Running Into Scouts

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"Hey man, you played well today. I was genuinely impressed."

After the referee blew his whistle to signify the end of the match, Jerry walked over to Charles and immediately stretched out his hand for a handshake. He was beyond impressed by what he saw from the midfielder. Although Jermaine Walter Academy didn't have possession of the ball for long stretches of time, every time Charles got the ball, he looked like a threat. He moved with a certain elegance, a mixture of speed, intelligence, and precision that was rare in players his age. Him and his brother, Oliver, truly complemented each other on the pitch, with their seamless interplay and uncanny understanding of each other's movements. Jerry felt like any academy that managed to secure the both of them together would be blessed with two massive talents.

"Thanks, man," Charles replied with a bright smile as he clapped Jerry's palm in a friendly handshake. "I'm bummed we didn't win, though."

"I didn't expect anything less," Jerry said with a knowing grin.

Charles had every reason to feel disappointed. Despite his stellar performance, his team had come up short. Still, Jerry had to respect his humility and hunger for success. After a little more small talk with Charles, Jerry made his way toward the locker room. He had no real interest in mingling with the rest of the players on the opposing team. None of them stood out quite like Charles.

Inside the locker room, the mood was lively. The players were all smiles, congratulating one another on a hard-fought victory. Their coach, Victor, walked in, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention.

"Alright, boys, we did well today," Victor began once he saw that everyone was present. "The first half might not have gone as planned, but you guys showed elite mentality to come from a goal down and win the match. I'm really proud of you."

The team listened intently, soaking in the praise. They had fought hard to earn this win, and it felt good to be recognized for their effort.

"We don't know who we'll be playing in the semis yet," Victor continued. "I'll send it to you in the group chat once the match is over. But remember, no matter who we're playing against, what's the goal?"

"To win!" everyone shouted in unison, their voices echoing off the walls.

"That's right, boys," Victor said with a satisfied smile. "Alright then, enjoy your day."

The players began to disperse, some heading straight for the showers while others lingered to chat and relive the match's key moments. Jerry, however, had other plans. After taking a quick shower, he bolted out of the locker room, eager to be on his way. He had no intention of sticking around to chat with Moses or Jordan. His mind was already elsewhere—specifically, on giving his response to the system.

As he approached the exit, Jerry was suddenly intercepted by a man who looked to be in his mid-forties. The man's sharp appearance and confident demeanor immediately caught Jerry's attention.

"Jeremiah Hayes?" the man asked as Jerry stepped through the doorway.

"That's me. What's up?" Jerry replied with a friendly smile, though his curiosity was piqued.

The man extended his hand for a handshake, and Jerry shook it firmly. He couldn't help but notice the man's outfit—clean and professional, yet distinctly casual in a way that screamed "football insider."

'He's a scout!' Jerry thought to himself, his mind racing with possibilities.

"Hi," the man said, introducing himself. "My name is Barry Hunter, and I'm the head scout of Liverpool."

Jerry's smile didn't falter, but internally, he was taken aback. Liverpool? Of all clubs, why did it have to be Liverpool? As the son of a former Manchester United player and a lifelong United fan himself, there was no way he could even entertain the thought of joining their arch-rivals. Still, he knew better than to dismiss Barry outright.

"We've been watching you for the last three games, and I have to say, we've been pretty impressed with your performances so far," Barry began. "So, we're offering you a chance to go on trial at Liverpool. Should you decide to accept the offer, we'll take care of traveling costs and accommodations. All you have to do is come down to Merseyside and play football."

"Oh… that's very nice," Jerry said, maintaining his polite demeanor. "I'll, uh… I'll talk to my dad about it, and we'll, uh… we'll see."

Barry nodded, his expression unreadable. "I know who your dad is, and I know you're likely to reject this offer," he said with a knowing smile. "But here's my card. Get your dad to talk to me, and we'll see."

Barry handed Jerry a business card, which Jerry accepted with a courteous nod.

"Alright then," Barry said, offering a final smile before walking away.

Jerry stared at the card for a moment before slipping it into his bag. There was no way he was going to show it to his dad or even mention the offer from Liverpool, but he had to admit, it felt good to be recognized.

Before he could take more than a couple of steps, Jerry heard another voice calling his name.

"Jeremiah Hayes?"

Jerry's head snapped toward the source of the voice, and he released a sigh. Another scout. This time, however, there was no need to guess which club they represented. The man's tracksuit made it abundantly clear.

"Yes?" Jerry replied, his gaze curious.

"Hi, I'm Per Mertesacker," the man said, extending a hand for a handshake. "I'm a scout from Arsenal. We've been impressed by your individual performances in the last couple of matches, and we want to invite you down to London to come on trial with us."

As Per finished speaking, he reached into the pocket of his tracksuit and pulled out a business card.

"If you do decide to come, please give me a call so we can make preparations for you. Have a good day," Per said, handing Jerry the card.

Without waiting for a response, Per turned and walked away, leaving Jerry standing there with yet another offer in his hand.

Jerry stared at the card for a moment, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Man, I'm really a hot cake, aren't I?" he muttered to himself.

As Jerry walked toward the parking lot, his mind raced with thoughts. Two offers from two of the biggest clubs in England. It was a surreal feeling, but also a daunting one. He knew he had to make a decision, and soon. The idea of playing for either club was exciting, but it also came with immense pressure.

Back home, Jerry would have to weigh his options carefully. His dad's opinion would undoubtedly play a significant role in his decision, but Jerry also wanted to make the choice that felt right for him. He couldn't deny the allure of Arsenal's attacking style or Liverpool's recent success, but the question remained: where did his heart truly lie?

For now, all he could do was smile and savor the moment. Opportunities like this didn't come around every day, and Jerry was determined to make the most of them—whatever that ultimately meant.

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