The celebration from the previous night still lingered in the air like faint perfume, but by morning, the mood had shifted. The dining hall was quieter, more focused. The team sat around long tables for breakfast, the sound of utensils clinking against plates filling the room. Some players were groggy from staying up too late; others, like Noah, were simply deep in thought.
Coach Vermeer stepped into the room with a clipboard under his arm, his presence immediately cutting through the sleepy energy. His eyes scanned the room before he spoke. "Enjoy your night?
There were murmurs of agreement, some cheers, and even a loud, "Best night ever!" from Ali.
"Good," Vermeer said, his voice calm but with a weight that made everyone straighten slightly. "Because starting tomorrow, we go again. And this time, it's different."
Noah looked up from his toast, catching the sharp glint in Vermeer's eyes.
"Next week, we're playing the first string." The words were simple, but their weight dropped like an anchor. A ripple moved through the squad—whispers, wide eyes, and a sudden stiffness in posture.
Ali leaned toward Noah and whispered, "First string? You serious?"
Vermeer continued, cutting off their murmuring. "I want you all to understand something very clearly. That match isn't just another scrimmage. That's your trial. Your performances will dictate who's ready to make the step up to the first string… and who isn't."
The room went quiet again.
For Noah, the thought slammed into him like a cold wave. He had fought so hard just to fit in here, to find his footing among talented peers, and now he would be measured against the best Ajax had to offer. There was no hiding behind safe passes or claiming inexperience anymore.
Vermeer walked to the front, resting the clipboard on the table nearest to him. "I can see the looks on your faces. Pressure? Good. You should feel it. But don't fear it. Pressure is what separates professionals from amateurs. I don't care how talented you are—if you crumble under pressure, you won't survive." His gaze landed on Noah briefly before sweeping across the rest of the room. "You've come far, but next week, we'll see who truly wants this."
The message settled into everyone's chest like a stone.
"Now," Vermeer continued, clapping his hands once. "Today is for recovery and bonding. Teamwork is what got you this far, and teamwork is what can push you further. That's why we're doing something different this afternoon. Dares. Challenges. Whatever you want to call them. It's about trust and confidence. You're going to need both."
Ali grinned immediately, his competitive streak flaring. "Dares? What kind of dares?"
"You'll see," Vermeer replied with a slight smirk. "Pack light clothes and be ready by noon. Bus leaves at twelve sharp."
By midday, the squad was piled into a bus, energy building like an oncoming storm. The destination was an outdoor adventure park just outside the city, a place designed for corporate team-building and thrill seekers. Noah sat near the window, watching the passing fields, nervous energy coiling tight in his stomach. He could feel Ali buzzing beside him.
"You ever do anything like this before?" Ali asked.
"No," Noah admitted. "Not really my thing."
"Perfect," Ali said, smirking. "Means you're going first."
When they arrived, the players were met with an instructor who outlined the day's itinerary: rope courses, a climbing wall, a mock survival challenge, and—worst of all for some—a bungee jump platform overlooking a deep gorge.
Vermeer gathered them into a circle. "This is about trust," he said. "You're going to rely on each other and push your limits. You'll need that next week. And Carter—" his eyes locked on Noah "—you'll be going first."
The team erupted into laughter and cheers, Ali pumping a fist like he'd just scored a goal. "Let's go, Maestro!"
Noah groaned but stepped forward. The first challenge was a rope bridge suspended high above the ground. His palms sweated as he grabbed the rope, feeling it wobble slightly under his weight. Below him, Ali and Jamal shouted encouragement, while Milan recorded the whole thing on his phone, grinning ear to ear.
"Don't look down, Maestro!" Ali called.
Noah gritted his teeth and kept moving, one step at a time. When he made it across, the group cheered loudly. Vermeer nodded approvingly, jotting something down on his clipboard.
The bungee jump was worse. Standing at the edge, Noah's legs felt like stone, the world spinning slightly as he stared down. The instructor strapped him in, giving instructions, but his heartbeat drowned out the words. Behind him, his teammates started a chant: "No-ah! No-ah! No-ah!"
"Remember," Vermeer said, his voice cutting through the noise, "it's not about fearlessness. It's about doing it despite fear."
Noah took a breath, stepped forward, and jumped. The rush of wind, the scream caught in his throat, and the bounce at the bottom—it all blended into a strange moment of exhilaration. When he was pulled back up, his teammates mobbed him with cheers and pats on the back.
"You're insane!" Ali laughed, nearly tackling him.
Noah just laughed, the adrenaline loosening something inside him.
The day carried on with more dares—carrying teammates through obstacle courses, blindfolded trust runs, and even a contest to see who could eat the spiciest local dish from the park's small café. (Jamal won, though he spent the next fifteen minutes coughing and downing milk.)
By the time evening came and they returned to the hotel, the team felt closer than ever. Even Vermeer cracked a rare smile during dinner.
Before dismissing them for the night, Vermeer spoke again. "What you did today wasn't about fun, though fun was part of it. It was about learning to trust each other and yourself. Next week will test you in ways no dare ever could. And Carter—" he locked eyes with Noah again "—today, you trusted yourself. Bring that into the game. That's how leaders are made."
Noah nodded, the words sinking deep. He wasn't sure he was ready for what next week would bring, but for the first time since arriving in Amsterdam, he believed he could be ready.
That night, as Noah lay in bed, images of the jump and Vermeer's words repeated in his head. Trust. Leadership. Belief. For a long time, he'd thought football was just about passing and playing safe. But now… now it was about daring to leap, even when everything inside told him to hold back.