As the new school year dawns and the promise of autumn fills the air, Aelita finds herself in a bittersweet reverie. The changing seasons seem to reflect the changing dynamics of her relationship with William, who is now juggling two demanding worlds—the Kadic soccer team and his budding career with FC Versailles 78, which was recently promoted to Ligue 2 in part because of his efforts the previous season.

Amidst the bustling hallways and the chatter of students at Kadic Academy, Aelita can't help but feel the weight of her longing. The carefree summer days, where they'd spent countless hours exploring the town and enjoying one another's company, have given way to a whirlwind of practices, scrimmages, and conditioning sessions. It seems that William's life revolves around the two teams, leaving precious little time for their relationship. The soccer pitch and the university campus have become the dual stages of William's life, and Aelita can't help but feel like nothing more than an observer on the sidelines. Each day, her lament grows as she watches time slip through their fingers like sand.

She cherishes the moments when he comes to visit her in the Hermitage or sneaks away for a stolen afternoon together; days that had once been plentiful are now becoming increasingly scarce. With each new day, her heart aches for the simple pleasures of their relationship's inception—the quiet evenings, stolen kisses, and shared laughter.

Deep down, Aelita can't shake the nagging feeling that their relationship is becoming more and more strained. She knows that their love is strong, but it feels like it is being tested in ways she didn't expect. She holds onto the hope that better days are ahead, but the bitterness of their circumstances leaves a lingering bruise on her heart.

As the weeks pass, Aelita's frustration and loneliness continue to build. She does her best to support William and his endeavors, but the ache in her heart is a constant reminder of their waning intimacy.

One day, after a particularly grueling conditioning session, William walks into the Hermitage, exhausted and dejected. He collapses onto the sofa, his body weary and his spirit worn.

"What's wrong, Will?" Aelita asks, concern etched into her voice.

"It's just... everything," he replies. "All this pressure is really starting to get to me. I feel like I'm being pulled in a million different directions, and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up this pace."

Aelita's heart breaks for him, and she sits down beside him, prompting him to sit up. She places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm so proud of you, William," she says earnestly. "You're working so hard and achieving so much. But you need to take care of yourself, too. You can't burn the candle at both ends like this."

William sighs, his shoulders slumping. "I know. But it's not like I have much of a choice. If I want to make it in this sport, I have to give it everything I've got. And unfortunately, that means sacrificing other parts of my life."

Aelita's expression softens, and she gently cups his face in her hands. "William, you're an incredible athlete. You're talented and dedicated, and you have a bright future ahead of you. But you're also human. You can't neglect your own needs and well-being in pursuit of your goals. It's not healthy, and it's not sustainable."

William's eyes meet hers, and he can see the genuine concern and affection in her gaze. He leans into her touch, his body craving the comfort and closeness he's been missing. "I know," he whispers. "I just... I don't know what to do. I want to succeed, but I don't want to lose you in the process."

Aelita's heart clenches at his words, and she pulls him into a tight embrace.

William buries his face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her familiar, comforting scent. He wraps his arms around her, holding her close.

"You're not going to lose me, Will. I'm not going anywhere. But you do need to find a way to balance your commitments and your needs. Otherwise, you're going to burn out, and that's not going to do anyone any good," Aelita says, leaving out the part about her lingering loneliness.

William nods, his cheek brushing against hers. "I know. I'll figure something out. I promise."

Aelita pulls back slightly, her gaze locking with his. William's eyes search hers, and he can see the truth and conviction in her words. He leans in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss.

"Thank you, Lita," he murmurs against her lips. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," Aelita says softly.

Aelita watches with rapt attention as William races down the field, his feet moving with lightning-fast precision. She can't help but admire his athleticism and skill. Kadic is playing against Solene Academy, and the score is currently 3-1 in Kadic's favor. Regulation is almost up, and Aelita can tell that William is determined to score one more goal before the final whistle blows.

As he approaches the Solene goal, William feints left, then right, then shoots, the ball sailing past the keeper and into the net. The crowd erupts in cheers, and Aelita can't contain her excitement.

"That's my boyfriend!" she shouts, her voice carrying over the din.

William turns and catches her eye, a broad grin spreading across his face. He gives her a quick thumbs-up, then returns to the game, his energy renewed.

The final whistle eventually blows, and Kadic emerges victorious. The team celebrates on the field.

William makes his way over to Aelita, his eyes twinkling. "How was that, Princess?"

"Incredible! You were amazing out there!"

William pulls her into a tight hug, his body thrumming with adrenaline. "I'm so glad you were here to see it. Now, let's get out of here quickly so we have enough time to make it to the Versailles game."

"Wait, you have a game for Versailles on the same day you have a game for Kadic?" Aelita asks, her brow furrowing. "How did you allow that to happen? And why didn't I know?"

He ignores the second question. "Yeah. It's a double header to end all double headers."

"But, Will, that's insane! You're going to be so exhausted!"

"I'll be fine, Princess. You know me," William says confidently. "I've got this!"

Aelita narrows her eyes, but says nothing else.

The two of them make their way out of the stadium, their hands entwined. As they walk, William can't help but notice the concerned look on Aelita's face.

"Lita, I'm okay. Really. I can handle it," William says, his tone reassuring.

"I don't doubt that, Will. I just worry about you."

He smiles. "Don't worry, Princess. Everything will be fine."

Aelita watches nervously as William lines up for the penalty kick. The score is tied 2-2 against Auxerre, and the game is riding on this single shot. Her heart is in her throat as she waits for the referee to signal the start of the kick.

William takes a deep breath, centering himself. He focuses on the goal, visualizing the path the ball will take. He takes a few steps back, then sprints forward, launching the ball with a powerful kick.

The crowd holds its breath as the ball sails through the air, arcing towards the goal. The keeper dives, but the ball slips through his outstretched hands, hitting the back of the net. The stadium erupts in cheers, and Aelita leaps to her feet, her face split in a wide grin.

William's teammates swarm him, patting him on the back and congratulating him on his latest goal. He grins, his eyes shining with pride as the realization hits him—he's just performed his very first hat trick, and the first hat trick in the history of FC Versailles 78.

When the final whistle eventually blows, William makes his way over to Aelita, a triumphant smile on his face.

"Oh my God, Will!" Aelita exclaims, reaching an arm out to grab his hand over the wall. "You're insane! I'm so proud of you!"

William laughs, his heart soaring. "Thanks, Princess."

"You're amazing, you know that?" Aelita says with a twinkle in her eye.

"Only because you make me that way," William replies.

As the excitement of the game dies down, Aelita and William make their way home, their hands entwined. They talk animatedly about the game, their voices filled with excitement and pride.

"I'm still in shock," William says with a laugh. "How the hell did I manage to pull off a hat trick after already having played a game earlier today?"

"I have no idea," Aelita replies, shaking her head in disbelief. "But you did it, and you were awesome."

William smiles, his eyes shining. "Thank you for always being there for me."

"Of course, Will. I'll always be here for you."

The entire drive home is energetic and happy, full of bragging from William and encouragement from Aelita. Once they pull into the Hermitage's driveway, Aelita's mood starts to take a dive. As they step inside, William can't help but notice the suddenly worried look on Aelita's face.

"Lita, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she replies quietly.

"Come on, Princess. I know you better than that."

She sighs, her expression conflicted. "I don't want to talk about it right now."

He frowns, his brow furrowed. "Please?"

"Will, I... okay, fine." Aelita takes a deep breath. "I've been really worried about us."

William furrows his brow again. "What do you mean?"

"We've barely spent any time together these past few weeks, William," she says sternly. "I know you've got a lot on your plate, but I can't help but feel tossed aside."

"Lita, I—," William tries to interject but she holds her finger up to stop him.

"Hang on. You wanted me to talk, so now I'm talking. Please, Will. Just listen," she starts. "I listened to you the other day, now it's your turn to listen to me."

He puts his hands up in defeat. "Okay. You're right. Go ahead."

"I've done so much and sacrificed so much to support you as much as possible right now, but I don't feel like I'm getting the same treatment in return. Take orientation this semester, for example. I understand that you had to do soccer-related things, but did you even know I was chosen to perform for the arts showcase? I feel like I gave one of my best performances ever and you weren't there to watch. And that hurt. I'm starting to feel like a trophy you're just carrying around trying to show off."

"Aelita, you know that's not—"

"William. What did I just say?" Aelita snaps at him, making him hang his head. She continues, "All of this is making me upset and a little angry, and I don't even want to really go into the implications of the fact that you haven't really touched me since the Kadic preseason started." She takes a second to breathe before continuing. "I'm really proud of you for putting your all into your career, but I'm also feeling really lonely and tossed aside and I feel like you don't really see that or care."

William is breathing deeply, trying to vent off his anger. He looks her in the eye as he asks, "Is that all? Can I speak now?"

"Yes, I'm done. For now."

He exhales slowly, almost as if he's trying to blow his anger away. "I hope you understand that all this running back and forth is basically for you. For us. I'm doing my best to give us the best life possible. Nice dates, beautiful gifts. I'm a little insulted that it sounds like you're implying that I'm avoiding you."

"I am doing no such thing. And also, the dates and gifts are wonderful and I appreciate them, but that's not the point here, Will," Aelita responds.

"Then what is?"

She looks William in the eye, her own eyes full of tears. "That regardless of how much you feel this running back and forth between your double life is going to provide us a better future, I'm beginning to feel like I don't exist in that future at this point."

William is taken aback by her words. "Aelita, what are you saying? Are you... are you breaking up with me?"

"No, William. That's not what I'm saying. But if that's what you're hearing, then maybe we need to have a much deeper conversation later," she states flatly. "William, please. I know you're already spread thin, but I need you to try and devote a little more time to us. To me," she says softly.

William sighs, half with relief, half with exasperation. "I wish I could make that promise, but I just can't. All I can say is that I'll do my best, Princess."

A look of disappointment flashes across Aelita's face.

He continues. "Look. After the collegiate championship, no more double life. All I'm asking is for you to be patient, and I'll make it up to you big time. All this lost time during the semester, I'll repay with interest." He pauses, choosing his next words carefully. "I've been thinking about… the future… a lot lately, and I've got a plan in motion. I just need you to trust me on this. Okay?"

Aelita sighs as she processes his pleas. "Fine. I guess I'm just going to have to endure and be patient for a little while longer. But please, William. I'm begging you. Don't overdo it. And please don't forget about me. I know you know how that makes me feel."

He pulls her into an embrace, lightly rubbing her back. "I know, Princess. I know. I'm sorry. I'll do my best. That I can promise."

"Thank you, William," Aelita says, her voice muffled against his chest.

"I love you, Lita," William says, his voice thick with emotion. "I hope you never forget that. Even if it seems like I'm devoting more time to other things, I'm always thinking of you."

"I love you, too, Will," Aelita replies, her voice soft as she speaks into his chest. "And I know you're doing your best. I just miss you."

"I miss you, too, Princess," William says. "But we'll get through this. I promise you we will. Now come on, let's go to bed. It's been a long day."

"That it has," Aelita agrees, a smile on her face.

The two of them make their way upstairs. As they settle into bed, they can't help but feel a sense of contentment as they snuggle up next to one another and drift off to sleep.

It's the following weekend, and Versailles is playing against Bordeaux, a formidable Ligue 2 opponent. The game is a tight one, with both teams trading goals back and forth. Currently, the score is 2-1 in Bordeaux's favor.

William is playing exceptionally, his athleticism and skill on full display. He weaves his way through the Bordeaux defense with fluidity and grace. As he approaches the goal, he lines up his shot and fires, using his left foot to send the ball sailing past the keeper and into the net.

As the game progresses, the tension mounts. The score remains tied at 2-2, and the clock is ticking closer to ninety. With only a few minutes left, Versailles has one last chance to seize victory.

William weaves his way through the Bordeaux defenders, positioning his body within the penalty box. One of his teammates passes him the ball in a perfect cross and with laser-like focus, William times his jump to perfection, arching his body gracefully as he meets the ball with his forehead. As William connects with the ball, a Bordeaux defender, in his desperation to thwart William's shot, recklessly fouls the striker with a forceful shove from behind. But ultimately, it's no use. The ball sails through the air, arcing towards the upper-left corner of the goal. The keeper leaps, his arms outstretched, but it's no use. William's shot is too powerful, and the ball flies past him, hitting the back of the net.

Aelita watches in alarm as her boyfriend crumples to the ground while the referee's whistle pierces the stadium's roars of appreciation for William's header. A surge of anxiety washes over her when he doesn't immediately move, and her breath catches in her throat as she witnesses him lying there motionless for a few tense seconds. Yet, despite being shoved to the ground, William slowly stirs and eventually pushes himself to his feet, and a collective sigh of relief washes over the crowd.

William dusts himself off and jogs back to the center of the pitch, lightly rubbing his elbow. His face is a mask of determination. As he prepares to resume play, he glances up at the stands, finding Aelita's pink hair in the crowd. He gives her a subtle nod filled with confidence and reassurance.

Aelita smiles, her heart swelling with pride. She knows that William is going to finish this game strong, and she can't wait to celebrate his victory with him later.

William lines himself up for the penalty kick, his gaze focused and his stance steady. He feints left, knowing that the goalkeeper is aware of his ambidexterity, but he switches to his right at the last second, sending the ball sailing past the keeper and into the net.

The crowd erupts in cheers, their voices ringing out in celebration. William's teammates swarm him, their faces alight with joy and excitement.

As the final whistle blows, signaling the end of the game, Aelita can't help but feel a sense of elation. She knows that William has worked hard for this victory, and she's immensely proud of him.

"You did it, Will," she murmurs, her eyes twinkling. "God, you're amazing."

As the players make their way off the pitch, Aelita can't help but notice the reporters swarming William, their cameras flashing and their questions flying. She watches as William handles the attention with ease, his demeanor calm and collected.

"William Dunbar, you've just performed a perfect hat trick for the first time in Versailles history, and your second hat trick in two weeks. How does it feel?" one reporter asks.

"Gotta say, it feels great," William replies, a smile on his face. "I'm just happy to have contributed to the win today."

"You've been attracting a lot of international attention lately. Do you think you're ready to make the leap to the professional level?" another reporter inquires.

"I think I'm definitely ready," William says confidently. "I've been working hard, and I know I have what it takes to succeed at the next level."

"What's next for you, then?" the reporter presses.

"I'm going to continue to train and work hard, and I'll see where the chips fall," William replies, his tone measured.

"Do you think you'll stay with Versailles, or will you be looking for a Ligue 1 team?"

"I'm not sure yet," William admits. "I'll have to see what opportunities present themselves."

"Well, whatever you decide, we're all rooting for you," the reporter says, a smile on his face.

"Thanks," William replies sincerely.

As the interview comes to an end, William makes eye contact with Aelita, who is leaning over the railing of the stands. He makes his way over to her and lifts her up over the barrier, setting her down on the pitch.

"Hey, Princess," he says, a smile on his face.

She responds by throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply.

Cameras flash around them, capturing the intimate moment. A videographer approaches the couple, his camera trained on them. He wordlessly films them embracing.

"I'm so proud of you, Will," Aelita murmurs, her voice filled with emotion.

"Thanks, Princess," William replies, his eyes twinkling.

The two of them stand there for a moment.

"Come on," he says. "Let's go celebrate."

"Sounds good to me!"

The two of them make their way off the pitch hand-in-hand, cameras flashing wildly behind them.

William Dunbar's Hat-Trick Delight Ignites Global Interest in FC Versailles 78

By Luc Martel

In a thrilling match that left fans on the edge of their seats, William Dunbar, the star striker for FC Versailles 78, achieved something truly remarkable. His second hat trick in as many weeks, this one being a perfect hat trick (goals scored with the right foot, left foot, and a header), has not only secured his place as a club legend but is now catapulting him into the international football spotlight.

This incredible feat, taking place against a formidable opponent, marks the second hat trick in FC Versailles 78's history. However, it's more than just a local achievement. William Dunbar's exceptional performance is capturing the attention of football enthusiasts worldwide.

In a football world filled with rising stars, William's consistent excellence on the field is a testament to his talent and dedication. His exceptional ability to score goals using both feet and his head adds to his growing reputation as a versatile and complete striker. Experts and fans alike are now eyeing him as a potential force to be reckoned with on the international stage.

As FC Versailles 78 continues its journey in the football world, all eyes are on their star striker. The question on everyone's lips: Can William Dunbar take his incredible performance to the international arena? With the perfect hat trick under his belt and his growing reputation, the world of football eagerly anticipates the next chapter in William's already illustrious career.

The old woman puts the article down on her kitchen table. She is impressed by this William Dunbar kid. Even in all her nearly eighty years of life, she's never seen a player this skilled on the field.

The television she has in the kitchen is wrapping up a replay broadcast of the Versailles-Bordeaux game a few days ago. "We now go live to our reporter on the field who is joining in on an impromptu interview with William Dunbar after his blistering performance."

"Thea? Thea! Get in here now! Did you see? William Dunbar did an on-field interview!" the old woman shouts through the house for her daughter.

"Coming!" A younger woman jogs in to catch the latter half of the interview.

"You've been attracting a lot of international attention lately. Do you think you're ready to make the leap to the professional level?"

"I think I'm definitely ready. I've been working hard, and I know I have what it takes to succeed at the next level."

"What's next for you, then?"

"I'm going to continue to train and work hard, and I'll see where the chips fall."

"Do you think you'll stay with Versailles, or will you be looking for a Ligue 1 team?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'll have to see what opportunities present themselves."

"Well, whatever you decide, we're all rooting for you."

"Thanks." William looks off camera and waves at the reporters and camera operators before he jogs off towards the stands. The cameras follow him as he heads for a pink-haired girl leaning over the barrier.

The younger woman watches in earnest. "Huh. Interesting choice in hair color on that girl. Must be dyed."

The older woman just shrugs, still watching intently.

As the camera moves in closer, in an impressive feat of strength, William lifts the girl over the barrier and sets her onto the field where they embrace and kiss.

The young couple on screen pulls apart and you can see their lips moving, but no talking can be heard from them. The camera zooms in a little more.

The older woman pauses the broadcast with Aelita's face clearly in view. "Wow. If you weren't in the room with me, I'd almost believe that were you, Anthea. I feel like I'm looking thirty years into the past. She looks just like you at that age."

Anthea narrows her eyes as she leans into the TV and studies the freeze frame. "Does she? I guess you're right, she does..." she says as she continues to scan the screen. "I can't put my finger on it, but something about her seems so familiar," she ponders out loud. It can't be. Can it?