Chapter 2:The Game for Survival!

Matt ( Team A left wing )received the pass from Zoheib, expertly cutting in and scanning the field like a hawk. He was looking for any unmarked players to keep the attack moving. His sharp eyes landed on Ronald, our right-back, who stood free on the flank. Without hesitation, Matt passed the ball to him.

Ronald sprinted forward with the ball at full speed, his pace leaving defenders scrambling to keep up. He spotted Rohan( Team B), the opposing left winger, charging toward him. Ronald pretended to cut inside, and just as planned, Rohan took the bait. With one quick movement, Ronald cut outside instead, leaving Rohan in the dust and accelerating toward the goal.

But before he could get too far, Calvin stepped up, blocking his path.

Peter (shouting from the left): "I'm free! Pass it to me!"

Ronald sent a precise pass to Peter(Team A right wing), who controlled the ball and played a smart backpass to Zack( Team A CAM) in midfield.

I need to get involved! The thought screamed in my mind. Where should I go? I have to find an opening!

I scanned the field desperately, searching for an opportunity. Zack passed the ball to Ahmed(Team CM) on the left. That was my moment. I noticed a gap forming on the left side.

"Ahmed! Over here!" I called out, waving my hand.

Ahmed saw me and sent a perfect through ball into space. I sprinted onto it, my adrenaline surging as the chance to prove myself finally arrived.

I controlled the ball and glanced ahead. Zoheib( Team A ST), completely unmarked, was positioned perfectly in front of the goal. This is it! I just need to get this pass to him!

But before I could make the play, Max appeared out of nowhere, sliding in with a perfectly timed tackle.

I hit the ground hard, the ball rolling away.

How did he read what I was going to do so fast?

Max ( Team B ST) was up on his feet before I could even process what happened. He sprinted down the right flank, weaving through our defense like a knife through butter. With a sharp cut inside, he fooled both Tom and Mendy( Both CB Team A effortlessly.

It's over. He's going to score this one!

It was a 1v1 with our goalkeeper. Max slowed down slightly, eyeing the bottom-left corner of the net. He tried to place a smooth tap, perfectly calculated.

UNTIL—

Ronald appeared out of nowhere, sliding across to block the shot. The ball ricocheted off Ronald's head, soaring high into the air.

This is my chance! I thought, rushing toward the ball.

Aaron (Team B CAM), however, had the same idea. He charged in, leaping higher than I ever could. I wasn't tall enough—he reached the ball first and headed it sharply to his left.

The ball landed at Rohan's feet.

Max (grinning): "And done. Once Rohan gets the ball on the left, there's no hope for you guys."

I felt a knot in my stomach. Rohan, known for his quick feet and deadly accuracy, was already in motion.

Tom and Mendy rushed toward him, trying to cut him off. But Rohan was one step ahead. With a feint to the left, he sent both defenders off-balance before cutting in toward the center.

With the goal in sight, Rohan unleashed a powerful shot.

Off target! It's wide! I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking we were safe.

But then, the ball began to curve.

No… no… no way!

Our goalkeeper dived, stretching as far as he could, but he was too short. The ball kissed the top-right corner of the goalpost and slid in.

GOALLLLLL!!!!

Rohan turned back with a smirk as his teammates rushed to celebrate.

Max (clapping): "Classic! Great job, man."

Rohan (shrugging): "This? This is nothing."

No way... I never thought it would curve.

I stood frozen, staring at the goal. My mind raced with frustration and disappointment. SHIT! I haven't done anything in this game so far. I'm still useless!

The cheers from Team B were deafening, and Rohan smirked confidently as his teammates patted him on the back.

Zoheib jogged over to me, clapping sarcastically in Rohan's direction.

Zoheib (smiling): "Damn, nice goal, Rohan!"

Then he turned to me, noticing my defeated posture.

Zoheib: "Ken! Chill, man. It's just one goal. We can fix that. Don't let it get to your head."

I nodded weakly, but the weight of my uselessness still bore down on me.

PE Sir (blowing the whistle): "Rohan scores in the third minute of the game! Team B leads 1-0!"

The game restarted, but I could barely focus. My chest tightened as my mind replayed every mistake I'd made so far. No, I have to do something. I need to contribute... somehow.

Zoheib clapped his hands loudly.

Zoheib: "Let's go, Team A! One goal isn't the end of the world. Stick to the plan, and we'll even it out!"

His words jolted me slightly, reminding me that the game wasn't over. This isn't the time to sulk, I told myself. I still have time to prove myself.

PE Sir: "Alright, RESTART!"

Zoheib kicked off, passing the ball to Matt. Surprisingly, Matt immediately passed it to me.

Wait... me?

For a second, I froze. But as soon as the ball reached my feet, I saw Mathews charging toward me, fast and determined.

Not this time, I thought. I'm not losing the ball again.

Zoheib was shouting from upfield.

Zoheib: "Ken! Over here, pass it quick!"

I barely had a second to think. I didn't even get the chance to check if defenders were marking him. Mathews was closing in, so I had no other choice.

I lobbed the ball in Zoheib's direction, but my touch was off—it felt more like a shot than a pass.

Zoheib jumped to control it, but the ball was too heavy. It soared past him and bounced out of bounds for a throw-in.

Zoheib turned back, hands on his hips, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Zoheib: "This guy... his power is incredible! But, Ken... wasn't that a shot and not a pass?"

I scratched the back of my head, feeling the heat of embarrassment rise to my cheeks.

Me (muttering): "Uh... yeah, it was a pass. Just... a little too strong."

Zoheib sighed, jogging back to his position.

Zoheib (smirking): "Well, at least you've got power. Next time, try aiming for me, not the clouds."

His words stung, but I couldn't blame him. Damn it... another mistake.

The game resumed with a throw-in for Team B, and I couldn't help but clench my fists. I've got to get it right next time. No more screw-ups.

Zoheib clapped his hands together, looking at me.

Zoheib: "You know what, Ken? Come up front. I want you to replace Zack as Attacking Midfielder. Zack, you'll drop back to Center Midfield. Bakugo, you're moving to defense."

Zack: "Alright, sounds good."

Bakugo (Team A CM->LB )(grumbling): "Guess I have no other choice…"

I stood frozen in shock. Attacking Midfielder? Me? It was my first time in such a crucial position.

Max (snickering): "Hah! They moved him up front because they're scared he'll score an own goal."

Rohan (laughing): "Are they for real? This is gonna be easy."

Mathews( Team B RW): "Relax. Just play."

PE Sir: "Alright, THROW IN!"

Mathews hurled the ball to Aaron, who took control and darted down the right wing, cutting outside. Bakugo didn't waste a second and slid in with a powerful tackle.

Aaron: "Ah! My bad!"

PE Sir: "Throw-in for Team A!"

Bakugo quickly grabbed the ball and threw it to Zack, who had a defender tight on his back. Zack played it safe and passed back to Tom, who looked up and launched the ball high into the sky.

What was that? Everyone, including me, was confused for a moment. But then, Zoheib reacted.

Zoheib: "Got it!"

Zoheib intercepted the ball like a predator eyeing his prey. We were on the attack!

Cole rushed in to block him, so I yelled out, calling for a pass. Zoheib, however, ignored me and shifted the play to Peter on the right wing. Peter sprinted forward, his eyes scanning the field for an opening.

I was still trying to make sense of Zoheib's positioning—he'd dropped further back than usual. It was strange, but there wasn't time to think.

Peter whipped in a cross toward the center, where Zack was waiting. But before Zack could get to it, Jack jumped and cleared the ball with a strong header.

SECOND BALL!

As the ball ricocheted off Jack's head, I saw Zoheib sprinting forward out of nowhere.

Max (panicking): "Oh no! Someone block him!"

Mark rushed in to close him down, but Zoheib was too fast, too sharp. He set himself up and unleashed a volley from 25 yards out.

The ball soared through the air, floating as if defying gravity. Then, just like before, it dipped suddenly, faster and deadlier this time. The goalkeeper froze—it was over in a flash. The net rippled violently.

GOALLLLL!!!

Zoheib celebrated with a confident Griddy dance 

Zoheib: "Wow! Even I'm surprised. That's probably the most powerful volley I've ever scored!"

PE Sir (blowing the whistle): "And Zoheib equalizes in the 22nd minute! The score is 1-1!"

I stood there, stunned, watching Zoheib soak in the applause. His skill, his timing, his control—it was all so far ahead of me.

What am I even doing here?

I clenched my fists. I'm nowhere near their level. How can I make a difference?

This wasn't just a game anymore—it was survival. I have to step up. I have to get involved. Or else, I'm done.

Max kicked off, passing the ball straight to Rohan, who immediately dashed forward with it. Peter charged in, trying to close him down, but Rohan was one step ahead.

Rohan: "One-Two, quick!"

He passed to Ryan, who instinctively returned a perfect through ball back to him. The space ahead of Rohan was wide open.

Ronald, sprinting at full speed, came in for a slide tackle. But Rohan, in one smooth motion, flicked the ball over Ronald and dodged him completely.

Me (yelling): "Oh no! He's going to cross!"

But Rohan wasn't crossing. Instead, he chopped the ball back toward the center, where the defenders scrambled to block him. Amid the chaos, someone in the box remained unmarked—Nathan.

Rohan noticed him instantly and sent a fast, driven pass.

Intercept it, intercept it! I lunged forward, but the ball zipped past me, too quick to stop.

Nathan ( Team B CM)received the ball with perfect control. Seeing the goalkeeper rushing out, he attempted a cheeky chip. The ball struck the keeper's head, bouncing high into the air.

Second Ball!

Bakugo reacted first, sprinting in to clear the ball with a powerful kick.

PE Sir: "Corner kick!"

Mathews stepped up for the corner, curling the ball into the box. It floated high in the air as Cole and Mendy both leaped to meet it.

Instead of connecting with the ball, they collided with each other mid-air.

Mendy: "AHH!"

Cole(Team B, CB): "Shit, second ball!"

Ronald seized the opportunity, collecting the loose ball and quickly passing it to Peter. Peter bolted forward, his pace unstoppable.

I called out, "Pass it here!"

Peter spotted me and sent a perfect pass my way. As I received it, I heard him yell for another pass back. I was about to return it when I noticed the space ahead of me.

My heart pounded. I didn't need to pass this time.

I sprinted forward, 33 yards from the goal. Zoheib called out, demanding the ball, but my mind was made up.

This is my moment.

I cut to my right, taking a split second to glance up. For the first time, I could see both the ball at my feet and the goal ahead. Everything aligned in my head.

This has to go in. It HAS to.

With all my strength, I struck the ball, focusing purely on power. It soared through the air, rising, dipping, floating…

To be continued…