Ethan holding the pack of ice on his cheek. He sees the coach approach him and pull him to the side.
"What happened between you and Alejandro?" The coach says furious but confused
"Alejandro was scared that I'd take his spotlight so I'm assuming he was scared. So, as a last resort, he tried to hurt me so I wouldn't be able to play." Ethan says relieved.
The coach listened intently and then asked, "Why did Deshawn join and beat all hell out of Alejandro."
Ethan says, "Because me and Deshawn are close friends, so he wanted to protect me from Alejandro's assault. So then he decided to beat him ruthlessly."
The coach nods slowly and then asks, "Do you think you can still play, like at least attempt to carry this team for some victories? Listen, if we win the next 4 games, we'll make it to the minimum rank for the championship."
Ethan's eyes flickered with inspiration and he nods.
The coach walks away, and Ethan heads to the break room. He sees Theo and Zach for the moment talking.
Zach is drinking what looks like a coffee while Theo is drinking energy drinks called Cyrokick.
"Hey, any major news on Kickline?" Ethan asks trying to join the conversation.
"Nah, I use Nextplays News, I heard this player died; it was very unfortunate; apparently, he was like 19, and he got into a crash," Zach says.
Ethan responds with, "Oh my, did it say what team or what country?"
"He was Canadian; the team was unknown, though," Zach says.
Ethan sits down on a sofa in the room and rests the ice pack between his shoulder and his cheek. After what feels like minutes Theo leaves for some unknown reason.
"Why did he leave?" Ethan asks confused.
"OH, he likes to read periodically, so he'll be here for like thirty minutes then read or fifteen minutes then read," Zach responds when he finishes his coffee.
Ethan then looks at a board that says "board of memories." He looks at it as it has a picture of the team with Ethan kneeling down and Deshawn next to him.
Deshawn and Parker enter the breakroom. And sit on the couch across from Ethan's.
"Hey guys, are y'all alright, y'all just seem tense?" Ethan says worried for them
Parker then says while rubbing his head through his hair, "Apparently, the coach said something in an interview, and it got taken out of context in Kickline."
Ethan then pulls out his phone and goes on Kickline. As he scrolls, he reads, "IronHaven United coach confessing to getting drunk mid-game." With an audio attached to it.
Ethan presses it, and it starts with a female reporter saying, "Hello, I am with Coach Ezekiel; Ezekiel, how do you feel after your team got you out of this losing streak."
"I feel happy, and I'm proud of my players to the point I was drunk. These players have shown me their potential here." He says holding his clipboard.
"Wait are you saying you were drunk during the game and coaching your players?" She asks.
"No, it's a metaphor that I am proud of them." He responds a little irritated.
The reporter chuckles and says, "Alright coach. That was Coach Ezekiel. Have a good day."
Ethan looks confused, then asks, "How is this admitting he's drunk? This doesn't make any sense. It's just him saying he's proud."
Parker says, "While yes, he does say he's proud of everyone. The media took it out of context making it seem like he's drunk in games."
Deshawn then says agitated, "This is so fucking dumb. If I was being questioned or in a serious recorded moment I'd hesitate. Also, get angry, too."
Ethan gets up to go to the fridge and he grabs a water bottle. "Man, what is this team becoming? Once we get a win, people immediately try to ruin it."
"At this point, I just need a cold one and a long, relaxing week on a fishing boat," Deshawn says while yawning.
Parker then asks, surprised, "You fish, Deshawn? That actually amazes me."
"You know, I am starting to hate how long we have to wait between games as anything could happen between that. For example my face." Ethan says with the ice pack up to his cheek
Deshawn's phone vibrates, and he leaves the room to take a call, Ethan presumes. Parker stands and stretches. He then walks over to the fridge and opens it.
He then says while sighing, "Some fucker ate my sandwich, and I had my initials on the box. Man, I would've liked that sandwich."
Ethan chuckles silently as he stands up and pats Parker on the back then leaves the room.
Ethan continues walking around with the water he grabbed and the ice pack. He ponders and walks. He thinks about how he could get the fame but also keep it.
Ethan's memories were interrupted by the sounds of the coach explaining the game plan.
"Miguel, I want you to do short passes and continue to pass it to the center or have the center pass it to Ethan." The coach says while drawing the plan on a whiteboard.
The coach then hands Ethan the captain's armband and says, "If you play well, this will stay. Got it, Ethan?"
Ethan says "I will make sure we win this game."
The coach nods as then he helps the newer player named Noah Briggs with their specialized goggles.
Ethan starts to get impatient and decides to go on Kickline before the game starts.
He sees multiple live videos of the current game and reporters talking about how the game could go.
Also explaining certain players getting traded or who got benched.
He then sees Noah stand up and grab a pair of scissors and starts to cut his socks into this spiral pattern.
Ethan heads up to him and asks, "Why are you cutting your socks?"
Noah turns and responds, "It helps my calves so they don't feel too tight."
Parker then says out of nowhere, "Ethan, come here I have something to show you; this is kinda cool."
Ethan then walks over to Parker and looks over his shoulder and it's a live streamer named VARVisionary.
VARVisionary then says, "Welcome back, fans and friends; we are here to watch the current game we have here."
He continues on saying "IronHaven United versus RedWood Warriors. I'd say it's quite an equal match, one is more focused on defending while the other is offensive."
Ethan then hears the streamer say, "I heard that Ethan might get an opportunity to hear. Hopefully, IronHaven United makes a comeback."
Ethan smiles but his mind races for how much pressure is on him today.
Parker then says "Remember the spotlight, stay in it."
Ethan nods and goes to sit down and goes on Kickline and sees a live with one of the opposite team's players.
Ethan shows this to Parker, and Parker grabs his phone as he turns his back to type something.
He then hands Ethan's phone back and reads what Parker typed [Hey now, don't start sweating already before the game starts]
Ethan says, "Now, why would you type that?"
"Because I like raising the stakes. Welp, good luck Ethan." Parker says while patting his back.