The New Reality

Jace Holloway couldn't sleep because he was very happy.

Even though the adrenaline from the match had long since faded, the images kept playing over and over in his head.

His first real goal. His first real test. The moment he rose above the defenders and headed the ball into the net.

But there was no victory celebration. No league points were earned. Just a hard-fought draw.

A good result, but not good enough.

And now, everyone expected more from him.

That was the part that terrified him the most.

He had spent his life being the fastest. Now, for the first time, he wasn't just competing with a stopwatch—he was competing against players who had been playing football their entire lives and experienced him too.

Was one match enough to prove he belonged?

Or was he just a sprinter playing football?

The next day, the halls of Harrowgate Academy were buzzing. The school paper had already published the match report, and even though it was just a small local game, Jace's name was in it.

"Holloway impresses in debut, scoring twice to rescue a draw."

As he walked toward his locker, a few of his classmates stopped him.

"That was class, mate."

"Where'd you learn to head like that?"

"You gonna play for England one day?"

Jace chuckled, shaking his head. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Inside, though? He felt the pressure creeping in.

He wasn't just some guy playing football anymore.

People expected him to be good, and some saw him as the upcoming goat(greatest of all time).

He needed to prove that his first match wasn't just luck.

When he arrived at the pitch that afternoon, the atmosphere had shifted.

The training ground felt different.

There was respect now.

The other players, even the seniors, treated him as one of them. No longer the outsider. No longer just a sprinter trying his luck.

But Jace also knew what that meant.

He had raised the bar.

Now, he had to keep up.

Coach Davies wasted no time.

"Today, we're working on decision-making under pressure. Sprinting isn't enough. You've got to think, react, and execute."

Jace took his position on the left wing. He knew his speed could get him past defenders, but Coach was right—speed alone wouldn't win games.

The drill started.

Theo played a pass out wide. Jace sprinted onto it, but before he could think about his next move—Callum, one of the senior defenders, closed in fast.

Jace hesitated.

He knew he could outpace Callum, but space was tight. Should he try to cut inside? Should he slow down and hold the ball?

That split-second hesitation cost him.

He was forced to think a lot because he wasn't used to dribbling, too.

Callum lunged, cleanly dispossessing him and sending the ball out for a throw-in.

Jace exhaled sharply.

"You can't hesitate!" Coach called out. "You see the space, you take it!"

Jace nodded. He wouldn't make the same mistake again.

The drill continued.

This time, when Theo sent the pass, Jace already knew what he was going to do.

Instead of sprinting straight down the line, he faked right, cutting inside before Callum could react.

Now, he was past him.

Jace kept his body low, shielding the ball as he drove forward. Another defender stepped up.

Instead of panicking, Jace saw Marcus making a run into the box.

Perfect timing.

Jace curled in a low cross.

Marcus met it with a flick of his boot—goal.

Jace exhaled.

He was learning.

---

A New Rivalry

After training, Jace was gathering his things when Callum approached him.

"Not bad, Holloway," he said. "Thought you were just a speedster, but you're figuring it out."

Jace smirked. "Took me a few tries, yeah."

Callum nodded, but his expression turned more serious. "You're good, mate. But you're not the only one trying to prove something."

Jace knew what he meant.

Callum had been a starting winger last season—until Coach moved him to full-back. If Jace kept improving, Callum might never get his old position back.

It wasn't personal.

It was a competition.

Jace liked that.

"Guess we'll both have to keep working, then," Jace said.

Callum grinned. "Guess we will."

Later that evening, Coach sent a team message.

"Next match: Away vs. Briarwood Academy. Toughest team in the league. Bring your best."

Jace stared at the message, heartbeat quickening.

Briarwood.

They weren't just tough.

They were the best because they had a lot of qualified and experienced players who were better than Jace's team. And what was disturbing was that they were undefeated too.

If he thought his first match was intense… this one would be war.

And this time, a draw wouldn't be enough because he needed a win to prove he was the best.

Jace had proven he could play better.

Now, he had to prove he could win to make everyone know he was the best.