I thought the next time I would travel to Nuremberg, would be for a happy reason. Instead, I was packing to go to the airport as soon as possible.

It had been nearly two days, but it still felt like it was a minute ago that I had been told my mother had died.

My relatives fortunately arranged everything for her funeral, so the only thing I had to do was attend.

I was rushing through my room, throwing random clothes in my suitcase. I didn't know how long I'd stay in Nuremberg, I also didn't know when exactly I would leave. But I didn't care. As long as I had something to do, to distract myself.

I stopped when I heard the doorbell ring. I opened the door revealing Jamal.

"What are you doing here?"

"Checking up on you," he said, like it was the most normal thing he could do.

"There's no need, I'm okay,"

"Not to sound rude, but you don't look okay," he said and closed the door behind him.

Once he stepped further into my apartment, he saw that most of my things were scattered around.

"What is going on?"

"I'm packing. I'm flying to Nuremberg for the funeral,"

"I'm coming with you," Jamal stated.

"You can't. You have training," I replied.

"Your mother died and I'm worried about you. I'm coming with you,"

"But-" Jamal put his hand over my mouth to stop me from talking and looked into my eyes.

"I'm coming with you and you can't stop me," he said and I nodded.

We were standing very close to each other. Closer than we were supposed to be. But not as close as we wanted to.

In that moment with mere inches between us, I was once again reminded of how strong my feelings for him were.

I was aching for him. All I wanted was to feel his lips on mine. To feel his hands on my skin. All I wanted was to be with him.

"Jamal," I whispered.

"Bella,"

We were still holding eye contact and his eyes glanced at my lips for a split second, but it was long enough for me to catch him.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked.

"We really shouldn't," I said.

"Yeah, you're right,"

I took a step back and turned around to resume packing my suitcase. I wasn't able to walk far though, because Jamal pulled me back by wrapping his hand around mine.

Because of the sudden pull, I twirled around and put both of my hands on his chest to regain my balance.

Jamal placed one of his hands on the left side of my face and used it to move my face closer to his.

Our noses brushed against each other and I turned my head slightly to the side.

I didn't care what this kiss would mean, I didn't care about the consequences. I only grasped onto the spark of happiness I felt when our lips finally touched.

I took a step closer to him, to erase the remaining space between us. I moved one of my hands from his chest to his neck and started caressing the back of his head with my fingers.

Kissing him felt comfortable. It was like watching your favorite movie again after you haven't seen it in a while. It was like coming back home after a long day. Kissing him felt perfect, because it was perfect.

When I kissed Jamal, all my worries and doubts flew away. His mere presence was able to at least partial heal the heartbreak caused by my mother's death.

When I was with him, I felt safe and happy. I wanted to hold on to that feeling as long as possible.

Our lips parted and Jamal pulled me into a hug. He started rubbing my back, while he spoke soothing words.

"I know you're probably feeling, like the world just ended, but I just want you to know that it will get better. If you need anything, I'm here for you Bella. This time I'm staying. I'm not gonna leave you alone,"

"What about the deal?" I asked.

"We can worry about that later. Right now, we have a funeral to attend. You should continue packing and I'll book you a flight and order some food," he said and sent me a smile.

"You're not alone. We'll get through this. Together," he gave me a forehead kiss and moved a strand of hair behind my ear.

...

A few hours later, Jamal drove us to the airport. I slept through most of the flight, while Jamal was holding my hand. My fear of flying had gone better, since I had to fly a lot the past few months, but his presence helped calm me down additionally.

We weren't together and we still had a lot to figure out and discuss, but I knew when Jamal said we'd get through this together, he didn't only mean my mother's death. He also meant us. Whatever we were.

I didn't have time to think about us. I had to do everything step by step. Otherwise, it would end in chaos.

After we landed in Nuremberg and got our luggage, we took a taxi to my old house. My aunt would be there to update me on the funeral arrangements.

Once we arrived, we grabbed our suitcases and I unlocked the door. I was hit by a familiar scent and a small smile formed on my lips.

"Finally! You're here!" my aunt called from the kitchen.

She was wearing an apron, when she stepped into the hallway. She pulled me into a hug and only noticed Jamal, when she let go again.

"And you are... the boyfriend?"

"Um, he-"

"Yes, I'm Jamal. It's nice to meet you," Jamal said and they shook hands.

"My name is Agnes. I'm Isabella's aunt,"

My aunt told us to bring our stuff upstairs and settle in. The funeral would take place the following day and my aunt had already prepared my old bedroom.

Once we settled in, we went back downstairs and ate dinner.

"So, tell me about you. How did the two of you meet?" my aunt asked.

"I play for the FC Bayern Munich," Jamal said.

"Are you good at it?"

"Aunt Agnes!"

"What? It was just a question," she stated.

"It's okay. I'd say I'm pretty good, yeah," Jamal laughed.

"How long have you guys been together?"

I looked at Jamal, because I didn't know what to say.

"Um, we haven't been together that long. It's very fresh... only a few weeks," Jamal said and intervened our fingers.

"How lovely," my aunt got up and walked back into the kitchen.

Jamal didn't pull his hand back and our fingers stayed intervened.

I put my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. My head was spinning with thoughts and all I wanted to do was shut it off. I was exhausted. The past few days were a total rollercoaster. Emotionally and physically.

...

The following day, I slept in, which felt really good. I took a quick shower and went downstairs for breakfast. When I entered the kitchen, Jamal was putting his plate into the sink.

"How did you sleep?" he walked towards me.

"All things considered, it was okay," I said, "How about you?"

"Pretty great actually. Your bed is pretty comfortable," he smirked and I chuckled.

"I'll take a quick shower," he walked out of the room and I made myself some breakfast.

There was a note on the dining room table from my aunt saying she went grocery shopping.

After I finished eating, I went back upstairs to prepare my outfit for the funeral.

When I opened the door, Jamal was just walking out of the bathroom. He was shirtless and only had a towel wrapped around his waist.

We both froze and stared at each other.

"Um... you should put on some clothes," I said and looked at the ground.

"Yeah... I forgot to bring them with me,"

"I figured,"

Jamal walked to my bed and grabbed a small pile of clothes, which he had probably prepared earlier. Once he re-entered the bathroom, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

...

My mother's funeral was beautiful and sad. Almost all my relatives were there to pay their last respects.

Jamal and I decided to go on a walk, while everyone else was chatting.

"He didn't come," I said. Jamal turned his head to look at me.

"My father didn't come to my mother's funeral," I had realized it at the beginning of the funeral, but I hoped he was just late and that eventually he would show up. He didn't.

Jamal didn't say anything, because he knew there was no excuse for that. He took my hand and started rubbing circles on it.

Since it was getting colder and I was wearing a dress, we ordered a taxi to get back to my old house. Because it was already quite late, once we arrived, I changed into my pajamas.

Jamal and I were both sleeping in my bed, but on different sides. I was staring at the ceiling, not being able to fall asleep.

"Jamal?" I whispered.

"You can't sleep, can you?" he said, "Do you want to cuddle?"

"Yes,"

I moved closer to him and he opened his arms. I put my head on his chest and was able to hear his heartbeat. It didn't take long until I fell asleep.

...

author's note:

there's only one more chapter left for this act!

hoping for a win for fc bayern later tonight!

have a good day/night everybody <3