Hiya!!! This is a BOYXBOY story!!!

Reminder that this story will include a lot of switching POV's not only for different chapters but within the chapters as well. There are two main characters in this and it will be a lot easier to understand (and more interesting) to see from both of their perspectives.

To indicate that there is a switch in POV I will put the name of the character's POV in bold italics (or )

There will be some sensitive and mature content in future chapters.

This is set in Britain but the places are made up.

Yes, I know game, set, match is for tennis but this is football (soccer)

That's pretty much everything I need to say. I hope you enjoy and thanks for reading**************************

I hate him.

But it's not the type of hate when you want to see the other person dead. No. It's a different type of hate. When you don't know the reason why. When the thought of liking this person is so abstract to you that you can't help but hate them.

Chase. There he is. His usual two friends flocking around him as they make too much noise in the back corner of the hall. I, on the other hand, am surrounded by my many mates, some closer to me than others but friends nonetheless. That's what comes with popularity; an excessive amount of friends, the admiration of most of the school and a gorgeous girlfriend.

Chase places his graffitied skateboard on the seat next to him as if his reputation wasn't warning enough to stay away. I've never even spoken to the guy but I can't help but roll my eyes when I look at him. He lives up to the typical bad boy stereotype. He likes being feared.

But he doesn't scare me.

I can look past his military style buzz cut and stone cold green eyes. His muscular physique doesn't faze me. I know I could hold my own in a fight.

He is often the topic of conversation. Mentioning his name amongst a crowd is like setting fire to a forest. It spreads. The whole school knows about the fights he's been in; the girls he's hooked up with; the trouble he gets in and yet he is still some huge mystery that I'm not even going to attempt to try and figure out.

"Good morning year 12 and 13."

The loud chatter slowly decreases as our headteacher addresses the bored looking students in front of her. Ms O'Neil waits for us to respond with a "Good morning Ms O'Neil" but her only response is one student coughing in the second row.

"Well, I have called all of you here this morning for an announcement. After months of deliberation and seeing that the average grades of the students have increased, I am happy to announce that year 12 and year 13 can now start their own exclusive football team."

About fucking time.

The crowd of students erupt with cheers as Ms O'Neil tries to settle us down.

We've been asking for a football team ever since the younger students were able to get one 4 months ago and for 4 months Ms O'Neil has refused. Until now, that is.

"Tryouts will be held today after school and Mr Raymond has volunteered to be-"

Mr Raymond, one of the History teachers, swerves the microphone sitting on the stand in his direction so that his voice can be heard amongst the crowd.

"I will be going by Coach Ray now."

"Oh. Ok then. Coach Ray has volunteered to be the coach of the newly made football team. If you have any further questions, ask him. That concludes this assembly and as classes have already begun for the younger years, can you please all make your way quickly and quietly to your first lessons."

In a matter of seconds, the hall once filled with students is now empty. With the exception of me and Josh. We stay behind in our seats, not wanting to go to our lessons just yet.

"You hear that mate? We have finally got ourselves a football team." Josh bumps his shoulder against mine with a cheeky grin on his face.

"I might even run for captain."

"You fucking wish." I say laughing. Josh can barely kick a stationary ball.

"Alright maybe not captain."

"You'll be lucky if you even get a spot on the team."

"Oi. I've gotten better."

"Yeah right." I scoff.

"Maybe if my skills were as good as yours I'ld have a shot. Now that I think about it, maybe you should put yourself up for captain."

I can imagine it. Myself as captain. Yelling inspirational speeches; playing in every game; holding the winners trophy and scoring the winning goal while everyone cheers my name.

Nate! Nate! Nate!

"Nate?"

I snap out of my trance and look at my best friend currently snapping his fingers in front of my face.

"You with me?"

"Yes I'm with you. Come on, let's go to English."

*

"Alrighty boys."

Coach Ray eagerly rubs his hands in the cold February air. His excitement about the matter exceeding all of the boys trying out.

"And girl." And girl. I should have known Georgia would try out.

It's Monday after school, there are about 40 guys here trying out for the team plus Georgia, and it's far too cold to be wearing shorts but we're wearing them anyway.

"I'm looking for the best to represent us out there on that field. I'm gonna be pushing you lads hard and I don't want no wusses on my team. So if you're already having second thoughts leave now and don't waste any more of my time."

No one leaves.

"Good. We need around 16 of you lots on this 11-a-side team. So a lot of you will be going home empty handed."

I can feel the tension rising as I look around at the group of guys. A couple of my friends are here including Josh despite there being zero chance of him getting on the team. He's eagerly jumping up and down on the spot wearing a pair of goggles around his blonde hair to keep his glasses on his face. I smile and shake my head as he gives me two thumbs up. It'll take a miracle for him to make it on the team. His small body isn't made for the vicious tackles that could go down on the field. Whereas mine was made for football. Playing football has been a key part of my childhood. The need to win mixed with the adrenaline you get on the pitch is what makes it so enjoyable. My dad is the one who got me into football. He went to every one of my games and would always get me the latest boots. I got my brown eyes from my dad, I also got my dark brown hair from him too, maybe his love of football was passed down to me like a hereditary gene.

"Ok let's warm up and may the tryouts begin." The sharp shrill of the whistle jolt us awake. "Now give me ten laps. If you can't keep up then sayonara!"

I jog around our field, the grass wet underneath my cleats, the air cool against my skin. I aim to keep a steady pace throughout, not losing all my breath sprinting the first two laps which some dumb younger kids seem to be doing. Another set of heavy breaths creep up behind me and I turn thinking maybe it's Josh or another one of my friends catching up with me.

Before I can turn to see who they are, they quickly run ahead. And I can tell from their cropped dirty blonde locks that it's Chase.

Of fucking course.

"Lovely pace Chase! Keep it going!" Coach calls and that's when Chase turns around and smirks at me.

I run faster.

I rake my hand through my sweaty brown hair, pulling back the stray strands that threaten to fall into my eyes. I can feel the overwhelming heat on my flushed cheeks and take deep breaths as I try to steady my rapidly beating heart. Coach has thrown every type of fitness and skills test he could think of at us whittling us down to the top 16.

Luckily I'm one of them and most of my friends are too. Josh tried to say that he wasn't interested anymore but I'm pretty sure he left because he wasn't going to make it through the seventh lap.

Unfortunately, Chase made it on the team too.

************************

Boys with long hair or buzz cuts?

Hmmm......Both.