“PRRRPPP PRRRPP PRRRRPPP!!!”
“Fulltime here at the Imperial Stadium and Ashton Imperial Academy walks out 7-0 victors against Kernistad Academy. It was a game that had some of the best offensive displays ever seen in a youth football match. I’m talking Julian Valecrest scoring that long range goal from the very first seconds of the game, and then going on to score a hat-trick and delivering two assists with remarkable skill. But he isn’t the only one who out on a performance today: Danny Bremang showed us he has the makings of a true striker, scoring two clinical goals. Austin Sullivan made sure that he wasn’t left out of the conversation, topping off the scoring in both the first and second half. And then you have Nolan Grey and Martin Hemmings. Two attacking midfielders that didn’t fail in the slightest to quench the goalscoring needs of their forwards, with Nolan handing out three assists on the day and Martin with two. With these five in the attack, Kernistad stood absolutely no chance, conceding goal after goal after goal.”
The commentator paused for a moment, catching his breath.
“Keep in mind, this is but the first game of the season. There is still 45 games left for Ashton, but already they’ve shown that they are here, and they are here to win. Again. My name is Arnold Freeman and I am your commentator for the day. We’ll see each other a couple of hours for now where Ashton Imperial Academy U/19 will face off against Kernistad Academy U/19. And there we will see whether Ashton will be able to keep the momentum going that their juniors worked so hard for, or if they will shrink under the expectations.”
********
“I feel like I’m repeating myself,” Coach Irene adressed the players in the locker room after the final whistle.
“But good job everyone, especially you, Julian. Great performance out there.”
Julian nodded, wearing comfortable slippers after removing his boots when he got subbed off in the 60th minute.
“There is nothing more for me to say except congratulations, but we’ve already done that. We will have an analysis meeting when you come back to school on Monday where we will immediately start preparing for our away game against St Avalon next Saturday. So, enjoy your day off tomorrow, stay well rested and, yeah, congratulations on a splendid performance and I hope we can replicate it in the weeks and months to come. You’re dismissed.”
When the coach left the locker room, the room erupted into motion and sound, players moved to their personal lockers to gather showering supplies, while others engaged in conversation about the game.
Julian wasn’t in the mood for conversation and he wanted to take a bath in the hotel penthouse, the showers will have to wait for another day.
That’s why he grabbed his sports bag and left the locker room, eager to go home and jump into a calm and relaxing bath.
The players noticed his exit, but none stopped or tried to strike up a conversation.
It was clear he wasn’t in the mood.
Well, everyone except for Johnathan Cass.
“Young Master Valecrest.” The second choice striker called out as Julian strode through the hallway.
“Yeah?”
Julian turned around to face him, already irritated after only exchanging a few conversations with the boy.
“You did great out there today.” He stepped closer with every honeyed word.
“You really–”
“I hear you, Johnathan. ” Julian cut him off.
“We’ll talk some other time. I am in quite the hurry.”
“O-of course, young Master.” The boy was taken aback, but could only accept in the end.
“I’m sorry if I–”
“You’re good.”
Julian turned around and left, for real this time.
********
The electric cart came to a slow stop at a different entrance of the academy, away from the main gate where the bustling fans will be moving about.
He saw Mira standing next to a sleek limo just outside the academy.
Her posture was rigged and alert, unlike how comfortable she was around him.
‘What’s wrong with her?’
[I have no idea.]
“Young Master.” Mira greeted with a deep 90-degree bow.
“Mira.” Julian greeted without a nod, eyes narrowed.
Mira opened the door with the elegance expected of her station, something Julian has never seen her do, deepening his confusion.
Julian peeked into the car before bringing his head back out.
He threw a sigh glance at his floating companion.
‘Who is that?’
Mini-ball did the same, peeking into the vehicle before coming back out.
[My sister.]
“Get in.”
A commanding voice sounded from inside the car before Julian could think another thought, the tone sending a slight tingle of fear down his spine.
[You might want to get in.]
Mini-ball’s unbotheredness didn’t help the situation at all, making Julian feel like he was being thrown for the wolves.
Seeing that there was nowhere to run, he got into the car, sinking into the heavenly cushioned seats.
“…”
“…”
The car descended into a uncomfortable silence.
Well, at least for Julian.
The woman, on the other end, seemed completely calm, unbothered.
The woman was strikingly beautiful.
Pristine silver hair cascaded down her shoulders and back like fine silk.
Shimmering blue eyes that held deep intellect and heavy authority.
Smooth pale skin that didn’t know the existence of a pimple.
Small mouth and full lips with a peach tint, a cute nouse that perfectly fitted on her face.
The woman wore a silver suit made specifically for her.
A white shirt underneath with a vfew buttons loose, revealing just a hint of cleavage.
The Valecrest Family insignia proudly displayed.
She stared straight forward, arms crossed in front of her chest, one leg crossed over the other.
Her presence domineering, making Julian shift uncomfortably in his seat.
“Privacy.”
Her cold voice sounded again when Mira settled into the driver’s seat, making her push a button that rolled out a completely tinted out black window that probably led no sound escape.
“Sigh.”
The woman released what could be described as a tired sigh, cupping her face with both hands.
“…”
Julian just kept quiet, not knowing what to do, just eyeing the woman warily.
They sat like that for a few moments, neither of them breaking the silence, not even Mini-ball.
That was until the woman lifted her hands and Julian saw tears streaming down her face.
‘Wait, tears?’
Julian’s mind went into disarray.
He wasn’t a very empathetic person, so he had no idea what to do when someone cried in front of him.
‘Mini-ball, she’s crying!
What should I do?!’
[…]
Julian received no reply form his friend, making him to turn his head to check in on the miniature football.
‘Mini-ball?’
Mini-ball was completely out of it, staring at the woman with wide eyes.
Julian couldn’t tell from Mini’s facial expression, but the emotions slapped into him like a fist in the gut, completely knocking his wind out.
Mini-ball’s heart shattered seeing his sister crying, feeling like someone stabbed it and then twisted the knife.
Julian could feel everything Mini-ball felt, from the pain of seeing his sister crying, to the feeling of tears welling up and the lump forming in his throat.
Julian didn’t know how he was able to feel it, but in that moment he didn’t care.
All that was in his mind was helping out his friend, and making the woman stop crying.
This prompted him to do something he swore to never do: hug a woman he didn’t love.
Wrapping his arms around her, Julian brought her head to his chest and squeezed her firmly against him.
He didn’t know why he said it, but the words left his mouth automatically, as if he didn’t have control over his tongue.
“I’m sorry.”