The two letters lay side by side on the kitchen table. One was from his country, and the other was about his future. Ethan sat in silence, trying to grasp the significance of it all.
"West Brom," his mum said, reading the letter over his shoulder. "That's a big club, Ethan. This is what you've been working for, right?"
"I guess so," Ethan replied, his voice distant. Dreaming about scouts in the stands was one thing, but holding a formal invitation put everything into a scary focus. "What do we do?"
"Well," his mum said, taking a deep breath as her practical side kicked in. "We handle this properly. We'll schedule the visit for a day that doesn't clash with your training. And you need to tell your coach right away. This isn't something you can hide from him."
The thought of going into Coach Shaw's office with this news made Ethan's stomach knot. He had finally earned back his coach's trust, and this felt like a distraction, a betrayal of the "team-first" mindset they had been taught.
He chose to tell his friends first. The next day at training, he pulled Callum and Mason aside before the session. "So, I got a couple of letters yesterday," he started, trying to sound casual. "The first one… I made the England squad for the tournament in Spain."
"Yes, mate!" Callum yelled, pulling him in for a one-armed hug. "I knew it! They couldn't ignore you. Brilliant!" "Class, Eastfield," Mason added, a rare, proud smile on his face. "Well earned."
"Thanks," Ethan said, feeling his nerves creep back. "But... there was another one." He took a breath and continued. "It was an invitation... from West Brom. They want me and my mum to tour their academy and talk about... you know, signing."
The silence that followed was heavy. Callum's celebratory grin faded, and his expression changed to something complex and unreadable. He was the first to speak. "Wow," he said quietly. "A Championship club. That's massive, Ethan. Just massive." He forced a smile and slapped Ethan on the shoulder a bit too hard. "You're going to be a pro before any of us."
Mason nodded slowly, his gaze intense. "Good," he said firmly. "That's what this is all about. Don't let it throw you off." He looked pointedly at Callum and then back at Ethan. "You've got a game on Saturday. We have a league to win. Don't let this distract you from your goal."
After the session, Ethan, with his mum beside him, knocked on Coach Shaw's door. "Come in," came the familiar bark. Coach Shaw looked up, his expression neutral as he saw Ethan and his mother. "Coach," Ethan began, feeling clammy. "I... we received a letter yesterday from West Bromwich Albion. They've invited us to visit their academy to discuss... well, a possible contract."
He held his breath. Coach Shaw leaned back in his chair, his face revealing nothing. He glanced at the letter Ethan's mum held out but didn't take it. "I'm not surprised," he said finally, his tone flat. "After the Riverton game, I figured the phones would start ringing. They're a good club and a big academy."
He stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the training pitches. "This is the business, Ethan. This is the reward for your hard work. You and your family will go, listen, and make the best decision for your future. I and the club will support you." "Thank you, Coach," Ethan's mum said, relief evident in her voice. "However," Shaw added, turning back to them with a sharp, hard look. "That is your future. Your present is this club. Your present is the home game against Eastfield on Saturday and a league title that's on the line. The second I see this," he tapped his head, "affecting this," he pointed outside to the pitch, "you'll be on the bench. I don't care if you have an offer from Real Madrid. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Coach," Ethan said, feeling the familiar pressure settle back onto his shoulders, a strange balance to his excitement. "Good," Shaw grunted. "Congratulations on the England call-up. You earned that too. Now get out of here. See you Saturday."
Ethan stepped outside into the cool evening air. The two biggest achievements of his life felt more like heavy burdens. He had a game to play against his old hometown, a league to win for his teammates, and now, a life-changing decision to make for himself. The simple game he loved was growing more complicated every day.