The celebration lasted long into the evening. Crestwood's field had never seen anything quite like it, parents dancing, kids chanting, and teammates hugging one another in shock. For once, Ethan let himself be swept up in it all. He hugged Mason and Callum, joked with his coaches, and even let Sarah wear his grimy jersey on the field.
But once the noise finally died down and the crowd of people dispersed, Ethan just sat quietly on the bench outside the dressing rooms. The floodlights still shone down on the empty field. He stared out at the pitch, the same patch of grass where, just a few hours earlier, he had helped Crestwood become champions.
He recollected the oldest of times, the very first anxious day outside the doors of the academy, the test where he nutmegged the boy who would be his teammate, and the first friendly where he scored. He remembered the tough games against Harrington, the fierce battles against Riverton and Ashbourne, the heartbreak of losing to Westford for the first time, and the thrill of bouncing back stronger.
Most of all, he thought about all that lay beyond the pitch. The late nights with homework unfinished, the teasing and adoration of his classmates, the neighbors who greeted him in the street, his mum's unwavering support, Sarah's laughter in the garden. Football had asked a great deal of him, but it had given him far more.
He was aware of footsteps behind him. Mason and Callum appeared, still charged with energy.
"You sitting here getting all teary?" Callum teased, tossing a bottle cap at him.
Ethan chuckled. "Just… reflecting on how far we've come."
Mason folded his arms, nodding. "We worked for this. Every sprint, every tackle, every late night. Don't forget that."
Callum grinned. "And don't forget who scored most of the goals."
Ethan rolled his eyes, but he grinned. "Yeah, yeah. You couldn't do it without me, though."
All three of them laughed, and the sound rang out across the empty pitch.
The three of them left the ground together, and Ethan turned back for one final look. He knew that this was just the beginning. There would be more matches, more challenges, and more pressure. But now he had something new to take with him—proof that he could handle it, proof that dreams in Eastfield could succeed.
He spoke to himself as they left: "This is only the start of it."