Chapter 1

Kelvin's Perspective:

Today is my first day at high school. It hasn’t sunk in yet that I’m already in high school; things go by so quickly, and I barely notice.

Although I might not look like it, I really enjoy playing soccer, and I play well. However, I never had a chance to join a team because I lived far from the school during middle school.

But now that I’m in high school, besides having more responsibilities, I can finally play soccer 100%. This school is on the street where I live, so getting here is incredibly easy.

I want to play soccer.

[In Class]

"Alright, class. Today is your first day of this new stage in life. Along with that, come many new responsibilities! Be careful with the choices you make! Now I’ll take attendance."

I’m sitting in the front corner of the classroom for two simple reasons: the seat is against the wall, which gives me support if I want to sleep in class, and also because I want to get good grades. They’re complete opposites, I know. But I’m not worried; I’m smart enough. Even if I sleep in a class, I can catch up on the content later. Studying is the easiest thing in the world.

"Kelvin Santos!"

The teacher calls my name, and I remember the attendance she mentioned earlier. I had already forgotten.

"Present, teacher!"

I say, and she immediately calls someone else’s name.

---

It’s still just break time. I want to find out where I can get information about joining the school’s soccer club. Will I have to wait for tryouts? Damn, I hate tryouts.

Not because I’m afraid of not making the team, but because most tryouts are done on the futsal court, and I prefer playing on the field. By the way, where’s the court?

I still have eight minutes left before the break ends, so I decide to look around. I start walking through the school, which is very large and extremely beautiful. I reach the cafeteria area and see students eating their snacks, while others are eating what the school provides.

As my eyes scan the school environment, I hear some shouting and banging, like someone’s kicking a ball. My eyes go straight to a building a bit in front of the cafeteria with red doors, which are open.

I start approaching, and the noise gets louder. As I get close to the door, a futsal ball bounces off the wall and heads straight for my foot. I control it, placing my foot on top of the ball, and quickly a boy I recognize from my class appears.

"Thanks!"

He thanks me, and I pass the ball to him, which he catches with his hands.

"The ball is ours; it went out on your side!"

He shouts. In futsal, if the ball goes out on the side, it’s thrown back in with the feet, which is completely different from field soccer.

I start entering the court and see a boy with long hair in the goal while my classmate prepares for the throw-in. The court, which is at the center of the area, has various markings, some of which I recognize as volleyball, futsal, handball, and even basketball. Around the court, there are seats, and as I approach, I see three people sitting.

"Come on, Isaac! We’re just one player short for our team to get in."

I think that’s my classmate’s name… Isaac. I’m a bit bad with names, but I believe that’s his. I approach them.

"Hey, guys? Are you next? Can I join you?"

The boy who called Isaac earlier quickly extends his hand.

"Sure! My name’s Deyvidson. What’s yours?"

I shake his hand.

"My name’s Kelvin..."

As I speak, I hear another kick, and when I look back, the boys are celebrating. They had scored another goal.

"Let’s go! It’s our turn!"

The other two boys who were sitting get up and head to the court, along with Deyvidson, who follows them. Without wasting time, I position myself on the side.

"The ball is yours."

Isaac throws the ball, and Deyvidson controls it, leaving it at the starting point.

"You can start!"

One of the guys on their team says. Deyvidson quickly looks at me and passes it. I start taking the ball towards their goal slowly as an opponent tries to mark me.

He blocks my path, stopping me from moving forward. We’re one-on-one. The ball is more on my right side. At the exact moment, I see him trying to tackle, attempting to steal the ball from the right. I notice the attempt and give a slight tap to move the ball to my left foot, taking advantage of his failed tackle, and now I have a clear path down the side.

"You came too early."

I tell him as I run down the side. I hear him running after me, trying to recover from the missed tackle, but I expected this. In soccer, you have to play smart, not recklessly.

His legs are open, and as he comes, I flick the ball, which goes between his legs. He falls to the ground, and I see Deyvidson, who’s in the area along with Isaac.

"Pass it here, Kelvin!"

He says, and I look at their goal. I’m close. I could pass it to Deyvidson, but he’s marked. I can’t take too long; another player on their team is coming. I glance at the goalkeeper and see he’s leaving his left side open.

"Catch this!"

I say, and I take a shot with my right foot. The goalkeeper tries to block with his foot but misses. The ball goes in.

"Nice, Kelvin! But you could have passed it to me!"

Deyvidson says, appearing right in front of me. I smile, still out of breath.

"Sorry, man. But I saw you were marked. I decided to take the chance."

Deyvidson shrugs, but with a smile on his face.

"Yeah, it worked this time. Let’s go; we have to hold the lead."

The game continues. Now, with more confidence, I move quickly around the court, keeping the pace. The opposing team, including Isaac, is pressing more, trying to tie. Isaac, who’s playing forward, tries to get past our defense, but Deyvidson intercepts the ball and sends me a quick pass.

I run towards the goal, but Isaac is right behind me. This guy is fast; he was just near our goal and already here? He tries to recover possession. I try to dribble him, taking the ball to the center of the court, and as I run, I stop it and attempt a nutmeg, but my foot slips on the court, the ball bounces off his leg, and it goes out of bounds.

That’s why I hate playing on courts.

Now it’s our turn to press. One of our players takes the ball on the sideline and passes it to Deyvidson, who approaches the area, while I position myself to receive the pass. He dribbles two players and passes the ball to me at the edge of the area.

I see Isaac coming my way, but I manage to anticipate and pass the ball over him. It lands perfectly at Deyvidson’s feet, who controls it and shoots hard.

"GOAL!"

We celebrate together, exchanging air punches.

"We won!"

Deyvidson says.

"Is it only 2 goals?"

I say, a bit confused.

"It’s our rule so the people outside can join."

Deyvidson pats me on the shoulder.

"By the way, you play well, Kelvin. Are you planning to join the school’s club?"

I shrug, but with a confident smile.

"That’s what I want the most."