Enhance

Chapter 13 - Tomlinson

Chapter 13 - Tomlinson 

“Tomlinson!” Coach shouts my name when I’m getting ready to start my extra practice after we’ve been dismissed for the day.

I stop on my tracks and turn around to meet his eyes. He is walking towards me with a severe expression and for a moment I fear I did something wrong and he’s crossed with me. I don’t want to be on the bench the next entire game. It’s happened before and I really hate that feeling. I used to play as right forward before but since I got here Coach Meyer said I wasn’t fast enough next to the other forwards and I could do at the back just as well, but that’s not where I like to play. Then Connor came and my chances to get to my old position vanished.

What if now I can’t even play half-time? I made it to midfield on the latest game, which for me was better than before but not my goal. I know every position is important, but we have preferences on everything, don’t we? Mine when it comes to be on the field is as forward. I played on that position for so long that it was so hard to be as right-back when I got in Uni.

“Yes, Coach?” I say, still nervous. I’ve worked so hard to improve, he won’t put me on the bench for the next game, will he?

“No extra practice for you today, son,” he says and I feel defeated.

Has it been pointless all this time? All my hard word… for nothing? I can’t believe it.

“Oh,” is all I say, looking down, at the ball next to my right foot. So this is it.

“You’ll go and celebrate. I’ve decided to make you a regular for this season. And if you keep working on your speed, then you’ll make it as a forward. I know that’s what you’re aiming for. You’ve done a great job, son,” he says and I’m so surprised I don’t even know how to react. “You’re the most committed player and you deserve a reward. Well done. Now get some rest, you’ve trained really hard today.”

I’m beyond mesmerised and so happy that I can’t even breathe. A regular, that means I play on every game. For even the whole game if the coach thinks I can do it and I’m not dying on the field. This is great already! This is amazing! And he knows I want to play as forward. He knows it!

“I-I-I… thank you, Coach! I promise I’ll do my very best to keep improving,” I swear and I think I’m shaking due to the sheer excitement.

“I know you will, but for today, please, just go and get your mind off of the game for a few hours. It won’t make you any good to be so obsessed. Have a good day, Tomlinson,” he finishes and pats my back.

Then he turns around and leaves and I stay there, standing on my own in the middle of the field, smiling like a big idiot and still slightly shaking.

I’ve made it. Kind of. I’m halfway there, I’m a regular. Of course this needs celebration! I bet Harry will take me clubbing even when it’s only Wednesday.

I practically run to the lockers to shower so I can go and look for Harry. He’ll be so happy for me, he knows how important this is for me. I made it as a regular! I’m a regular now. Fuck yeah!

When I get to the lockers I find the coach telling the others about the new formation for the game, and that includes my inclusion as a regular. Some teammates congratulate me, some don’t mind and then there’s Connor, glaring daggers at me. For some reason his disdain for this achievement only makes it sweeter.

After that I just shower and dress pretty fast, I’m almost one of the first to leave the lockers and I’m practically running towards my building in campus when I hear my name being called.