IShowSpeed:Never Stop Dreaming!

The steady thud of the ball echoed through the training ground, blending with the distant hum of traffic beyond the stadium walls. The faint scent of damp grass and earth lingered in the air, carried by the crisp breeze that hinted at the approaching autumn.

Dante's breath came in sharp bursts as he sprinted across the field, the muscles in his legs burning with exertion. Sweat clung to his skin beneath his jersey, but he ignored the discomfort, focusing instead on the ball rolling ahead of him.

"Come on, Walker—control!" Coach Brooks shouted from the sidelines, his voice sharp as a whip crack.

Dante adjusted his stride, tapping the ball with the inside of his foot to keep it close. His pulse pounded in his ears as he cut past the last cone and fired the ball toward the goal. The sharp thud of leather meeting net sent a jolt of satisfaction through his chest.

"Yes!" The word burst from his lips before he could stop it.

"That's more like it!" Ethan called from midfield.

"Don't get cocky," Jack added with a smirk as he jogged past. "One good shot doesn't mean you're ready for the first team."

Dante bit back a retort, focusing on steadying his breath as he jogged back to the starting line. Jack's words stung, but they only fueled the fire burning in his chest.

Soon. I'll prove I belong here.

Later That Afternoon: Team Meeting

The air inside the conference room was heavy with anticipation. The faint hum of the overhead projector and the distant murmur of players shifting in their seats filled the silence as everyone waited for Coach Brooks to begin. The faint scent of coffee lingered in the air, mixing with the faint smell of leather chairs and sweat from the morning's training.

Dante sat near the front, his hands resting on his knees as he forced himself to sit still despite the nervous energy buzzing through his veins. Beside him, Ethan drummed his fingers against the table in a steady rhythm.

"All right, listen up," Brooks began, stepping forward with his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze swept over the room, sharp and assessing. "The next match is against Sheffield United's U18s. They're aggressive, fast, and they won't hesitate to punish any mistakes. This is your chance to prove you belong here—especially those of you hoping for a shot at the first team."

Dante's pulse quickened as Brooks' gaze settled on him for a fraction of a second longer than anyone else.

"Walker, Coleman—you two need to step up. I want to see coordination and teamwork, not rivalry. Understood?"

"Yes, Coach," they replied in unison, though Dante could feel Jack's eyes on him even as he focused on Brooks.

"Good. Dismissed."

That Evening: Outside the Stadium

The air was cool and crisp as Dante stepped out of the stadium, the faint scent of rain lingering in the air. The distant hum of city traffic blended with the muffled sounds of laughter and conversation from a nearby café.

"Walker!"

Dante turned, his pulse jumping as he saw Sophie approaching from the parking lot. Her long auburn hair was pulled back into a loose braid, and her green eyes sparkled with curiosity as she closed the distance between them.

"Hey," he said, the tension in his shoulders easing as he returned her smile.

"Heard you've got a big match coming up," she said, tucking her hands into the pockets of her coat.

"Yeah. Sheffield United," Dante replied, his smile fading slightly. "Coach says it's my chance to prove I'm ready for the first team."

"And you will," Sophie said without hesitation.

Dante blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the certainty in her voice.

"You sound pretty sure," he said with a faint smile.

"I am." Her gaze was steady, unwavering. "I've watched you play. You've got the talent—you just need to believe it."

For a moment, the world seemed to narrow to just the two of them. The faint hum of traffic and distant footsteps faded into the background as Sophie's words settled deep in Dante's chest, warm and steady like a heartbeat.

"Thanks," he said, his voice quieter than he'd intended.

Sophie tilted her head slightly, her smile softening. "So… do you always stand around stadiums after practice, or is this a special occasion?"

Dante chuckled, the tension in his chest loosening a fraction more. "What can I say? I like the atmosphere."

"Well, if you ever need a break from all the pressure, there's this café down the street that makes the best hot chocolate," Sophie said, her eyes glinting with playful mischief.

"Is that an invitation?" Dante asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe," she replied with a teasing smile. "But only if you win the match this weekend."

"Deal."

As Sophie turned to leave, Dante watched her go, the faint echo of her laughter lingering in the air long after she'd disappeared from sight.

I'm going to win this match. I have to.

Match Day: Westford Athletic U18 vs. Sheffield United U18

The air buzzed with anticipation as Dante stepped onto the pitch, the faint scent of freshly cut grass sharp in the cool air. The distant hum of the crowd and the occasional crackle of the stadium's loudspeakers echoed through the space, blending with the steady rhythm of cleats striking the turf.

Dante bounced lightly on his toes, rolling his shoulders as he focused on the field ahead. His pulse pounded with adrenaline, but beneath the excitement was a steady, burning determination.

This is my chance.

"Walker!" Ethan clapped him on the shoulder as he jogged past. "Let's tear these guys apart."

"Right behind you," Dante replied, his focus sharpening as the referee blew the whistle and the game began.

The first half was a blur of rapid passes and fierce tackles, both teams fighting to gain control. The air was thick with the sounds of cleats striking grass, players shouting to each other, and the occasional sharp blast of the referee's whistle.

Dante sprinted down the right wing, the wind biting against his face as he chased a long pass from Ethan. The ball rolled ahead, but Dante adjusted his stride, controlling it with the inside of his foot before cutting inside to dodge a defender.

"Walker—center!" Ethan shouted from the penalty box.

Dante's pulse pounded as he scanned the field, his heart hammering in his chest as he angled his foot and crossed the ball toward Ethan. The midfielder leaped, twisting midair as he struck the ball with a sharp header that sent it rocketing into the back of the net.

"Yes!" The shout erupted from Dante's throat as adrenaline surged through his veins.

"Hell yeah!" Ethan yelled as he sprinted toward Dante, clapping him on the shoulder as their teammates swarmed around them.

"Keep it up, Walker!" Coach Brooks shouted from the sidelines.

But the celebration was short-lived. Sheffield United responded with ruthless efficiency, their strikers pressing hard and forcing Westford's defense onto the back foot.

By halftime, the score was tied 1-1, and the air in the locker room was thick with tension. The faint hum of fluorescent lights and the distant murmur of the crowd outside filled the silence as the players caught their breath.

"Listen up," Brooks said, his voice cutting through the tension. "You've got forty-five minutes to prove you belong here. Walker—use your speed, but keep control. And for God's sake, don't hesitate when you see the goal."

Dante nodded, wiping sweat from his brow as determination settled like steel in his chest.

Second Half

The tension on the pitch was palpable as the game resumed, every player moving with a fierce intensity that spoke of their determination to win. The faint scent of grass and sweat clung to the air as the sound of cleats striking turf echoed across the stadium.

Dante's breath came in sharp bursts as he sprinted down the sideline, his pulse thundering in his ears as Ethan threaded a perfect pass through the defense. The ball rolled toward him, and Dante surged forward, his muscles burning with exertion as he angled his foot to control the ball.

A defender lunged toward him, but Dante feinted left, then cut right, slipping past the tackle with a burst of speed that sent his heart hammering against his ribs. The goal loomed ahead, the keeper shifting into position as Dante closed the distance—

No hesitation.

Dante drew back his foot, adrenaline flooding his veins as he struck the ball with a sharp, controlled kick that sent it rocketing past the keeper's outstretched hands and into the back of the net.

The roar of the crowd washed over him like a wave as he raised his fists in triumph, the air thick with the electric energy of victory. His teammates swarmed around him, their shouts of celebration echoing through the stadium.

From the sidelines, Dante spotted Sophie in the stands, her smile bright with pride as she clapped her hands above her head. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and something warm and steady settled in Dante's chest.

This is only the beginning.

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