"Professor," Bastian grunted.
"Bastian," Alex nodded. He felt... calm. The win at Anfield had changed him. The fear was gone.
The locker room was quiet. Alex sat at his locker, number 38. He pulled on his new black boots. They felt perfect.
Antoine came in. He was not wearing his medical boot. He was in his full kit. He looked like a superstar. He smiled at Alex.
"Morning, Professor. Ready to be my shield?"
"Morning, Magician," Alex smiled back. "Ready to be my sword?"
Bastian just grunted. "Too much talking. Not enough work."
Mark was the last one in. He was wearing his shiny suit and his silver boots. He looked like a pop star.
"You are late, Speed," Harry the captain called out.
"I am not late!" Mark said, his voice shaky. "I am... I am here."
"Go get the balls, package," Ben, the U21 captain, yelled from the physio room. Ben was also training with the first team now.
Mark went bright red. He looked at Alex. Alex just shrugged.
Mark sighed. He went to go get the balls.
