Darling of the Press

The post match press conference was supposed to be a bit more special than an ordinary one, with the game being a local derby and all. It's just that, the game ended in a 6-0 rout with a debut that stole the entire show.

Because of all that, the press conference room became filled with flashing lights and reporters.

These reporters were like wolves, who wanted a piece of the dazzling debutant's first press conference. There was no doubt that these hungry wolves would attack hiim with everything they got.

The losing away team finished without much fanfare, to their players' disappointment.

They exited right as the representatives of the victorious side entered the room. The trio of the balding middle aged man clad in a slick one piece suit, the recognizable goal getter George Williams, and the star of the show— the debutant, the hat trick hero, the instant phenomenon— Blaise Atkinson came in, causing an uproar of camera flashes and commotion in the media crowd.

Many of the press people have either formulated or are busy formulating questions that they are gonna throw at the rookie Atkinson. They are not interested in propriety or being courteous today.

On the other hand, Blaise was ready for the barrage of questions that he's sure would come his way. He considered this as a necessary part of his ridiculous acclaim boosting plans.

As an experienced long time international and captain, he was not to be trifled with when it comes to these kinds of stuff. He may not have been the best captain, but he's one of the best when it came to press conferences.

The press conference started with some normal questions regarding the game that had just finished, with most of it answered by Steve Bronson with an honest and serene expression.

Well, he was in a joyous mood, since his team thumped their local rivals until there's nothing left of them. So, his answers had a lot of thanks to the players, and was mostly done in a laid-back yet convincing tone.

"How did it feel to bury your first attempt today, after that miserable game last time out?" A reporter asked George Williams with a curious expression.

The question put a smile on George's face. "Nothing, really. I just felt like that was how it should be for a quality striker like me, so I thought hey, the good times are back, baby!"

Both the manager and Blaise had a supportive smile on their faces, even if they knew that the man felt nothing but relief that the goal he confidently promised arrived after a single shot.

"How about the second one? Did you still feel nothing?"

"Well, that second one is more of a tap in than anything else." He looked at the man on the right side of the manager. "It was more like three-fourths of his brilliance, oh, make that four-fifths his and my goal was just a fifth of it. That delivery was just sublime, I would say."

That was the cue a lot of the other press people are looking for. The reporter drew silent thanks from the others in steering the interviews on its right track.

The reporter took the first chance as some sort of a follow up question. "Mr. Blaise Atkinson, welcome to League One. Can I have your thoughts on how it felt like to play on your first ever professional game at the age of seventeen?"

Blaise gave a bright smile, that elicited a plethora of shutter clicks from the cameras in the crowd, as they readied their pens, and keyboards. "It was surreal."

He looked straight into the cameras with those burning brown eyes, making the sea of reporters silent. They thought that him doing so meant he had some banger of a follow up on that laughable short answer he gave.

But as the seconds ticked by, the pens they had at the ready hadn't moved a single inch.

Their mouths twitched at this awkward situation where the deafening silence took over what should be a rowdy press conference. Even the manager Steve Bronson, and George Williams can't help but look at him with what seemed like puzzlement, and annoyance on their faces.

You bragged at us that you're great at interviews and now you show us this! What the actual fuck?

'My nan can do this better than you!'

***

Earlier, at the locker room.

"Going with me to the press conference would be the striker, Williams…" The players all wanted a piece of the post match press conference, especially in a dominant win like this one. Though, most of them knew that only the brightest stars of the game would have the opportunity to take part. "...And Atkinson, the bosses would kill me if I don't let you take part after such a performance."

Steve Bronson had some reservations about letting him take part, mostly due to Blaise's inexperience about such things. However, because of his exemplary performance on his debut, it would be a sin not to let him experience a press conference. It was inevitable anyway.

"Don't piss your pants, kiddo!" Potts reminded Blaise. "Oh, also don't show them you're nervous! Those reporters feed off of nervousness, they can make you say what you don't want to say!"

"He's right, just be casual out there. Don't let them make you answer questions you don't want to answer, you hear me?" The other veteran Hastings also gave a few words of advice.

"I'll do what I can. I promise I won't screw this up." Blaise had his head high. "I'm a pro at this."

***

"Um… can you elaborate on why it's surreal?" The stunned reporter wanted more from his answer. She did not believe that the newbie was just nervous so that his answer was short.

Blaise's only answer was a questioning look on his face.

One of the league's press officers can't hold it any longer and just allowed the next interviewer to ask the next question.

After saying her name and affiliation, she asked a bold question that was on everyone's minds since they had a glimpse of his background.

"Congratulations on the hat trick and the assist, it was a wonderful performance. I'm going to be blunt. Do you think your former bosses at Manchester would start looking at you again after a show like this? And what is your opinion about it?"

Everyone in the room tensed up, especially the two other men from Sheffield in front. Both of them were curious about the answer to this question.

"I don't know. The Manchester bosses are a busy bunch… maybe the scouts would care, but the top brass, I don't think so." Blaise gave a wry smile before he continued. "If they do look at me, for now, I don't care one bit. Sheffield gave me a second lease in life, picking me up out of the scrap heap. I haven't repaid that debt yet."

He took a deep breath for a second, before he spoke again.

"If you guys want me to elaborate on the reason why it felt surreal for me, it's because playing, and doing well was a great way to start repaying my debts to the club. I need to do more."

The cameras flashed madly at the sight of the spirited, and handsome young man.

Everyone in the room collectively sighed. "This kid teased us! This cheeky bugger!"