STORMS AND TWISTS

CHAPTER SIX

No one talked as they travelled in the bus. Silence had filled the bus to an extent that even a pin drop or a droplet of water could be heard. What they had met was different from their expectations.

Casey was the most affected by the turn of events. His first match as a coach had ended in a goalless draw. The crux of the matter was that the match was against a team in relegation.

His players were also pained by their performance but they dared not voice it out. As they alighted out of the bus, Casey gathered them together and they made a short prayer. After that, he gave them a piece of his mind.

“What the heck happened there? You just made us four points below Dames College. You are making this harder for us”. He yelled out in a shriek. He stopped to see if they were getting the message he was passing.

“You all thought you could beat them and now thanks to you, they made it out of relegation. The problem was that you took them with levity and they were smart enough to use it to their own advantage”. He halted with an exhale.

“We are sorry, coach”. They chorused out.

“No, don’t be sorry, you can still make the league title. There are five matches left”.

“Our next match is against the team currently in second place and we still have to play Dames College. We are doomed.” Levi, the team captain said.

“Who says so? We are going to play those matches and win them. Winners never quit and quitters never win”. He paused and gazed at them one by one.

“Are you ready to claim it?”

“Yes”. They chorused.

“Let’s meet here tomorrow”. He said and left. He walked towards the senior team’s training ground. He watched from afar and saw that Cody was doing well. However, there was another player on the team that made lots of mistakes and got mocked.

It was soon the end of the training for the day. Cody walked up to him.

“Hi bro, did the junior team win that match?”

“No, it was a draw. We still have hopes of lifting that cup. Well, I can see you are doing well here. Cool reflexes”. Casey complemented with a smile.

“Thanks. Even Carl was dazed”.

“What’s with the guy you were all mocking?”

“That’s Oliver. He’s the fourth striker but the worst in the team”. Cody replied.

“I’m sure that guy will be feeling bad now”. Casey said with sincere pity.

“It’s the same here. I just couldn’t take it but I had no choice”. Cody said and looked back.

“I think Mr. Hudson has gotten word about the draw.” Cody said, turning back to him.

“What makes you say that?” Casey asked.

“Cos he’s behind you”. Casey turned back and reflected it was true.

“G… Good afternoon, sir”. Casey mumbled. He was afraid of what he would say.

“I heard about the match”.

“I’m sorry sir. We couldn’t grab a win”.

Mr. Hudson chuckled loudly.

“That was the best I’ve ever seen. Keep it up”. Mr. Hudson said and left.

“You felt scared, didn’t you?” Cody asked.

“What a relief!” Casey said, exhaling in relief.

Cody was in his room. The room was upstairs and painted in blue. The bed was at the other end leaning by the wall. He had a Chelsea football club duvet, poster of Chelsea m id-fielder Cole Palmer and a Chelsea jersey that had his own name behind. He was a devoted fan of Chelsea football club.

A study table and an alarm clock were also there. His wardrobe was right beside the study table. It was the dream room anyone could wish for.

As he sat down on the chair to study Economics, his eyes flashed. He saw himself in the attic. He came back to reality. It was reality. He needed to check the attic out. Although no one visited the attic, he needed to check. He had an ominous feeling. He had been experiencing cases of the Déjà vu since the first time he had a vision. It was like he had been there before.

He ran to the attic. He opened the door and tried to unveil something. It was dusty and he coughed to that effect. It was a large mirror. He walked around for ten minutes and then decided to take his leave. For all he could know, his visions could be playing tricks on him after all.

He turned to leave but he accidentally bumped into a shelf. He fell down but stood up almost immediately. A book hit his head.

“Ouch, who dropped that book here?”.He said to no one in particular.

Slowly, he bent down to pick the book. He took it up and saw it was covered with dust. He cleaned the dust and coughed. He squint his eyes to check the book. Behold, he was utterly surprised by what he saw. The book had “The enchanted diary” as its title and it was written by Alexander Morris the Great. His hand shook in fear and the book fell off. He picked it up again. Many questions came to his mind but there was just only way to find out- read the book.

…

Casey on the other hand was in the living room of the ‘Manuel’s mansion. He was reading a book titled “Jinhai and the mystery behind Raham’s power on the Inkitt app.

Recently, their father had been less busy. He was inside his room taking some rest. He needed it. He had been traveling from one business conference to another for three months without a halt. He was hard working and that was one thing Casey admired.

Just then, Clara opened the door and emerged inside with a smile on her face. She was smiling in a way that was so obvious. The day had been so pleasant for her.

“Hello Clara. How was your day?” Casey asked not looking up from the phone.

“It went well”. She said, beaming with smiles.

Casey dropped his phone on the couch. He sat up and gazed at her.

“Whenever you behave like this, it means you are overjoyed. Tell me the real deal”.

Clara sat opposite to him.

“Do you remember Ben?” She started off.

“Sure you guys met at one of your numerous movie shoots. What’s with him?”

“Well he asked on a date and I accepted”. She said, blushing.

“Wow. That’s great. It makes you happy and that mean it makes happy also”. Casey said with smiles.

“Yes. It’s good to have my first date now.”

“Well, dad’s around. He is in his room”. Casey informed.

“Well, I’ve got to go and see him”.

“Okay”.

It was the last match day in the Elms Junior High School League. The Mill Stars were facing the players from Dames College. It was the end of the terms and it was also December. The Mill Stars had already managed to secure wins in their previous four matches to have a firm grip on second position.

The last match was like a play-off. Mill Stars were behind Dames College with a point. If they win the match, they get to lift the cup but a draw or lose leaves them in second place,

It was going to be epic and interesting. Casey and his team had prepared well. To them, they had come a long way than to be denied. Besides, it was December and it would be good if they got it. It was going to be fun.

Well, the match soon started. The first half was tough and there was almost no goal until the forty-fourth minute. A striker from the opponent team dribbled two defenders and the goal keeper was no match for the shot. Dames College led by one goal to nil in the first half.

During the break, Casey had a talk with his players.

“You were all playing well but you made them gain possession”. He complained.

“Next time, you move with speed when you have the ball. Levi, perfect your crosses.” He added.

He was getting disappointed. What they needed was a win but they are at the opposite. The second half had commenced. Mill Stars played well to his satisfaction. He was impressed.

In the sixty-sixth minute, the Mill Stars got a corner kick. Levi Vinnemon took it and Kent Norman were able to convert the able to provide a beautiful header that went straight into the net.

It was 1-1 and they were back in the game as it seemed. In the seventy- fifth minute, the Mill Stars had a wonderful play-up. Mild-fielder Phil Patrick passed to Levi Vinnemon and he was able to convert the ball into a goal.

Casey and his players went in wild jubilation. They had come from nowhere to make a lead mark in the game. It’s2-1 and they could imagine themselves having the trophy.

But in the eightieth minute, a defender from Mill High School committed a foul in the box-18. The opponents were given a penalty and their captain made no mistake in getting the equalizer for his team.

It was 2-2 in the ninetieth minute. Seven minutes extra time was given. It seemed all over for the Mill Stars. They were going to forfeit the cup.

The seven minutes were almost over when Billy Smith a Mill Star player was brought down very near the box-18. The free-kick was given.

Levi as the captain was going to take it. He needed to score a goal to bring his team to glory. He had been player with the highest goals twice in the league and he had already gotten his treble but there was one thing lacking – he had never lifted the trophy for once!

He was moving to High School and it would be a better way for him to end his Middle school football career. He shot the ball into the top right corner and it went right into the net.

Casey couldn’t believe his luck. They won the trophy at their last chance. It was a beautiful sight to behold as they lifted the trophy after a 3-2 win.