Knock knock.
I stood at the principal's office door beside Coach Magnus. With a nervous breath, I pushed the door open.
The room was stiff with tension—air heavy, silent. Inside, three to five people sat around a large table. Among them, Sophie Laurent. She avoided meeting my eyes. I already knew how this would go.
Principal Martin Laurent:
"Ahem… hello everyone. Please, have a seat."
The murmurs began. Some people wore frowns, others sighed in boredom. A few chuckled, clearly treating this as a waste of time. But I... I didn't care about any of that.
Principal Martin:
"Thank you all for coming. As you're aware, this emergency meeting was called by the Quinn family and Coach Magnus. They've brought forth a complaint. Their daughter, Miss Roxy Quinn, was allegedly bullied and kicked without provocation... by Lucas Moreau."
He looked at me with narrowed eyes.
Principal Martin:
"They demand Lucas be removed from the school football team—permanently. They want him banned from ever coaching again."
I let out a small chuckle.
Lucas:
"Hahahaha... Really? That's the best you've got? Trying to kick me out like this?"
Quinn Family Member:
"How dare you laugh?! Is this some kind of joke to you?"
I stared straight into their eyes.
Lucas:
"Apologies if I offend you, ma'am... but let me ask—what would you do if someone disrespected your family? If someone said your loved ones were worthless? And worse, claimed their power and money could crush your family at will... what would you do?"
Silence.
Lucas (slamming the table, voice rising):
"You'd try to destroy that person, wouldn't you?! Hahaha! But all I did... was kick your daughter off the team. Now suddenly, I'm a threat to your family legacy?"
I stood tall, anger simmering beneath my skin.
Lucas:
"You call me mannerless? I don't give a damn about which family you're from. This team—this Queen's School Girls' Football Team—they're my family now. These girls trust me. They run ten laps when I say so, no questions asked, because they believe in me. They want to win."
I locked eyes with every face in the room.
Lucas:
"But your daughter? She brought ego onto the field. She disrespected the team. Out there, everyone's equal. There's no room for politics in football. Just passion, sweat, and discipline. If I'm punished for that, I'll accept it."
The room stirred. Some whispered in agreement, others sat in stunned silence.
Sophie... she smiled faintly. That warmth in her eyes—I saw it.
Coach Magnus (clapping sarcastically):
"Aha! What a performance! No—what a speech, you little punk. But let's be real. You've been coaching this team, and we haven't won a single game. Not even a goal. Do you think this is some TED Talk?"
Coach Magnus (laughs):
"We don't believe in pretty words. We believe in results."
The others nodded. One by one, hands were raised in agreement.
Sophie (quietly):
"I don't want to agree... but duty and emotion must stay apart."
"I agree."
Principal Martin (thinking):
Well, boy? Odds are stacked against you. Let's see what you'll do now...
I took a deep breath. Calmly, I rose.
Lucas:
"You want results? Fine. I'll give you results. Let me prove myself. I promise—we'll win every upcoming match. We'll go to nationals."
Coach Magnus (explodes with laughter):
"You're out of your damn mind, kid! Win nationals?! Are you living in an anime?"
Laughter echoed.
I clenched my fists. My heart pounded.
Lucas:
"Alright, Coach Magnus. Since you don't believe me, let's settle it properly."
I turned to him, voice cold.
Lucas:
"Why don't your boys' team play against my girls? If I lose, I'll leave. No objections."
The room fell silent.
Sophie (standing):
"Lucas! You can't! Their team is one of the best in the city—!"
Principal Martin:
"Miss Sophie, sit down."
"Lucas... are you serious?"
Lucas:
"Yes, sir."
Coach Magnus (laughing):
"You're an idiot. You think this is a movie?"
I raised my hand, silencing the room.
Lucas:
"I'm not finished. If we win, I want equal treatment—same budget, same diet plans, same respect for my girls as the boys receive. And give us twenty days. That's all I need."
All eyes turned to the principal.
He hesitated, but there was no turning back now.
Principal Martin:
"...Agreed."
Coach Magnus:
"Fine, kid. You're on. In twenty days, you're out of here."
Lucas (smirking):
"We'll see about that."
I left the room.
Outside, I sat alone on the bench by the empty pitch. My fists clenched. My gaze sharp.
Lucas (to himself):
"Hahahaha... This just got interesting."
A voice called softly behind me.
"Sir Lucas..."
I turned. Sophie stood there, holding two cups of coffee.
Sophie:
"I brought you one. Can I sit?"
Lucas:
"Of course."
She sat beside me. A moment of silence passed as we looked up at the stars.
Sophie (softly):
"Lucas... can you really do it? I'm scared."
I smiled.
Lucas:
"This isn't a match, Sophie. This is a message. And we're the ones delivering it. They'll underestimate us. That's their first mistake."
I turned to her, eyes burning with resolve.
Lucas:
"We'll win this war. I promise."
Sophie looked at me, eyes glowing with pride.
Sophie:
"Then... you owe me a coffee treat when you win, okay?"
Lucas (laughing):
"Sure. Why not?"
(Damn... why's my heart beating so fast again?)
We both laughed, gazing at the night sky.
And slowly... they began to fall.
End of Chapter 6