Chapter II: The Road Begins Here
It's been little over a week since the team meeting and practice has already began. The team took a major hit in departing members, all the while fresh faces came aboard. It was no worry to me, all I needed to do was focus on my game and my time would surely come. But as a team, we had to get it together quick. With only a few days until our first friendly, gelling wasn't going to be so easy with this much change. But I like to think that we're all of one mind, and that's to win and have fun with this...
"There's the man of the hour, always hard at work", a familiar voice spoke out behind me as I was focusing on my juggling.
Albi Nilsson, a junior center-back and the newly appointed captain of the squad. "Hey Albi, what's going on?"
"Nothing much man, just thought I stopped by and check in with our new star player."
"Star player? We haven't played a game yet and you're already hyping me up? Come on, stop it, Albi." I retorted with a smirk.
"Hey, I've been hyping you up since you got here last year. I've always saw that potential in you, and now it's almost your time to shine. So, without asking, pretty safe to say you're excited, right?"
"Of course I'm excited." I juggled the ball a few more times and pass it over to Albi, "It's always around this time of the season to be excited. New faces, new goals, new aspirations, all of the unknown. I'm ready for it all."
"Good, I like where your attitude and spirit is at. I got a pretty good feeling we'll be needing more of you this year."
"Oh yeah?" I asked just before Albi passes the ball back to me. "You got some sort of Captain's inside tip?"
"Hah! You wish! No friend, I'm just going with a gut feeling. Most of the new guys are playing up front, and that leaves you, Cameron, Victor, Alek and Leon as the constant. Well, Cameron and Victor always been a constant here, giving they're about to play their 4th straight year as a Terrapin."
"The sea is an ever-changing current. I do not envy coach Cirovski, having to deal with the new nuance and what not."
"You and me both, brother. But you been around the game as long as he has, what else is there to do besides live, eat and breathe the game.?"
"True..."
Albi and I steadily exchanged juggles. To be honest, my thigh was beginning to burn and was ready to call it quits, but I wasn't about to chime out just yet.
"So, tell me, how do you see this season going? Think we can handle the long season?"
"I think so." Albi responded. "We got some new faces, but they're not total busters, you know? Only time and chemistry will really tell. But if I had my say, I think we'd sit pretty high in the conference."
"I just hop our offense is cut out for it. I'm sure none of us wants to be lacking on both sides of the pitch."
"So, don't let us down when we get you the ball", Albi smiles.
"Why all the pressure on me?"
"It's not, I just know you'll be doing some great things up there on that side of the pitch. Don't sweat the small stuff, we'll have your back. Can't let you have all the glory."
"yet, someone here is steady shoving it on me", I retorted.
"You'll do fine, don't worry. You just got that "it" factor. I can't pinpoint it about you, but I sense that if Joshua wasn't having such a studded freshman year, I think you'd had more playing time or you'd be the one going one and done."
"... Nah, I'd most likely would've stayed. I still think I can get better here."
"Hey, to each is own, but that be pretty lame, my man. God forbid you ever get injured, it's better do so on a contract. Take care of your bills and family."
"Yeah, you got a point. Just figured I finish school with a degree and play football."
"Pay-to-play, Remy. Take night classes or something to finish school, but never give up on an opportunity", Albi said with a serious tone.
"(A little too late for that, if you only knew...) I hear you, Albi, I do. You're really passionate about it, huh?"
"Of course I am, even more so when my big brother broke his leg in a college game at USC. He had all the marks to be a top guy for whatever team he would go on and play for. He denied LA Galaxy and two weeks later, he slipped down a set of stairs, breaking his leg. Now he works manager at a Amazon warehouse."
Hearing that mini story sucked all the will had to continue juggling, abruptingly stopping so, "Man... That's sucks big time. I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, that's a story I impart on anyone who's on the fence of seizing their dreams. "Carpe Diem", that's forever the motto."
Heeding Albi's words, our conversation was interrupted by McKenzie, who shifted the mood before things got heavy."
"Hey babes", McKenzie proceeded to hug and kiss me. "Hey Albi, good to see you. Ready for the new season to kick off?"
"I'm about as ready as I can be. I'm looking forward to it."
"Same here, I know you guys are going to tear it up this year."
"As the new captain of the team, I appreciate the vote of confidence."
"Hey, you're captain??? Congrats, good on you. I guess there's a new sheriff in town, huh Remy?"
I look at Albi then quickly draw my imaginary guns at Albi, shooting six shots, then cap off blowing my fingertips"
"But he's no match for the long arm of the "One-Man Bandit", little lady."
"Ew, no", McKenzie embarrassingly said. "Please don't do those cliche old western voices, yours is horrible", criticizing as she laughs. "Are we still on for dinner?"
"Oh, yeah, yeah, uh, give me 15 and I'll freshen up. Albi, mind keeping her company?"
"Sure man, McKenzie is just the right person I want to speak to about Tiffany anyway."
"You're still chasing after that girl?" I asked.
"Hey, you got yours, let me get mine!" Albi retorted jestingly.
I throw my hands up and let them have at it. I make it back to my room to check the hours at this new shing-dig we came across awhile back. It was pretty close to campus, so we wanted to see if this would be our new favorite spot. I took no longer than 15 minutes as I said to clean up some sweat and smell right for my woman. She bought this new cologne for me, Tuscan leather by Tom Ford. Pretty pricy for a small bottle of fumes, but she likes it on me. And it's not like the occasion was special, but she gets butterflies over this scent... Whatever works.
We make our way out the dormitory before parting ways with Albi. The sun was inching it's way to the other side of the world, the summer breeze was warm, but kept a cool sensation against the skin. Just taking a nice stroll with McKenzie was enough for me. We made our way into Krazi Kebobs, a in & out that specialized in Indian and Pakistani cuisines. McKenzie has been trying to get me to go full-vegan, as she is, but I just can't pull that trigger, but I do compromise. During the season, I watch what I eat, and she enjoys this time to relish in her veganness, but I also do it to support her ideals. When she's not into her literature, she focuses on her wellness lifestyle, and she's pretty serious about it. While she's still grossed out by that I still eat meat, she's surprisingly understanding and we made it work. After placing our orders, we idled outside taking the scenery in, watching people come and go as they please...
"Hey, you alright Remy? Something on your mind?"
"Huh? Oh, nah, not really. I'm cool." I responded, letting a few moments go by. "Hey, let me ask you something."
"What's up?"
"We've been together for almost three years now. How are you feeling about things?"
"Everything is great, I suppose. We have our moments like any other couple, but I'm happy, and I honestly can't see my life without you any longer... Is there any particular reason why you're asking this?"
"Before you came by, Albi was telling me about his older brother and how he lost his potential career to an injury. After someone else put it in perspective, it got me thinking about the time I passed up on a semi-pro club. God forbid I get injured later this week or next year, I want to be in a position where I can still take care of the people I love. And I just want to know how down are you for me."
"Babe, of course I'm with you til the wheels fall off. Don't worry about nothing like that, we got this. I'd be just as proud of you if you were in the semi-pro as you chase your dreams to play on the biggest stage ever. I support you no matter the cost."
"I definitely appreciate hearing that from you McKenzie. I got to admit, I'm pretty lucky having a girl like you."
"I'm the lucky one. As I said before, we've had our moments. I know I can be a headache sometimes, but you stuck it through with me. You could've easily left me alone, but you didn't. You've never turned your back on me. Even when I felt things were falling apart, you steered me back on track. I know I can always depend on your leadership and efforts to make my worries go away. I appreciate you more than anything Remy."
I quietly hugged McKenzie as she embraced me in her arms. I felt I had something solid here and that can go the distance. If she says we're the ones, I'll take it at face value and let the rest prove it-self. But it felt mighty good to hear those words from her. It was no doubt in my mind that I had to do it big by any means here on out. I've always had the backing from my parents and friends. Teammates were always nice to have to rally the moment, but having it from McKenzie, it just did something for me. I wanted to make everyone proud, more importantly, my-self. There's no stopping until I'm playing for the what matters the most in the game I love, but the road begins here...
