"Any further questions?"

No one answered.

"Okay, then. Come on you Spurs!", the coach laughed.

"Come on you Spurs!", we yelled together and stood up.

When we were inside the hall, that led to the pitch Christian jumped up and down and streched his arms.

"Are you excited?", he asked when he turned around. I shook my head.

"No, not really. I mean... it's Stoke..."

Harry turned around and glared at me.

"Don't be so arrogant, Dele. We should take them seriously."

I nodded.

"Extremly seriously."

He gave me another angry look, but turned around then, because we were ready to go.

It felt good to wear the Spurs Kit and to step onto the soft lawn again.

I felt super ready to give my best and to do what I could do best: play football.

When we were outside we lined up next to each other and listened to the well-known commentary.

The crowd cheered loudly.

After we were introduced Hugo and the refrees shook hands and Hugo picked a side, we organised the team formation.

Then the refree blew into his whistle and we began to play.

The first half went quite well. Lamela had scored a goal and I had scored one as well.

It was a great feeling, being successful and being cheered at. Our fans shouted: "Dele Alli! Dele Alli! He is the greatest!"

I smiled wider than ever, I felt welcomed, I felt alive, felt good.

I felt like I finally arrived at where I belonged.

When my team mates came to congratulate and jumped onto my back I knew that this was my place. They were my friends and they supported me.

I took a deep breath when I went back into the cabine and on my way Mauricio came to lay his arm around my shoulder and gave me a thumbs up.

"That's my boy, Dele. Good job, out there. I'm really pleased." I smiled. "Thanks, boss. I am very happy about that goal, too. I feel important for the team, then."

"Oh, boy, you surely are. See, you're talented and young. You have a big future in front of you!", he explained. "Now, drink something and make sure you get a rest. The half-time doesn't last too long."

I nodded and wanted to sit down on the bench, next to Christian, when suddenly Nacer poked me and winked.

"Hey... Dele. I think there is someone waiting for you..." I was confused.

Who could it be?

Mom?

I went to the door.

"Oh... Hi, Ruby..."

She hugged me really tightly.

"Oh, Dele.", she kissed me.

"Suprise! I was watching the match and when I saw you scoring I cheered the loudest!"

I was indeed suprised.

"Haha, cool, nice to see you...", I mumbled.

She was overwhelmed. "I am so proud of you!", she kissed me again and I could hear McGee giggle behind my back. I gave Ruby a fake smile.

"See, Ruby, I'm very suprised, that you watch the match, but I can't talk to you now, I'll have to get a rest, see you afterwards!", I excused myself and slammed the door.

When I turned around everyone was staring at me.

"Dude...", Toby began. "You can't just... she's your girlfriend. One doesn't treat his girlfriend like this."

"Yeah, that's not gentleman-like.", Moussa added.

"Fuck off", I grumbled. "You know no-thing at all. Can we just listen to Mauricio now?"

I saw Eric and Ryan whispering something.

I knew it was about me and it hurt.

Mauricio prepared us for the second half, but the atmosphere was quite tensed, I felt quite uncomfortable.

"Okay, boys. I want to see the same effort and passion in the second half, got it?"

We all nodded and went back outside.

Christian poked me and wanted to know, wheter everything was okay.

I nodded quickly, but nothing was okay. I wasn't able to concentrate properly, because I saw Ruby in the crowd.

Because of my plenty faults Stoke scored a goal and Mauricio switched me out.

"Dele?", he layed an arm around me. "Can we talk after the match? You didn't do too well, the second half..." I nodded.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened, boss."

He shook his head.

"It's okay. Everyone has a bad day from time to time. You did well in the first half, but let's talk after the match anyway, alright?"

I sat down next to Kyle Trippier and McGee and took a deep breath.

"Are you okay?", Kyle asked and wanted to give me a water bottle, but I turned down his offer.