It all started with a match. One simple match. Just a match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia. The match on November 22nd.
.
Then, she discovered the thing called World Cup. The World Cup (with capital letters). The one thing that united the world...
"Daniel, what are you telling me?" my friend asked. "That you are training three students because you are a retired footballer?" he asked mockingly and almost laughed. "What a story that is," he continued as I sat on my seat again. "Girls playing football?" he inquired with the same tone. "You should've thought about the story better before coming here to lie to me," it didn't bother me. Even at least. It was his opinion, not mine.
"You can search online the name Daniel Nicolas," I said calmly. "You'll see what will the search give you," I continued as he watched me expectedly. "If you want, I can bring you my Ballon d'Or?" I proposed, almost joking. He sat on his chair and opened his laptop. He was going to check if I was telling the truth. At least.
We were sitting in a tense and at the same time awkward silence as he was searching. I think he was looking at pictures because he moved his gaze from the laptop to me.
"Okay," he finally said and crossed his fingers, his elbows on the desk. "I believe you," I sighed from joy. "But that doesn't mean you are not favouring students," I looked at him amazed. "Why didn't you sign for a PE teacher to teach the boys all you know?"
"And girls," I said before actually explaining. He looked me with a yeah-yeah look. "I explained you already," it was the truth. "When Olivia got a little lower grade, I asked her to stay after class to see if I can do something. Or if something is wrong," I repeated for him again. He obviously hadn't heard me the first time. "Then, she shared about the trainings. What other way was there to motivate her if not to tell her my story?" I raised my voice a little. "After the plagiarism misunderstanding, I told them jokingly that they owe me, and I proposed to help them," I paused a little. "But these are only three girls. My passion is Physics. It's not the same to teach a lot of students from different classes," I think I caught him off guard because he was taken aback for a few seconds.
"Then, why did you become a football player?" he suddenly asked me. I turned my head to him, remembering all the pain I felt when I finished my career as an athlete.
"I already told you," I said again. This man had serious problems with the hearing. "It was my passion. As well as Physics," I felt a tear forming in my eye. "But I was failing in Physics, so I left football behind," the tear fell on my cheek. "I don't want the same to happen with Paige, Blake, and Olivia," I almost cried out. "Each of them has talent for the position they've chosen!" I stepped in for them. "Paige has amazing memory, and that helps her with being a referee. She knows when to get rude and when to keep it cal-" I couldn't continue as he raised his finger as a sign for me to shut up.
"Okay, here's deal," he lowered his finger and put his hands on the desk as he was standing up. "You can continue your work as a Physics teacher," I sighed. "But," I looked at him. "You'll have to stop the trainings with Ms. Davies, Lee, and Campbell," he stressed on the fact that I was calling them by first names. "And will have to become the coach of our football team," he sat back on his chair. "What do you say?" I was speechless. How could he set me an ultimatum?! How could he do that to me when he knows it hurts to talk about my past? How could he want me to train the team as I already told him that three is not equal to twenty-two players?!
"And I thought you were my friend, and that you'll understand..." I looked down to try to make him feel guilty.
"I only want what's best for my students!" he raised his tone a bit more than I had done. "Or some of them can face some unpleasant consequences," he said not quietly enough. I stared at him. He was blackmailing me?!
"If you wanted the best for your students, there would have been a football team for the girls!" I didn't hold back this time. "Or you could've at least agreed for them to play with the boys," I continued. "Because those three girls are better than your whole team!" I shouted. It took him aback again. "Because they can achieve anything they want! But there isn't a team at their school! That's why I decided to help them!" he was looking at me calmly with a nasty expression on his face. How could his demeanour be like this?! "I quit!" I informed him after a few seconds of silence from mine and his side. "And if you try to do something to my trainees, I won't hesitate to sue you for blackmail," I hit the table with my fist. "I've had enough from you!" were my last words before I walked out of the room.
***
Mateo Moore's POV (Yes, a new point of view! Even I can't believe it.)
"Maria?" I held the button to my business phone. "Tell Ms. Harper that she has to find a new job," I informed my secretary. "If she asks why, tell her to ask Mr. Nicolas, who also doesn't work for us anymore. Also," I continued. "Inform Olivia Davies, Blake Campbell, Paige Lee that they'll have to do a few hours of general useful labor," and I moved my finger from the button. I didn't want any problems with the court. That was the best way to hold them after school without being able to train.
"She is informed, Mr. Moore," Maria told me through the phone a few seconds later. She is the best secretary ever. "The girls will be informed also in the shortest."
"Thank you," I tapped the button once again and leaned back in my chair. At least my daughter will not complain anymore. And that Daniel. Who does he think he is?! Football player? In another universe. And training girls to play a boys' sport. What a stupid excuse.
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(Pinterest. Credit to rovar.)
@the.best.trio Waiting for Chemistry to start... Liked by three
A/N-Hey again. I hope you like the story so far. I wanted to tell you that tomorrow I'll try to upload twice (as I did today), and from Monday, since I start school, I'll upload every other day.
