Speed demon

Jace Holloway had made his decision.

He was no longer just the track star trying out football—he was a footballer now and also a speedster.

At least, that's what he told himself.

But as he stepped onto the school's training pitch the following Monday, he felt a familiar tightness in his chest. The same feeling he had before big races—only this time, it wasn't the excitement of a 100-metre sprint. It was the uncertainty of something he wasn't yet good at.

The trial period was over. Now, he had to earn his place.

Coach Davies had made it clear—he saw potential in Jace. But the potential wasn't enough. He needed to work, adapt, and prove he could contribute to the team.

Today was the first official training session. And Jace wasn't planning on being a spectator anymore and decided to join the training officially.

Training started with fitness drills, something Jace welcomed. Running drills, quick footwork, dynamic stretches—this was his comfort zone. While some of the other players groaned, Jace felt alive, pushing himself harder, setting the pace for the entire squad.

But then came the ballwork.

And once again, he felt like a beginner.

"Keep it moving, lads!" Coach Davies called out as they ran passing drills. "No sloppy touches!"

Jace focused hard, but the difference between him and the experienced players was clear.

His passing lacked confidence, his first touch wasn't as clean, and under pressure, his movements felt stiff.

He could tell the others noticed.

Marcus, ever the supportive one, tried to keep him encouraged. "You're getting better, mate. Just gotta loosen up."

Jace exhaled. "Feels like I'm learning to walk again."

But he was calm because he knew he was going to become better someday and would be called the Speed Demon once again.

"That's 'cause you're thinking too much," Marcus said. "Football isn't like track—you don't plan every step. You react. Trust your instincts."

Trust his instincts? That was easier said than done when every bad touch felt like proof that he didn't belong there.

After the warm-up and drills, Coach Davies gathered the team.

"Right, listen up! Now that we've got our squad mostly settled, we need to talk positions. I know some of you think you know where you belong but I'll be the one deciding that based on what I see. So if you've got a preference, you better back it up with your performances."

Jace knew where he wanted to play.

Winger because he was very fast and noticed that would be a sort of straight line for him to run as if he was on the racing track.

He had seen players like Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, and Kylian Mbappé—blazing fast, stretching defences, making defenders panic. That was the kind of player he wanted to be.

But he also knew he wasn't ready yet.

Coach Davies scanned the group. "Holloway."

Jace snapped to attention. "Yeah, coach?"

"You've got speed, but you're still raw. I need to figure out where you fit best. You see yourself as a winger?"

Jace nodded. "Yeah."

Davies studied him for a moment. "Alright. We'll test you there. But if it doesn't work, be ready to adapt."

Jace wasn't sure if that was a warning or a challenge.

The session ended with an 11-a-side game—a chance for everyone to prove themselves in real gameplay.

Jace's team had Marcus in midfield, Theo at centre-back, and Callum controlling the right wing. Jace was placed on the left flank, exactly where he wanted to be.

This was his moment.

But as the game kicked off, he quickly realised that playing winger wasn't just about sprinting up and down the pitch.

Defenders weren't giving him space. Every time he received the ball, someone was closing him down immediately.

The first few times, he panicked—his touch was too heavy, or he hesitated and got dispossessed.

"Move the ball quicker, Jace!" Marcus called out.

Jace gritted his teeth. He wasn't used to this. In track, he was alone—no teammates, no opponents trying to shove him off balance. Here, he was constantly under pressure.

Then, in the 15th minute, his chance came.

Marcus intercepted a pass and immediately looked up. "Go, Jace!"

Jace saw the space and exploded forward.

Marcus' pass came at the perfect time, curling into the gap behind the full-back. Jace sprinted after it, heart pounding.

This was his world now.

Three strides and he was already ahead of his defender. The ball was bouncing, but he adjusted, getting a touch to control it. He reached the edge of the box, defenders scrambling.

This was it. His moment.

He swung his foot back to shoot—

—and felt a sharp impact on his ankle.

His leg gave out.

The next thing he knew, he was on the ground, pain shooting up his foot.

"Foul!" Marcus shouted.

Coach Davies blew his whistle. "That was reckless, Samuels!"

Jace gritted his teeth, blinking through the pain. Not again.

He had already lost his sprinting career to an injury. He wasn't about to lose this too.

Marcus crouched beside him. "You alright?"

Jace nodded, pushing himself up. His ankle throbbed, but he could still stand. He wasn't done yet.

Coach Davies studied him. "You good to continue?"

Jace flexed his ankle. It hurt, but he wasn't sitting out. "Yeah."

"Good," Davies said. "Because that run you made? That's what we need. Keep making those, and the goals will come."

Jace clenched his jaw. Next time, he wouldn't just get fouled.

Next time, he'd score.

The game finished 2-1, with Jace's team narrowly winning. He didn't score, but he felt something more important—progress.

As the players headed off, Marcus jogged beside him. "Tough first game, huh?"

Jace exhaled. "Football's a different beast."

Marcus laughed. "Told you. But you're getting there. You're causing problems for defenders already."Jace smiled.

Jace nodded. He wasn't satisfied yet—not even close. But at least now, he knew he could be dangerous.

As they reached the changing rooms, Coach Davies called out.

"Holloway. A word."

Jace turned back. "Yeah, coach?"

Davies studied him for a moment. "You've got work to do. But you've also got something special. If you're serious about this, I'll help you sharpen it."

Jace met his gaze.

"I'm serious."

Davies nodded. "Good. Because from now on, you're not just a sprinter trying football."

Jace's breath caught in his chest.

"You're a footballer now."

Jace replied, "This is just the beginning".