New Roommates and Training at Ajax Academy

The hallways of Ajax FC Academy bustled with young footballers as they returned to their dorms after the evening meal. Alex Bram walked alongside Steven Gerben, his new roommate, navigating the maze of corridors.

He'd just joined the academy, and everything felt new and exciting.Their room was on the third floor, facing the training grounds. The door bore a simple plaque: "Room 317." Steven opened it with a quick turn of the key, and they stepped into a modest but comfortable space. Two single beds stood on opposite sides of the room, separated by a small table with a lamp. A shared desk sat near the window, overlooking the football pitches.

Steven dropped his bag on his bed and stretched. "Welcome to our humble home," he said with a grin. "It's not much, but it's better than my old room back home."Alex smiled and set his backpack down, taking in the room's details.

Posters of famous footballers adorned the walls, and a mini-fridge sat in the corner, likely filled with energy drinks and snacks. "I like it," he said. "Feels like a real footballer's pad."Steven nodded. "Just wait until you see the training facilities. They're top-notch. You're gonna love it here." He flopped onto his bed and started scrolling through his phone.

"So, you play as a left winger, right? I guess Messi your favorite player?""Definitely Lionel Messi," Alex replied, sitting on his bed and unlacing his sneakers. "His style, his confidence—everything about him is just amazing."Steven chuckled. "Messi, huh? Yeah, he's a legend. I play right wing, so I'm a die hard fan of Messi. Love how he controls the game."

As they settled in, the intercom buzzed with a message from Coach Johan. "Attention, players! Training starts tomorrow at 7 a.m. sharp. Be on the field, ready to go. No excuses. We're running through agility drills and ball control exercises in the morning, then team scrimmages in the afternoon. Get some rest, and be prepared to work hard!"

Alex and Steven exchanged a glance. "Sounds like a full day," Alex said. "You ready for it?""Always," Steven replied, sitting up. "Just don't forget to set your alarm. I hear Coach Johan doesn't like latecomers."They spent the evening getting to know each other better.

Steven talked about his childhood in a small Dutch town, playing football in the streets with his friends. Alex shared stories of his journey from how he was in England before coming to Ajax Academy, his passion for the game, and his dreams of playing professionally.By the time they turned in for the night, Alex felt more at ease.

He knew that the training would be intense, but he was ready for it. This was his chance to prove himself and take the next step toward his dream.The next morning, the alarm buzzed at 6 a.m. Alex and Steven groggily rolled out of bed and got ready for the day. They pulled on their training gear, laced up their boots, and grabbed their water bottles.

The dormitory was abuzz with activity as other players prepared for the first day of training.Outside, the sun was just rising, casting a golden glow over the training fields. Coach Johan with his imposing figure was already there, clipboard in hand, checking off names as players arrived. He was a tall man with a no-nonsense attitude, known for his strict discipline and demanding training sessions."Alright, let's get started!" he called out, clapping his hands. "We've got a lot to do today. Start with a few laps around the field, then we'll move on to agility drills. I want to see speed, control, and focus. Let's go!"

Alex and Steven joined the other players as they jogged around the field, the cool morning air invigorating them. It was the beginning of a challenging but exciting journey at Ajax Academy, and they were ready to give it their all.

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I haven't forgotten about the system.