Football singularity

Chapter 319 319 First Piece of Silverware

Rakim blinked, snapping out of the trance he'd unknowingly fallen into while staring at the girl. He quickly let go of her waist, after seeing that she had regained her footing trying to act casual as he offered an apologetic smile. "No problem," he said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Sorry about that, didn't see you there."

Not quite understanding why he was feeling shy which wasn't like him whose ego is the size of Texas especially when he is on a football field. Her being a sight, in general, shouldn't make him feel this way since he had practically grown up around a lot of good-looking people. Still looking at the black cargo trousers that encased her long legs and hugged her curves in all the right places caused his gaze to linger for a second longer than necessary.

The fact she was wearing a loose Celtic top tied up around her midsection to create a make-shift girls' crop top. It was only now that he realised that he was holding her bare waist and not when he caught her fall just moments ago. Looking back up to her face he watched as she adjusted her glasses, offering a small smile in return, though she still seemed flustered. "It's okay, really. I guess I wasn't paying attention either."

They both stood there for a moment, an awkward silence hanging between them as the noise of the post-match celebrations roared around them. Rakim glanced at the massive crowd, unsure of what to say next. His mind raced for a conversation starter, but his mind seemed to just blank. {I can try getting the system to shock your brain, maybe that will help,} Eva suggested promptly snapping me out of my stupor.

"Are you... with the press?" he finally asked, noticing the small notepad she was clutching tightly.

The girl nodded quickly. "Yeah, sort of. I'm interning with The Glasgow Voice, but I'm actually just here with my family." She laughed nervously. "It's just something to help with Uni applications, can I get your autograph tho? My little sister is a big fan."

"Just your sister?" he asked with a raise of his eyebrow not believing that a girl around his age range would be one of his fans. That goes especially if they are already football fans and wearing one of his team's jerseys.

The girl blushed slightly, looking away as she adjusted her glasses. "Okay, maybe both of us," she admitted with a shy smile. "But mostly her. I don't usually fangirl over players. I just like the sport, and you know... the atmosphere." She gestured around the stadium, still buzzing with post-match excitement.

Rakim chuckled, feeling his confidence return. "that's good cause I attract some of the craziest fan girls," he replied looking genuinely exasperated as he inadvertently thought about all these womenfolk who claim to be his wife and whatnot.

"Hahaha trust me I know my little Ellie has gotten into quite a few feuds with some of them in your comment sections," she replied with a light chuckle that sounded angelic looking much more relaxed now that the awkwardness faded.

"My condolences to her hope she managed to stay sane, anyway's what do you want me to sign for her?" Rakim replied also sounding much more relaxed not even remembering the fact he was still not wearing a top since swapping with the old Hearts Keeper. Lucky for the girl across from him she had been too flustered by the situation to realise this otherwise she wouldn't be as composed as she is now.

However just because she didn't notice this did not mean that the eagle-eyed BBC reporters at the scene didn't. As a matter of fact, the two of them appeared quite a few times on the live broadcast as the camera operator seemed to have found his muse. However, it is more precise to say that he could already see himself getting a promotion for capturing a juicy piece of gossip for the network.

"You can sign the kit it's yours," She replied with an excited smile directly pointing to the spot above her chest as she pulled out a sharpy pen.

For a moment Rakim did not know what to do after seeing how excited the girl in front of him was, that she did not even realise what she was asking him to do. How to react to a situation like this had not been covered by the ACE academy media training nor the Celtic side. He couldn't back down though, after seeing her excited expression that seemed to be pleading him to proceed.

Thus, a peculiar scene was captured in 4KHD at Hampden Park, where a tall light-skinned boy with free-hanging dreadlocks was standing in front of a beautiful brunet. The fact he was wearing only his game shorts fully showcasing his muscular yet lean physique that glistened with the sweat from the match he had just played. However, it wasn't his abbs that caught the attention of those who were watching but the fact he was writing something just above the brunette's right chest.

~~~

"Bro, we won and all, but you need to chill," Forrest whispered into my ears we lined up at the side of the stage that the staff had set up for the awards ceremony. "It's too late now but you should probably turn your phone off for the next 3 days and definitely do not leave the house,"

"I don't get the problem she asked me for a signature, and I delivered, what was I supposed to do say no to one of my dear fans?" I retorted not yet willing to accept that I was in the wrong or any trouble I may have caused. Despite not touching anything I shouldn't from the way it must have looked is enough to make a cow fly.

"I miss being young dumb and innocent," He simply retorted as he started moving forward as the announcer started the proceedings. Hearts had already received their medals, going through the torture of having to walk past the trophy they had come all so close to winning but failed in the end.

SFA President Mike Mulraney is a bald fellow dressed in a pristine navy suit with the SFA pin at the left side of his lapel. His assistant stood behind him ready to hand him the medals, and next to him stood another bald man but this one was around 6ft with a well-groomed beard. He also wore a well-tailored suit with a purple lapel and a William Hill pin as he was the representative of the tournament sponsor.

I gave Forrest a nudge, as I followed after him, "I wasn't doing anything," I stated defensively trying to act casual. Forrest grinned turning in my direction probably making those watching from afar think he was just happy about the win. "Sure, mate. Just try not to autograph anyone else's heart, yeah?" I rolled my eyes at him, tugging at my reserve kit that one of the team's staff had handed me ready to focus on what's important.

The crowd erupted as we were called to step forward, and the energy of the moment swept me up. The stands were alive with Celtic fans chanting, waving green and white flags in unison. This was a completely different feeling of euphoria than what you would feel after scoring in front of a crowd of 40,000. This feeling of unity, of being part of something bigger than myself is something you only get to truly realise when you help your team win a trophy.

Everyone went through the ceremony of shaking the sponsors and presidents hands before receiving their medals. Unlike in most football competitions around the world, the medal wasn't hung around our necks but instead presented in a small navy-coloured box made out of leather. Smiling at this I quickly shook both bald man's hands barely able to register the friendly words from them.

"Congrats young man, it was a pleasure watching you play today," The William Hill rep stated with a happy smile before pulling me into a quick man hug following our handshake. "Thank you, sir, happy you enjoyed the match," I replied before moving on to the next guy who was even happier than the last reminding me a little of the Chief coach Andy Reid.

"Thank you for playing in our league son, it's been a pleasure having you here." He started sounding genuinely happy, "Congrats and all the best in your future endeavours, you will always be welcomed here son," He finished before tightening his handshake slightly and then handing my medal with the same bright smile.

"Thank you," was the only thing I managed to say before having to move on. Doing a light Griddy with my medal in hand I joined the rest of my teammates who were eagerly waiting behind the trophy. Since I was one of the last players I didn't have to wait long before Scott Brown and manager Neil got their well-deserved accolades.

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To Be Continued...