35 Revelations

"It's a wonder how you lot manage to play so well during training and you go out there and absolute rubbish!" Jurg said as soon as he entered the locker room. The boys seemed to have expected his 'choice of words'. All of them had their head bowed.

"Maybe it's because you're all shit players" Jurg said as if he just made a sudden realization. "That has to be it; shit players seem good when they play against other shit players!"

"The only person that has made me proud to call myself your manager is Ayanfe. Quite frankly, you all would've dug a real shit hole for yourselves if not for him, so give him some recognition!"

The other players inside the locker room reluctantly applauded Ayanfe. Only Omari, Jack and a few players were genuinely happy for him.

"That aside, Joshua…" The manager sighed. "Is there a spider in your shoe?" Joshua shook his head. "Then tell me why the fuck you're shooting the ball over the fucking bar. Or do you need glasses so that you can actually see the friggin post?!"

Joshua bowed his head and mumbled some words. The coach turned his attention to other players and 'calmly' shared his opinion about their performance.

After he finished talking, Steve walked in and gave them the tactical instructions for the second half.

"Alright, the wingers are going to go a bit more central, that means no playmaking; you're going to leave all that to Jack. You two have to focus on scoring all the goals for now. Center Backs, no matter what don't play a high line. It's all part of their plan… lure you out, counter and then if Ayanfe decides to slack, a goal". He turned to the Central Midfielders. "You guys are going to be doing the most work. You're going to be pressing their midfield players heavily".

He explained the rest of the tactics and dismissed the squad.

"Omari, could you wait behind" Jack called out to Omari when the rest of the team had gone outside the locker room.

Maybe it has to do with him becoming the captain

Omari paused and turned around, somewhat surprised. Although he and Jack were on good terms, they never really had private conversations. They had never even met outside of the football pitch and the training exercises.

"What's up?" Omari asked. Jack's expression changed slightly as if he was considering the decision that he was about to make.

"I made a…" Jack paused, trying to get the right set of words to use in his statement. "I made a very stupid decision, and it could affect my career forever".

Omari frowned. What could Jack have done that he claimed that it would affect his career forever. He waited for a few seconds for Jack to talk but seeing as Jack didn't seem as if he planned to speak anytime soon, he asked. "What did you do?"

"I let my emotions get the better of me and I made a stupid bet" Jack said.

"What are the stakes of the bet?" Omari asked almost immediately. He was beginning to have a few suspicions.

"If we fail to win this match then I have to quit football" Jack said.

As soon as he finished his statement, the sound of fists hitting flesh reverberated inside the room. 

Omari didn't even know how it happened. He didn't act intentionally, it was as if out of reflex, his fists moved and struck Jack on the side of his face.

He felt apologetic for his actions, but that didn't make him any less angry at his captain.

"Are you fucking mad?!" Omari screamed at him. "That's the kind of thing that you're supposed to talk others from doing. Do you even know what you're giving up?!"

Jack staggered a few feet backwards after the punch and held his cheek while staring at Omari, stunned.

"Some people work their butts off and still don't get the opportunity hat you want to casually throw away. Some people do all they can, train every fucking day, spend long hours in the gym to get what you're risking"

Omari's anger didn't stem from the fact that Jack was risking quitting football. Matter of fact, he couldn't really care less about that. It wasn't as if he knew him personally or something.

He was angry that Jack got what most people couldn't get; the opportunity to become a professional footballer, and he was going to risk it all on a dumb bet.

As he spoke, he remembered his past life. He remembered how hard he worked, how much he trained, how he tried to the best of his abilities to break into the first team and all of his efforts were in vain. And then he remembered the fact that Jack had what he worked so hard to get in his past life, and Jack wanted to throw it away.

Omari calmed down when he realized how rudely he had spoken to Jack. Angry or not, Jack was still his captain. He would've apologized if not for the fact that he didn't want to spoil his act.

"Look, I don't know what went on between you and Merseyside Red, but I know why you're angry". Omari said. "You're angry because they denied you the chance to turn your dreams into reality, they didn't let you play. You probably dreamt of wining the English League and other trophies and they mercilessly took that away from you" The look in Omari's eyes changed from anger to disgust. "But from what happened today, if you hate them then you have to hate yourself because you're doing to yourself what they did to you"

After Omari said those words, he walked towards the door. When he opened it, he paused. "I don't know why you chose to tell me this, but I'm glad you did". After he said those words, he walked out of the room.

Jack stood in the empty locker room, staring blankly for a few seconds. Finally, a teardrop escaped his eyes.

Omari's right. I should hate myself, but I don't. And if I don't hate myself, then I have no right to hate Merseyside Red.

Jack wipe dthe tear from his eyes and clenched his fists. Teesside had to win today! They just had to, no matter what.

A/N: I'm sorry for not updating yesterday, I was out. There'll be a bonus chapter to cover for it though (The bonus chapter may come today or tomorrow)