The walk into the training ground on Monday felt different.
Alex carried his bag over one shoulder. He was expecting... something. Shouts? Cheers? Maybe a high five?
The U18 locker room was just as loud as always. But when Alex walked in, the music felt a little quieter for a second. The shouting stopped.
Then, Sam was there. He jumped on Alex, almost knocking him over.
"Alex! That pass! That pass!" Sam was yelling, his face bright red with excitement. "It was like magic! Like you had a map of the whole pitch in your head! And the goal! You made that defender look so silly! He fell right over!"
Alex laughed, pushing his friend off. "It was a good pass, Sam. And a lucky goal."
"No way, man!" another player called out. It was one of the defenders. "That was not lucky. That was cold. You totally meant it."
"Good game, Alex," another one said, just nodding.
