Liam and several of his classmates could be seen heading to the field, wearing jerseys and carrying a ball. It would be a waste if they didn't play football on Saturdays.
"Arabian Skills, what got into you? It's unlike you to play ball casually!" Lucas said, juggling the ball with his feet before passing it to Liam, who in turn continued juggling before coming to a halt in front of the field.
"Since when has it been a crime for me to play ball? And who the fuck is Arabian Skills?" Liam said, laughing at the last part.
Liam was a genius at football but rarely played, making him more of a wasted talent. Not to mention his dribbling style was somewhat unpredictable—mostly doing one-time skills that no one had ever seen, completely at random.
"Show us some skills!" Marvin said, laughing as he stole the ball from Liam. "Or perhaps we should call you Horse Power?"
The rest of them laughed. Horse Power was a nickname Liam had inherited from his elder brother when he started playing football frequently. It originally belonged to Liam's elder brother, who was one of the best players of his set and usually feared for his kicking power. After he left, another of Liam's classmates began to bear the name. However, once Liam began to play football frequently, the name naturally became his—but for a different reason.
Unlike Liam's brother, who was known for his power shots, Liam didn't have the same playing style. He only used controlled and finesse shots to score goals. However, he earned the name from his stamina, physical contact balance, and ball strength.
If his brother was an unstoppable force, Liam was an immovable object—well, except he actually moved.
Liam decided to count and saw they couldn't play the game completely since there were only five of them, meaning one team would have to be one man short.
"Let's play like that. We can fill the last spot with a junior student to play goalkeeper!" Daniel, another of his classmates also from Ashford Hostel, suggested.
They agreed. Lucas and Liam formed a team, and since they were probably the two best players present, that meant their team would be the one filled with junior students.
Liam and his friends spotted a few junior students from Ashford House and decided to pick one of them.
"Who wants to play?" Lucas asked.
All four of them indicated that they were interested.
"Okay, Ryan, come!" Lucas said, picking randomly.
But Liam interjected instead. "Mason, you come instead!"
He turned back to walk toward the ball.
"Thank you, senior!" Mason said, while Ryan remained silent.
The Match
The game kicked off with energy and banter. Lucas positioned himself in defense, Liam took up the striker role, and Mason stood nervously at the goal. On the opposing side, Marvin, Israel, and Daniel formed a confident trio, grinning as they passed the ball between themselves.
"Israel hold the defense " Marvin shouted, launching the first attack.
The ball zipped across the field. Israel made a clean pass to Daniel, who drove forward with surprising speed. Lucas tried to intercept, but Daniel feinted left and slipped past him. Mason braced himself as Daniel lined up the shot—and scored cleanly into the bottom corner.
"1-0!" Daniel celebrated, pumping his fist.
Mason's face fell. "Sorry, senior…"
"It's fine," Liam said calmly, patting Mason on the shoulder. "We're just getting started."
Lucas jogged over. "Mason, switch with me. I'll take the goal. You play defense and pass to Liam."
After all Lucas was originally the best keeper during his junior days before he became a mid fielder.
Mason nodded, relieved but still nervous.
The game restarted, and this time, the dynamic shifted entirely.
Marvin tried to push forward, but Mason—surprisingly quick on his feet—intercepted the ball and passed it cleanly to Liam. Liam controlled it effortlessly, his eyes scanning the field. Israel rushed toward him, but Liam flicked the ball to the side with the outside of his foot, spinning past him in one fluid motion.
"Where'd he go?!" Israel shouted, stumbling.
Liam was already driving toward the goal. Marvin stepped in to block, but Liam dropped his shoulder, faked right, then cut left with a sudden burst of speed. Marvin lunged—too late. Liam struck the ball with precision, curling it into the top corner.
"Goal! 1-1!" Lucas shouted from the goal, clapping.
"That's Arabian Skills for you!" Marvin muttered, shaking his head.
The game continued, fast and intense. Daniel attempted another attack, but Mason read his movement and intercepted again, sending a long pass directly to Liam's feet. This time, Liam didn't hesitate. He nutmegged Israel with a cheeky flick, leaving him spinning in place, then chipped the ball over Daniel's outstretched leg and slotted it home.
"2-1!"
The opponents were starting to look frustrated. Marvin and Israel tried to coordinate, but every time they built momentum, Mason was there—intercepting, clearing, passing. His confidence grew with each play.
"Not bad, Mason!" Liam called out, grinning.
Mason's face lit up.
For the third goal, Liam received the ball near midfield. He took off at full speed, weaving through Marvin and Israel like they were cones in a training drill. Marvin lunged desperately, but Liam shifted his weight and left him sprawling on the ground. Israel tried to close the gap, but Liam nutmegged him cleanly—Israel stumbled and fell.
The goal was wide open. But instead of shooting, Liam looked up.
"Mason! Come up!"
Mason hesitated for only a second before sprinting forward. Liam held the ball, drawing Daniel toward him, then slid a perfect pass across the grass. Mason didn't even need to think—he tapped it in.
"Goal! 3-1!" Lucas shouted, laughing.
Mason stood frozen for a moment, stunned. Then his face broke into the biggest smile. Liam jogged over and ruffled his hair.
"Nice finish."
"Thank you, senior!" Mason said, breathless and beaming.
Marvin groaned dramatically. "Arabian."
Liam just grinned.
The match ended 3-1.