Chicago Fire FanFic (English)

Chapter 62

Wednesday

"Hey Caleb. Is everything ok?" Nigel asked on the way home. "Um yes. Everything's ok. Why?" Caleb asked. "Oh well. You've been looking a little absent all day." Annabelle said. "I'm sorry guys. But I'm pretty nervous. My supervisor is coming today to talk things over with us." Caleb said. "You do not have to apologize. It would probably be no different for us. And honestly, I'm nervous too." Blake said. "I'll let you know how it went after the meeting." Caleb said. "Yes, please." Talia said. At the last major crossroads, the friends parted ways and all went in different directions home.

When Caleb got home, he found a note on the kitchen counter. "Will go shopping for a bit. In the microwave there is a bowl of potato gratin and in the fridge there is a piece of chocolate cake. See you soon." was on the note. Caleb balled up the note, tossed it in the trash can, turned on the microwave, and sat at the kitchen counter. Less than 5 minutes later the door was opened and the peace and quiet was over. "Kayab's home." Matty said. "Hi Kayab." Benjamin said. Caleb just waved as his mouth was full. "Hey Caleb. How was school?" Kelly asked, who came into the kitchen with two shopping bags. "Quite good so far. But I was probably a little too calm. At least for my friends." Caleb said and put the plate in the dishwasher. "Are you nervous?" Stella asked. "Yes. Quite a bit." Caleb said. "What can we do to take away your nervousness?" Sylvie asked. "Nothing at all. I just have to go through that now." Caleb said. "Shall we play some soccer in the basement?" Elyas asked. "Okay." Caleb said, walking with Elyas to the sports room in the basement. Caleb got one of the soccer balls out of the box and stood on the other side of the room. The two played the ball back and forth and talked. "How long have you been playing soccer?" Elyas asked. "Ever since I could walk." Caleb said. "Ok. Wow, that's long. How did you get into soccer?" Elyas asked. "We've been to the park a lot before and I'd just kick away anything that was in my way." Caleb said. "And then your dad signed you up for soccer?" Elyas asked. "Yes. When I was 3 years old, Dad signed me up with the Chicago Fire SC. I played there for almost 11 years. I stopped last year because there were a lot of changes and I couldn't get along with the new coach anymore." Caleb said. "And how did you get this offer?" Elyas asked. "At my last game, a lot of scouts came and watched us. One of them was the chief scout of the Academy in Dubai. He then made me the offer that I could take my time with the decision. I'm just supposed to get in touch with him at the end of May I think and let him know my decision." Caleb said. "Does that mean you haven't played soccer since you quit?" Elyas asked. "Not in the club. Personally, I've played with friends in the park, in our backyard or in the driveway, or down here in the basement." Caleb said. "Can I ask you something private?" Elyas asked. "You want to know about Renee?" Caleb asked. "Yes. What happened?" Elyas asked. "Renee is my biological mom. She and dad were never married though and split up just before I was born. But they agreed to raise me together." Caleb said. "Okay." Elyas said. "I was 4 months old when Renee and her new partner, Enzo, emigrated to Spain and left me alone in the apartment. Neighbors heard me and called the police. I spent almost a year in the hospital before Dad could take me home." Caleb said. "And how long have you known Stella?" Elyas asked. "I think I was 4 when she started at the fire station. She and Dad started dating when I was 5 and got married when I was 7. Then 2 years later Benny was born." Caleb said. Shortly before 2 p.m. both came back upstairs. "Dad." Caleb called. "He's upstairs setting up the roof terrace with Aiko and the boys." Stella said. Caleb went upstairs to the attic and out onto the terrace. "Dad." Caleb said. "Back here." Kelly called. Caleb went around the whole terrace and found his dad, Aiko, Andrew and Julian on the other side assembling the porch swings. "What's up?" Kelly asked. "Can I just ask you something?" Caleb asked. "Yes of course. What's it about?" Kelly asked. "Can I fly to New York for a few days in the summer?" Caleb asked. "I need a little more information for that." Kelly said. "Jamiro and Luian are moving to New York with their parents because their father was posted there." Caleb explained. "Ok. I'll think about it, okay." Kelly said. "Ok. Thanks Dad." Caleb said and went back downstairs. Just as Caleb was about to go into the living room, the front doorbell rang. Caleb opened the door. "Hi. Are you Caleb?" the man asked. "Yes. Are you Tyler Jacobs?" Caleb asked. "Call me Ty. Nice to meet you." Tyler said. "Come on in." Caleb said, letting Tyler enter. "Mom. Tyler's here." Caleb called. "You guys have a nice house here." Tyler said, looking around. "Thanks. We moved in about a year ago when mom and my godmother found out they were pregnant again." Caleb explained. "How many people live here?" Tyler asked. "We are 17. My parents and my godparents. Then my 4 half-siblings and my 8 cousins." Caleb said. "Wow. You've got a big family." Tyler said. "Hi. I'm Stella. Caleb's mom." Stella said. "Tyler. I'm glad." Tyler said. "My dad's up on the roof terrace. Do you want me to get him?" Caleb asked. "I'd like to talk to you alone first." Tyler said. "Um ok. We can go to my room." Caleb said. "Good. And you don't have to worry. I just want to get to know you a little better." Tyler said. "Ok. So shall we go?" Caleb asked. "Yes. After you." Tyler said. Caleb and Tyler went upstairs. "Then walk in." Caleb said, opening his bedroom door. "Oh wow. That's your room?" Tyler asked. "Yes. I even have a balcony." Caleb said, pointing to the door next to the couch. "Cool." Tyler marveled. "Sit down." Caleb said. "Thanks." Tyler said, sitting down on the couch. "So. What do you want to know?" Caleb asked, sitting down next to him. "What are your other interests besides soccer?" Tyler asked. "Let me think about it. I enjoy playing video games, I really enjoy reading, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and I'm generally very interested in sports." Caleb said. "Ok. How long have you been playing soccer?" Tyler asked. "Ever since I could walk, actually. My dad signed me up with Chicago Fire SC when I was 3. However, I quit at the end of last year because we got a new coach and he wasn't a fan of mine." Caleb said. "Ok. That can't happen to you in Dubai. We treat all players equally and encourage you as best as we can." Tyler said and Caleb nodded. "I need some general information for your player profile on our website and in the app. Are you ok with that?" Tyler asked. "Yeah sure." Caleb said. "Ok. What's your full name?" Tyler asked. "Caleb Jeremy Severide." Caleb said. "Ok. Do you have any nicknames?" Tyler asked. "Yes, a few. But mostly they call me C.J or K." Caleb said. "Well, should I just write those two down?" Tyler asked. "Yes," Caleb nodded. "When's your birthday?" Tyler asked. "On December 31 2007." Caleb said. "Ok. And you were born and raised in Chicago?" Tyler asked and Caleb nodded. "Do you know how tall you are?" Tyler asked. "About five feet." Caleb said. "What color are your eyes and hair?" Tyler asked. "Eyes color royal blue and hair color dark blonde." Caleb said. "We've already touched on hobbies." Tyler said. "Yes, exactly. Playing video games, reading, meeting friends, spending time with family." Caleb said. "Good. Then I have everything so far. Then I would like to talk to your parents and godparents now. And of course, you can be there too." Tyler said. "Okay." Caleb said. The two went into the living room. "Hey. Well, how was it?" Sylvie asked. "Very good. I don't know why I was so nervous." Caleb said. "And now I'm sure you want to talk to us, too." Kelly said. «Exactly. Just some general information about campus and everyday life." Tyler said. "You want a drink?" Caleb asked. "A water, please." Tyler said. Caleb went into the kitchen, got Tyler a glass of water and then sat between Kelly and Stella. Tyler took his papers out of his bag and placed them in front of him. "So. First of all, to the Academy. The ISA was completed in 2019, but only officially opened a few months due to Corona." Tyler said. "Does that mean we'll be the first to live on campus?" Caleb asked. "Sort of." Tyler said. "Cool." Caleb said. Tyler spread out the campus map. "The entire campus consists of 8 training grounds, 4 fitness centers, 4 gymnasiums, 3 ice hockey halls, 2 indoor tennis courts, 1 go-kart track, 2 indoor pools and 2 outdoor pools." Tyler explained. "Wow. You've got a lot to do there." Matt said. "A lot of parents worry that their kids aren't getting enough free time." Tyler said. "Oh. We're not worried about that at all on this campus." Kelly said. "The campus also has 2 school buildings, 1 huge cafeteria, the living quarters for you kids and the living quarters for family and friends when they come to visit." Tyler said, showing them where everything is. "What about school?" Caleb asked. 'I'll get to that now. I've already spoken to your teacher and principal. I have an appointment at your school tomorrow at noon and will discuss everything with them. They told me you already have an online program." Tyler said. "Yeah. I've homeschooled a few times." Caleb said. "How many kids are there altogether?" Stella asked. "Are you afraid I won't have any friends?" Caleb joked. "There will be about 200 children from all over the world. Here's a list of attendees." Tyler said, handing the list to Caleb. "Cool, look. Noah and Niran will be there too." Caleb said. "You know those two?" Tyler asked. "Yes. We met a few years ago at the annual soccer camp. In the summer we flew to Bangkok, with a stopover in Zurich." said Caleb. "That brings me to something. Here are your flight details. It starts on Saturday, September 30th at 7:10 p.m. In Zurich we will then do a short transfer and a few other kids will also get on there. Including Noah. Then you can get to know each other a bit." Tyler said and handed Caleb the flight plan. "What's the actual time difference between Chicago and Dubai?" Matt asked. "Approx. 9 hours." Tyler said. Tyler gathered the rest of the paperwork, including the campus address and directions. "And finally, I just need the parents' signatures and then it's official." Tyler said, handing the registration form to Kelly and Stella. Kelly and Stella signed and Caleb got all excited. "Okay, that's it for now. I'll leave you my business card here. I'm staying with my family in Chicago until the day I leave. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me." Tyler said, putting everything back in his bag. Caleb accompanied Tyler to the door and said goodbye to him.