Connection not Talent

Kane's first day in highschool was a complete three sixty from the one he experienced in his past life. 

Back then, as soon as he and Mal resumed, Mal abandoned him and instantly went to mingle with people who looked tough, while Kane tried his best to remain in the shadows.

This time, as soon as Kane stepped into the classroom with Att and Mal, everyone's eyes panned towards them, and an excited noise went up the air. Girls were barely containing their excitement as Kane walked past them, and curiosity mixed with barely concealed admiration could be seen on the boys' faces.

Kane took a seat in the middle row, and Mal took the spot beside him. He looked a little uncomfortable, which is expected, because he doesn't do well in new spaces at first.

Most teachers who taught them today recognized Kane, which was to be expected since he was quite popular. A few students walked up to him and introduced themselves, and Kane responded to them politely. Even though he was popular, he never treated anyone badly. He knew how he hated being bullied and walked over in his highschool in his past life and he vowed to not do the same thing in this life.

During break, Kane and Mal head over to the cafeteria and they whip out their lunch which Norbit's wife, Sarah, packed for them. Sarah was a good cook and she usually prepared every meal with love and attentiveness, providing them with a balanced meal daily which boosts their immune systems and makes them grow up rapidly.

In his past life, Kane was very short and scrawny at the age of fourteen because of the lack of adequate nutritions in his diet. But presently, he takes in more than enough calories into his body daily, which is why he's growing up really fast.

Att chose to sit with them in the cafeteria, along with the more people from their class who introduced themselves to Kane about an hour ago. Zac and Zayn, they were twins who actually look alike, but it was easy to differentiate them due to their hairstyles. Zac had low, curly hair and Zayn hair was long, which was in a bun on his head.

"So, you guys also plan on joining the football team?" Kane asked the twins who nodded enthusiastically in response. They were also eating a meal which was packed for them from home. The only person without a homemade meal was Att, but he bought the one prepared here in school, which he was currently digging in.

"It's a dream come true for all of us. We're hoping we'll be allowed to join." Zac supplied after fully chewing a mouthful of rice and his twin nodded beside him.

"Isn't the team open to anyone interested?" Kane asked curiously.

"Att's brother is the leader of the team, and since we're friends, he promised to convince his brother to let us join. He'd definitely convince his brother to let you join too." Zayn explained this time and Kane's gaze darted towards Att.

Kane was confused. He has never heard of this kind of setting before. In schools, if anyone is interested in joining the team, they'd just be put to test, and if they pass, they'd be welcomed into the team. However, things seem to be different in this high school.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to my brother, you'll definitely be allowed to join the team." Att assured Kane with a confident smile but Kane still felt uneasy, because if connection is only what it takes to get into a highschool team, then it means a lot of weak players are gonna be on the team. 

When Kane had asked Att to tell him about the football team, Att had gushed about how amazing it is and how it's a privilege to be able to get into the team. He went on to reveal that although they've not won a game in years against their rival school which they always compete with every year. 

The fact that they always lose made more sense to Kane, and Kane already felt irritated at the team before even getting to meet them or watch them play. 

After they finished their meal, they returned back to class. Kane was still bursting with excitement within himself, even though he felt irritated that the highschool team was functioning more on connection than talent, he still couldn't wait to be on the team and be able to start playing actual games.

The rest of the day was uneventful.

Kane recorded a video that evening and uploaded it for his fans, and then he penned down his assignments which was more like child's play to him.

The next day, he headed to school with Mal once again, and after a few classes, it was finally sports period.

Kane almost went up in flames from excitement, and matching enthusiasm could be spotted on a lot of students' faces. As expected, so many students hoped to get into the team, but sadly, only a few would get chosen. 

They're supposed to be vetted by talents, but apparently connections mattered here than talents.

"Don't be nervous guys. I spoke to my brother. Be rest assured." Att spoke as we all made our way over to the open field of the school. Up Close like this, it was way more spacious than I remembered it being yesterday. 

On the far end of the field, I noticed two tall guys speaking to each other. One of them had a sheet of paper and a pen in his grasp, they seemed like they were having an argument.

From the way everyone was looking at them, it was clear that they were the ones calling the shots here.

Beside the net located at the other side of the field, a group of athletes stood in a circle, crackling with each other. I didn't need anyone to tell me they were the ones already in the team, they've probably been in there since they joined this school.

An excited murmur rising around me made me tear my gaze away from the team, and I realized the two guys who were previously arguing, are currently making their way over to us right now.

They looked like eighteen year athletes, and I instantly noticed the resemblance in Att and the guy with a piece of paper and pen.

He introduced himself as Aaron, and as soon as he revealed that out of the amount of grade 7 students all gathered here right now, he'd only be picking out three students out of us, a nervous murmur went up in the air.