Chương 51: Grocery Shopping

David Jones wiped the sweat from his forehead as he stepped out of the training facility. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the stadium's parking lot. His one-on-one training session with Wayne Rooney had been nothing short of transformative. They had laughed, pushed each other, and analyzed every movement. Rooney's encouragement echoed in his mind.

"Remember, David," Rooney had said, clapping him on the shoulder, "the pressure isn't something to fear. It's what makes you better. Learn to thrive in it."

David smiled at the memory as he began the walk home, his legs feeling both exhausted and exhilarated. The streets of Derby bustled with activity, and he enjoyed the cool breeze that accompanied the evening. His stomach growled, a sharp reminder of his earlier promise to restock his kitchen. No more cereal-only meals.

The grocery store wasn't far, and the walk gave David time to unwind. As soon as he stepped into the store, the atmosphere shifted. Whispers followed him as he grabbed a shopping basket.

"That's David Jones, isn't it?"

"He's even taller in person!"

David tried to maintain a low profile, pulling his cap lower over his face. But it was no use. Fans began to approach him tentatively at first, then with growing confidence.

"David, can I get an autograph?" a teenage boy asked, holding out a scrap of paper and a pen.

David smiled. "Of course, mate."

Before he knew it, a small crowd had gathered. Shoppers abandoned their carts to snap photos and chat with him. He obliged as many as he could, laughing and joking with the fans. An older woman even handed him a bag of sweets as a thank-you.

"You're a proper star, lad," she said, patting his arm.

"Thank you, ma'am. But I'm just here for some groceries," David replied, his grin widening.

He finally managed to escape the impromptu meet-and-greet and turned into the produce aisle. As he reached for a bunch of bananas, he accidentally bumped into someone. The sound of scattering apples followed.

"Oh! Sorry about that," David said, crouching down to pick up the fallen fruit.

"No worries," a soft voice replied. He looked up and froze. The girl in front of him couldn't have been much older than eighteen. Her wavy brown hair framed a face that was both radiant and approachable. She wore a casual outfit—a floral dress with white sneakers—but it was her eyes that struck him. They sparkled with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

"I should've been watching where I was going," she added, a small laugh escaping her lips.

"No, no, that's on me," David said quickly, handing her an apple. "I'm a bit clumsy off the pitch."

Her eyebrows raised. "Off the pitch? So you're a footballer?"

David blinked, unsure if she was joking. "Uh, yeah. David Jones."

"Oh, you're that David Jones?" she said, her tone teasing. "The one who missed the free kick?"

David's mouth fell open, but her laughter quickly followed. "Relax, I'm kidding! I know who you are. You played great last night. That run down the flank was something else."

"Thanks," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "You had me for a second there."

She grinned. "I'm Chloe, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Chloe."

They stood there for a moment, the bustling grocery store fading into the background. Chloe broke the silence first.

"So, do footballers eat bananas like regular people, or is there some secret athlete's recipe I should know about?"

David chuckled. "Just bananas, I'm afraid. Though I've been meaning to learn how to cook something decent."

"Maybe start with spaghetti. It's hard to mess up," Chloe suggested.

"Noted."

They continued chatting as they walked down the aisle. Chloe's humor was refreshing, and David found himself smiling more than he had in days. By the time they reached the checkout, he realized he hadn't felt this lighthearted since before the match.

As Chloe loaded her groceries onto the conveyor belt, she glanced at him. "So, do you always shop at this store, or was I just lucky today?"

David grinned. "Guess you'll have to shop here again to find out."

She laughed, shaking her head. "Fair enough. Good luck with the spaghetti, David Jones."

"Thanks, Chloe. See you around."

She gave him a small wave before heading out, leaving David standing there with a goofy smile on his face. The cashier cleared her throat, snapping him back to reality.

After paying for his groceries, David carried the bags home, the walk feeling shorter than usual. The sun had set by the time he unpacked everything in his kitchen. He set a banana on the counter, staring at it for a moment before shaking his head with a laugh.

The day had started with self-doubt, but now, as he sat on his couch scrolling through texts from Jason and replaying his encounter with Chloe, he felt something different. Hope.