The Emirates Stadium at night was different.
It was not just a football ground. Under the floodlights, with the black sky above and sixty thousand people screaming, it looked like a spaceship ready to launch.
Alex stood in the tunnel. He was wearing the red and white Arsenal kit. On his arm was the Champions League patch. The ball made of stars.
He looked down at his black boots. They were clean. Perfect.
He looked to his left.
The Real Madrid players were standing there. They were in all black. They looked like ninjas. Huge, expensive, dangerous ninjas.
Sergio, their captain, was at the front. He was not looking at the pitch. He was looking right at Alex.
Sergio leaned over. He smelled of deep heat and intensity.
"Professor," Sergio said. His voice was low. "You have my shirt. That is enough charity. Tonight... school is closed."
Alex looked up. He was sixteen. His heart was hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird.
