Chapter 16: Rising Above

After that unforgettable training session, everything changed. It wasn't just about keeping up anymore—it was about proving we belonged. And the moment we did, we found ourselves thrust into new challenges. We had earned our spots at higher levels, and now, it was time to show that we could handle the pressure that came with it.

KJ, now 17, was officially part of the first-team reserve squad. The transition was monumental. No longer just another U19 player, KJ was training with the pros now. The speed of play was dizzying. He was surrounded by seasoned players who had years of experience and a level of intensity that was unmatched. KJ was used to being the strongest in the room, but here, he was among the best of the best. Every pass, every decision, every movement had to be sharp. The expectations were higher, and there was no room for mistakes. But KJ was built for this. He thrived under pressure. The more intense it got, the better he played. It wasn't going to be easy, but he was determined to make it.

Kyle, on the other hand, was moving up to the U16 squad, maybe even U17 depending on how his next few weeks went. The jump wasn't as drastic as KJ's, but it was still a leap. U16s played a faster, more technical game than what Kyle was used to at U15. The players were stronger, the challenges tougher, and the defenders more experienced. But Kyle wasn't worried. His dribbling was still as smooth as ever, and his first step was a deadly weapon. The problem wasn't with his skills; it was the new environment. He needed to adjust to the pace, learn to use his balance and skill moves more efficiently. But Kyle was built for that kind of challenge. If anyone could outshine the older players with his quick feet and lethal nutmegs, it was him.

I was moving up too. The U13s weren't enough to challenge me anymore, so I had moved on to the U14s. It wasn't just about the physicality anymore; it was the speed of thought, the intelligence of the game, and the ability to read the play faster than the players around me. The U14s were still tough, but I felt more confident than ever. I had the speed to break past defenders, and now, I was learning how to use my body even more effectively to shield the ball and keep possession. But the real test was in how quickly I could adapt to the speed of the game. At U13, I could get away with being a little slower or taking extra touches. But in the U14s, the ball moved faster, the players were quicker, and I had to think ahead of them every step of the way.

The day after our first training sessions with our new teams, we all met up in the locker room. The vibe had shifted—players were no longer looking at us like we were just the younger guys who could hang with them. Now, we were the up-and-comers, the threats. The older guys knew what we were capable of, and not all of them were thrilled about it.

KJ had been getting a lot of attention from the first-team coaches. Some of the older reserve players eyed him with suspicion. The rivalry wasn't just on the field anymore; it was in the locker room, in every drill. Players didn't like being overshadowed by someone younger, someone hungrier. But KJ was calm. He was used to the spotlight, and he wasn't going to let anyone shake his confidence.

Kyle was in the same position, just on a different level. Moving to U16 meant he was going to be facing stronger, faster players. Not everyone liked him either. His flashy style, his killer first step, the way he made defenders look silly with his nutmegs—it all made him a target. Older players saw him as a threat, and the competition was fierce. But Kyle thrived in that kind of environment. The more the older players doubted him, the more he'd prove them wrong.

As for me, moving to U14 meant I was now in the middle of the age groups, no longer the youngest. The physicality was tougher, but I felt I was ready. The bigger challenge, though, wasn't just with the physical demands—it was the mental game. As I was learning, soccer wasn't just about speed or skill. It was about strategy. I had to outthink opponents, see passes before they happened, and get to spaces where they wouldn't expect me. And that was where my edge came from.

That evening, after training, we sat together in the locker room, catching our breath. Sweat trickled down our faces, but there was a quiet pride in our expressions.

"You feel that?" KJ asked, breaking the silence. "They know who we are now. It's not just about the coaches anymore. They're watching us."

Kyle leaned back against the locker, grinning. "Good. Let them watch. We're here to stay."

I nodded. "This is just the beginning. We've got more to prove now, not just to the coaches, but to the players around us. They'll respect us—whether they like it or not."

"And if they don't?" KJ said with a smirk. "We'll show them."

The three of us sat there, a quiet confidence building between us. We had moved up, and now, it was time to make our mark.

The future was ours for the taking.