The Football Exchange [m/m]

Postby PolygonCactus » Fri Oct 07, 2016 1:34 am

I know I have another story underway, that really deserves an update, but it's stumped me for months and I figure some content is better than no content :).

Also this forums gone really quiet :(. We should think of some sought of community advertising campaign (I've seen these done before to significant success, and it would work well given most of us are members of other sites/chat groups/etc with similar interests).

Prelude

St Benjamin’s team in ‘all out’ late night fight abroad

An overseas exchange has ended in disaster … students from both schools got into a major fight last night … neither school has commented so far … it is believed by The Herald that students of the hosting school, not limited to the opposing team or year level, were involved

It wasn’t the greatest headline ever written regarding the school. In fact it was probably the worst. No one was happy about it, the headmaster threatened all the boys involved with expulsion, nearly the entire senior administration had to fly out to visit the hosting school and apologise profusely.

Ultimately it was decided that the series of soccer games between the two senior school teams had festered uncontrolled animosity. Neither of the teams ever played again, although it was closer to the end of their school career anyway.

Chapter 1

The team huddled on the corner of the practice field. Nicholas stood cramped against his best friend, Callum, both sporting the team’s colours darkened by a training’s worth of sweat.

“Alright laddies listen up, because you miss anything ere and you ain’t coming at all.” Coach barked.

Nicholas looked instinctively to Callum, confused, he wasn’t the only one. Around the circle a few students looked startled at each other, going where?

“Now last year, there were a wee problem. I don’t wanna here a peep about it.”

There were nods around the circle, they were all embarrassed to wear the same name as the team who’d participated in the disastrous exchange last year.

“Well there ain’t be any this year!”

They all looked at each other again, of course there wouldn’t be. Nicholas knew that this team would probably never get picked for an exchange again.

“You mean we’re going on an exchange?” Asked Daniel, a tall slim boy, face still flushed from practice, who’d wrapped his arms around the shoulders of his neighbouring teammates.

“Yes, eadmaster wanna fix the relationship.”

“Wait, not the same school?” someone else piped up.

“One and the same,” announced coach, “if yer behave, and we don’t ear a pipsqueak, we’ll do many more.”
There was a quiet cheer, rumbling and then growing. Those picked last year had been happy to be part of a well known team. The teens standing in the circle now though, they knew that they were only unlucky to be placed in a team the school was embarrassed to still have.

The rumbling grew as they realized it would be a way to repair the team's name.

Over the next few minutes, as parents began to show up at the field, coach explained the trip. They’d all be on their best behaviour (of course) and would travel during a week of overlapping school holidays for both schools. He handed out all the appropriate forms, wished them a good weekend in his thick accent, and left.

1 month, 5 days and 2 hours later (yes, most of the boys had been counting since the after training announcement) the soccer team disembarked their 3rd train of the day, into the sweet air of Albert, a tight suburb on the edge of Hemmes. The school, Hemmes’ College, sat in the center of the suburb, a block or two over from the station.

As the teenagers stepped off the pavement onto the pristine field, school buildings looming in the distance, they couldn’t help grin at each other. Some had never left the country before, nearly all had never traveled so far without their parents. For them, this was an adventure. For travelling they were all clad in their uniforms with team jackets, shorts and socks (although they couldn’t wear their boots of course).

They were introduced to the local principal, who shook their hands smiling. He cheerfully pointed out some features of the school building, and wished them luck in the competition.

After he vanished the coach rounded on the team.

“Get eff your jackets and shoes, get on your boots!” he’d tried to put on a lighter accent for the principal.

Soon enough, much to their surprise, the team found themselves running laps, practicing kicks and every other exercise in the book. Coach clearly figured that if he tired them out under the late afternoon sun they’d stay out of trouble.

Re: The Football Exchange [m/m]

Postby Ossassin » Fri Oct 07, 2016 2:57 am

Oh Polgon, thank you this forum always needs great stories, from dare I say, great writers such as yourself I greatly enjoy your style so thanks for starting another, as much as I like your last, if your stuck then well too bad I guess but this has potential
Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Give me a minute
I'll duct tape you

Re: The Football Exchange [m/m]

Postby xtc » Fri Oct 07, 2016 5:55 am

Keep writing but, please try not to let the other thread die of neglect.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!

More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

Re: The Football Exchange [m/m]

Postby TUfriend » Sun Oct 09, 2016 1:47 pm

Your other story is amazing, so I can't wait to see how this one turns out.
Heil Toddman, the Wonderful Wizard of Odd
I'm a nerd with a dangerous side.

See my most recent TRUE story, "SPL Initiation", here.

Read my most recent FICTIONAL story, "The Birth of a Whovian", here

Re: The Football Exchange [m/m]

Postby PolygonCactus » Wed Nov 02, 2016 12:54 am

[quote=TUfriend]Your other story is amazing, so I can't wait to see how this one turns out.[/quote]

Seen you a few times on that thread, good to know you're enjoying the other story, thanks :). Also top notch profile picture (where from?).

Chapter 2


Along with the rest of his team, Nicholas almost stumbled off the field at the end of training, wiping sweat off his forehead as it tried to run into his eyes. He barely noticed, given his state, that around him the local team had gathered, also in their uniforms, but not fatigued and sweaty like St Benjamin’s team.


After a brief moment of surprise and confusion from Nicholas’ team, they all did their best to look presentable and shook the hands of the opposing players, muttering greetings by wrote.


“‘Ttention!” yelled coach, now standing next to the headmaster.


The headmaster cut in, “Welcome again to exchange students. Now, as you all know our guests will be staying with members of our local team. As we’ve said before, we hope this option has not only made the trip much more affordable but will promote stronger ties between the teams, and a higher sense of fair play”.


Muttering had broke out in the visiting team by now, although with a bark coach silenced it.


No one had told the St Benjamin’s students that.


“I’ll read off the list now.”


The coach began reading off names, Callum came up first, paired with Durant, a tall and slim boy with wild red hair. Nicholas was claimed with Axel, who turned out to be almost as tall and clearly muscular under his sports shirt.


The boys slowly sorted themselves into the stated pairs, the exchange players caught unaware, they’d assumed they’d be staying together in a hostel, and a little embarrassed - realising that they were going to introduce themselves sweaty, unkempt and tired.


Nicholas followed Axel off of the field and into the narrow streets surrounding the school. Nicholas trying to make some conversation with his new host.


“That was a surprise! They didn’t tell us we were home staying, thanks for having me by the way.”


“Ok, my pleasure.”


“So do you have any siblings?”


“Yeah, my older brother left home for uni this year.”


“Did he go to the same school?”


“He was in the same football team even.”


Nicholas’ brain paused, then clicked, “oh.”


Axel snorted, “don’t worry about it!”


Despite Nicholas’ misgivings about staying with the enemy, Axel seemed a friendly and the conversation wasn’t too awkward.


Axel’s house was a two story affair just a few minutes from the school. As he explained to Nicholas, his parents both worked evening hours, but had found time to meet and greet the new exchange student.


“Welcome! Welcome!” Axel’s mum beamed at Nicholas as she stood aside the door, “You must be so tired from your trip, please do as if it’s your own home.”


Nicholas nodded dumbly and tried a smile, “a bit, thank you.”


“Axel will show you down to your room, I’m sure you want to put down your bags and get changed.”


It turns out she wasn’t wrong when she said ‘down’, Axel led an amazed Nick down into the basement. “Wow, no one at home has basements.”


“I used to live upstairs and come down here for fun, but I moved down when my brother moved out.”


The stairs led down into a little teenager living room, with some gym equipment untidily pushed to the side, couches and a TV against the wall. Axel pointed out a bathroom, that was also connected to his own room. Axel’s room was tidier than Nicholas might have expected, but made extra teenagerish without natural light (or good ventilation).


“You’re staying in here so just put your bags whenever then come up for dinner.”

--

So we've got an evil lair, but who's the troll? Dun, Dun! DUN!

Also it feels like this board has gotten really quiet... is it just a summer thing?

Re: The Football Exchange [m/m]

Postby Ossassin » Wed Nov 02, 2016 2:10 am

Hope not but with you around maybe things will freshen up
Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Give me a minute
I'll duct tape you