Chapter 7: The Price of Fame

Lucien Nightshade's life was moving at lightning speed. A few months ago, he was just a prodigy in Fulham's academy, training with players older than him and dreaming of becoming the best in the world. Now, he had made his debut, captained Fulham's youth side to victory, and received a call-up to England's U21 team. But with every success, the pressure mounted—and so did the attention.

Returning to Fulham after his England training camp, Lucien walked through the training ground with a different aura. Players, staff, and even the media who had dismissed him as a 'young prospect' now treated him with reverence. His name had begun circulating in the media as one of the country's brightest young stars. Everyone wanted a piece of Lucien Nightshade.

But fame wasn't something Lucien craved. He only wanted to play football, to push himself further and reach heights even Maradona, Zidane, and Ronaldinho had not touched. He was on a mission—a mission that would take him beyond Fulham, beyond England, to become a global icon. Yet, the spotlight, with all its allure and danger, was now shining brighter than ever on him.

The Media Frenzy

Lucien was no stranger to attention, but the frenzy after his U21 call-up had reached another level. The media were relentless—articles, interviews, even paparazzi lurking outside his home. The headlines were a mix of praise and skepticism. Some hailed him as the future of English football, comparing him to Messi or Ronaldo. Others questioned whether a 15-year-old could handle the pressure, whether his fame had come too fast.

Lucien's phone buzzed constantly. Offers from agents, messages from journalists, and social media notifications flooded his inbox. His name was trending on Twitter almost daily.

One morning, Lucien scrolled through the news on his phone. An article from a major football magazine caught his attention:

"Lucien Nightshade: The New Messi, or Another Flash in the Pan?"

Lucien smirked. The comparisons to Messi, Maradona, and Ronaldo were flattering, but he wasn't interested in being "the next" anyone. He was Lucien Nightshade. He had his own path.

However, the scrutiny was beginning to wear on him. He had expected it—the perks and pitfalls of fame—but it was coming earlier than he anticipated. The more Lucien's name spread, the more people wanted to bring him down, whether out of jealousy, doubt, or fear of the unknown.

Balancing Act

At Fulham, Lucien was expected to balance his commitments with the club and the national team. It was a delicate act. The senior team manager, Tony Williams, called him into his office after training one afternoon.

"Lucien, we need to talk," Williams began, his tone stern but not unkind. "I understand the England call-up is important, but your focus has to remain here. We're preparing for the new season, and you're going to be a key part of that. I don't want you spreading yourself too thin."

Lucien nodded. "I understand, Coach. Fulham comes first."

But Williams wasn't done. "It's not just the physical demands I'm worried about. It's the media. They're already circling, and they're going to be relentless. I've seen this happen to young players before. It can get ugly fast."

Lucien appreciated the concern, but he didn't need the warning. He knew how to handle pressure—it was all he had known since waking up in this new life. Fame didn't scare him. If anything, it was a tool, a means to his end. But Lucien kept his thoughts to himself and simply nodded again.

Pressure from All Sides

Lucien's day-to-day life had become a whirlwind. Between school, Fulham training sessions, U21 commitments, and the never-ending media frenzy, there were moments where even he felt the weight bearing down on him. But he never faltered.

His schoolmates, once indifferent or intimidated by his presence, now followed his every move. Some wanted to be his friend, others tried to challenge him out of spite. Lucien's stoic demeanor and cold, strategic mind didn't make him the most approachable figure, but he didn't care. Friendships weren't his priority—football was.

However, the attention wasn't just professional. His good looks and newfound fame made him a target of gossip and admiration. Girls would giggle or whisper as he passed by in school corridors. Some of them sent him messages on social media, offering everything from praise to flirtation. But Lucien had no time for distractions.

Still, the one person who caught his eye, even though he didn't want to admit it, was a girl named Sophie, a classmate he had known for years. She was different. While others fawned over his football skills and fame, Sophie treated him as though nothing had changed. She was confident, sharp, and always knew how to get under his skin.

One afternoon, as Lucien sat in class, Sophie leaned over and whispered, "So, Merlin, how's life with the big boys? Must be hard keeping your head on straight with all that attention."

Lucien smirked, glancing over at her. "I'm managing."

"You're doing more than managing. You're everywhere. Don't let it get to your head," she said, a mix of sarcasm and sincerity in her voice.

Lucien raised an eyebrow, surprised by her tone. It wasn't often someone talked to him like that. He respected it, even if he wouldn't admit it out loud.

New Challenges

As the media attention intensified, so did the expectations on the pitch. Fulham's preseason was underway, and Lucien had been given the green light to train with the first team. For Lucien, this was another step in his journey, but for the senior players, it was an intrusion.

During a scrimmage, the ball fell to Lucien near the halfway line. With two quick touches, he spun past the midfielder pressing him and drove forward. His pace and control were already causing issues for the senior defenders, who weren't used to seeing such a young player dominate with such ease.

But as Lucien moved past another defender, he felt a heavy tackle from behind. He hit the ground hard, and the referee blew his whistle for a foul. Lucien stood up, brushing himself off, and locked eyes with the player who had brought him down—Craig Harris, a veteran center-back and known enforcer in the squad.

"Don't think you can just walk in here and take over, kid," Harris spat, glaring at Lucien. "This is the big leagues."

Lucien's expression remained calm, but his eyes burned with determination. He said nothing, letting the challenge hang in the air. The tension between them was palpable, but Lucien didn't back down. If Harris thought he could intimidate him, he was in for a rude awakening.

The ball was played back in, and within minutes, Lucien had his revenge. He received a pass at the edge of the box, a sharp turn left Harris stumbling, and Lucien unleashed a curling shot into the top corner. The ball kissed the back of the net, and the players stopped in awe.

Lucien turned, catching Harris's eye, his expression cold and unreadable. "This is just the beginning," he thought.

The World is Watching

That evening, Lucien returned home, exhausted but satisfied. His performance in training, the England call-up, and the constant media attention were all pieces of a larger puzzle he was carefully putting together.

As he lay in bed, his mind drifted to the future. He could already see the next steps. Fulham's first team, the Premier League, international glory with England, and eventually, world domination. He would lead England to a World Cup win, and he would do it by being the best player the world had ever seen.

But for now, he needed to stay focused. The price of fame was heavy, but Lucien was ready to pay it.

As he closed his eyes, one thought lingered in his mind.

"The world is watching, and I'm just getting started."