Staying In The Shadows

Chapter 13

Scott texted:

Are you up for another match or two at the big pitches??

We're planning it.

First one tomorrow.

I responded:

Yeah totally!

Angus also texted me:

They said you can have a trial on the January 6th.

You need to train.

When are you coming over for a round of FIFA.

If  I invite some of the others we'll have a tournament.

I was excited for the next few weeks of my life. What a dream it would be. I was actually in a heavenly relationship with Lucy. All I needed now was a spot in the school team. Though my extremely average grades still served as a major imperfection in my life.

And yes, I needed to train for my trial. I'll be able to do that tomorrow. But this time I had to be more confident. No panicking each time I get the ball.

The rest of the day was pleasant. Dad returned from work early, so we went for a family outing at a mall. Then we ordered pizza and and ice cream at night. It had been fun, and I realised, for once I was feeling enthusiastic about life.

⚽️⚽️⚽️

I woke up early the next morning. Football at the pitch was the same time as before. I arrived there and we started at 1:30. Again, there were loads of people. I decided this time I had to perform. I tried to imagine some of the people were from school and may start judging me based on my performance today.

I actually played really well I'll admit. Two goals and two assists, and my team won. We did the usual talking about the match afterwards. I told them I was getting a trial at the school team. They were surprised I wasn't in already. School team was not that impressive, I just happened not to be in yet. Angus told me I was far better than most of the team.

Then I went to have a shower, same as last time. This time, I styled my hair as well and made sure I looked good, just in case I might regret not doing it. I wasn't taking a train again either way. I walked over to the pavement, just outside the pitch, and opened the Uber app.

“Hey!” Someone suddenly called.

I looked behind to see who they were calling. I tried to look just curious, not thinking they were calling me, because they probably weren't. It was a fairly large man with a red beard and a black Adidas jacket.

“Hi!” I said back. I think he was calling me for some reason. I took the risk and responded anyway. I was lucky.

“You're one to watch lad!” He exclaimed. “What's your name?”

“Callum.”

“You stick with me and you'll get far! Keep playing the same and I'll really take you somewhere!” The man spoke with a strong Scottish accent.

I realised then how important this was. I needed to not mess up. I offered him my number. He told me his name was Greg.

He gave me a thumbs up and went back inside the pitch. Was he a football scout? Where would he ‘get me’?

I stood there for a moment. Then I called myself an Uber.

Either Greg was a scout for a local football team or he was a dodgy Scottish drunk dude thinking he could joke around with me. Why the heck did I give him my number? I should have asked for his instead. If Mum found out I'd, get into so much trouble. Officially, I was still not even allowed to talk to strangers, forget give my number to a potentially dangerous idiot. Unless he was a legit scout - then the situation was a wee bit different. Regardless, I’m still returning here again to play at every opportunity! Never know where it might get me!