Destined Love

Part 20: Match missed

Ace's POV:

Currently I am on the college ground practising football with everyone. All four years football team players are here. Liam, Josh and I were practising at the corner, when my gaze met with Luke. I waved him to join us and he came running.

"Hey" he greeted.

"Hey, how is your practice going" I asked him.

"Good" he replied while kicking football towards Liam.

We all played for another one hour and I gave Luke some tips and tricks to secure a goal. He is a good football player and good learner. With proper guidance he could led the team and win the game.

"Wow that was some intense practice" Luke said. We are in the boys room, changing and getting ready to leave.

"You should regularly come with us to practice" Josh suggested.

"Yeah" Liam agreed. I nodded looking towards him.

"Okay, I will" he said excitedly.

It's been two weeks since Luke has been regularly practising with us. He has improved a lot. I could see he's in his best form, and I am really happy and proud of him. After all he's my little brother.

Coach called us for an practice match. It was first years vs second years. It was mainly for first years, as a practice. I wished Luke for the game.

Though it was an practice match, it was intense. First years really played well but second years won, the main credit goes to Luke. He handled team well being the Captain and the final two goals he scored were the best shots.

Coach congratulated him and his team. Everyone was praising him.

When we reached boys room, everyone was talking about Luke's performance in the match. You could say that was the hot topic among boys.

"Hey man, you really played well today, congratulations on your win" Liam said as soon as Luke entered the room with his team mates.

"Yeah boy that was an intense practice match" Josh joined in.

"Thanks man" Luke said looking towards them.

Luke looked at me, I just gave him a nod with smile on my face.

"Hey what you think about my match today" he asked sitting beside me.

"Yeah it was great bro, but there is always scope for improvement and don't let all this praises get in your head. Okay" I said to him.

I could see he was not expecting this kind of comment from me, instantly he stopped smiling and got serious. With a firm nod he got up and went to his teammates. I am very happy and proud of him, but I want him to be grounded as well, and have a unwavered focus on his career and sports.

"Man, you should have praised him, he seemed upset while leaving" Liam said.

"I did said it was great, but we shouldn't forget that this is just an practice match and I don't want him to loose his focus and passion away from the game, due to praises he is receiving" I told him. He and Josh nodded with understanding.

"Besides I am very happy and proud of him" I said with an smile on my face.

I am in canteen with my group. It's been three weeks since the practice match and our final match is in a week from now. I could see praises for Luke has been increasing day by day. Almost everyone from all years are coming towards him and praising him. I don't know why and how it is happening but the one thing I was afraid of, is already happening. All of a sudden Luke's attitude has changed. He is got an unnecessary ego. Whenever I try to tell him to be grounded, he almost starts to fight with me.