Bab 21: A day in the life

The morning sun filtered through the windows of the training facility, casting long shadows across the pristine pitch. The sound of cleats against grass echoed through the air as Derby County's players went through their usual warm-up routine. David was no different—he was in his element, fully immersed in the rhythm of the game. The sharp thud of the ball against the net, the cadence of his teammates' voices, the wind tugging at his shirt—it all felt like second nature now.

Wayne Rooney, player-coach of the team, blew his whistle, signaling the start of drills. David, fresh off his recent birthday triumph, had kept his focus sharp. The day's session was packed, beginning with a series of sprints down the length of the field. David pushed himself to keep pace with the rest of the squad, his legs burning with every stride, but the familiar rush of competition was exhilarating. Every push, every breath was a reminder of why he loved the game.

"Come on, David, keep it moving!" shouted Wayne, offering a nod of encouragement as he ran alongside the team. His presence was a blend of leadership and camaraderie—always pushing them, but also running with them, showing that he was right there in the trenches.

After the sprints, they moved into ball control exercises. David worked relentlessly on his touch, juggling the ball with precision, weaving through defenders in practice scenarios. His legs were starting to feel heavy, but there was no slowing down. The fatigue only sharpened his focus. He lived for these moments—the drills, the intensity, the pursuit of perfection.

Next, they worked on passing and movement off the ball. David's sharp instincts kicked in as he linked up with his teammates, anticipating every pass, every run. The intensity of the drills began to take its toll on him. His muscles screamed for relief, but there was no stopping now. He couldn't afford to show weakness—not after everything he had worked for. This was his life now, and he loved every exhausting second of it.

"Keep that focus, David. You're almost there," Curtis called out as they shifted into a more intense session, working on shooting and finishing. David's boots struck the ball with power, sending it thudding against the crossbar or into the net. He felt the sweat drip down his face, stinging his eyes, but he wiped it away and kept pushing. There was no time for breaks—every moment was an opportunity to improve, to become stronger, faster, sharper.

By the time the session neared its end, David was exhausted, his legs feeling like lead. His breathing was heavy, but the satisfaction of a hard day's work outweighed the fatigue. He jogged over to the sidelines, his body aching, but a wide grin stretched across his face. It wasn't easy, but it was exactly what he had always dreamed of.

He bent over to catch his breath, hands on his knees, and checked his phone. His mom had messaged him earlier.

"Good morning, son. How's the training going?" Her words were always a comforting presence.

David smiled as he read the text. He had spoken to his parents the night before, but it was always nice to hear from them again.

"All good, Mom. Just putting in the work. I'll call you later."

His phone buzzed again moments later.

"You've come a long way since those early days. We're so proud of you. Keep pushing. Love you always—Dad."

David sat down on the grass for a brief moment, taking a deep breath and looking up at the clear blue sky. He had come so far, but there was still so much more he wanted to accomplish. The dream was no longer a distant thought; it was his reality. His parents had always believed in him, even when the road was tough. They had supported him through every setback, every obstacle, and now, it felt like it was all paying off.

As the training session wound down, the team gathered for a quick huddle to discuss the next match. Wayne Rooney, standing with his arms crossed and a serious expression, addressed the group.

"Alright, lads, listen up," Wayne said, his voice commanding their attention. "Big one coming up this weekend. We're facing Middlesbrough, away. It's going to be tough, but we've got momentum on our side. Let's make sure we're all sharp. We've trained hard, and now it's time to take it to the pitch."

David felt a surge of energy at the mention of the match. Middlesbrough away was always a tough test, but he was ready. He could already picture himself stepping out onto the pitch, the crowd roaring, the adrenaline kicking in. The next challenge was right around the corner.

As the team broke from the huddle and began packing up their gear, David caught a glimpse of his phone again. A simple message from his mom popped up:

"Stay grounded. You've got this."

David tucked his phone back into his pocket and looked out across the pitch. The next match was looming, but today, it was just about training, the routine that had become his new normal. The life he had always wanted—working hard, building his future, and proving to himself that he was capable of more than he had ever dreamed.

And as the final whistle blew, signaling the end of training, David couldn't help but feel the excitement building within him. Middlesbrough away was next, and he was ready for whatever came his way.