Back to the Grind
Sunday morning. No football, no training—just schoolwork.
Daniel sat at his desk, staring at the math textbook in front of him. His brain refused to process the equations.
"Why is this harder than football?" he thought, rubbing his forehead.
His exams were coming up, and he needed to focus, but all he could think about was the league, Sofia, and the growing tension in his life.
His phone buzzed. A message from Miguel.
Miguel: Dude, you studying?
Daniel: Trying. Failing.
Miguel: Same. Want to study together?
Daniel sighed. Maybe that would help.
Daniel: Yeah. Your place or mine?
Miguel: Mine. Bring snacks.
Daniel chuckled.
Study Session... Kind Of
An hour later, Daniel arrived at Miguel's house. He knocked, and Miguel opened the door, already looking exhausted.
"Bro, I hate physics," Miguel groaned.
Daniel smirked. "I hate math more."
They sat in Miguel's room, books spread across the bed. At first, they actually tried to study. They read, took notes, and even tested each other.
Then Luis showed up.
"Tell me you guys aren't actually studying," he said, flopping onto the bed.
Miguel groaned. "We were. Then you showed up."
Luis grinned. "Great, let's take a break."
Daniel rolled his eyes. "We just started."
But Luis had already grabbed the TV remote. "Just one game of FIFA."
Daniel sighed. "One game."
Miguel smirked. "We both know it won't be just one."
A Sudden Realization
After a few matches (and a lot of trash talk), Daniel checked the time.
"Shit," he muttered. "I barely studied."
Miguel shrugged. "We'll survive. We always do."
But Daniel wasn't so sure. He wasn't bad at school, but he had been so focused on football and his problems that he felt behind.
"Alright," he said, shutting the game off. "We really need to focus now."
Luis groaned. "You're turning into Sofia."
Daniel frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Miguel smirked. "She's always serious about school. If she were here, she'd be making us do past papers."
Daniel chuckled. "Maybe I should study with her."
Luis wiggled his eyebrows. "Ooooh, study date?"
Daniel rolled his eyes. "Shut up."
Miguel laughed. "Hey, it's not a bad idea. You like her, she's smart—maybe she'll help you pass."
Daniel hesitated. The idea wasn't bad. Maybe studying with Sofia would actually help.
And maybe, just maybe, it was an excuse to spend more time with her.