Become A Football Legend

Lukas was shocked as he watched the players each take a moment to wish him a happy birthday. He had trained with the first team only for a brief moment and never even played an official match with them. So for these stars to take the time off training to record a video message and send it to him was something he never expected.

Without even playing an official match, his performances on the training ground had already won the acknowledgement of his teammates.

"Now you've turned 16, hurry up and sign the contract so you can come play for us," Topmöller said, prompting laughter from the rest of the team as the video ended.

The guests who had come to celebrate Lukas's birthday were left utterly stunned. Apart from the Gimenez family and the few Eintracht Frankfurt players in attendance, the other guests were unaware that Lukas was already training with the first team. He tried to keep his career progress away from most people, only divulging details to people he was extremely close to.

Wesley from the SV98 academy turned to Lukas and said, "You're already training with the first team? And they already like you enough to make a video like this for you?"

He had been at the Darmstadt academy even before Lukas, so he knew what kind of player Lukas was. It was a massive surprise to learn that the same Lukas who was once one of the least talented players on the team would move to the first team of a top 3 Bundesliga club in only about six months.

"What can I say? They are very nice people," Lukas responded.

"Yeah, nobody is buying that. Congratulations, though. I really mean it."

"Thank you."

A few other friends from school gathered around Lukas, asking about his relationship with some of the stars on the team like Marmoush and Ekitike. Some even playfully asked for autographs from Lukas — banking on his potential to become a star.

"Alright, guys! Food is ready," Javi said as he started serving the guests.

They ate and played the latest FC25 which had just been released a few months prior, on João's PS5 which he brought with him to the party.

* * *

It was around 9pm, and all the guests had already left the house. Javi and Lukas were tidying the living room while João was disconnecting his gaming console from the television. Joanna insisted on helping Anne do the dishes. They were not guests, they were closer to family.

The sound of dishes and cutlery clanking could be heard in the kitchen while Anne hummed the tune to the soft music that was coming from the stereo. She had snatched the DJ task from João a few hours ago after complaining about his taste in music.

"Be careful with the knives, they are sharp," Anne warned as Joanna reached for the knives.

"Yes, ma," she replied.

"Thank you for helping me out, Jo."

"It's nothing, Anne. Lukas and Javi have always been great help to us since we moved to the country. We're like family."

"No wonder he wants to make you family."

CLANK*

Joanna's heart skipped and the knife she was holding fell back into the sink making a loud noise as metal struck metal.

"Oh my God, are you okay?" Anne asked as she rushed to Joanna with a worried expression and held her hands to check for any injuries.

"I'm fine, Anne. It didn't cut me. I was just startled."

"I'm glad you are okay," she replied as she breathed a sigh of relief and walked back to her section. "Wait, why were you startled? It's not like I said anything surprising."

"Yeah... No... I just didn't know you knew about... Lukas... and... I."

"No need to be shy. Of course I know about it. I'd be a fool if I didn't notice how you looked at each other. But as far as I know, you guys aren't dating yet, right?"

"Yeah, we aren't."

"Why is that? He still doesn't wanna ask you out?"

"He did... We decided to go on a dinner date about a month ago, but we've not been able to pick a date."

Anne put down the dish she was holding, wiped her hands with a clean cloth by the side, and turned towards Joanna.

"What really is the matter? I don't believe Lukas would plan to go on a date with you, and a month would pass by without him picking a date."

"You're right... He's been suggesting dates... But I've been busy."

"C'mon, Joanna, we both know that's not why. Talk to me. You don't find him attractive? That can't be possible 'cause I see the way you look at him."

"No! Of course not! I'm just... worried."

"What are you worried about?" Anne asked softly.

"He's still so young. He might not be sure of what he wants. He might only like me because we grew up together and I've always been around."

"I see... You're worried about his football career."

"Don't get me wrong, I love that for him! But we both know he's going places. Once he debuts for the first team, a lot of girls will throw themselves at him. What if by then he sees someone he finds more attractive than me? What if he leaves Frankfurt? Maybe a transfer to another country? What would happen to us then? What if he grows up and gets bored of me? Then what do I do?"

"Hmm... That is a lot... And those are all valid concerns, Jo. But you gotta remember this, there is nothing guaranteed in this life. Look at me, I spent half of my 20s engaged to someone, and it didn't work out. But all of that led to me and Javi finding each other, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else."

Anne walked towards Joanna as she continued giving her advice, "There is always gonna be a reason to not take the first step in any decision-making process. If you live your life only making decisions because there isn't a reason not to, you won't be able to make any decision."

She placed her hands on Joanna's shoulder, "Trust your guts, you've known Lukas for a long time, since he asked you out has he ever pressured you? Or even done something that'd make you feel uncomfortable? I don't think it's a thoughtless decision on his part. You've known him longer than I have, but since I've met Lukas, I've always felt he didn't behave like his age.

Take a leap of faith, and if you fall and it doesn't work out, you get back up. But if you don't even try, I promise when you get older, you'll always think "I wonder what would have happened if I gave him a chance." Trust me."

Joanna listened to Anne's advice carefully and made up her mind at the spot, "Thank you, Anne, Lukas is lucky to have you as his mother."

"Oh my! What are you talking about? Javi and I haven't gotten to that stage yet," Anne replied as she quickly turned around to hide the huge smile on her face — the calm and collected Anne now nowhere to be seen as she blushed heavily.

"Dad! What are you doing standing over there? Come help me put this sofa in order!" Lukas called out.

Javi, who had been standing by the kitchen door eavesdropping on the conversation between Anne and Joanna, put his index finger to his lips as he tiptoed away from the area.

"Shut up. You're gonna get me in trouble, Luke," Javi whispered as he lightly flicked Lukas's forehead.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Lukas asked, gripping his forehead to exaggerate the pain.

"I didn't hit you that hard."

"Javi, be gentle with the kid," Anne said as she stepped out of the kitchen, Joanna following closely behind her.

"I didn't hit him! João, you were here, did I hit him?"

"I don't know, I wasn't watching," João responded. He was sitting at the dining table, eyes glued to his phone with his PS5 console resting on his lap.

"How could you say you didn't hit him? The kid is holding his head in pain," Anne said, pointing at Lukas who had now upped his acting skills by 1000%. He was now pouting and acting as if he was about to burst out crying.

"Javi, how could you make him cry on his birthday?" Anne asked as she walked to Lukas, "Don't worry, dear, you'll be fine. Let me see where he hit you?" She asked as she consoled Lukas.

"Oh c'mon! That's not fair," Javi screamed as everyone, including Lukas, started laughing.

"Thank you all for today, I'm really glad I've got you guys in my life," Lukas said as he looked around at the group of people who were now his family. He felt grateful for this second chance, a chance to make things right again. Coming back wasn't only for playing football, it was also for making meaningful relationships like these.

A/N: Hello, guys and girls (all 2.06% of you) and everything in between, hope you're having a wonderful day. If not, chin up, tomorrow will be better.

Also please help me with GTs and PS if you've got some to spare... I know... Shameless of me to ask after that motivational speech... But a man's gotta make money on this app... Forgive me

Stay safe.

Love y'all.

-Writ