Fallen Stars // Manuel Neuer

Enough is Enough

The game was intense to say the least. Sophia tried everything in her power to sabotage me, from doing risky slide tackles to stepping on my hand at one point. When Jogi came to sending her home early, I waved him off and kept on playing. By the end of the game the score was 2-2 and Jogi was having us face off in penalties.

"Five from each team will take a penalty," he said as we turned to huddle in our teams.

"Alright, I want this to be unanimous," I said crossing my arms over my chest.

"You, Mesut, Toni, Erik, and me," Marco said earning a murmur of agreements from everyone. I nodded and turned to Kevin.

"Keep up the same way you have been playing and we will for sure win," I smiled earning a grin from him.

"Our defence is as good as our offence," he winked before he walked over to where Jogi was standing with Manuel. They flipped a coin to determine who was going first and to our favor, Kevin won the coin toss and said that we would kick first. Everyone stood in a line with their team watching the goal intently. I motioned for Toni to go first as my heart lodged itself in my throat making it almost impossible to breathe.

"Manny's head isn't in the game, this win is in our bag," Marco whispered in my ear as I stood between him and Lilly. I just nodded and held my breath as Jogi blew the whistle and Toni took the shot, sinking it into the back of the net effortlessly. We erupted into cheers while Lilly and I hugged each other tightly, jumping up and down before regaining our composure as Kevin took Manuel's spot at goal and Thomas stepped forwards. I knew the ball would go into the goal even before the ball was launched into the back of the net, escaping Kevin's hands by millimeters.

"Erik," Marco said nodding at the ball. He nodded back, giving me a warm smile before stepping forwards to take the shot. My face fell when he took the shot and Manuel effortlessly scooped up the ball in his hands.

"It was a good shot," I said when Erik came back with his head hung low. "The little shit got lucky," I said causing Erik to chuckle. To my surprise Sophia stepped forwards to take the next shot and I almost snorted when the ball went way too far left and missed the goal by a meter. She began fuming and honestly, if looks could kill, I'd be six feet under. Mesut stepped forwards next and unsurprisingly nailed the ball into the back of the net. Miroslav took the next shot for Thomas' team and sunk the ball in. Marco patted me on the back and went to take the next shot. The moment he and Manny made eye contact I knew this goal held prideful meaning to both players. Marco lined up to take the shot, faked a kick to the right and kicked it into the left corner effortlessly.

"That one's for you Thomas," Marco grinned as Thomas stuck his tongue out at him. After Marco, Hummels stepped forwards and to my dismay, juked Kevin and sunk the ball into the goal opposite of him. Everything seemed to go in slow motion after that. Marco patted me on the back and chanted my name along with the rest of my team. As I walked forwards I couldn't help but meet Manuel's gaze.

Honestly, that was the moment that I realized I still had feelings for that man and I only worsened the anxiety that was build in my chest. Taking a few steps back, I positioned myself behind the ball and awaited for Jogi to blow the whistle. Looking up I held Manny's gaze and hiding my emotions behind a mask, focusing on the task at hand.

The moment Jogi blew that whistle everything seemed to slow down even more. Keeping my eyes level with Manuel's, I sprinted forwards, leaning my body to one side while sending the ball sailing the other direction. As Manuel went diving the direction I was leaning, the ball easily slid into the top corner of the goal safely out of his reach. Before I could comprehend anything, both my team and the other team (excluding Manuel and Sophia) rushed me and in moments I was perched atop Lilly's shoulders with a stupid grin plastered on my face. To my surprise even Jogi joined in, patting me on the back. When I was finally on the ground, I swallowed my pride and walked over to Manuel who was picking up the balls on the sidelines.

"Hey there, stranger," I said causing his head to snap up at the sound of my voice. "I just wanted to say you played great. You never fail to make me realize just how honored I am to be playing on this team, alongside all of the players I have looked up to for the longest time," I rambled, not noticing that he was now centimeters from me. I let out a deep sigh before looking up into his eyes with pure sincerity. "I get so caught up in the moment of everything that I look over the fact that I would not be here if it weren't for you, and for that, thank you."

"I would do it again, and again, Alex," he said furrowing his eyebrows. "I know that things haven't been that great between us. I at least want to be friends with you."

"I agree," I said, my face lighting up.

"Then let us start from the beginning again," he chuckled, holding out his hand to me.

"Hi there, I'm Alex," I laugh, taking his hand and shaking it.

"Alexandria? What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. My name is Manuel, it is a pleasure to meet you," he grinned causing me to playfully punch his shoulder.

"You're a dork," I snorted causing him to roll his eyes.

"No, I'm Manuel," he said with a serious face causing me to double over laughing. Jogi blew his whistle once more as a signal for us to gather around him for the final huddle of the day. Manuel and I made our way over, stopping next to Lilly and Thomas who looked between us in pure confusion. I leaned over and told Lilly I would explain everything to her later at her place. Jogi went over the happenings today and told us a few things we would have to improve on before he brought up the fact that two more girls would be leaving.

"Although I am very proud of how far we have come as a team, I am sorry to say that two more of you will have to go home. So with a heavy heart, I have to let Sabine and Sophia go. You two are amazing players, do not get me wrong, but you are not the best. Thank you for being here and I am proud of you for coming this far," he said. Then he turned to Lilly and I and my throat constricted. "In other words, there are six of you left. May the best players prosper," he winked before walking away leaving all of us speechless.

"This. Is. All. Your. Fault!" Sophia screeched from behind me. I turned around to face her, having enough of her bullshit.

"My fault? I don't think so. If you put in as much effort into the game as you do in your attempts to sabotage me, you would still be in the running. I'm sick and tired of you putting all of the blame of your shortcomings on me. You're not a bad player by any means but you are a very shitty person," I said shaking my head before turning around and heading straight for the locker rooms. Enough is enough.

A/N: Hello there lovelies! I done did the thing again. I am sorry that I didn't update sooner *cries*. You are all amazing and I love you so much and thank you for supporting me even if I am really bad at updating. Y'all are the real MVP's. Till next time, toodles!