The night was peaceful, with insects chirping and the cool wind rustling the trees like a dance. He couldn't get comfortable in his bed and kept moving around. He awoke and reached for his phone.
Maybe the internet has a solution.
Before trying online suggestions, he typed in all his recent experiences and feelings. Nevertheless, sleep eluded him. He got up and did push-ups, then sat down, hoping physical exertion would induce sleep. Still not exhausted, pacing back and forth in his room, he decided to seek a solution in the medicine cabinet situated in the bathroom down the hallway. He took two sleeping pills and went straight to his room.
Lying on his bed, he swiped open the core system; maybe he had missed something. He wished that the core system provided a manual or some kind of tutorial, and what these levels he received even meant. Did these levels affect his sleep, tired of swiping the core system, annoyance plastered on his face. Grabbing his phone, he began texting Busisiwe, however; she offered no reply. He opted to do more push-ups and sit-ups. Perhaps if he reached a certain number, exhaustion would make him faint.
200, 201, 203, 204, 205 ,206, 207, 208, 209, 210….
vroom!
Screeeeech!
A sound of tires pulling over his driveway jolted Winston into dragging his body from a sitting position. Surprised by the sunrise, he peeked through the window; the shock he felt was hard to describe seeing his father's car pulling up the driveway and the sunrise. He couldn't believe he stayed all night, shifting between push-ups and sit-ups. Sweat dripping all over his body, but no exhaustion in sight. He opened the window, and the morning wind cooled his body, and he then decided to go to the training ground early.
***
He chose to begin his workout at the gym upon arriving at the club's training grounds. He was motivated to continue his progress, and as a result, he arrived ahead of schedule.
Maybe I should hit the treadmill first, just to balance my upper and lower body.
As hours passed, more youth players started pouring into the gym, surprised to see. Winston at the gym—early and lifting dumbbells. One youth asked, and another youth who was also puzzled. "Why is he here? I thought he was taking two days off."
"I guess he got bored, or maybe this is all he knows. I've never seen him with friends. Even in the training ground located on the other side of the city, he is always training alone."
"He really wants that first eleven spot."
"Wouldn't you? I mean, there are two strikers, and both of them have played in the senior league? Wouldn't want to improve so you can play there again."
"You're right, but Maximillian has been putting in work; the striker coach has been training him."
"I heard he's being paid to train Maximilian alone."
"No wonder sometimes—he doesn't attend training with us."
"Yep, poor Winston though he has no one to train him, although he's showing great promise."
"Well, that's how it works when you have money. I mean Maximilian is burning through his own life savings just to get back to the senior team."
"Damn, he really wants to go back; what happened to him? Why was he demoted to the junior league?"
"From what I heard, he was a promising new signing, but he let fame get to his head; he started missing training. And he would party all night; he did score goals, but, you know, the fans didn't like him not respecting the club, so they demoted him."
"That's tough; now we're getting high-level competition amongst two former senior league players; I wonder who would be first to be signed to the senior league again. If I had to place a bet, I would confidently choose Maximilian to be the one to succeed.
"Well, my money is on Winston, even though he doesn't have that confidence when he's with the ball. And he doesn't have a personal mentor. I think he will give Maximilian problems"
Of course, Winston was eavesdropping on the conversation. He acted like—he was listening to some music on his wireless earphones. His hunch was right. What he noticed at the last training session he attended before fainting, confirmed by what these two youths just said. But he didn't think that Maximilian was paying for one-on-one sessions. And he even goes to such lengths to achieve his goal. Now everything changed. Winston really needed a mentor, and the ones he usually saw on the training ground. He frequently visited were too expensive. Winston stopped and sat on the bench, thinking of whom he could ask. He doesn't know anyone who will train him for free. And most of the salary. He used to receive when he was at the reserve team back at the senior was so small it barely covered food at home; that's why he couldn't retire from his parents.
What should I do, maybe I should ask Oswin, maybe he knows someone who is cheap who can teach me.
"Hey guys, the training is starting; Coach said all players must be at the training ground," said one of the club staff members who was wearing a club tracksuit. Winston was still lost in his thoughts as he packed his stuff. "Hey man, you're back. How are you feeling?"
Winston glanced back over his shoulder. He noticed the club staff member calling them stretching out a hand for a fist bump. And Winston stretches out his own.
Slap
Cuff
"Nice to see you are back; that last training—you did your thing. Everyone was impressed."
Winston replied in a calming tone, "Thank you, I'm just trying to improve myself."
"For sure, listen, there was a lady, a business lady, looking for you. She had on a suit, and she was gorgeous too." He whispered the last parts. His hand looped around Winston's shoulders. A strong coffee fragrance wafted up, tickling Winston's nose. "Hook a brother up, I didn't know you knew a fine woman." With a subtle chuckle, Winston nodded his head. In honest Winston didn't know what this club staff employee was talking about. He doesn't know nor met a "a business woman." No matter how hard he tried, he didn't recall meeting someone who fit that vague description.
After all that, upon arriving at the training ground, they began with some fundamental warm-up exercises. Winston is still surprised that he is not exhausted, but his stamina remains at its peak, as if he had eight hours of sleep. "Glad to see you back, bru."
Slap
Cuff
With a smirk, Oswin was pleased by Winston's return, viewing him as a rival. A great one, too. Oswin and Winston are the same age. And he has tasted what Oswin dreamed of. "How are you feeling, bru."
"I'm good bro, yeah I got a full rest. Now I hope the coach still puts me in the first eleven." Winston added. "Oswin, do you know anyone who mentors one on one, in-person training?"
"Winston, c'mon over here." The head coach called out from the sideline, watching the youth players doing their drills. "How are you feeling? I hope you got enough rest. I know—I'm supposed to give you two days off. But schedules changed; our next club match is in the town over. The entire team has already prepared its stuff."
"Seeing that you are fine, don't worry; I talked to your parents, and they agreed that when you are fully rested, you will join us."
Grateful that the core system upgraded his stamina, physical attributes, and speed. When the coach glanced over at him, he noticed the determination shining in Winston's eyes. And with this determination, he knows very well that nothing will stop someone with this kind of steadfastness. "Okay, after practice, make sure you report to the staff members; they will take your suitcases and gym bags."
"Will do, Coach."
He let out a deep sigh; his chest loosened up after the conversation. It was tightened earlier when the head coach summoned him. He made an effort to stand tall, resisting the onset of exhaustion. Luckily for him, it worked even though he didn't need to do it. Since again, his stamina and physical speed recently got restored.