IShowSpeed:Never Stop Dreaming!

The rain tapped softly against the windows of the locker room, the faint patter blending with the muffled hum of voices outside. The air smelled faintly of wet grass and sweat, grounding Dante in the familiar world of football. But tonight, the weight in his chest felt heavier than usual.

His fingers absently traced the edges of his cleats as the echoes of Coach Brooks' words still lingered in his mind. "Decide what matters most."

"Walker, you coming?" Ethan's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Yeah… just give me a sec," Dante replied, forcing himself to shake off the fog of doubt that clung to his thoughts.

As he stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder, the distant murmur of rain seemed to echo the uncertainty that had taken root inside him. But tonight, something was about to change.

Outside the Stadium

The air was cool and damp, the faint scent of rain mixing with the earthy aroma of wet pavement. Dante stepped out of the stadium, pulling his jacket tighter around himself as the drizzle kissed his skin. Streetlights cast golden halos on the slick asphalt, their reflections shimmering in the puddles beneath his feet.

As he turned toward the parking lot, a voice caught his attention.

"Need a ride?"

Dante paused, his gaze falling on a sleek silver car parked nearby. The window rolled down, revealing a young woman with striking green eyes and long auburn hair that fell in soft waves over her shoulders. Her smile was warm, but there was a quiet strength in her gaze that caught him off guard.

"I'm good, thanks," he replied, stepping closer despite himself.

"You sure? It's a long walk in this weather," she said, her tone light but genuine.

"I've had worse," Dante replied with a faint smile. "You're… Sophie, right? The owner's daughter?"

"Sophie Evans," she confirmed, extending her hand. Her grip was firm, confident. "And you're Dante Walker. My dad's been keeping an eye on you."

"Hopefully, not just for the screw-ups," Dante muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

Sophie chuckled, the sound soft and genuine. "Everyone makes mistakes. It's what you do after that matters."

Her words struck something inside him, a spark of understanding that felt different from anything he'd heard before. He studied her for a moment, the faint glow of the streetlights catching the freckles scattered across her cheeks.

"Still… I've got a lot to prove," he said, more to himself than to her.

"Then prove it," Sophie replied simply. "But don't forget why you started playing in the first place."

Before he could respond, a horn honked from down the street, pulling their attention away. Sophie glanced toward the sound, then back at Dante.

"Well, I should go before my dad thinks I've adopted one of the players," she said with a playful smile. "See you around, Walker."

And with that, she rolled up the window and drove off, leaving Dante standing in the rain with her words echoing in his mind.

The Next Day: Training

The air smelled of damp grass and freshly churned earth as Dante sprinted down the field, his pulse pounding in sync with the rhythmic thud of the ball against his cleats. The faint chill of the morning air bit at his skin, but the fire in his chest burned hotter than ever.

"Faster, Walker!" Coach Brooks shouted from the sidelines. "Control the ball—don't let it control you!"

Dante gritted his teeth, focusing on each touch of the ball as he weaved through the cones. His muscles burned with exertion, but he refused to slow down. The memory of Sophie's words lingered in his mind, pushing him forward.

"Don't forget why you started playing."

With a final burst of speed, Dante reached the goal and fired the ball into the net, the satisfying thud echoing across the field. His breath came in ragged gasps, but a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Better," Coach Brooks called out. "Now do it again."

Three Weeks Later: Friendly Match vs. Leeds United U18

The stadium buzzed with energy as the crowd settled into their seats, the faint hum of conversations blending with the distant echo of whistles and referee calls from other matches. The air smelled of popcorn, damp grass, and the faint metallic tang of rain that lingered from the morning showers.

Dante stood near the sideline, bouncing lightly on his toes as the vibrations of the crowd seemed to pulse through his veins. His heart pounded in anticipation, adrenaline coursing through his system as he waited for the whistle to blow.

This match was more than just another friendly—it was his chance to prove he belonged in the first team.

"Walker, you ready?" Ethan asked beside him, his grin easy but his eyes focused.

"Always," Dante replied, rolling his shoulders to shake off the tension.

"Then let's show these guys what speed really looks like."

The whistle blew, and the game exploded into motion. Cleats thudded against grass, the faint slap of the ball against leather echoing with each pass and tackle. Dante's pulse quickened as he sprinted down the right wing, the wind biting against his face as he chased the ball.

"Walker—inside!" Ethan shouted, threading a pass between two defenders.

Dante surged forward, the world narrowing to the ball and the goal beyond. His heart hammered against his ribs as he angled his foot and tapped the ball ahead, this time with just enough control to keep it within reach.

A defender lunged to intercept, but Dante anticipated the move, cutting left and sprinting past the sliding tackle. The goal loomed ahead, the keeper shifting to cover the angle.

Time seemed to slow as Dante drew back his foot, every muscle coiled with energy. The air smelled of grass and rain, the distant roar of the crowd rising in his ears as he struck the ball with a sharp, controlled kick.

The ball sliced through the air and hit the back of the net with a satisfying thud.

"Yes!" The shout tore from Dante's throat as adrenaline flooded his system. His teammates swarmed around him, clapping him on the back as the crowd erupted in cheers.

"Beautiful shot, Walker!" Ethan shouted.

Dante grinned, his chest heaving as he soaked in the moment. But even as he celebrated, his gaze drifted to the sidelines—and his breath caught when he spotted Sophie standing near the edge of the stands.

She wasn't cheering like the others. Instead, she simply smiled, her eyes shining with a quiet pride that seemed to cut through the noise and straight to his heart.

Dante's pulse stuttered, heat creeping into his face as he quickly looked away. But the image of her smile stayed with him long after the cheers had faded.

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