The high of scoring the match winner against Marston Vale lingered all weekend for Ethan. To him scoring the winner in the match felt a lot bigger than scoring the winner in the friendly the week before. However, Monday came quickly, and it was back to school.
Ethan barely walked through the doors at Eastfield Secondary School before the whispers started. "He's the one that scored the winner for Crestwood on Saturday," one student whispered
"He's going to play for a Big Six club one day," another one commented.
At first, Ethan liked the attention he was getting, but he soon realized everything that he did at school was being watched. When the end of the day came, he was swamped with assignments, but first he had to go to training.
Even though school was back in full swing, Coach Warren didn't let the players have any days off. "I expect everyone to be here for every training session. If you aren't here there better be a real good reason. None of that 'I have a cough' nonsense. If you want to represent this club at the senior level you have to put the work in week in and week out.
During training Ethan's best friend on the team, Callum, grew more demanding of Ethan telling him, "Pass the ball earlier, Matthews," growing frustrated with Ethan taking so long to find the pass. Mason kept on telling Ethan to toughen up after witnessing Ethan get rattled by the physicality in both the friendly and league games. Ethan had moments in training where it seemed like he was the best player on the team, but he also had moments where he felt like he let everyone down.
Ethan's legs were still hurting after the physical battle on Saturday, but he managed to complete every drill. After each session Ethan could only collapse in the back seat of his mom's car, completely spent. "Don't forget, school is just as important as football, Ethan," his mom said. Ethan could only nod as he was tired from the evening's training. When he got home it was shower, dinner, and homework. Some nights Ethan would fall asleep with his head on his desk and pencil still in his hand.
On the days that Ethan was able to come straight home from school, a bunch of the townspeople would stop and talk to him.
"Great game on Saturday, Ethan!" one person said.
"The people of Eastfield are proud of you," his neighbor had told him.
It was nice to hear high praise from his elders. However, he realized that he's not only playing football for himself, he's playing for the whole town.
On Thursday night it was getting near midnight when Ethan's mom entered his room. "You should probably good to sleep," she said.
"I know, but I can't risk falling further behind," Ethan responded.
His mom sat next to him and told him, "Just keep trying your best, that's all anyone can ask for."
Ethan sat back and thought about the pressure everyone was putting on him. From Callum and Mason demanding more on the pitch to his teachers demanding more in class to his peers and townsfolk wanting him to make them proud. Ethan wondered if this is really the life he wants to live. Then Ethan thought about winning the regional final a couple months ago. He also thought about the winner he scored the previous weekend. Just then Ethan had a moment of inspiration and started working on his homework again.