Rise of Legends

Chapter 20

The room was arranged for a lively conversation, bathed in a soft, golden light filtering through the windows—like a touch of Raleigh's warmth softly intruding upon Munich's crisp, autumn chill. Ava Caldwell, the captain of the Ravens, settled into her seat with a relaxed yet focused demeanor. Sporting a crisp white shirt under an Adidas Originals Spain track jacket, black slim-fit jeans, and classic white Adidas Superstars with red stripes, her outfit blended youthful style with sporty confidence, mirroring her own demeanor. Calm and authoritative, she sat up straight yet relaxed. The subtle tap of her fingers on the armrest hinted at a mix of nervous excitement—typical for someone her age, balancing between confidence and the eagerness to impress.

The door swung open, and Lindsay Horan, the guest interviewer and seasoned professional, entered with a warm smile and an easygoing aura. Her presence immediately set Ava at ease, her reputation as a great mentor and a friendly personality preceding her. With a quick handshake and a genuine smile, she greeted Ava.

"Hi, Ava! So awesome to have you here today," Lindsay said, her voice full of genuine enthusiasm. "How are you feeling?"

Ava grinned, her youthful energy shining through. "I'm doing great, thanks! Super excited to be here, for sure," she replied, her voice carrying the blend of a teenager's excitement and a young leader's poise.

"Awesome! Let's get right into it," Lindsay said, leaning forward slightly, her tone encouraging and upbeat. "You've been such a standout for the Ravens this season. People are even comparing you to Leon Goretzka with how you control the midfield, use your physicality, and bring that mix of defense and attack to the game. And on top of that, you've earned a reputation as a great captain already—stepping up for your teammates, sometimes even taking cards for them. That's pretty big for someone your age! How's it been for you?"

Ava's face softened as she thought about Lindsay's question, her eyes lighting up with a mix of pride and a hint of wonder. "Honestly, it's been amazing and a bit surreal," she began, her voice full of sincerity. "I grew up in Raleigh, so to be able to lead the Ravens at this level is like... I don't know, a dream, I guess? I never imagined being a captain this soon. But growing up here, I've always felt like Raleigh is home, you know? It's where I started kicking a ball around and where I always dreamed of playing, so getting to lead a team here—it's just, like, wow!"

She leaned forward slightly, her excitement becoming more visible as she continued. "Raleigh has this awesome vibe. Everyone is super nice and supportive. I remember when I first joined the Ravens, and I was, like, super nervous, but the whole city was just so welcoming. It felt like right away we were a part of something way bigger than just our team. And the fans? They're amazing! They come out to every game, even when it's freezing cold or raining, and they bring this energy that's hard to describe. It's like, they don't just cheer for us; they really care about us. And when I see people wearing Ravens gear around town or even when I'm at school and someone's like, 'Hey, saw you play last night,' it's like, whoa, what we're doing really means something to them."

Ava's eyes sparkled with emotion, her enthusiasm evident in her love for the community that has supported her and the Ravens. "I've had people come up to me at the mall or wherever and just say, 'Hey, great game last week!' and it's like, those little things are so cool. It makes me feel like we're not just out there playing; we're actually part of something that brings people together."

She paused, her expression growing a bit more serious but still bright with youthful optimism. "Being a captain is definitely a lot sometimes," she admitted with a slight laugh. "I mean, I'm still figuring things out too, right? But I've learned that it's more than just being the loudest voice or making all the decisions. It's about looking out for everyone on the team and making sure they feel good, feel supported. I'm always trying to listen and be there for them. We're all learning together, and I think that's the best part."