First Training Session (1)

As Jerry was walking toward Manchester United's under-sixteens' training area, he heard Jeremiah call out his name.

"Jerry, stop!"

With a sharp turn of his neck, Jerry faced his dad, who stared at him with an amused expression on his face.

"Do you know where you're going?" Jeremiah asked.

"I'm going to the under-sixteens' training area," Jerry answered. As he spoke, however, he realized that he didn't actually know where exactly that was. A wave of embarrassment hit him, and he rubbed his nose awkwardly when the realization dawned.

"And where would that be?" Jeremiah asked him, his tone light and teasing. A small smile played on his lips, and it looked like... It looked like he was trying his best not to laugh!

"I don't... I don't know," Jerry muttered. He couldn't bring himself to be loud with his answer; the situation was far too embarrassing for that.

"That's what I thought," Jeremiah said, finally letting out the laughter he had been holding in. The sound wasn't mocking—it was full of affection and humor. After finishing his laughter, Jeremiah gave Jerry directions to the under-sixteens' training area. His amused smile didn't fade as he watched Jerry head off.

As Jerry walked toward the training area, he couldn't help but look around. Carrington was truly a sight to behold. It was a sprawling facility, brimming with state-of-the-art equipment and breathtakingly beautiful sceneries. The perfectly trimmed lawns and the sleek, modern architecture gave the place an almost surreal feeling. It felt like the very heart of football excellence, and Jerry couldn't believe he was a part of it.

Every step he took filled him with excitement and a little nervousness. He felt incredibly privileged to be there.

A few minutes later, Jerry arrived at the under-sixteens' training area. The sight before him made him stop in his tracks, his mouth falling open in awe.

The training area was a collection of pristine pitches, all lined up beside one another. Each pitch was perfectly trimmed and marked, with the same standards Jerry had only ever seen on professional fields. On the main pitch, two standard-sized goalposts stood tall, their nets gleaming under the sunlight. The other pitches had smaller-sized goalposts and extra markings, making it obvious they were designed for tactical drills and specialized training.

Nearby, an indoor training hall caught Jerry's attention. He couldn't see much of what was inside from his position, but he could imagine the advanced equipment housed within. To the side of the hall stood a gym with glass walls, offering a clear view of its interior. Inside, weights, treadmills, and other fitness equipment were arranged neatly, exuding an air of professionalism.

But none of that was what truly surprised Jerry. It wasn't the cutting-edge technology or the meticulously maintained fields. It was the fact that someone was already on the pitch.

Training wasn't scheduled to start for another hour, so Jerry hadn't expected anyone to be there yet. Curious, he moved closer to get a better look at the person.

As he did, his jaw dropped for the second time that day. If he had been amazed by Manchester United's facilities, that amazement was trumped by the sight of Casey Simpson sprinting around the field.

"What the..." Jerry muttered under his breath.

Casey didn't notice Jerry's presence right away, he just continued his refined movement, completing his drills with ease.

After a few seconds, Casey noticed Jerry's presence. He stopped running and turned toward him, his expression briefly surprised before it softened into a friendly smile. He jogged over to Jerry with an easy confidence.

"Hey, man," Casey greeted him. "I didn't know that you also got scouted."

"Same here," Jerry replied, still trying to process the fact that Casey was standing in front of him.

Casey gave a light laugh. "When did you resume training?"

"Today," Jerry said. "They gave me a break to prepare, and I decided to take it."

"They offered me a break too," Casey said with a shrug, "but I declined. I was too excited to stay away."

Jerry smiled. He and Casey were similar in their passion for football, though Casey's eagerness to dive right in was something Jerry admired.

"Oh, right," Jerry said, tapping his forehead as if remembering something important. "What was the score of the finals?"

Jerry hadn't paid much attention to the tournament after Jeremiah Hayes Football Institution had been eliminated. He didn't even know which teams had made it to the finals, let alone the final score.

"Three-nil," Casey answered with a grin. "Unfortunately, I didn't score, so we both ended up sharing the Golden Boot award."

Jerry scratched his neck awkwardly. "Right. Uh... I didn't go to the award ceremony. It just... slipped my mind," he admitted.

"Do you mind if I join you?" Jerry asked, trying to change the subject. He has already gotten the information that he needed from Casey so there was no need to keep talking about it.

"Sure". Casey said with a shrug.

Casey pointed Jerry in the direction of the locker room, where he quickly changed into his training gear. He returned to the pitch and joined Casey, ready to jump into the warm-up drills.

They started with some basic sprints, gradually increasing their intensity. Casey showed Jerry a few new drills, which Jerry picked up quickly. The warm-up was challenging but invigorating. Jerry felt his muscles loosening up, and his initial nerves began to fade.

Over the next twenty minutes, other players began arriving at the training area. Some greeted Casey with friendly nods, while others exchanged a few words with Jerry. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, but Jerry could sense the underlying competitiveness among the group.

By the time the training session was scheduled to start, everyone had arrived. The players gathered around the manager, who stood at the center of the group with an air of authority.

The manager clapped his hands to get their attention. "Alright, everyone," he began, his voice clear and commanding. "We have two new players training with us today..."