If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember what you said. A fine saying, one that everyone should live by.
On a good day, Bellingham would agree with this. The past few days haven't been good.
You'd think being called a plonker is a harmless lie, something you'd forget. Not in this case though. The white lies eventually will turn into a giant snowball and then a whole avalanche. He wanted to set things straight before they caught up with him.
He paced around his living room, waiting for the other side to pick up.
"Hey." Haaland answered.
"Hey. Mind if I come over?"
"Sure. When?"
"I'll be there in half an hour."
"Great."
Bellingham hung up, hastily putting on his shoes. Before leaving the apartment, he remembered he should probably inform his poor mother about his whereabouts. He messily scribbled down a note and left it on the kitchen counter.
He grabbed his car keys and stormed out, almost forgetting to lock the door in the process.
Usually his radio was always on when he drove, but today was different. He needed peace and tranquility to think some things over.
First of all, Reus and Hummels may have been right. Actually, they were right. Bellingham saw his teammate in a different light. A red tinted light, at that.
Second of all, he knew he wanted to get some things off his chest. He wasn't sure how far he should go though. He could either hint at it, or be completely blunt.
Third and most important of all, he wanted to say sorry.
His string of thought had to come to an end, he was reaching his destination.
Haaland's complex was.. complex. He hasn't been to his apartment yet, but from what he's heard from Gio, it had too many floors and too many hallways.
Bellingham parked his car near the apartment. The building was huge, it was difficult to even find a place to park.
Haaland lived on the 13th floor, but Bellingham needed more time to think. He took the stairs.
***
Haaland patiently waited for his friend's arrival. He was running a tad bit late, for some reason. As Haaland contemplated whether he should call him or not, he heard a knock. And then the bell and then another knock.
"Coming, be patient!" Haaland opened the door, only to be met with a breathless Bellingham.
"You alright?" Bellingham shook his head.
"You do know there's an elevator here right?" Bellingham nodded.
"Well anyways, come inside." Haaland moved aside, welcoming his friend to his humble abode.
Bellingham stepped inside, but was quickly interrupted.
"Do you have no manners? Shoes off. You can leave them by Reyna's slippers." Haaland received a puzzled look from Bellingham.
"What are his slippers doing here?"
"He's here so often that he has his own reserved pair of slippers. He's here more than he is in his own home."
He decided to ignore the slipper story, taking his shoes off and following Haaland to his living room.
"Do you want something to drink?"
"Literally anything." Bellingham said, still hating himself for taking the stairs.
Haaland returned with two glasses of water, placing them on the coffee table.
"What brings you here?" Bellingham couldn't bring himself to answer. "Just wanted to chill." Haaland nodded, reaching for the remote.
"Fifa?" Haaland opened up the game before he received an answer.
"Hell yeah." Bellingham grabbed the spare controller.
Haaland's team consisted of R9 Ronaldo, Pele, Messi, Ronaldinho, Gullit, Cruyff and Haaland.
"All the GOATs in one team. And Haaland." Bellingham teased.
"I only see GOATs." Haaland proudly exclaimed. Bellingham rolled his eyes.
"Let me adjust your squad a little bit.." Bellingham grabbed Haaland's controller and put all his best players on the bench.
He would fill the team with a bunch of Bronze Beasts. Haaland enjoyed watching Bellingham ruin his squad.
***
After a long negative streak, losing 9 times in a row they decided maybe today wasn't their day.
"You blew all our chances." Haaland shifted the blame.
"You got 3 red cards in one match." Bellingham fired back.
Haaland covered his ears. He reached for the remote again to turn the TV off, but no reaction.
"Huh, batteries died." He got up to look for a new pair.
Bellingham was left alone with his thoughts. He knew he had to tell him. And he had to do it now. It was already 8 PM. He mustered up all his courage and waited for Haaland's eventual return.
"Found them." Haaland waved the remote in one hand and the batteries in the other.
Bellingham scratched his neck. "I'm sorry for my behavior recently." Haaland looked at him. "What do you mean?" He said, replacing the batteries.
"For ignoring you. I feel like I've been treating you like garbage." Haaland shook his head.
"Not at all. Besides, you told me the reason behind it. Plonker." Haaland patted him on the back.
After a moment of silence, Bellingham spoke again. "No, I lied. That wasn't the reason." Bellingham pushed Haaland's hand off his back.
"You lied to me?" Haaland was surprised.
Bellingham stared blankly at the floor. "What was it, then?"
"I was very.. frustrated with you. I'm not even sure why." Bellingham brought his gaze up.
Haaland went quiet for a moment, trying to think of any instance where he might have wronged him. Nothing came to mind.
"Did I do something?"
Bellingham chuckled. "Absolutely not. It's all on me." Haaland crossed his arms.
"You're hiding something again." Haaland leaned in forward.
"You're right, I am." Bellingham said, with the straightest look on his face.
Haaland squinted. "What are you trying to achieve? I don't understand." Bellingham shook his head.
"Now is not the time to discuss that. It's getting late." Bellingham stood up.
"When is it ever the time to discuss things with you?" Haaland was getting annoyed with Bellingham.
"I'll call you later. I swear on your life." Haaland exhaled.
"Alright. Don't leave me hanging, though." He got up to escort Bellingham.
Bellingham chuckled. "I won't, promise." He put on his shoes and turned to face Haaland once more.
Haaland, being the character he is, kissed Bellingham on the forehead.
Saying Haaland's random kisses pissed him off was an understatement. It genuinely drove him mad. He wanted to ignore it, but he didn't want to let him have the final punch.
Bellingham swallowed his pride, he quickly pecked Haaland on the lips.
Haaland was surprised. He looked at Bellingham expecting an explanation, but to no avail. Bellingham gave him the cold shoulder.
"Good night, Haaland. Call you later." He stepped out of the apartment and entered the elevator, waving to Haaland for one last time.
Haaland just stood in the doorway, staring at the elevator door for some time, still unsure of what he just experienced.