Chapter 2 Backyard Goals and Dreams

Back at the home.Everywhere looking a bit in order,his mom already awake,counting some pounds notes.

Darius leaned against the wall,arms folded listening to the morning news.

Ethan mind flashes back to the conversation him and Mo had,that conversation felt like something weighter than just small talk.He couldn't just understand;was Mo warning him?or preparing him.

"You need to take a break",his mum said after she noticed that he was out early doing what he loves most.Ethan who was already lost in thoughts,figured out that he was the one who she talked to."I've got keep fit".Ethan said.He dropped the ball and started juggling it from foot to foot.

"The school trials next week."

His mom turned then,placing her uniform which smelt fry grease and lemon cleaner.

"You create a hole in the floor."

"I know".replying to his earlier statement.And I'll try my best to be there.No promises.

Ethan gave a small nod,masking the flicker of disappointment.Its wasn't her fault though,not really.Rents had to be paid.Shifts weren't optional.

Darius who was still glued to the information being buzzed out from the worn out radio.

"Morning",Ethan offered.

Darius muttered trying to make a reply

"You heading out again"

Ethan nodded."Backyard session with Kobi.

He's got cones now".

"Cones"Darius echoed."so it's now professional."

Ethan smirked and flickered the ball up with his heel."Always was".

His brother didn't laugh though.Be careful.Not

everyone's out there happy watching you play."

That statement brought made Ethan go dumb.He knew what he meant.Not all the jealous kids on the estate but the ones who'd drag others down because the see potential.

Outside,people started heading out for there daily routines.But that didn't stop Ethan and Kobi from carving out their makeshift pitch between the flats,lining it with cones borrowed or would I say stolen from a nearby construction site.

"You see that new Nike advert?"Kobi asked as he stretched,always the hype man."Mbappe doing stopovers in rain.cold."

"This rain?"Ethan gestured around.Proper drizzle,bruv.it's destiny."

They trained for some hours though,short sprints,ball control,turns tight as alleyways.Ethan was relentless,sweat building up again until they were soaked through.But the ball obeyed him.

Every flick,every touch.it felt like magic.

Between drills,Kobi leaned further,whispers in."You hear about Reece"?.

Ethan still focused on the ball."Nahh,what about him"?

"Got robbed last night".Near a groceries store.

Phone gone,wallet too".

Ethan's stomach grumbled.Reece was just a year older.Another promising lad,always at the edge of trouble.

"Why"?

"Jealousy.That academy trial he got lost month?.

Some lot thinking he's getting too big for the block."Kobi glanced around."Gotta watch your back man".

His brother previous words now looking true as doubted."Not everyone happy watching you play".

They finished just before noon,the sun threatening to break through the clouds.As they packed up the cones,Kobi turned to Ethan.

"You know what's moves me"?he said. "Every time we train,I feel like we actually heading somewhere.Like this grind before glory".

Ethan tired though,but smiled."Backyard dreams".

Kobi added with a fist bump".

Later that afternoon,Ethan was just strolling when he came across Mr Mo's flat.The old man was offloading parcels from his van,muttering curses at his knees.

"Need a hand?".Ethan leaned forward.

Mo glanced so and smiled."That depends,You charge per hour or"?

Ethan grabbed a parcel."Just training my upper body".

Mo laughed though,but his eyes still remained sharp."You always have to be out there,rain,cold,sun whatever. That's rare."

"I've got to be ready at all times".Ethan said."The school trials coming up".

"I am aware".Mo cut in,with a more serious tone now."You'll do just fine.But remember,it's ain't just talent,physique,stamina etc".There's a lot of politics involved in this game.Coaches with favourites.Scouts being bribed".

Ethan hesitated."Then what's the point in trying"?

Mo leaned on the van."The point is to keep trying even when all hope lost,until they can't just look away".

Those last words of Mo sank deep into Ethan head while he walked back home.The estate buzzed,music blaring from speakers,people arguing while watching soccer matches,the smell of petrol and fried chicken.He passed a group of boys by the stairs,all looking very much older than him,hooded,low-eyed,watching.

"Hey,golden boy!?.one called."When you signing for Chelsea,yeah".

Laughter follows.

Ethan didn't respond.He kept walking.

Inside the flat,the TV was turned off as usual.His mom left a note on the table."Double shift,Love you,Make sure you eat something". Darius was nowhere to be found.

Ethan reheated the leftover pasta and ate alone.As the day gradually comes to an end,he climbs up to the roof of the building with his ball.

The skyline stretched before him,distant lights like stars trapped in glass.

He juggled the ball in silence,the city breathing below.

Behind him,he could hear footsteps followed by a little bit of noise.

His turned,his heart thumping faster than normal.

A shadow emerged,Darius.

"You'll almost made me pee on my pants".Ethan said sighing.

"You always come up here"?. Darius asked.

"Sometimes".Ethan said. "It's quiet".

Darius stepped forward,looking at the horizon."I used to come here too.Before the knee".

Ethan paused,sensing something more deeper behind the words.

"I had a scout,once,Darius said quietly.

"Charlton,said I has a shot.Then dad left,Mum broke down,and someone had to work and pay the bills..You know the rest".

"I am not quitting".Ethan said.

"I am not asking you to quit".Darius looked at him,eyes clear."I am asking you to stay sharp,keep your head in the game,stay sharp and trust no one who promises you everything".

There was long pause

"Except you"? Ethan asked.

Darius smiled."Especially me."

For the first time,Ethan didn't feel the words of his brother as bitter voice of realism,but someone who once had the same ambition as his.

As they stood side by side facing the stars,a siren wailed far off,a gentle reminder of the world the lived in.But above that,in Ethan's heart,another sound rang louder:the roar of crowd chants not yet real,but waiting.

And he whispered to himself,just loud enough for the night to hear to hear.

"I'm coming".

Darius nudged Ethan's shoulder. "C'mon.Lets get something to eat,since you ate the leftover pasta all to yourself.Chicken shop's still open".

Ethan laughed."What's was I supposed to do and besides when did start taking me out to eat?"Raising an eyebrow.

Darius shrugged."Since I remembered you're not just some kid with big dreams but my little brother.And you earned this break.Just this once".