The alarm buzzed harshly at 5:30 a.m., cutting through the silence of Alvaro's dorm room. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and reached for his training gear. His muscles ached from the previous day's match, but the excitement of a new challenge propelled him forward.
By 6:00 a.m., he was jogging onto the pristine training ground under the pale light of dawn. Around him, the other U-15 players warmed up in organized rows, their breath visible in the cool morning air.
"Cortez, you're early again," Coach Martinez noted as he approached, clipboard in hand. "Good. I like players who show initiative."
"Yes, Coach," Alvaro replied, stretching his calves.
Martinez blew his whistle sharply, signaling the start of the session. "Alright, let's see if yesterday wasn't a fluke. Reserve match isn't until the weekend, so today we're focusing on positioning and transitions. Pair up!"
The drills were relentless. Alvaro partnered with one of the taller midfielders, Diego, who seemed reluctant to interact beyond a curt nod. The team worked through intense possession exercises, shifting quickly between attack and defense.
At first, Alvaro struggled to adjust to the pace. The players moved like a well-oiled machine, always two steps ahead. When Diego passed to him under pressure, Alvaro hesitated for a fraction too long, losing the ball.
"Quicker, Cortez!" Martinez shouted. "This isn't a street game!"
The criticism stung, but Alvaro used it to refocus. On the next play, he intercepted a loose pass and threaded the ball perfectly through to the forward, who fired it into the net.
"Better," Martinez muttered.
By the end of the session, Alvaro was drenched in sweat but satisfied with his progress.
---
After a quick shower and breakfast, Alvaro boarded the academy shuttle to the partner school, his backpack slung over one shoulder. The building was modern, with sleek glass windows and a sprawling courtyard buzzing with students.
As Alvaro stepped out of the shuttle, he felt the weight of dozens of eyes on him. Whispers rippled through the crowd as he walked toward the main entrance.
"Is he one of the footballers from La Fragua?"
"Wow, he's cute!"
"Looks quiet, though."
Alvaro kept his head down, his reserved nature keeping him from engaging with the attention.
The classroom was lively when Alvaro entered, students chatting in clusters while waiting for the teacher. As he stepped inside, the noise gradually subsided, all eyes turning toward him.
"Class, settle down," the teacher, Ms. Morales, said as she walked in behind him. "We have a new student joining us today."
She gestured toward Alvaro. "This is Alvaro Cortez, one of the recruits from La Fragua. Treat him kindly."
A few students exchanged glances, their curiosity obvious.
"Cortez, take the empty seat beside Rivera," Ms. Morales added, pointing toward an empty seat in the back of the room next.
Alvaro nodded, walking toward his assigned seat. The girl sitting next to the empty desk had a bright glint in her eye and a faint smile on her lips. Her wavy chestnut hair framed her sharp features, and she had an air of effortless confidence that contrasted with Alvaro's quiet demeanor.
"Welcome, football star," she said softly as he sat down.
Alvaro glanced at her but didn't respond, unsure of what to say. She chuckled quietly, returning her attention to her notebook.
The rest of the school day passed uneventfully, though Alvaro couldn't shake the feeling of being under a microscope. Whether in the hallways, the cafeteria, or during class discussions, the other students seemed to watch him with a mix of fascination and skepticism.
At lunch, he found a quiet spot in the courtyard to eat alone. His reserved nature made it difficult to approach anyone, and he preferred the sweet solitude than the bitter awkwardness of forced small talk.
Across the courtyard, Rivera sat with a group of friends, her laughter carrying over the noise of the crowd. She caught Alvaro's eye briefly and waved, her playful smile returning. Alvaro gave a small nod before looking away, his ears burning. It's just that he wasn't that much experienced in the communication and interaction sector, If it's football he is a natural.
After school, Alvaro returned to La Fragua for the evening training session. The atmosphere was different now—more intense, with the older players joining in. The drills focused on tactics, and the coaches emphasized communication and decision-making.
"Cortez, you're too quiet out there!" Martinez barked as Alvaro hesitated to call for a pass. "If you don't speak, your teammates won't know what you need!. As a midfielder you should be active."
Alvaro nodded, forcing himself to shout instructions during the next play. It felt unnatural at first, but as the session progressed, he began to find his voice.
By the end of the session, his teammates were responding to him more, And game felt bit more easy and even Diego gave him a curt nod of approval after a successful play.
---
Back in his dorm room, Alvaro sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the medallion Luis had given him. The day had been overwhelming—balancing the intensity of training with the unfamiliarity of school was harder than he had expected.
But despite the challenges, there had been small victories. He had held his own during training, and the brief interaction with Rivera had sparked something unfamiliar—a sense of curiosity in him.
"This is getting and amazing at the same time," he murmured, slipping the medallion back . "I'll make it work."
With that, he lay down, his body aching but his resolve stronger than ever slowly slipping into his sleep.
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