Class 11A

Chapter 7: The Road to the Match

The month had just begun, but for Lin and Rodey, every day felt like a countdown to the match against Malik's team. The pressure was relentless, and Lin had made it clear that the team needed to train hard, or they would face humiliating defeat.

"Listen up," Lin called out to the group, standing in the middle of the football field. The sun had barely risen, and the boys were already out there, tired and yawning. Lin's voice, however, was sharp and firm. "We've got one month to get ready, and I mean really get ready. Malik's team won't take it easy on us. If we don't prepare, they'll crush us."

Most of the boys nodded, starting to understand the seriousness of the situation. Even Rodey, though new to football, felt the weight of what was ahead. Lin had walked him through the basics of football every morning, showing him how to dribble, pass, and how to move as a team.

But there were others who weren't convinced. Isaac and his gang, the Legacies of Monarch Academy, weren't taking things as seriously. To them, it was just another excuse to skip classes and mess around. Harland lounged lazily against the goalpost, tossing a ball up and down. "C'mon, Lin, chill. It's just a stupid match. You really think this is gonna matter in a month?"

Lin's eyes narrowed. "If we don't take this seriously, we'll lose. All of us. You, me, the whole team. So yeah, it matters."

Isaac smirked but didn't argue. Even if they didn't care as much as Lin, they were at least going through the motions. During Phys Ed and every third period, the team would gather on the field, practicing drills and running laps. Some, like Charlie and Hamza, pushed themselves harder, adjusting to the schedule and trying to improve. Rodey, too, was putting in the effort, though his inexperience showed.

Isaac, Harland, and their crew, however, often slacked off. They'd skip parts of practice or make jokes instead of focusing, but they never completely refused to play. They were aware of their status in the school and knew that even if they didn't try their hardest, they would still get some of the credit if they won.

One afternoon, after another exhausting practice session, Rodey found himself in the newspaper club with Danny. They were sitting in the dimly lit room, going through drafts and ideas for the next edition. But Rodey's mind wasn't on the paper. It was on the match.

"I don't get it," Rodey said, rubbing his temples. "Lin's pushing us so hard, but Isaac's crew—they just don't care. Why do they even bother showing up?"

Danny raised an eyebrow. "You really don't know, do you?"

Rodey looked at him, confused.

Danny leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen against the desk. "In this school, it doesn't matter how much effort you put in, at least not for guys like Isaac and Harland. The moment you guys win—if you guys win—it'll be their names plastered all over the school newspaper. Their faces will be in the photos, they'll get the credit, the praise. They always do."

Rodey frowned. "But they're not doing anything. Lin's the one holding the team together."

Danny shrugged. "That's the way it works here. Isaac and his gang, the Legacies—they've got the power. They don't need to try. People like you, me, Lin... we have to work for it. But guys like Isaac? They're born into it. They're untouchable."

Rodey's stomach churned with anger. "That's not fair."

"Of course it's not," Danny said, his tone bitter. "Monarch Academy is built on this system. The Legacies get everything handed to them, while the rest of us just try not to get stepped on."

Rodey shook his head, struggling to wrap his mind around it. "What about Lin? He wasn't born into this."

Danny paused, his gaze darkening. "No, Lin's different. He's the only one I've ever seen break through the system. He climbed his way up through sheer grit, became popular through his talent. But... that puts a huge target on his back. And honestly? I don't know how long he can keep it up."

Rodey stared at Danny, feeling a mix of admiration and fear for Lin. He had no idea how much Lin had been fighting against. All this time, Lin wasn't just battling Malik's team; he was battling the whole system.

As Rodey stepped out of the clubroom, the faint glow of the late afternoon sun washed over the school grounds. He stretched his arms, feeling the ache in his muscles from the day's practice. As he walked toward the exit, he noticed Kelly standing just outside the football field, her gaze fixed on something. Her expression was distant, almost contemplative.

Curious, Rodey made his way over. "Hey, what's up?" he asked casually.

Kelly jumped slightly, clearly startled. She blinked a few times before turning to face him. "Oh, hey, Rodey. I didn't see you there."

He followed her gaze and saw what had captured her attention—Lin, alone on the field, setting up cones and equipment for tomorrow's practice. His movements were precise, focused, like he was mentally running through drills even now. His dedication was undeniable.

Kelly shifted awkwardly. "I was just, um—"

Rodey smirked knowingly, cutting her off. "You were looking at Lin, weren't you?"

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly turned away, brushing her hair behind her ear. "What? No, I wasn't. I was just... thinking."

Rodey raised an eyebrow, amused. "Sure. Just thinking.....about Lin."

Kelly rolled her eyes but didn't say anything in return. For a moment, they both stood in silence, watching Lin move across the field, completely absorbed in his work. It was clear to both of them just how hard Lin was pushing himself—not just physically, but mentally too. He was carrying the weight of the team, and the pressure of the upcoming match, on his shoulders.

"He works hard, huh?" Kelly finally said, her voice softer now.

"Yeah," Rodey agreed, his tone more serious. "He's doing everything he can to get the team ready. I don't think any of us really knew how much he was putting into this."

Kelly nodded, her eyes still on Lin. "He always does. That's just who he is."

Rodey glanced at her, noticing the subtle admiration in her voice. He chuckled under his breath. "You know, if you just talked to him instead of staring from a distance, maybe things wouldn't be so awkward."

Kelly shot him a look, half-annoyed, half-embarrassed. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, come on," Rodey teased. "You've got history with him, right? Maybe if you two worked things out, he wouldn't be going through all this alone."

Kelly sighed, her defenses dropping slightly. "It's not that simple, Rodey."

"Why not?"

Kelly didn't answer immediately. Instead, she watched as Lin finished setting up the equipment and took a deep breath, wiping sweat from his forehead. He was pushing himself too hard, and she knew it. "Because... things are different now. He's different now."

Rodey shrugged. "Maybe. But if you care about him, you should at least try. I don't think he'll say no if you reach out."

Kelly didn't respond, and the conversation hung in the air, unresolved. As they stood there, watching Lin work in silence, the reality of the situation settled in. Lin was fighting an uphill battle, not just for the tournament but against the system that surrounded them all. And as much as Kelly and Rodey cared, Lin was going to have to figure out how to carry that weight on his own—or let them help him.

With one last glance at Lin, Kelly turned to Rodey. "Thanks for the advice... I guess."

Rodey chuckled. "Anytime."

As Kelly walked away, Rodey stood there for a moment longer, watching Lin. He couldn't shake the feeling that something big was coming. Something more than just a football match. Something that could break them all—or pull them together.