6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Kevin
Twelve years back
(Sophomore year, UCLA)
"Yo! boys… push harder!” Coach Wallace roared from the sidelines, clapping his hands in quick succession. He took the whistle from his mouth for a few seconds. “Don’t be wimps,” he added, before shoving it back in.
Practice days were always intense, filled with high energy, enthusiasm, and the usual jitters from both our team and the coaches. Like Coach Wallace often said, "Either we go hard, or we go home." It was a mantra that stuck in our subconscious, providing the needed motivation.
Today's drill was more tactical and energy-intensive than usual, but it was necessary. We had just qualified for the finals in the inter-college football tournament, and if we wanted to bring the trophy home, we had to give it our all.
We trained for an extra fifteen minutes before Coach Wallace finally blew the whistle three times, signaling the end of the session. Our training was as intense as an actual match; we dedicated as much seriousness and commitment to one as we did the other.
Thank God. Saved by the whistle. I was running out of energy.
“Gather round, boys.” He bellowed, waving us in. We all sprawled out on the pitch around him, visibly exhausted and breathing heavily, as his assistant passed around plastic water bottles.
“Thanks, Coach.” I twisted the cap off mine, emptying half of its content in one long gulp.
“First, I want to commend you boys for the effort and dedication you’ve shown since the start of the tournament. But, as you know, it only gets tougher. This weekend could change the life and career trajectory for some of you.” He let the words hang in the air for a few seconds before continuing.
We exchanged curious looks and whispered among ourselves.
“Scouts will be here to find exceptional talents. I don’t need to tell you what that implies.” He scanned our faces, gauging the effect of his announcement. “So, don’t rest on your laurels… put that testosterone to work, bring your A-game, and play like it all depends on you. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Coach!” We chorused, suddenly feeling all hyped and ready to take down our opponents.
“Louder.” He ordered, tucking the tablet securely under his arm.
“Yes, Coach!” We were sure to be louder this time.
“That’s the spirit.” He smiled, revealing his chipped incisor, with one arm akimbo. “We will reconvene tomorrow evening at 4 PM. No lateness, and now is not the time to skip practice either. Have a good evening, gentlemen.”
“You too, Coach.” We replied, happy for the little time off.
One thing that occupied my mind during the coach's pep talk was my date with Licia. I was to meet her at our favorite spot by the beach at 5 PM. It had been a while since I last saw her. By a while, I meant two days.
I hurriedly jogged to the dressing room to grab my gym bag before heading out. I didn’t want to keep her waiting.
“Brown, what’s the hurry?” Spencer enquired, opening his locker beside mine. He was the best striker on the team and enjoyed meddling in everyone's business as a hobby.
“I need to be somewhere in less than twenty minutes, and I’m running behind schedule.” I replied, pulling off my sweat-soaked jersey and stuffing it in my bag.
“Aren’t you coming to Miller’s party tonight?” He looked surprised. Every team member looked forward to the birthday bash. Miller had been planning it for weeks, and many popular students were sure to be there.
Guess we all have different priorities.
“Nah, I already made plans with someone special, and I can’t cancel.” I replied in an antsy tone.
He smiled with a mischievous glint in his eyes, “I see… and does this someone by chance have a name?” He pressed further, now leaning against his locker.
“None that you should concern yourself with.” I said with a boyish grin. Talking about Licia always made me smile with reckless abandon.
“Come on, man. I just wanna know. No harm intended. I promise.” He ran a finger across his chest, making an X sign.
The other teammates were already trickling in, making the room rowdy with movements and the sound of jammed lockers.
I leaned in towards Spencer. “Her name is Licia.”
“Hmm, Licia.” He then turned to the team almost immediately. “Listen up, Lions. Our golden boy here has a date with his girlfriend. Isn’t that sweet?” He teased, grabbing my shoulder, which I shrugged off.
The room erupted in cheers and taunts. I knew telling Spencer was a bad idea, seeing as he practically turned everything into a tease, but I didn't care. I slang my bag over my shoulder and made for the door.
Turning to Miller, I said, “Happy birthday, dude. Sorry, I can't stay. You already know why.”
“Thanks, Brown… and have fun with your date.” He added with a wink.
I shook my head. “Y’all should get your minds out of the gutter.”
***
The college stadium was packed with spectators on the day of the finals. We had practiced and trained arduously, and now it was time for execution.
Coach Wallace took his time once again to drum the importance of the match into our ears, emphasizing teamwork.
“This is war,” he said, “you need to watch each other's backs. Hold the fort, and don't get caught up in your attempt to be a superstar. Lone stars shine, but they shine brighter in the company of other stars.”
Seeing my parents and Licia cheering me on in the crowd was all the motivation I needed to give it my best. They were my biggest fans.
As we waited for the referee to blow the kickoff whistle, I sent up a short prayer to God. We needed His special favor.
The match dragged on till the end of the first half with no side conceding a goal. The tension was so thick you could cut through it with a knife. The players' nerves were frayed, and we felt like we were going to lose the game.
The fifteen-minute break in the dressing room was chaotic. The boys were complaining, some blaming others for missed passes and tactlessness until Coach Wallace walked in.
“Hey, listen up.” He ordered with a stern expression.
The room became absolutely quiet.
“You guys have played well, but I know that’s not your best. We can do this. Your folks in the crowd are expecting a win, so let's give it to them. Now, stop sulking and go show them how we do it! Get your head in the game!”
He then took out his tablet and made some adjustments to our formation, paying close attention to our attack, before we were called up for the second half.
Just when we thought we were going to end the match with a goalless draw and go for extra time, Spencer got possession of the ball. He ran with it at full speed, dribbling as he made for the Jaguars' goalpost.
Seeing me running to the other side of the goalpost, he made a clean pass to me. I trapped the ball mid-air and, with all the energy I could muster, shot it straight into their net just in time for the final whistle to go off.
The crowd went berserk with excitement.
“Goal!”
My teammates hoisted me up on their shoulders, celebrating our win around the pitch. Coach Wallace wasn’t left out of the celebration. He ran into the field, cheering and singing our praises. I had never felt so invincible. It was a thrilling feeling.
I looked at the spot where my family sat with Licia, and she blew a kiss my way, melting my heart all the more. I had just saved my team and made the most important people in my life proud. It still felt surreal.
Back in the dressing room, the boys were still singing and chanting our victory when Coach Wallace and his assistant strutted in, beaming like two very proud fathers.
“I have always known you guys would bring the trophy home, and you did. Special thanks to Spencer Hills and Kevin Brown. That pass was incredible. Everyone was literally at the edge of their seats. Bravo!” His assistant commended.
“Thanks, Coach, for believing in us.” Spencer and I responded, feeling flattered.
“You guys worked really hard. You deserve the win. Lest I forget, Hills… Brown, some people want to meet with you guys tomorrow by noon. For now, let the celebrations continue.” He gave us thumbs up and exited the room.
The meeting with the scouts was brief but detailed. Spencer and I were being recruited to play in an Asian club in Dubai, and the side benefits were too mouth-watering to turn down.
I was excited about the whole arrangement, but one thing soured it for me—we were to leave in three days.
“Three days?” My dad quizzed when I told him over breakfast, contemplating his approval.
The most they had let me out of their sight was when I got into college, and I practically shuffled between the campus and the house. So, this was going to be a big change for them, with little time to process the implications.
“Yes, Dad. I'm afraid so. They didn’t leave us with many alternatives. It’s either that or…”
“Isn’t there a way to stall for some time, at least to get yourself better prepared?” Mom interrupted, her voice a mixture of worry and concern.
“Apparently, the club has a very tight and strict modus operandi, so the recruitment window is only open for a short period. This is an opportunity many have lobbied for and would do anything to have.” I explained carefully.
My parents were in a pensive mood. They had to decide quickly. I didn’t have a problem with the recruitment, except for how I would tell Licia that I was going to be gone for only God knows how long.
I had barely managed to convince her to apply to the same college as I, now I was supposed to tell her that I would be leaving her there…alone. My heart squeezed whenever I envisioned how that conversation would go.
“How about school?” Dad asked, wiping the corners of his mouth with the napkin. He wasn’t keen on letting me leave.
“I will finish my program there, Dad. Coach Wallace is spearheading the transfer process, so that ground is covered.” I reassured them.
“And Licia?” Mom couldn’t help asking. “Have you informed her? What did she say?”
“Not yet, Mom. She traveled out of town yesterday, but I will leave her a message to that effect. Had to brief you first.”
“That’s fine, though it would have been better to tell her in person.” She suggested.
It made sense to do that, but Licia would not be back for at least a week, and I didn’t have that luxury of time.
“Well, I can’t stop you from following your passion and dreams. You have our full support; but know that if at any point you rescind your decision, you are free to come home. It wouldn’t change how we feel about you. You will always be our boy.” Turning to my mom, he inquired, “right?”
Mom nodded, “couldn’t have been said any better. We are proud of you, Kevin. We always have been, and will always be.”
“I will miss you guys, especially Lexie.” I confessed sadly.
“We already miss you, honey. Lexie is sure to cry her eyes out when she gets back from their expedition.”
“You bet, we will bear the brunt of her tantrums.”
I took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I need to go upstairs right now. I have a few calls to make.” I was getting emotional already, so I had to escape.
“Aren't you going to at least finish your meal?”
“No, Dad. The earlier I do it, the better.” I said with a weak smile.
“If you insist.” Dad shrugged, finally letting me off the hook.