After I internally debated IQ, EQ and the inevitable problems with extremist thinking in Capitalism I went back outside.
"You did well, Luna. Everyone in the world will know your face before long."
While a bit of an exaggeration, it is not far from the truth, I'd be seen as an intellectual falling for the biggest obstacle to all intellectuals: overthinking.
Or maybe because I'm cute, I'll be famous, who knows.
"Hehe, be careful Dad, I might become more famous than you."
"Please do that, I won't have to work so hard then and you can pay for my retirement."
"..."
"...You'll pay for my retirement, right?"
Asked the richest person I know.
If there's a day when I can actually pay for his retirement, I'd be surprised.
He'll be living it up on yachts, charity galas and buying all the luxury brand clothes like a baby does candy.
Wait, with this status window, am I not guaranteed at least a certain level of fame?
"If you really need money that badly due to actually being poor and not wasting it away, I might consider it."
"Awww, Luna you're so sweet. Ethan told me to f*ck off when I asked him."
He was all serious Dad earlier in terms of language and look at him now.
Speaking of Ethan I haven't seen him in a while.
* * *
Huff huff huff
Ethan Leonidas
2 opponents in front of me.
I could go between them with their distancing, but they'll foul me based on their behaviour so far.
"Group up, don't let the monster through!"
"But his teammates are all open. He'll just pass it off."
"He won't pass. Haven't you seen him ball hogging this match?"
"But coach said—"
"F*ck what the coach said, we're on the ground, not the coach. Now group up!"
Hmm, the whole defensive lineup is moving up at me.
Haaaa...
"He's panicking, start pushing him now!"
""Yes Captain.""
Didn't Dad say I'd finally meet a good defender here?
One that could challenge me.
"Nooooo!"
"Run back and cover, I'll hold him back!"
All I did was pass the ball to open space.
...Is this the peak that Dad talked about?
How did he describe it, the feeling of the world at my feet, was it?
What did it feel like when I was winning, back when I didn't question my emotions?
Was I content, happy, satisfied?
I'd score a free kick and I'd go running to the crowd, basking in their praise.
But I'd always look for Mom and my little brothers.
Seeing them cheer for me so loudly, Mom pinching Seb to wake up and Felix shaking Tim in excitement and Luna hasn't even seen me play live.
I'd like her to see it at least once.
This might be a crazy thought, but...
Maybe, just maybe...
Did I never like soccer?
Did I just want to make my family proud and soccer was the only way I knew how?
huff huff huff
Can't get distracted, just focus on the game, I can think later.
Not like it'll be hard, being 2-0 up before halftime and about to be 3-0.
"LEO, LEO, LEO!"
I zone out the distractions and stay on the lookout for gaps in the defence.
...There.
Running to open space, 2 defenders rush to cover me.
Haaaa...
I pass it off to my teammates.
"Wait, do we detach or stick to him?"
"Just follow him, you heard the captain earlier."
So boring.
"Hilka, pass back here."
"Ali mate, we've got no space."
I led the 2 defenders to another free player in the centre, effectively taking 3 opponents out of play.
Ali, Hilka and the left wing take on the 1 defender by passing.
Hilka gets in front of the keeper with Ali to his left for an easy tap in.
Hilka lines up the shot.
snap
whoosh
fwip
"GOAL!!! Let's f*cking go!!!"
"Hilka you're the best man, that's your 3rd goal this tournament."
"Hehe, it wasn't all me, it's thanks to you guys for supporting me."
""LEO, LEO, LEO!!!""
Listen to their praise.
That's your 3rd goal = Don't be a ball hog.
Hehe, it wasn't all me = It was literally all me
Anyone with eyes could see that while I didn't score, I got an honorary assist; I opened the path for my teammates, left them with a 3 on 2, including the goalkeeper, with tons of space and time with the ball.
That's why the crowd cheers for me, not them.
...At least they could score that. I'd have left this crappy squad long ago if they couldn't.
* * *
"Well done boys, we're onto the finals next week. Make sure you stay in form and don't go out partying too hard."
After his motivational speech, the coach left us to bask in our adolescent youth.
"Bro, do you see the rack on this chick? She's even DMing me first, she wants me bad bro."
"...Ali bro, we all know why she's messaging you, don't kid yourself."
"He's right man, they just message us because he doesn't respond."
He and Leo in case one hasn't noticed is me.
Leo as a shortening of Leonidas, but the name Leonidas itself has been a hindrance to me lately.
"Oi, Leo check this girl's pics. Even you'd like these ones."
Haaaa, is he finally going all the way with it?
"...Fine, Hilka show me."
Hilka hands me the phone...
thud thump crack
Before I even look at it, I grab the phone throw it down onto the floor and smash the phone beyond repair with my foot, so I won't have to look at the perverted nightmare of an image he'd show me.
"Oi, what the f*ck mate?"
"Such a baby, baby Leo had a sook. Does he need his Daddy to come cheer him up?"
"Is Daddy going to come pick you on another private jet so you can go cry at home before the next game?"
"Why so mad? It was just a prank, bro."
"We're even recording it, so if you don't wanna end up on the news for a temper tant—"
I grab the phone recording the whole mess from Ali's hands and throw it straight at the wall.
"Hehe, Leo you know you're cooked now, right? This was all being livestreamed to my computer. Your career is finished, bud."
"Hahaha, Leo you should see your face."
"Ali mate, you're a genius, where'd you even find Leo's Mom in such pictures?"
"Hehe, you can make a lot of stuff online nowadays."
I just left the room, took out my phone that was recording the whole thing and sent it to my manager.
* * *
"Luna, go ahead to the playroom. I gotta take a call."
Dad never answers this seriously.
...Must involve him losing money
"See ya later, ass."
Lucky me, I know where the playroom is, not that anyone asked.
Not that I'd ignore the perfect opportunity to have some fun, though.
"Who's kid is that?"
"Dunno, looks like she knows where she's going, she'll be fine."
You know, in those YouTube videos where people wear a high vis jacket and walk into movie theatres, staff rooms and stadiums.
I feel like that on steroids, the security guard didn't even bat an eye at me.
And in my line of sight is the player's room.
I'll finally get to meet Smith and tell him embarassin—
"Luna why are you here?"
Drats, someone found me.
But this voice is familiar. Who is it?
If I turn around to check who it is, I'll acknowledge that I'm Luna and I won't be able to see Smith.
When one experiences a situation where fight or flight response is necessary, it is always important to have information about the threat.
If one hears ominous sounds coming from behind in the woods, most would assume it's a wild animal.
Do the same in a city and you'd assume some crackhead is following you.
The main point being, when one has a certain amount of life experienc,e it is easier to distinguish possible threats based on the environment.
The intuition I relied on in my previous life hasn't seemed to work once in my 4 years of being a child.
If I had to break down my current emotion to one thing though, it'd be panic.
I open the nearest door, go inside, shut it close and lock it before anyone can even see inside.
knock knock
"Who's there?"
"Alex, we met earlier. Fan of your Dad."
Fan of my Dad?
Aren't there too many to count?
"Alex who?"
"Alex-actly, the name I just said."
Gee, what a smart alex, he probably thinks he can see John Cena too.
"Yeah, I still don't know who you are."
"Really? Alex, Alex Daebel. I'm pretty famous you know. Back in America, businessmen beg me to talk to their sons to be friends and daughters in hopes that we get engaged."
Ah, the fake villainous master guy.
Well, maybe not fake from his previous words.
Oh and he's tall.
And isn't he a bit too young to be thinking of getting engaged?
"Oh, tall guy. Wait, how old are you?"
"Please leave the room first... and I'm 9, why?"
"Hmm, you're not that tall, then. My brothers are taller than you and they're the same age."
Wait, were those lackeys of his really just trying to become friends with him by bullying someone in front of him?
He must have a really bad reputation.
"I didn't ask to be tall guy. Also, are you gonna get out? You shouldn't be in there."
"Hey Alex buddy, why are you here? Are you even allowed to be here? You're not a player's child like me, after all."
"The organizers were begging me to come meet the players. I just wanna see Leonidas and apparently he's not here right now. Now come on and get out so I can see him."
Hmmm, I was with Dad for the interview and he left for a call, so his story tracks.
Wait, he's been asking me to leave the room in every response...
"Kid, who are you talkin' to? And why is some kid in my room!"
"..."