Chapter 37: David’s dreams
David Jones leaned back on Jason Knight's couch, controller in hand, his focus locked on the FIFA match unfolding on the screen. Jason, sitting next to him, let out a groan as David's virtual striker buried the ball in the top corner of the net.
"Again?" Jason exclaimed, tossing his controller onto the cushion. "You're unbeatable, mate. This is getting ridiculous."
David laughed, his grin infectious. "Don't hate the player, hate the game," he quipped, leaning back triumphantly.
Jason shook his head, chuckling. "You're as annoying on the pitch as you are on this game. No wonder Rooney's always raving about you."
The two teammates spent the evening like this, bantering and laughing, the stress of matches and training temporarily forgotten. For David, moments like these grounded him. He'd always been humble, despite the mounting buzz around his name and what others say about him he has alwalys felt he was humble despite how good he really was. Jason's friendship reminded him that he was still just a teenager, navigating life and football.
The next morning, David was back at Moor Farm, Derby County's training ground. The sun peeked through the clouds as the team gathered on the pitch, stretching and warming up. Wayne Rooney, both their coach and an active player, stood at the edge of the group, observing with a keen eye.
"All right, lads," Rooney's voice rang out. "Yesterday's win was great, but we've got to stay sharp. Let's see that energy out here today."
David jogged onto the pitch, joining his teammates for drills. Despite his young age, he carried himself with confidence. Rooney often pulled him aside during training sessions, offering advice and sharing stories from his days at Manchester United.
"You've got something special, David," Rooney said during a break. "Keep working hard, and you could be playing at the highest level soon. You've got the talent to be a Premier League great, maybe even one of the all-time legends."