Opportunity

*Author’s Note – “Hey there! Just wanted to add a small disclaimer before this story starts! I was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) at a very young age, and most of the experiences that the main character goes through that have been made by me, through my experience with ASD, and some of my friends, who also were diagnosed. Some people might be surprised at how Autism is portrayed here. I am not trying to offend anyone by being specifically accurate. Every person that has been diagnosed has a different experience with it, as well as different coping strategies. With that being said, thank you so much for reading and have fun while doing so!”

Zaylen Allen was different. Unique, some might say.

At a very young age, Allen struggled to fit in with other children. He often found himself very hard to focus, and he fidgeted a lot. As well as that, he felt like he acted differently to other children, or that he was too competitive and hated losing. Other times, he would want to be alone, and allow himself to imagine himself in his own fantasy world. He liked it there.

Around the age of five, Allen was diagnosed with Autism, or ASD. Simply put, it was a neurodevelopment disorder that affects how a person acts and communicates, usually in different patterns or cues.

Allen never liked the word disorder. Although, sometimes he didn’t like the children in his school. He was often bullied and called names. He desperately tried to fit in with boys his age, but they never understood him. Allen always thought to himself, usually negative thoughts.

“How can I be like everyone else? Can I just be normal?”

That is where he first learned about football.

The boys loved playing it. If he could be a good footballer, he knew he would be accepted. Day after day, he studied tactics, gameplay, rules. He began following a team. He studied and learned meticulously how every position was played, who the best in the world was, and who perfected the formula.

He constantly trained hard, got onto the football team, and even became the captain. He progressed through his education, and at the young age of fifteen, he was already captain of his high school team. During a game, a scout picked out the young man, and recruited him to their youth academy. Allen continued working hard, not stopping at all for anyone.

However, no matter what he tried, he still felt like he could never fit in. Or make anyone like him, for that matter.

That is the reason he was here right now.

At eighteen years of age, in a cup final. Up two goals to one, with a few minutes left to go. Allen let his instincts take over as the ball dropped to his foot. He flip flapped the ball with his foot so quickly. A defender lunged in, but Allen simply took it around him. He lined up the shot. It was too easy for him. He lined up the shot, aiming for the top left corner. The goalkeeper smirked, knowing exactly what Allen was aiming for. He bent his knees, waiting for the shot. At the last moment, Allen turned his body, and shot into the opposite corner of the net.

The goalkeeper didn’t stand a chance.

The ball hit the back of the net. Three – One. Allen’s team had done it. For the first time in over thirty years, they had won their first domestic league cup. Allen ran to the corner flag, cupping his ear. It was the only time during his life where he was happy, as he could make people happy with the goals he scored. However, even with his teammates, he never really fit in with them.

He was never invited to outings or team building days. He was just an outcast, only used for goals.

He despised that.

It wasn’t even the fact that he couldn’t go on outings. In fact, sometimes he would rather not go, and be alone by himself. What bothered him was not being offered at all.

All he was to them was a striker that scored goals. Nothing more, nothing less.

He wanted to be seen as a person.

The whistle blew, and the six thousand people in the stadium went crazy, cheering wildly. Allen covered his ears slightly. Playing football with his school team was much better, as it had less noise. Nobody went over to hug him, or celebrate with him.

The captain had his interview, talking to a random news presenter.

“Yeah, the team is delighted! We are all as one! We all worked hard and deserved this!” he told the news presenter. Allen shook his head.

Lies. All of it. He was never part of a team.

The team lifted the trophy, going wild, showering themselves with champagne. As soon as he could, Allen went to the locker room, walking down the tunnel. He took off his smelly socks and shoes, putting them in his bag. He took off his shirt, and he flexed his muscles. He smiled for a second, humming to himself. Even if he didn’t like himself necessarily, he was proud of how he looked. He worked hard to get as fit as he was.

Just as he got into his normal attire, he turned around to see a well-dressed man in a navy suit, matching it with a bright red tie. His hair was white and wispy, but combed to the side excellently, not a hair out of place. He had a couple of deep wrinkles in his forehead, and he had eye bags and small, blue beady eyes. He was in his late fifties, and looked enthusiastic and welcoming.

“What a game, young man!” the old man said in a triumphant tone. “My name is Rian Redmond, a pleasure to meet you!” he put out his hand for a handshake. After a couple of awkward seconds, Allen finally accepted the handshake, and fixed the collar of his shirt.

“You look familiar. Do I know you from anywhere, Sir?” Allen asked the man politely.

“You should! I’m the Newland international manager!” he beamed. Allen froze where he was standing. The country of Newland was a very small country, of just over a million people in Europe. They had no real achievements since their establishment, and they hadn’t qualified for even a single World Cup since it started in 1930.

However, despite being ranked one hundredth and ninth in the world rankings, Newland were on the cusp of qualifying for the World Cup.

Unfortunately, to do so would mean that they would have to beat one of the best countries in the world, Germany.

“Your plays that game was amazing! It’s clear you can see stuff that the opponents, and even your teammates, can’t see! I want to include you in the squad for the Germany game. You alright with that?”

At first, Allen didn’t know what to say. It was a huge moment, arguably even more important than the trophy he just won. Not only that, but he could have a challenge. He was top scorer in both the league and the cup.

Domestic football was getting boring.

“Yes, please, Sir, thank you!” Allen said, his face glowing up. Finally, he was getting recognized for his brilliant plays. He was excited to see where this game took him.

Little did he know, that this game would be the start of his life changing, but football forever as a whole.