The Secod Chance

Jace Holloway had one month.

One month to train with Brighton's U18s.

One month to prove he belonged in a Premier League academy.

One month to show he wasn't just some kid who got lucky.

He'd spent the entire train ride back to Harrowgate processing it all.

He was nervous because this was his first time playing in a real club as a scout, so he thought he was going to meet professional players here, so he was a bit uncomfortable.

The competition would be brutal.

The expectations would be sky-high.

The pressure? Immense.

But this was what he wanted.

A chance.

And he was ready to take it.

The moment he stepped off the train, Jace spotted Theo waiting for him.

"Oi! Superstar!" Theo called, grinning.

Jace rolled his eyes. "I haven't made it yet."

"Yet," Theo emphasized, clapping a hand on Jace's shoulder. "Come on, man. A month with a Prem academy? That's insane."

Jace exhaled. "Yeah, it is."

Theo studied him. "You alright? You don't look excited."

Jace hesitated. "I am. Just… I know it's gonna be hard."

Theo smirked. "And since when has that ever stopped you?"

Jace chuckled. "Fair point."

They started walking.

"So," Theo said. "How are we celebrating?"

Jace shook his head. "No celebrations. Not yet."

Theo raised an eyebrow. "No?"

Jace's expression turned serious.

"I'm not celebrating until I earn my spot."

Theo nodded, understanding.

"Then let's get to work."

The first day at Brighton was intense.

Jace had expected it to be difficult.

He hadn't expected it to feel like stepping into an entirely different universe.

The players moved like professionals.

Sharp. Technical. Calculated.

Everything was done at top speed—passing drills, pressing exercises, finishing practice.

It was football at its purest.

This made him happy avot because he at least felt alive.

Jace had never been in an environment like this.

And it showed.

His first few passes? Slightly off.

His first touch? Not sharp enough.

He wasn't bad, but he wasn't at their level yet.

And he knew it.

So he did what he always did.

He worked.

By the end of the session, he was exhausted, drenched in sweat, and frustrated with himself.

But as he sat in the changing room, tying his laces, he overheard something.

"New kid's got pace," one of the academy players said.

"Yeah," another agreed. "Raw, but he's got something."

Jace's lips twitched into a small smile.

They noticed.

It wasn't much.

But it was a start.

---

Adjusting to the Academy Life

The biggest challenge wasn't just the training.

It was the schedule.

Morning gym sessions.

Tactical meetings.

On-pitch training.

Video analysis.

It was football, all day, every day.

By the end of the first week, Jace was exhausted.

But he was improving.

His passing got tighter.

His positioning got smarter.

His decision-making got quicker.

He wasn't just playing anymore.

He was learning.

And then came the biggest test yet.

A match.

Jace hadn't expected to get playing time so soon.

But the coach pulled him aside before kickoff.

"You'll get fifteen minutes," the coach said. "Show me what you can do."

Fifteen minutes.

Not much time.

But more than enough to make an impact.

Jace sat on the bench, watching as the match unfolded.

Brighton's U18s played at a ridiculous speed.

Every pass had a purpose.

Every movement had intent.

It was like watching a professional side.

And then—

"Jace, warm up!"

His heart pounded.

This was it.

A chance to prove himself.

When Jace stepped onto the pitch, the intensity hit him immediately.

There was no time to settle in.

The moment he got on the ball, he was pressed.

Fast. Aggressive.

But he didn't panic.

He adjusted.

He moved into space.

He made quick passes.

Then, ten minutes in, his moment came.

A loose ball in midfield.

Jace pounced.

A burst of speed, leaving his marker behind.

He spotted a gap in the defence and drove forward.

Then—

A perfect pass to the winger.

A cross into the box.

A goal.

Jace barely had time to process it before his teammates swarmed him.

"Brilliant run!"

"Great vision!"

Jace grinned.

I belong here.

After the match, Jace sat in the dressing room, trying to catch his breath.

Then, the coach walked in.

"Jace. A word."

Jace followed him into the office.

The coach leaned back in his chair, studying him.

"You settled in quickly," he said.

Jace nodded. "Tried my best."

The coach smirked. "It showed."

A pause.

"We're extending your trial. Two more weeks."

Jace's breath caught.

"Two more?"

The coach nodded.

"You're improving, Holloway. Keep this up, and we might have a decision to make."

Jace clenched his fists.

This was real.

He wasn't just some kid on trial anymore.

He was on the verge.

And he wasn't going to let this chance slip away.

Not now.

Not ever.

NEVER.