Chapter 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.