The buzz from the Manchester United victory had settled, and life at the academy returned to its usual rhythm.
For Mason, this meant early mornings, grueling training sessions, and the occasional moment to breathe and connect with the people around him.
This chapter offers a glimpse into Mason's daily life, filled with small but meaningful interactions that shape his journey.
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Morning Routine
Mason's alarm buzzed at 6:00 a.m., pulling him out of a deep sleep. He groaned, rubbing his eyes as he sat up in bed. The sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains of his small room at the academy dorm.
"Another day," he muttered to himself, stretching his arms above his head.
He grabbed his phone and saw a text from Jake: "You alive, mate? Or did training finally kill you?"
Mason chuckled and typed back: "Barely. You should try it sometime."
Jake's reply came instantly: "No thanks. I'll stick to FIFA."
Mason shook his head, smiling. Jake had always been more of a gamer than an athlete, but his humor and loyalty had gotten Mason through some tough times.
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Breakfast Banter
By 6:30 a.m., Mason was in the academy cafeteria, loading his plate with scrambled eggs, toast, and a banana. He spotted Aiden and Ravi at their usual table and joined them.
"Morning, lads," Mason said, sliding into his seat.
"Morning, superstar," Aiden teased, raising his glass of orange juice in a mock toast. "How's it feel to be famous?"
Mason rolled his eyes. "Shut it, Aiden. I'm just trying to eat."
Ravi grinned, his mouth full of cereal. "Don't mind him. He's just jealous because no one's asking for his autograph."
Aiden feigned offense. "Excuse me, but I'll have you know I've got at least three fans. My mum, my gran, and my dog."
The three of them burst out laughing, drawing a few curious glances from other players. It was moments like these that reminded Mason why he loved being part of a team.
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Training Session
The morning training session was intense, as usual. Coach Daniels had them working on quick transitions and counterattacks, drilling them relentlessly until their shirts were soaked with sweat.
"Kai!" Coach Daniels barked during a passing drill. "You're drifting too far inside. Stay wide and stretch the defense!"
Mason nodded, adjusting his position. He knew Coach Daniels was tough, but he also knew it was because he cared.
After the session, Mason stayed behind to practice his free kicks. Aiden joined him, offering tips on technique.
"You're leaning back too much," Aiden said, demonstrating the proper form. "Keep your body over the ball, and follow through."
Mason tried again, this time sending the ball curling into the top corner of the net.
"That's more like it," Aiden said, clapping him on the back. "You'll be stealing my spot at this rate."
Mason grinned. "Don't worry, I'll leave some goals for you."
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Lunchtime Conversations
At lunch, Mason found himself sitting with Ravi and a few other teammates. The conversation turned to their upcoming season of the U18 Premier League match fixture against Chelsea's academy.
"They've got that new striker," Ravi said, scrolling through his phone. "The one who scored a hat-trick last week."
"Yeah, I've seen him," Mason replied, biting into his sandwich. "He's quick, but he's not great under pressure. If we close him down early, he'll crack."
Ravi raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you become a tactical genius?"
Mason shrugged. "Just paying attention."
The table erupted in laughter, and Mason felt a sense of camaraderie that made the grueling days worth it.
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Afternoon Classes
After lunch, it was time for academic classes. Mason and the other academy players attended school on-site, balancing their football commitments with their education. Today's lesson was history, and Mason found himself struggling to stay awake as the teacher droned on about the Industrial Revolution.
"Psst," Aiden whispered from the desk behind him. "You think they had football back then?"
Mason stifled a laugh. "Doubt it. They were too busy inventing steam engines."
Aiden grinned. "Shame. I bet I'd have been a Victorian football legend."
The teacher shot them a stern look, and they quickly fell silent, though Mason couldn't wipe the smile off his face.
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Evening Chill
By the time evening rolled around, Mason was exhausted. He flopped onto his bed in the dorm, scrolling through his phone. A text from Emiko popped up: "How's my superstar doing?"
Mason smiled and typed back: "Still alive. Barely."
Emiko's reply came quickly: "Good. Don't forget to eat something healthy. And call me tomorrow."
Mason chuckled. No matter how far he went, Emiko would always be looking out for him.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. It was Ravi, holding a bag of crisps and a deck of cards.
"Fancy a game?" Ravi asked, holding up the cards.
Mason sat up, grinning. "You're on. But prepare to lose."
The two of them spent the next hour playing cards and chatting about everything from football to their favorite TV shows.
It was a simple moment, but it reminded Mason of the importance of balance—of finding joy in the small things, even amidst the pressure of chasing his dreams.
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Reflections
As Mason lay in bed that night, he thought about the day. It hadn't been anything extraordinary—just a regular day at the academy. But it was in these ordinary moments that he felt most grounded, most connected to the people around him.
He knew the road ahead would be tough, filled with challenges and setbacks. But he also knew he wasn't alone. He had his teammates, his coaches, his mum, and even Jake, cheering him on from afar.
With that thought, Mason closed his eyes, ready to face whatever tomorrow would bring.