The Toughest Decision

Jace Holloway had never felt more exhausted in his life.

This was because he played a full 90-minute game without the coach changing him, so he was very tired because he was an athlete and the running wasn't done for a long time, so it was difficult for him to cope.

But the 2-1 victory over Westbrook Academy had been the hardest match he'd ever played, and the aftermath was brutal.

His legs ached, his lungs still burned, and every muscle in his body screamed for rest.

But none of that mattered.

Because Harrowgate Academy had just beaten the best team in the league.

And now?

Now, they weren't just underdogs anymore.

They were contenders.

Jace expected the buzz around the school to die down after a day or two.

He was wrong.

By the time he walked through the gates on Monday morning, it felt like everyone at Harrowgate Academy knew his name.

People he'd never even spoken to were congratulating him.

"Jace! That nutmeg on Mendez was unreal!"

"You properly embarrassed him, mate!"

"You're gonna get scouted for sure!"

That last comment made Jace's stomach flip.

Scouts.

He'd always known football had the potential to become more than just a school sport—but now, people were talking.

Could he really make it?

He became sad for a moment when he remembered he had the chance to become the best athlete in his country and suddenly got an injury so he was afraid the same would happen.

Before he could think too much about it, a familiar voice pulled him back to reality.

"Oi, Speed Demon," Theo grinned, slapping Jace on the back. "You enjoying your new celebrity status?"

Jace rolled his eyes. "It's a bit much."

Theo smirked. "Get used to it, mate. If we keep winning, it's only gonna get worse."

Jace knew he was right.

And that was the problem.

Because the more people expected from him, the harder it would be to keep delivering.

Coach Davies didn't believe in taking things easy.

Even after their biggest win of the season, training was brutal.

"You lot think you've arrived?" Coach barked. "That Westbrook match means nothing if you get complacent!"

He had a point.

There were still three matches left in the season.

And Harrowgate was now in second place.

If they wanted to win the league, they needed to stay perfect.

For Jace, that meant one thing—no slowing down.

But his body was telling him otherwise.ll

During a sprint drill, Jace felt a sharp twinge in his right thigh.

He winced but kept running.

"Don't think about it. Keep going."

But as the session went on, the pain didn't fade.

It got worse.

After training, Jace stayed behind, stretching on the grass, trying to shake the tightness in his leg.

Theo sat down next to him.

"You alright?"

"Yeah. Just a bit sore," Jace said, brushing it off.

Theo gave him a look. "You sure? You were limping a bit back there."

Jace forced a grin. "I'm fine."

Theo didn't look convinced.

But he didn't push it.

"Just don't be a hero," Theo said finally. "If you're hurt, say something."

Jace nodded.

But deep down, he knew the truth.

He wasn't going to stop.

Not now.

Not when they were so close.

Harrowgate's next match was against Millbrook Academy.

They were not as strong as Westbrook, but dangerous, and they were smart because they didn't have a lot of good players, but they played the ball accurately and tactically.

They played rough.

And if Jace's leg wasn't 100%, it wouldn't take much for it to get worse.

But there was no way he was sitting this one out.

So when the game day arrived, Jace ignored the dull ache in his thigh, pulled on his kit, stepped onto the pitch and had to do what he did best.

The first twenty minutes went smoothly.

Jace even got an assist, setting up Theo for a goal.

1-0 Harrowgate.

But then, in the 32nd minute, disaster struck.

Jace was sprinting down the wing, chasing a long pass.

He pushed off his right leg—

And felt a sharp, searing pain shoot through his thigh.

His stride broke.

His leg gave out.

And the next thing he knew—he was on the ground.

The whistle blew.

And for the first time since he'd joined the team…

Jace Holloway couldn't get up.

Coach and the physio rushed over.

Jace clenched his jaw, trying to push himself up, but the pain was too much.

"Jace, don't move," the physio said. "We need to check your leg."

Jace's heart pounded.

Not again.

Not another injury.

Not when everything was finally going right.

The physio pressed gently against his thigh. Jace flinched.

"It's a strain," she said. "Not a tear, but it's bad. You need to come off."

Jace hated hearing those words.

But he didn't have a choice.

Coach gave him a nod as he was helped off the pitch. "We'll talk after the match."

Jace sat on the bench, hands clenched into fists.

His teammates played on without him.

And for the first time, he felt completely helpless.

Harrowgate managed to hold on and win the match 2-1.

But after the final whistle, Jace wasn't thinking about the result.

He was thinking about his leg.

The physio pulled him aside.

"You're going to need at least two weeks off," she said firmly.

Jace's stomach dropped.

"But we only have three matches left!" he protested in pain.

"I know," she said. "But if you push it now, you could tear the muscle completely. And that would mean months, not weeks."

Jace ran a hand through his hair, frustration boiling inside him.

He couldn't afford to miss two weeks.

Not when his team needed him the most.

Coach Davies walked over.

"You heard the physio, Holloway," he said. "No arguments."

Jace wanted to argue.

He wanted to fight.

But the pain in his leg told him the truth.

If he didn't stop now…

He might not make it back at all.

That night, Jace lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

He had worked so hard to get here.

To prove he wasn't just a sprinter.

To prove he belonged.

And now?

Now, he had to watch from the sidelines.

It wasn't fair.

But football had never been fair.

And if he wanted to come back stronger and fit.

He had no choice but to wait.

This was a difficult choice for him and made him sad because he never knew football was unfair.