Che glances at the time—1:00 AM. He tosses and turns in bed, unable to find a comfortable sleeping position. Lying flat doesn't feel right, curling up doesn't help either. He even tries kicking off the blanket, but the cold quickly bites at his skin. When he covers himself again, it's too hot. Frustrated, he sighs deeply.
The game plays on repeat in his mind, scene after scene. He replays each moment, wondering how he could've done things differently. Every defensive mistake, every misstep, every goal scored—he shoulders the blame. It's like a storm of regret brewing inside him, impossible to ignore.
All that effort over the past month, all the grueling training sessions—only for it to feel like it barely made a difference. He still wasn't strong enough physically, and the progress he thought he'd made felt insignificant. The thoughts sting, fueling his determination. He knows he has to work harder, be better. He refuses to let this be the limit of what he can achieve.
Suddenly, his phone buzzes. Che reaches over and picks it up, seeing a message from Amelie flash on the screen.
''So? How did it go?''
''I made it.''
''Whaaaat? Congratulations!!' I actually knew you'd make it.''
''Making it was the easy part, I guess. but I didn't make it completely.''
''Wdym?''
''I made it, but they demoted me.''
''But you still made it correct?''
''Yeah.''
''Then quit whining. The fact that you made it should be your step forward. My brother told me about this.''
''It doesn't feel like it is. Wdym your brother told you about this.''
''Never mind. Just stop focusing on what's bad and focus on what's good for you.''
''Okay, I hear you. But I'm still not satisfied. Why are you up so late anyways?''
''If you're not satisfied with yourself now, when will you be? I was reading a book.''
''When I get what I want. Should've known.''
''You're so stupid, that's not how life works.''
''It can, if you want it be.''
''Maybe for you, but not for me.''
''Sometimes I forget how naive you are. My best advice for you is that you should just make work of what life gives you. Work with what you get, not what you hope for. And tbh I expect you to understand that the best. You know, since you're small and all.''
''Yeah, Ig you're right.''
''Yeah, I know I am. Now go to sleep.''
''You should too.''
''I will after I finish this chapter, Goodnight.''
''Goodnight.''
Che puts his phone down and leans back, taking a deep breath. His thoughts swirl, torn between seeing this as a victory or a failure. He reflects on what Amelie had said earlier—it lines up perfectly with his coaches' advice and his mother's words.
(Earlier that evening)
Che sits across from his mother at the dinner table, quietly eating. She reads the letter of acceptance he received from Stuttgart out loud, but Che's face remains blank. His lack of enthusiasm is impossible to miss.
"For someone so good at this, you're awfully quick to pile unnecessary pressure on yourself," she says, glancing at him.
Che barely lifts his head. "What do you mean?"
"You made it, didn't you? Isn't this what all your training was for? Shouldn't you be happy?"
He shakes his head, frowning. "Why would I be? I didn't make it where I wanted to. All that training was for nothing."
His mother sets the letter down. "Then quit."
Che's head jerks up. "What?"
"Quit."
"No! Why would I—"
"You don't want to quit, but you're still unhappy?"
"I'm not unhappy! It's just—"
She cuts him off, her tone gentle but firm. "Che, listen to me. I know you wanted more for yourself. I understand how disappointing this is for you. But setbacks—they're a part of life, and sometimes they're exactly what you need. Honey, we don't always get what we want in the way we want it. There are people out there who see your potential, who know what's best for your growth. If this is the path they believe you should take, you need to trust them. It's all for your betterment, even if it doesn't feel like it right now."
Che stays silent, staring down at his plate. His mother reaches over, gently running her hand through his hair, her touch soft and reassuring.
"Things change, honey. Maybe it's time you try changing too."
Che exhales slowly. "I get it, Ma. But does it really have to be like this?"
"No one plans for things to be like this. But it's about accepting change and moving forward. That's how I need you to start looking at life, starting now."
She pulls him into a hug. He doesn't resist.
(Present)
Che exhales again, letting his mother's words replay in his head. "I guess they were all right," he mutters under his breath. "There are things I can't control in life. And just like in football... I have to adapt."
He closes his eyes, letting his thoughts settle. Darkness takes over as his mind drifts, quiet and empty. Slowly, he sinks deeper into comfort, finally falling asleep.