Chapter 1
It was a warm and sunny summer morning, and the tryouts for the Prodigy Soccer League, which was for 11 to 14 year olds, was in full swing. It was being held at the local park in town, and boys and girls of different ages were trying out. If they were to get onto the team that represented their town, they would be playing against other teams from different towns, and they could get their pictures in newspapers all over the state. To a kid, this meant that they could be famous, and they could show off their picture in the newspaper, to all of their classmates in school. And maybe, if they played hard enough, they could attract the attentions of real recruiters, who would be willing to train them to become pros when they were older! This meant that they could get rich, and even more famous!
But before their dreams of being rich and famous could come true, the tryouts was all that stood in their way. And trying out was exactly what these kids were doing; they ran back and forth, they dribbled soccer balls through the cones, they kicked balls into the net, they scrimmaged with one another to either steal or keep the ball, and those that were trying out for goalie caught or kicked the ball away. As they played, the recruiters for the local team watched them, and jotted down notes notes on their clipboards. Some kids, seeing the recruiters were watching them, tried to up the ante on their trying out, with hopes that they would be seen giving it their all. While most succeeded with their attempts to be impressive, most failed and looked foolish, which earned them mocking laughs from the other kids who were waiting to try out. So it was best to take chances when you knew that you could do it, not when you were desperate and aiming to please.
One particular kid, who was shooting the ball into the goal like a real professional, was an 11-year-old boy. He was small for his age, and he had short brown hair, peach-colored skin, and brown eyes. He wore a green t-shirt, black gym shorts, and black and white soccer cleats, like a real professional would. And the way he played mesmerized the recruiters, who began jotting down notes about him in their notebooks. Eventually, after scoring numerous goals, one of the recruiters call the boy over.
"Well Ted, you've done excellent on shooting goals," said the recruiter, an older man with a balding head, wearing a dark blue dress shirt, black slacks, and white sneakers. "And you've also proven yourself with dribbling and running - I'd say you have a real chance to be on the team this year."
"Thank you, sir," said Ted, his tone excited. "I'm trying my best out there!"
"Yes, I can see that," The recruiter replied. "Now we're going to see how well you scrimmage - you'll be playing against another talent who's just as skilled as you are. Come on, I'll take you to him."
The recruiter motioned for Ted to follow, and they began crossing the field. Needless to say, Ted was excited that he had a real shot of being on the team this year - it was his dream to become a professional soccer player. He lived and breathed soccer, spending all of his time training, watching videos, and trying to perfect his skills. And now, he was old enough to try out for the team, and he was really proving himself out there. Hopefully, he could make good with the scrimmaging part of the tryouts, and get onto the team.
Ted and the recruiter crossed the field, and came to where the scrimmaging was being held. This was where two tryouts would play against each other, and try to either steal or keep the ball, depending on who had it. Another recruiter, a younger man with brown hair, stubble beard, and wearing the same uniform, was waiting for them, and he was holding a soccer ball under his arm.
Standing and waiting with him was another kid, who was also trying out for the team. The kid looked similar to Ted, but with minor differences: he was 11 years old, was small for his age, and he had short black hair, light-colored skin, and blue eyes. He wore a dark blue t-shirt, black gym shorts, and black and white soccer cleats, like a real professional would. If it wasn't for the different colors, the two could've passed for twin brothers!
"Ted, you're going to be scrimmaging against Casey," said the first recruiter, the older one. "You'll start out by holding the ball, and he'll be trying to steal from you."
"Cool." Ted replied, as the second recruiter dropped the soccer ball, and kicked it towards him.
"Good luck, you two," said the second recruiter, the younger one. "And remember, make sure to give it your all."
"No problem," Casey replied, before turning to Ted and asking in a playfully haughty tone, "You want me to go easy on you?"
"Are you kidding?" Ted asked, his tone playfully offended. "You heard what the guy said - give it your all!"
"Okay, I will!" Casey replied, taking a playing stance. "Let's go!"
Ted began dribbling the soccer ball with his feet, as Casey tried to steal it from him with different slides, kicks, and tackles. They were both on an equal level of playing, so both were having a hard time trying to either steal, or keep the ball. Eventually, using some fancy footwork and trickery, Casey was able to steal the ball away from Ted! Then it was Ted's turn to steal the ball, and using fancy footwork and trickery of his own, he stole the ball back from Casey! Back and forth they went, both stealing and keeping the ball, impressing the two recruiters who were watching. They both were playing their hearts out, both hoping to overcome their opponent and prove who was the best player.
But though the two were playing against each other, both were enjoying the challenge, and they were laughing and playing without seriousness, like two best friends in the park, who were passing the ball back and forth. In that moment, they were forgetting that they were trying out for the team, and they were just having fun showing off. As they played, a newfound respect and admiration for each other was growing, and both boys hoped that they would be on the team, just so they could play together again.
After a couple of minutes of going back and forth, the two recruiters called the time, and both Ted and Casey stopped. Both were panting and sweating hard from the scrimmage match that they just had, but they were both smiling and laughing a little bit, impressed by how far the other one had gone.
"You were really good," Casey panted, standing up straight and wiping the sweat from his brow. "I really had to push it to keep up with you."
"Thanks, you were good too," Ted replied. "I didn't think I would find someone who could play like you."
"Think we'll make it on the team?"
"I hope so - then I would get another chance to play with you."
"Yeah, we should have another match like this again - this was fun. It's hard for me to find people on my level of playing."
"I know, right? I've challenged all my friends, and they're all like 'we're tired of losing to you', so they don't play against me."
"Same here!" Casey said excitedly. "All my friends say the exact same thing to me when I ask them to play!"
"No kidding!" Ted replied, his tone impressed. "I guess you know how I feel!"
"Okay you two," said the first recruiter, the older one. "You're done with the tryouts - we'll review your performances, and if you've made it onto the team, we'll give your parents a call. In the meantime, go get a drink and a snack, and go tell your parents that you're done."
"Yes sir!" Both Ted and Casey said at the same time, before looking at each other, and then letting out a laugh at having said 'yes sir' at the same time.
"So, will I be seeing you again?" Ted asked, as they walked to where the snacks and drinks were.
"If we both make the team, then yes, we will," Casey replied. "It was really fun to play against you, and if your skills are as good as mine, we'll be unstoppable out on the field!"
"That would be so cool!" said Ted, his tone excited. "We'll be like the dynamic duo!"
"Yeah, we definitely will. Hey, we never did get properly introduced - my name is Casey. What's yours?"
"Nice to meet you, Casey - my name is Ted."
Ted stopped and extended his hand for Casey to shake, and Casey did. As the two shook hands, they both smiled at each other, as their friendship took root and started to grow. As they continued walking to go and get a snack and a drink, they continued talking with each other, mostly about soccer. Afterwards, they would introduce each other to their parents, and try to stay in contact with one another.
But that wouldn't be much of a problem, for a couple of days later, they both found out that they made it onto the team! And as they came to their first practice, and spotted each other at the meet-up spot, both knew that it was going to be the start of an awesome friendship, forged out of their love for the sport!
The team won their first game, mostly thanks to the duo of Ted and Casey. Together, the two were unstoppable, and with their passing, dribbling, fancy footwork, and trick shots, they scored many goals within their games! They won game after game, eventually making their way to the finals, where they won the state championship, and got their pictures in newspapers all over the state!
Then, Ted and Casey were recruited for the national championships, and they won game after game for their team, eventually winning the national championship! They were becoming famous in the leagues outside of the professionals, and professional recruiters were staring to take notice of them for their playing skills!
Outside of soccer, the two were inseparable - they hung out together, they practiced together, they invited each other over to their houses to watch the games, and they even went to the same school as one another. They did have a rivalry with each other, but it was mild and friendly, a sort of rivalry where they could laugh at their own losses, and congratulate one another for their victories.
For twelve years straight, the two grew up together; they moved out of middle school into high school, and then they graduated from there. But after graduation, and a short time playing for a college team, they were approached by a manager for a professional soccer team from Great Britain, who had traveled all the way to America to recruit them! Not wanting to miss the opportunity, they both jumped at the chance to join! And soon enough, they had moved from America to Great Britain, and had joined up with the professional soccer team that they had been recruited for! And there, they proved themselves to be worthy players, winning game after game for their team!
Ted and Casey were on top of the world, the dynamic duo who scratched and claw their way to victory, and it looked like the good times were never going to end!
But unfortunately, what they couldn't see coming was that it was going to end. And not just their winning streak, but also the career and dream for one of them, and even worse, their long-lasting friendship.
It was going to be another regular professional game, and by this point, both Ted and Casey were used to the roaring crowds of the stadium. It had lost its luster a little bit, not like when they first started out, and were excited by the crowds that cheered for them, and chanted their names when they came in. But still, waiting in the locker room to be called out, they was an air of excitement among the players.
Ted and Casey were both now 21-year-olds, though Casey was a little bit older than Ted, but only by a few months. Though the two were still small in stature, as their height didn't grow with their age, they were still great soccer players. And with the skills that they had, their height problem could be overlooked.
They still looked the same, but now they were adults: Ted still had short brown hair, peach-colored skin, and brown eyes, and Casey still had short black hair, light-colored skin, and blue eyes. They both wore white soccer jerseys, white soccer shorts, and blue and white cleats with white socks. On the back of Casey's jersey was the number 10, while on the back of Ted's jersey was the number 5, and the numbers were colored blue.
"And with this victory, we'll be heading into the semi-final, and then if we win that, it's on to the finals!" said Ted, his tone excited. "Another trophy's going to be in the bag for us!"
"Three time winners of the British National Soccer Championship," said Casey, his tone impressed. "I don't think there's ever been a team that's done that before - except now, that is."
"Come on, let's do our signature!" said Ted, taking a heroic stance.
"Oh come on, Ted, we gotta do this?" Casey groaned out, an annoyed but friendly smile on his face.
"Come on Casey, you know you love to do this!" Ted replied. "Let's do it, man!"
Casey let out a sigh and gave in, getting up and doing a heroic stance alongside Ted. Together, they did a little pre-game ritual that they would always do before playing.
"Kicking butt and taking names!" Ted announced.
"Going all out and all in, whenever they play!" Casey announced.
"They can't be stopped!"
"They play the best!"
"Coming out on top, they'll never rest!" Ted and Casey said at the time same. "The dynamic duo of Ted and Casey, gonna take it all!"
The two let out cheers and laughed, then started playfully shoving each other. Another usual way to start out, before they were to be called up to play the game. The other members of their team just watched and rolled their eyes, while some laughed and joked about their pre-game ritual. Sure enough, after a few minutes, the coach called the team up and out of the locker room - the game was about to start!
Though if Ted and Casey knew what was going to happen, they wouldn't have gone out there to play. Heck, they wouldn't even have gone out of the locker room, let alone onto the field.
The game started out as usual, with Ted and Casey passing the ball into play. The two then went through their usual motions of playing, both passing to each other, dribbling the ball down the field, passing it to their teammates, and so on. When they got to the goal, they did a trick shot and scored the first goal in the game, which made the crowd go wild. Then their opponents got the ball, and they defended against them.
But their opponents wanted to win this game as much as they did, so they were playing just as hard. Much to the two players' surprise, the opposite team was able to score a goal against them. But they shook it off and continued playing, scoring another goal against their opponents, and making the score 2 to 1. The opponents got the ball again, and they played equally hard, scoring another goal and then tying up the game. Back and forth, the two teams went at it, and with both throwing everything but the kitchen sink at each other, it was going to be a close game. Back and forth, back and forth, with the score eventually reaching 10 to 10, with the ball in Ted and Casey's team's favor.
At halftime, both teams were tired and sore, from the raging battle that was out on the field. However, Ted and Casey, despite being as tired and sore as the rest of the team was, were keeping their hopes up. They knew, that they had to put their hearts and souls into the game if they were to win, as much as they had done with the games they played growing up.
Once halftime was over, the teams were back out onto the field. As they played, Casey stole the ball and was going for another goal, when a player from the opponent's team tackled him and stole the ball! Casey rolled along the ground and recovered, but now he was angered by what had happened, and he wanted revenge! He ran after the other player with all that he had, his intention to slide right into his opponent, and knock the ball out from underneath him! But what he didn't know, was that Casey was following him from behind, and he was also planning on sliding and stealing the ball.
Casey made it up to his opponent, and slid right at him! But just as he did that, Ted had also done it as well, and that's when everything seem to go into slow-motion! The opponent quickly dodged the attempt that they both tried, and Casey slid right into Ted's leg with his cleats up! He watched in horror, as his own leg spiked into Ted's knee, causing it to go at an awkward angle and break! Ted let out a loud cry of pain as his knee and shin were utterly destroyed, in such a way that was unbearable to watch, let alone even look at it! And then, suddenly, time resumed, and the game was suddenly called to a halt!
Referees, doctors, and coaches all came out onto the field to survey the damage, while the players and audience looked on in worry. Casey was appalled by what he had done; he had hurt his best friend, whom he grew up alongside! He didn't mean to, but it all happened so fast, and he didn't know Ted was beside him! He should've said something - it was all Ted's fault for what he done, but Casey couldn't help but think that it was his fault as well! He shouldn't have been so wanting for revenge - he should've kept a cool head, and planned out a strategy alongside Ted. Besides, even if they scored a point, they could've rebounded from it, and they still could've won.
But the damage was already done - Ted's knee was shattered, and his leg was throughly broken! He was now crying and gritting his teeth, as the doctors did everything they could to try and ease his pain. He couldn't even walk, so they had to send for a stretcher to pick him up on. Working together, the referees and doctors lifted Ted onto the stretcher, and he was lifted and carted off the field. All were horrified by what had occurred, but soon, the game continued, and Casey was given a penalty shot, in place for Ted, who was now out of the game.
Casey couldn't think straight after what had occurred - all he could think about was that moment, which resulted in Ted's injury. As he tried to get back into the groove of playing, the moment replayed in his head over and over. He couldn't focus on the game, which resulted in the ball getting stolen whenever he had it. By the end of the game, his team had lost, with their score being 10, and their opponents score being 15.
They had lost the semifinals, and they had lost their opportunity to win another trophy. But for Ted, with an injury like that, he had lost his career…