Eastfield was never like this before. All the cafes, all the corner shops, all the classrooms buzzed with the same subject. Crestwood's recent game against Westford. One game to win the league title.
At High Street's bakery, clients stood in line, chatting while waiting for bread.
"Can you believe it? Crestwood might actually win the league," a grizzled old man said, shaking his head. "First time in years they've been this close."
"Ethan's the reason," another said. "That kid's got vision beyond his years. Without him, they wouldn't even be in this race."
At school, Ethan couldn't walk down the corridor without overheard mutterings.
"Do you think he's going to score the winner?"
"He's got to, he's Eastfield's golden boy."
"What if they lose? Just imagine the pressure on him."
Ethan attempted to brush it away, but each sentence stuck in his mind. Proud but burdened by responsibility.
At the cafe where Ethan sometimes sat with Callum and Mason, the locals debated the match as if they were the managers themselves.
"Westford are tough as old boots," one guy said. "They've got the best defense in the league. Crestwood won't be able to handle them."
"Defense or not, Callum Reid's unstoppable," someone else said. "If Ethan feeds him, they'll find a way."
"And don't forget Mason," another said. "That lad dominates the midfield like he's been doing it for ten years. If anyone can shut up Westford's attack, it's him."
Even the neighbors of Ethan were caught up in the craze. His mum couldn't walk the dog out without someone accosting her.
Your boy's going to bring the title home," they'd tell him.
"Tell him the entire of Eastfield's behind him."
Home, Ethan tried to keep his toes on the ground. Sarah, his little sister, tugged on his jacket one evening.
"Do you think you're going to win?" she asked, staring wide-eyed.
Ethan smiled, tousling her hair. "We're going to do our best. That's all I can promise.".
But then, glancing at his notebook, the words he had written all those months ago echoed in his head. Stay focused. Don't get rattled. Improve every day. Make Crestwood league champions.
And now it all came down to one game.
The town of Eastfield would be watching. The parents, the classmates, the neighbors. All of them had believed in Ethan and Crestwood.
And with the last game against Westford on the horizon, Ethan heard every voice, every whisper, every expectation weighing on him. But somewhere beneath, he also sensed something else. Belief