CHAPTER 648: CHAPTER 648 FANBOY

Please vote to show me your support for the story. The higher we climb in the rankings, the more motivated I will feel. Mass releases will be rewarded for each 10 rankings we manage to climb.

Join Discord to connect with me and share your thoughts on the story so far. https://discord.gg/hTQJtj2K9U

#More than 10 Chapters ahead on my Patreon: patreon.com/TrikoRex

{!!!Please leave a review; it helps me a lot and lets me know how many people are invested in the future of this novel!!!}

~~~

[11/11/2020 | 21:43 | Red Bull Arena,| International Friendly: Germany 1 vs 1 Czech Republic]

The strike thundered off Rakim’s right boot like a cannon. It wasn’t just hit hard—it was hit true, a low rocket angling toward the far post with venom. Pavlenka shifted across his body as he dove to his left, but by the time his gloves reached out, the ball was already past him.

It smashed into the goal, sending the net bulging as the loud shriek of Rakim’s roar sounded. He sprinted to the corner flag, doing his griddy before sliding on his knees, kissing the crest of his now ripped kit.

[Germany 3–2 Czech Republic — Rakim Rex 88’]

Derek Rae’s voice cracked through the Leipzig chill, electric with disbelief. "RAKIM REX! The seventeen-year-old from Florida has written his name into German football history! What a strike, what composure, what a moment!"

The handful of socially distanced fans rose from their seats, the echo of applause rippling through the mostly empty Red Bull Arena. On the German bench, players were up and cheering as a second later, Rakim was modded by the rest of his teammates.

"That is magnificent from the youngster," Robson added, almost laughing. "He’s been brilliant since he came on, but that—oh, that’s pure instinct. The pace, the balance, and the finish—world-class."

[90’]

The game resumed with barely two minutes of normal time left, and the Czech Republic threw everything forward. Souček moved higher up the pitch, Darida and Barák pushed on, and even Pavlenka was waving his defenders to press. But Germany’s back three—Rüdiger, Koch, and Tah had turned into a back five as the two wing backs dropped back.

Rakim and Brandt went wide, taking up the left mid and right mid roles, leaving only Waldschmidt ppfront as the formation changed to a 5-4-1. They held firm, each tackle drawing a new surge of applause from the coaching staff on the touchline.

[90+2’]

The fourth official’s board went up—three minutes added on. The Czechs earned one last free kick deep in Germany’s half after Neuhaus was judged to have clipped Vydra. Darida stood over it, taking a deep breath before curling a delivery toward the crowded box.

The ball was whipped in with pace. Tah leapt highest, meeting it with a commanding header that sent it spinning clear of danger. Brandt was the first to react, collecting the loose ball near the halfway line. He didn’t charge forward; he did his best to carry the ball and keep the play alive. The final whistle blew shortly (FWEEET FWEEET FWEEEET) three short shrills ending the match.

[FT — Germany 3–2 Czech Republic]

(Waldschmidt 23’, Henrichs 76’, Rakim Rex 88’ | Dockal 42’, Vydra 82’)

Derek Rae’s voice softened. "Full-time in Leipzig. A night that began as a test for Germany’s next generation ends with one of their youngest ever debutants sealing the victory. A performance to remember, and a sign of what’s to come in his future."

Rakim walked off the pitch slowly, sweat still glistening under the floodlights. Cameras flashed as he exchanged polite handshakes with Czech players still revelling in the moment.

~~~

[DFB Camp, 23:20]

Back at the camp after the game, the players had washed up, eaten dinner and gone through the post-match analysis. They had been given the rest of the night to relax, with the players who had played going through massage sessions to ward off fatigue. Rakim was in his hotel room, sitting on the balcony, looking out at the lights of Leipzig.

"The Game is not as natural as with Leverkusen," He said, glancing at the figure of May in her green Pyjamas on his phone screen. "There’s less thinking involved when you know how your teammates play inside out."

"Hold your horses, babe, you know your National teammates for what 48hours, and you produced a goal and an assist?" She retorted, trying hard to resist the urge to roll her eyes as she adjusted her posture on the body pillow. "Sometimes you just need to accept a win without looking for a fault."

Rakim chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair as the cool night breeze brushed against his damp hair. The faint hum of traffic below mixed with the quiet sounds of Leipzig nightlife — distant chatter, the occasional horn, the muffled thump of music from a passing car.

"You’re right," he admitted, his voice low but warm. "I just... I don’t know. Feels weird celebrating this milestone without you guys in the stands."

May smiled faintly on the other end of the video call, tucking a strand of blond hair behind her ear. "I know, babe, but we are all proud of you. You scored your first international goal, that’s not just another day in the office."

He laughed quietly, rubbing his temple. "Yeah... It’s just surreal. Kinda weird to be sharing a dressing room with Gündogan."

"Hahah, I bet, good thing not the whole star-studded first team is there, or you would have been fanboying." She started sending him a teasing grin. "Though knowing you as soon as you got on the pitch, you would have been competing with them."

Rakim smirked, shaking his head. "Competing, maybe. Fanboying? Never, not Big Rakim," he replied, half-laughing. "Though I can’t lie, when I celebrated my goal and looked at the arm around my neck and saw Gündogan... yeah, that hit different."

May giggled softly. "See? You are a fanboy."

He raised his hands in mock surrender, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, alright, maybe a little. But I mean, come on — I grew up watching half these guys on TV. Rüdiger, Müller, Gündogan — it’s wild being in the same locker room, you know?"

Her voice softened. "It’s not wild, Rakim. It’s where you’re supposed to be. You worked for this." For a few moments, neither spoke as the city lights shimmered behind him. Down in the street, a tram rolled past, its brakes squealing softly against the rails.

"So I made German history today. How was your day?" He asked her with a light smile, only to receive an annoyed scowl.

"You’re so annoying sometimes," she retorted, throwing a pillow at the camera. "For your information, I had a photoshoot today."

"Oh, that’s your first piece of work in a while. How did it go?" He asked, genuinely curious as she hadn’t told him beforehand.

May’s expression brightened slightly on the screen, though there was still a hint of hesitation in her eyes. "It went... good, actually. It was for a clothing brand—Bold. They’re doing a European campaign for their new winter line, and they wanted ’new, relatable faces.’" She made air quotes with her fingers.

"That’s amazing, May!" Rakim said, genuinely excited. "That’s a big brand. How’d you land that?"

"They reached out after seeing my Instagram engagement rates," she explained, tucking her legs beneath her on the bed. "Apparently, despite the scandals, my brand remained surprisingly stable." She rolled her eyes slightly at the corporate speak, but Rakim could tell she was proud.

"Haha, I’m proud of you, though I never knew you wanted to model?" He asked, genuinely curious, why she had decided to step into that industry.

"Neither did I," May smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "It’s still weird, you know? My dad’s situation is still hanging over everything. The comments on my posts... some people are supportive, but others—" She trailed off, her jaw tightening.

Rakim’s expression softened. "What are they saying?"

"The usual stuff. ’Blood money,’ ’profiting off her dad’s crimes,’ ’she knew all along.’" May’s voice wavered slightly. "I know I shouldn’t read the comments, but sometimes I can’t help it."

"May—"

"I’m fine, really," she interrupted, forcing a brighter tone. "My therapist says it’s normal to feel this way, and honestly, the photoshoot was a good distraction. Plus, Zeus has been keeping me company." The camera panned briefly to show the German Shepherd sprawled across her bed, one ear twitching at the sound of his name.

Rakim smiled at the sight of his dog. "He’s living his best life while I’m freezing in Leipzig."

"He misses you," May said, scratching behind Zeus’s ears. "He keeps checking the front door like he expects you to walk through it."

"Tell him I miss him too. And tell him to keep protecting you." Rakim’s voice turned more serious. "Speaking of which, any more issues with... Did a package come?"

May shook her head. "No, nothing came. What did you get?"

"It’s a surprise," he said with an amicable smile. "Oh, by the way, should we buy the house? The landlord seems to be looking to sell."

.

.

.

.

To Be Continued...