Anticipation

Marcus slumped in his classroom seat, the ticking of the clock on the wall the only sound breaking the silence. His mind drifted away from the math lesson, focusing instead on the excitement and anxiety building up inside him. The long school day seemed to crawl by, each minute stretching into what felt like hours. The reason for his impatience was simple: a practice match against the neighboring school, Westwood Academy, awaited him after school.

The thought of the match made Marcus' stomach flutter with a mix of nerves and anticipation. Westwood's soccer team had a reputation for being tough, and today's game was a chance to measure himself against some of the best players in the area. It was the kind of challenge Marcus had been looking forward to since the beginning of the season, but it also added pressure to perform well.

He glanced at the clock again, noting the slow-moving hands, and tried to focus on his notebook, where he doodled absentmindedly. A faint thud behind him caught his attention, and he turned to see Mia, his best friend, sliding into the seat next to him. She looked equally distracted, her face betraying a similar mix of excitement and nerves.

"Can you believe it's finally match day?" Mia whispered, her eyes bright with anticipation.

Marcus nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I know. It feels like this day would never come. I just hope we're ready."

Mia's smile widened. "We've been practicing hard, Marcus. We've got this. Besides, it's just a practice match. We need to focus on our game and not let their reputation get to us."

Marcus leaned back in his chair, trying to relax despite the jittery feeling in his stomach. "Yeah, you're right. It's just that Westwood is known for having some really good players. I'm hoping to make a good impression."

Mia gave him a reassuring nudge. "You'll do great. Just play like you always do. And remember, it's not about proving yourself to them—it's about playing your best and having fun."

Marcus glanced at her, grateful for the encouragement. "Thanks, Mia. I'm glad you're here to keep me grounded. Good luck with your match"

The classroom door creaked open, and their history teacher, Mr. Reynolds, entered with a stack of papers. The lesson resumed, but Marcus's mind wandered back to the upcoming match. He thought of his father, Ethan, who was coaching the team. Ethan had been a guiding force in his life, pushing him to excel while also reminding him to enjoy the game.

As the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the school day, Marcus gathered his things with a sense of urgency. He and Mia headed to their locker rooms, where the rest of the team was already changing into their practice gear. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as players joked and chatted, the pre-match excitement palpable.

Marcus and Mia made their way to their lockers. "Go over the strategy one more time," Mia suggested. "Make sure everyone's clear on their roles."

"Good idea," Marcus agreed, pulling on his team's jersey. "I'll go over the lineup with Coach Ethan before we head out."

As he stepped out of the locker room and onto the field, Marcus spotted his father near the sidelines, his face focused and determined. Ethan was reviewing his notes, ready to guide the team through the match. Marcus felt a surge of pride and reassurance knowing that his father would be there, offering support and guidance.

"Ready for the game?" Ethan asked, giving Marcus a nod as he approached.

"Yeah, just about," Marcus replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "We're going to give it our all."

Ethan placed a hand on Marcus's shoulder, his expression softening. "That's the spirit. Remember, it's not just about winning. It's about playing with heart and showing what we've worked for. I'm proud of how far you've come."

Marcus nodded, feeling a wave of confidence wash over him. "Thanks, Dad. I won't let you down."

"Okay, I'm going to name the starting line-up now so keep your ears peeled," Ethan said. "We'll play a 4-3-3. Starting from the back we'll have Aiden Curtis in goal, the defenders are Tyler Howe, Harrison Green, Jay Adams, and Isaac Joyce. The midfielders are Louie Field, Jamie Moss, and John Reid. Marcus, you'll play on the left, Alex right down the middle, and Kai Thrope on the right." "Is that clear?"

The players responded with a "Yes coach!" and started to take their positions on the pitch.

As the teams gathered for the kickoff, Marcus took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill his lungs. He lowered his socks as he had always liked playing with his socks lowered after watching Napoli's Marek Hamšík play that way in Napoli's match against Athletic Club Bilbao in the Champions League two weeks ago. The match was about to begin, and with his father's support, he was ready to face the challenge head-on. 

The field was set, the stakes were high, and Marcus knew that this was his moment to shine.