บท 12: Day before the match

The day before the big match, David sat in the locker room with a sense of calm anticipation that contrasted sharply with the usual nerves most players would have before their first start. He'd been through countless scrimmages, played in competitive youth games, and faced pressure from the moment he'd stepped onto the field for the first time. But today, it was different. He wasn't nervous. He was excited.

"Yo, David, you good? You don't look nervous at all," Jason Knight asked, eyeing him with a raised eyebrow as they tied their boots.

David flashed a confident grin, leaning back in his chair as he adjusted the laces on his cleats. "Nervous? Nah, I'm excited. This is what I've been working for," he said, his tone calm but his words carrying a fire that wasn't lost on Jason.

"Excited, huh? Man, I wish I could be that chill. I'd be losing my mind," Jason replied, chuckling and shaking his head. "You're a different breed."

David shrugged, his grin widening. "This is what I was born to do. I know I'm ready."

Meanwhile, the rest of the team filtered in and out of the locker room, preparing for the following day's game. David could hear the chatter, the routine banter of teammates hyping each other up for what was about to be a big match. But David's mind was elsewhere. It was focused on one thing: tomorrow's starting lineup. He had worked tirelessly in training, showing his skills, impressing Wayne, and proving to everyone around him that he belonged. Deep down, David knew he had earned this opportunity.

Later that afternoon, Wayne Rooney gathered the team together in the locker room, clipboard in hand. The buzz of anticipation was palpable. As the players crowded around, Wayne began to speak.

"Alright, lads, the starting lineup for tomorrow's game," Wayne said, pausing for dramatic effect. The room fell silent. "In goal, Kelle Roos." The team nodded. "At left-back, we have Max Lowe. At right-back... Andre Wisdom." Max nodded, looking pleased.

"At center-back, Curtis Davies and Matt Clarke," Wayne continued, his voice steady. "Midfield—Jason Knight, Duane Holmes, and Me." The players on the field acknowledged their positions, some with nods, others with quiet grins.

"And up front," Wayne said, his eyes scanning the room, drawing out the suspense. "Martyn Waghorn, Jack Marriot and David Jones."

The room went still for a moment. Then a ripple of surprised murmurs spread throughout the team. Everyone had seen David's incredible performance during training, but to hear his name in the starting lineup for a real match—this was next level. Even those who had expected him to get a shot couldn't quite believe it.

Jason, who had just been talking to David minutes earlier, turned to look at him in awe. "No way. You're starting tomorrow? Wait no way i am starting too"

David nodded with a calm smile, but inside, his heart was racing with excitement. This was it. The moment he had been working toward.

"You've earned it, kid," Curtis Davies said, offering David a pat on the back. "Don't worry, we got your back out there."

"Absolutely," Max Lowe added, his voice laced with a mixture of admiration and encouragement. "You've been a beast at practice. We'll all be watching you tomorrow."

David's eyes sparkled with gratitude. The support from his teammates meant the world to him. He knew they had his back, but tomorrow, it was his time to prove himself.

Wayne clapped his hands to bring the room back to attention. "Alright, lads. Let's get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day, and we need to be ready. I expect nothing less than our best performance."

The players dispersed, the energy in the room buzzing with excitement. As David walked back to his locker, he couldn't help but smile. This was the beginning of something special. The beginning of his professional journey.

As the hours passed, David couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation. The match was tomorrow, and this time, it wasn't just a friendly or a training exercise. It was the real deal. He didn't spend the rest of the day stressing or overthinking. Instead, he kept it cool—chilling with his teammates, enjoying their company, and getting into the right mental space.

That evening, as the team gathered for dinner, the conversation shifted to other things. Football talk had its place, but for David, this was the calm before the storm. He laughed at the jokes, took part in the lighthearted banter, but deep down, he was ready. Tomorrow, it would all come together.

After dinner, David made his way to the quiet of his room. He took a moment to collect his thoughts and calm his nerves—though, in truth, he didn't have much to calm. He felt no fear, just the thrill of being on the brink of something huge. Before he could overthink anything, he decided to make a call.

He dialed his parents, Tabitha and Isaac, wanting to share the exciting news.

"Hey, Mom, Dad," David said as the call connected.

"David! How's my boy doing?" Tabitha's voice came through, filled with warmth and love.

"I'm good, Mom," David replied with a smile, his heart swelling as he heard her voice. "I just wanted to let you know that... I'm starting tomorrow."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before his parents burst into excited chatter. "Starting? Oh my goodness, David, that's amazing!" Isaac's voice joined in, sounding equally thrilled. "You've worked so hard for this. We knew you had it in you."

David chuckled. "Thanks, Dad. It still feels unreal, honestly."

"You've earned it," Tabitha said. "We're so proud of you. Just keep your head in the game, son."

David nodded, a wide grin spreading across his face. "I will, Mom. I'll make you both proud."

After a few more minutes of chatting, exchanging words of encouragement, and promises to watch the game tomorrow, David hung up. His parents' words resonated with him. They had been there every step of the way, supporting him when things were tough, and now, they were just as excited for this moment as he was.

He leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with thoughts of the match ahead. He couldn't help but replay the goals he'd scored in training, the assists, and the overall impact he'd made. He was ready. Tomorrow was the day.

As he lay down to sleep that night, David closed his eyes with a smile on his face. His body was tired from the excitement of the day, but his mind was sharp, his heart full of anticipation. Tomorrow, everything would come full circle. Tomorrow, he would take his first step into the world of professional football.

And when the alarm rang early the next morning, David woke up feeling more alive than ever. He had one goal in mind—make this debut count. The world was watching. This was his moment, and nothing could take that away from him.

And with that, he couldn't help but think: This is just the beginning.