Alex's family had always been a tight-knit unit. His father, Klaus, a sports physiologist, and his mother, Helena, had been nothing but supportive of Alex's dreams since the moment he first kicked a soccer ball. They knew how special he was, and when the call from FC Grünwald came, there was no hesitation on their part. Helena, though sad to see her son leave home, was proud of him. Klaus, meanwhile, beamed with excitement, eager to see just how far Alex could take his talent.
The hardest part of Alex leaving, however, was for Emma, his little sister. She adored her big brother, always cheering for him from the sidelines, or kicking a ball with him in the backyard. At just five years old, Emma understood more about soccer than most adults, and that was because Alex always took the time to explain it to her. When she found out he was leaving for Grünwald, she cried for hours, clutching her favorite stuffed animal and refusing to talk to anyone but Alex.
"You're coming back, right?" she asked, her big green eyes brimming with tears, looking up at him during his last night at home.
"Of course, I'll come back, Em," Alex said softly, pulling her into a hug. "And I'll call you every two days, okay? You'll still get to see me."
"But I won't get to play soccer with you anymore," she mumbled into his chest.
Alex smiled and ruffled her hair. "I'll teach you more moves when I come home. And then, when you're older, you'll be better than me, I promise."
That seemed to settle her for the moment, but as Alex left for Grünwald, he felt the pull of home more than ever. The calls with Emma became a regular source of joy. She'd eagerly recount her days at school, her tiny voice bouncing with energy as she talked about the neighborhood kids and how she was practicing her dribbling.
At FC Grünwald, Alex dove deeper into his training, pushing himself to the absolute limit. He was no longer just a striker—his skills as a defender, playmaker, and even his understanding of how the game flowed allowed him to control the entire match. His spatial awareness was remarkable. In his mind, the pitch became a chessboard, and he was the master strategist, moving the pieces to his will. His ability to read the game made him indispensable in every position. It wasn't long before Coach Falk started to see just how dominant Alex was becoming.
One day, after yet another impressive training session where Alex barely broke a sweat, Falk pulled him aside. "You're pushing past the normal limits, Alex. It's time to up your training again."
Alex grinned. He loved the challenge. Pushing himself to new heights, he was now training his stamina to ensure that he could maintain this top level for the entire 90 minutes.
The team at FC Grünwald was like a family, and Alex quickly grew close to his teammates. But there was one person who caught his eye more than anyone else: Sophia.
Sophia was stunning. She had long, flowing white hair that she usually tied back in a ponytail, with two loose strands framing her perfectly shaped face. Her sapphire blue eyes sparkled with intensity and kindness. At 17, she was half a head shorter than Alex but carried a natural confidence that made her seem larger than life on the pitch. Her athletic frame was well-developed, with all the right curves, making her one of the most admired girls in the club. Sophia had a teasing grin, the kind that made Alex's heart skip a beat.
The bond between them was undeniable. Whether they were running drills or just hanging out after training, they had a chemistry that others couldn't help but notice. Their relationship hadn't crossed into anything romantic—yet—but there was an undercurrent of attraction that everyone saw. The playful banter, the casual touches, the way she'd smile when Alex made a joke—it was all there.
One afternoon, after a tough scrimmage, Sophia nudged Alex with her elbow as they were cooling down. "You know, Fischer, if you keep playing like this, I might have to start asking for your autograph."
Alex smirked, catching the ball she passed to him. "I was about to ask for yours."
They laughed, but beneath the lightheartedness, something lingered. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before they crossed that line.
Soon, another match day arrived, this time against TSV Waldkirchen, a solid team known for their strong defense. But Alex had been preparing. Not only had he mastered his striking and off-ball movement, but he'd been practicing his free kicks relentlessly, determined to show a new side of his game.
Midway through the first half, Grünwald was awarded a free kick from 30 yards out. Alex stepped up, his eyes locked on the goal. He placed the ball, took a deep breath, and stepped back. The crowd watched in anticipation.
With a clean strike, he sent the ball soaring. It swerved and dipped mid-flight, moving like a bullet. The opposing keeper leaped, but it was no use. The ball slammed into the top corner of the net, mimicking Ronaldo's iconic free kick against Portsmouth. The stadium erupted. 1-0 Grünwald.
But Alex wasn't done. In the second half, they won a corner. Rather than sending it into the box, Alex aimed directly at the goal. His shot curled beautifully, almost in slow motion, and looped into the net before the stunned keeper could react. The ease with which Alex made it happen was almost laughable. 2-0.
By the final whistle, the score was 5-0, with Alex notching two goals and an assist. He had completely dismantled TSV Waldkirchen, and once again, his name was the one everyone was talking about.
After the game, as the team celebrated in the locker room, Alex pulled Sophia aside. His heart pounded in his chest, not from nerves, but from the certainty of what he wanted.
"Hey, Soph," he started, looking into her eyes. "I've been thinking... wanna go out with me this weekend?"
Sophia raised an eyebrow, her teasing grin spreading across her face. "Are you asking me out on a date, Fischer?"
He chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I am."
She smiled, her sapphire eyes gleaming. "I'd love to."
That weekend, Alex and Sophia went out to a beautiful park not far from the club. It was late afternoon, and the sky was painted in shades of orange and pink as the sun began to set. They walked together, laughing and talking about everything—soccer, family, the future.
Eventually, they found a quiet spot by a small pond, where the trees framed the scene perfectly, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. The moment felt right, and Alex, for the first time, allowed himself to just enjoy it.
As they sat together, the sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow across the park. Sophia turned to him, her teasing grin replaced with something softer, more genuine.
"You know," she said softly, "you're not as full of yourself as I thought you'd be."
Alex smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."
They both laughed, but then the moment shifted again, the laughter fading into something more. Sophia leaned in, her face inches from his, and without thinking, Alex closed the gap, their lips meeting in a soft, tender kiss.
The world around them seemed to disappear. It was just the two of them, wrapped in the golden light of the sunset, and in that moment, everything felt perfect.
As they pulled away, Sophia smiled up at him. "So... about that autograph?"
Alex grinned, pulling her closer. "You'll have to wait for that."