours were over. While chatting casually, I pulled out a bottle of wine and some snacks as she sat on the sofa. Then I joined him, kept a little distance from him and turned on the TV.

"What's going on?" I asked, looking up at the TV showing tonight's game.

Travis grinned. "He? The game is just about to start.they're talking about tactics and stuff."

To be honest, I'm not too comfortable sitting together with Travis like this, it feels different when I spend time with Paul. I'm desperate, and I think Paul feels the same way. Or didn't? Uh.

I saw Paul's face appear on the screen, accompanied by some sort of information written in percentages next to his picture.

From: Paul: Don't silence me, Bianka. I know you saw that picture. Can we just be mature and talk about this?

I read the message he just sent. I didn't reply to the previous message but I guess I need to reply to this one because it looks like he's so agitated.

Paul: There is nothing we need to talk about and nothing serious between us. Good luck for the game.

From: Paul: You watching?

To: Paul: Yes.

From: Paul: Can we talk after the game is over? We really need to discuss this matter, I'm tired of you constantly ignoring me.

I didn't return the message again, and put down my phone after realizing that Travis was watching me.

"Paul?" ask her, and I sighed.

"Yes, sorry. He wants to talk to me after the game is over." I replied.

"Ah, I understand. But we can't watch until the end" he reminded me. "We have to go back to the hospital during the first half break."

I grimaced, pretending to be upset. "Does that mean we can't drink wine?"

Travis laughs. "Yup."

I groaned in my heart, then grabbed my phone, opened Twitter and took a picture of the television along with a table on which there was wine and some snacks.

I wrote 'Go Germany's 'More' as a caption.

"You know, the first game really doesn't really matter. Everything will feel more thrilling when entering the preliminary round and some countries will start to be eliminated." murmured Travis. I looked over and saw that he also posted a photo on Twitter.

Before I could put the phone to the table, it shook as if it was going berserk when the notification suddenly burst forth. I rarely update anything on my social media, but I think now is the right time. Until, of course, I realized that I couldn't post something on social media without attracting the attention of people who would be crazy about their own theories.

"I marked you in my post, I hope you're not angry." Travis cleared his throat, retracting my mind. "Bianka, are you okay? You look different today. What's up?"

"Oh, no. I'm just. I'm a little stressed, I guess."

"Is this about work?"

"No. About Paul. Me. forget. I'm just trying to..."

"I saw some nurses talking about her picture with a model. Is that what's bothering you now?"

I cringed and looked at him for a while. I'm Travis is someone I can trust, but I'm not talking to him about this. I don't even know what I feel about Paul, so how can I explain it to anyone else?

"Don't just believe the media" I said with a smile, quoting Paul. "My relationship with Paul is fine. I just don't like the excessive attention."

"Ahh, looks like you've been trained, huh?" he joked, and I laughed.

"Very." I said cheerfully.