Back again

Amani filed into the academy's team meeting room along with the others, heart still thumping from the excitement of reunion. The room was windowless and cozy, lined with chairs facing a pull-down screen.

Amani noticed immediately what was frozen on the screen: a paused image of last night's Eredivisie match broadcast. Even in the slightly washed-out projector colors, he recognized the scene - himself, wearing the Utrecht senior kit, standing on the pitch at Galgenwaard. His stomach flipped at the sight.

Coach Pronk wasted no time. "Find a seat," he instructed, flicking the light switch off so the projector image glowed brighter. The teenagers shuffled into chairs, some still in their training tops and cleats.