The early morning sun peeked through the mist, casting a golden glow over Broadway Academy's football pitch. The dewy grass glistened like a field of emeralds, and the crisp air carried the faint scent of fresh rain. Marcus tightened his boot's laces, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. Today was the first day of training for the Broadway Academy's football team, and Marcus was determined to make it count.
He glanced across the field at his best friend, Mia, who was already practicing her dribbling. Her long brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her face was set in a look of fierce concentration. Mia had always been the more disciplined of the two, often dragging Marcus out of bed for their early morning practices. Despite her petite frame, she had a powerful presence on the field, and Marcus admired her dedication.
"Marcus, hurry up!" Mia called, her voice carrying across the quiet field. "We only have an hour before school starts!"
Marcus grabbed a ball from one of the many in a nearby basket and jogged over to her, his breath forming small clouds in the chilly air. "I'm here, I'm here," he said, flashing her a grin.
"Are those new boots?" Mia asked eyeing Marcus' red boots, "Yeah, Dad bought 'em, they look great don't they?". "Really?" Mia asked, raising an eyebrow at Marcus. "Yeah he did", "Football is the only thing he ever cared about anyway" Marcus muttered under his breath.
Mia looked sad for a moment but then put on a smile, "C'mon let's get to it then, we'll see if you can keep up." "Oh, is that a challenge?" Marus smirked and asked. "Don't act so smug" Mia said tired of his never ending bragging.
They started with a series of drills, passing the ball back and forth, their movements synchronized from years of playing together. Marcus' father, Ethan Pearson, watched from the sidelines, his eyes sharp and critical. A former professional player whose career had been cut short by injury, Ethan had channeled all his unfulfilled dreams into his son.
"Keep your head up, Marcus," Mark called out. "And Mia, remember to pivot on your left foot."
Marcus and Mia exchanged a glance and a smirk, used to the constant stream of advice. They knew Ethan meant well, but his expectations were often a heavy burden. As they continued their practice, the sound of footsteps on the green drew their attention. A tall, athletic figure approached the field, carrying a soccer ball under his arm.
"Who's that?" Mia asked, her brow furrowing.
Marcus squinted, recognizing the newcomer from school. Alex Williams, the new kid in town, had quickly made a name for himself as a talented number nine and had already been scouted by the Carrington training center in Manchester and was hailed as the next big thing in English football. He had an easy confidence that made him both admired and envied.
"Hey, mind if I join?" Alex asked, flashing a charming smile.
Marcus hesitated, but Mia was quick to respond. "Sure, the more the merrier. We're just warming up."
Alex dropped his ball and joined the drill seamlessly, his skill evident in every movement. Marcus couldn't help but feel a pang of competitiveness. He had worked so hard to be the best, and now Alex's arrival threatened to upend everything.
As they played, Marcus pushed himself harder, trying to outshine Alex. The practice session turned into an unspoken contest, each boy trying to prove their worth. Mia watched the two with a mix of amusement and concern, sensing the tension building between them.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Ethan called out after an hour, clapping his hands. "Great work, everyone," he added, glancing at his watch. "Let's head over to the school pitch—I've got to set up for the team's training session."
Marcus wiped the sweat from his forehead using his jersey, feeling a mix of exhaustion and frustration. Alex had kept up with him, and in some moments, even outperformed him. As they walked off the field, Alex gave Marcus a friendly pat on the back.
"You're pretty good, Marc," Alex said. "Looking forward to playing with you this season."
Ethan forced a smile. "Yeah, you too." 'He acts way too familiar even though we just met' Marcus thought.
Mia nudged Marcus with her elbow. "Come on, lighten up. It's just the first day."
Marcus nodded, but inside, a storm of emotions swirled. The path to his dreams had just become a lot more complicated. As they headed to school, Marcus vowed to train harder and prove that he was the best. The Broadway Academy had room for only one soccer prodigy, and he was determined to make sure it was him.