A Walk In My Boots - A B.a.P Story

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Chapter 13
Ezra -
Misery Loves Company​

“So still haven’t found this mystery girl huh?” Vince chuckled over the phone. I had told him about my very eventful jog.​

“Noo and it’s driving me insane. I’ve went out for a few more jogs on the same route and haven’t ran into her again.”​

“Poor girl must be nursing her injuries from the last time you ‘ran into her.’ You sure she exists right? This wasn’t any dream of yours? You haven’t been very...uhh...social, recently,” he continued mocking and laughing.​

“Shut up man. She’s very much real. Just...hard to find and believe me I’ve looked everywhere. I’ve checked the libraries, random stores around town, sat on benches watching joggers. I even got a my friend James to use his tech magic and see if he could find her online - no!...*cough* thing” I tried to explain while coughing. I was at home recovering from a flu sadly.

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“So when you’re not a footballer, you’re a full-time creep! **** man. She must have been something for you to give it this much effort. Better hope that Aldridge guy doesn’t find out about this before he finds something else to slam you about to the press,” Vince said.​

“You enjoy my misery don’t you?” I said before sneezing next. ​

He was of course referencing earlier this season when I started off the season pretty poorly. Since then I haven’t necessarily lit the world afire with the team toiling in 20th place. I have scored 7 goals to date with 4 assists but I’ve appeared 35 times overall with 4 times from the bench. The gaffer has been playing me in a more withdrawn role as I’ve been playing the #10 position more than the #9. To be honest, I’ve performed better there this season. At the rate the season was going though, I knew I wasn’t going to be as good as I was last season so all I wanted to do is help the team avoid relegation.


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I coughed again before yelling an expletive. I hated being sick.​

“Alright alright lad. You need to get to bed! I’ll call you later this week to get an update on your search yeah?” Vince said finally deciding to stop laughing at my pain but instead be somewhat brotherly.​

“You’re right. Okay VJ. We’ll talk bud. Get some rest when you can.”


​
 
Chapter 14
Ezra - Far from


Well it was that time of the year again. I was finished in Newport and it was time to head back home to my parents. I had packed my stuff up and said goodbye to what had become my Newport home. Once more the owners had told me I was welcome back at any time I wanted even if I wasn’t playing for the team.

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I wasn’t sure what to make of them bringing up me not playing for the team again. Were they saying I did so badly this season that they didn’t expect me to spend a third season here? I wouldn’t be surprised if that were true actually. I finished the season with 40 games under my belt but I only had lousy 8 goals to show for it and 5 assists. I was far from confident this season actually as I only took like 40 shots all season. That was like 1 shot a game. Far from what I was used to. Instead I felt safer passing the ball around but that wasn’t much better as I didn’t pick my passes well. I was dismal by my standards.

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As I loaded my car up and got behind the wheel I gripped it and sighed. Nothing really went right for me this year and I truly needed this break. So that’s when I had the idea, this year I wasn’t going straight home. I was due to report back to Swansea in a little over a month. I was going to actually try to have some fun. So I called VJ:


“Where are you?” I asked as soon as he picked up the phone.


“Hello to you too sir. I’m driving on my way home to welcome you. Why?” he answered.


“That’s what I thought. I don’t wanna go home yet. I want to take a real vacation. Away from home and football. Let’s go somewhere.” I said eagerly, almost shouting.


“Oh wow. Who is this again? You’re Mr. Routine. You’re actually ready to break routine?” VJ asked actually sounding concerned.


I laughed. “Come on man. I want to live a little. It was a bad season and I don’t want to go home and think about it or have dad try to cheer me up about it,” I expressed.


“Vegas,” he said.


“What?”


“Vegas. Let’s go to Vegas! You’ve never been there. You’re on holiday. Let’s do it!” Vince now shouted excitedly.


“Oh..oh..alright! Let’s do it!” I joined in his excitement.


“Great! Umm...we should call your parents though. Let them know the changes. I’ll see if I can get my assistant at the office to arrange flights for us then I’ll call you back and tell you what the plan is. Can’t believe we’re doing this. I love it Ezra!”

“Alright bud. I’ll call them up. I’m excited too man! Can’t tell the last time we’ve done something on the whim like this.”


“Neither can I. Alright, let’s get it done. I’ll call you back!”





​
 
Chapter 12
Matteo – Something New


We were well within summer this time around and I didn’t have much of a holiday this time around. Summer was mixed, to say the least. In terms of club, somehow Cesare and Jamie convinced me to sign a new contract with Crystal Palace. They had finished the season in 8th which confirmed they would once again spend another season in the Championship. I was beginning to think I’d never enjoy the experience of the Premier League.

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I did enjoy something similar though. The European U-21 Championship Qualifiers. The call came as a complete surprise. Because my father is Austrian, I was eligible to play for Austria and apparently their FA had been watching my progress for a while. So when they needed someone to replace an injured player in the squad – I was called. I couldn’t have been more excited really. I made 2 appearances even managing to chip in with a goal and assist and that was by far the best moment of my career to date.

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Back in London, Palace had informed Cesare that they were going to loan me out. By this time, I was sick of arguing and just decided to go along with it.

Which brings me here:

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Lustenau.

After appearing for the U-21 team, clubs from the nation took notice of me and SC Austria Lustenau was the first to register an interest in me. Palace wasted no time in accepting and before you know it, I was on a plane with Cesare and my stuff for a season long loan. Once more mom didn’t want me going, especially in a whole new country but she was beginning to understand that this was unavoidable right now. She could tell I was serious about becoming something bigger in my career.


​
 
Let's be honest, Ezra needs to get laid in Vegas, that will sort him out!
 
Next update on Monday guys! Out of town this weekend.
 
Chapter 15 -
Ezra - What Happens In Vegas...​

“Where do you get off thinking that was in anyway a good idea!? You’re a professional! You should always act like it! I raised you better than that and I’ve never been more disappointed. You need to display that you don’t always need someone holding your hand. Isn’t that what you want? I’ve never been more disappointed Ezra. Never!” He yelled before hanging up. ​

His words still ring in my ear. Those words were said a little over two months ago by my dad. Every night I sit outside on my lawn and replay them. My year has been one of the worst years I’ve ever lived. After a torrid loan spell I had decided to treat myself to some fun to get over it, so I went to Vegas with Vince. On the surface that was never a bad idea. Vince would take care of me - that was where I went wrong though. Admitting I needed someone to take care of me.​

After we made it there and checked in we had 2 nights of good fun. From casinos to light drinking at bars, I had never felt more at ease. It was exactly what I needed. What I didn’t need was Vince having to leave early though. The business deal he was working on in Europe had made a big breakthrough so he had to fly out and handle it. I decided I could stay here on my own and fly home at the end of the week. ​

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” he asked continuously before he left.​

“I’m a big lad now. I’ll be responsible,” I continuously reassured him so he would leave.​

Just like that - I had told my biggest lie. It only took a few hours after Vince left for me to get seriously wasted. I had met with a group of lads who recognized me and claimed they were from Manchester. I had seriously had so much to drink that I didn’t even feel anyway affected by the recognition. I spent the entire night with them and passed out at the door of my room. As the week went on, I continued to hang out with them. Casinos and a few drinks with Vince were long gone and I was now on a full Vegas excursion. Night clubs, strip clubs, alcohol - I had it all. ​

I woke up on my final morning there with a massive hangover and bodies everywhere. Naked and passed out with furniture toppled over, something wild went on in my room and I didn’t remember a bit of it. I don’t think I wanted to remember it though. Unfortunately, I got my reminder just an hour into clearing everyone out. ​

Vince had called in a state of confusion and panic. “What the **** is going on there Ezra!?” he had asked. I didn’t know how to answer him. That’s when he filled me in. Apparently I had ranted about my time at Swansea and Newport and that made it to the media. From insulting the Newport board’s decision to sack Jimmy Dack to calling John Aldridge an old c*ck trying to get a rise by questioning my performances. I had apparently also questioned Swansea’s team capabilities as well and slammed their decision to not use me in their first team more. It was a mess worse than the one I woke up to in my room. ​

I had been known a lot more now and for the worst reasons. My dad tore into me as well and mom tried to console me as much as she could but I was gutted from it all. Vince got a press secretary to do damage control for me and I publicly admitted to my wrongdoing and apologized to all those involved. Dad and Mr. Gray met with the Swansea board as well and made sure they didn’t sack me for what I said. Instead they chose to hit me with a heavy fine and give me extra time off to deal with the aftermath of everything that had happened. ​

So here I was sitting on my lawn feeling much worse than I did when I thought of the Vegas idea. My parents weren't talking to me. Vince had felt guilty for leaving me and has barely spoken to me. I wasn't sent out at loan and wasn't playing. It was just my luck that nothing stayed in Vegas for me.


​

 
Tough times for Ezra! The story is still gripping - my only complaint is that you don't update often enough! :P
 
Chapter 13
Matteo – Small Talk
​

“Those girls are checking us out amico. Wanna go talk to them?” Cesare whispered as he looked over my shoulder.

​

I peeked around and noticed them. They were two blondes who were quietly speaking with each other and giggling with every glance our way.


“Eh. I don’t know man. I have training soon. Need to get those hours on the field in,” I said dismissing the idea of making small talk right now.


We were in a café in the town trying to get time to pass. Cesare and I have admittedly become better at spending time in the towns and cities of the clubs I’m loaned to. We no longer have close calls in the kitchen and now go out and enjoy our time. We were still getting used to Lustenau though but have found that we really liked this café.

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“Come on man, training is in an hour. You have time,” Cesare pleaded.


“Nah. Go for it. You don’t need me as your wingman with all your smooth moves,” I chuckled. “Tell you what, if you can go over there on your own and get us a date tonight. I’ll happily come along.”


“Oh you’re on friend! You’re on!” Cesare said with a grin before he sucked up the last of his drink through his straw.


“Alright man. I’ll leave you to it. I’m going to find my own way to training today so I’ll meet you later at the apartment yeah?” I said as I picked up my training bag from off the seat next to me and slid it over my shoulders.


I doubt Cesare heard my last words to him as he had already walked over to the girls. “Ladies, hello there.”


I laughed at the idea of him speaking German and left the café. I decided to walk a bit on my way to training just to reflect on my season so far. I had already made 8 appearances, although 5 were form the bench but I had also already scored 2 goals. Right now my focus was to break into the senior national team in a few years. Austria had become my focus now for international experience because I knew I stood no chance getting in the England team right now.



Aside from my time on the pitch, I was thinking about something else. The fact that I’ve been Austria for a bit now and my dad hasn’t made any contact with me. I needed to perform and give him reason to call.​
 
Chapter 14
Matteo – No Time For Personal


“So is this thing with that girl serious?” I asked Cesare as we walked to our apartment.


“That girl? You mean, Luisa?” he answered. Since meeting the two girls in the café Cesare has continuously been out with one. Personally, I opted for the role of recluse and stayed home away from people as much as I could.


“Yeah, her. You’ve been seeing her so much lately. You two a thing now?” I quizzed some more.


“Uh…no. I don’t think we’re a ‘thing.’ She knows our situation with staying here. So we’re just working with the time we have,” he explained.


“You know…I somehow always felt like you’d end up with a German girl. Like…a German doctor or something,” I chuckled while I opened a bottle of water I had been walking with.


“Really?” Cesare laughed. “For some reason I thought you’d end up with a German girl too. One that likes the game. Probably even more than you,” he continued.


I thought about it. Mom is already on my *** about finding someone to settle down with because she wants grandchildren. I’ve been so focused on my career though I’ve already given much time to a personal life. So far this season I’ve mostly made substitute appearances. Internationally though I had made 5 more U-21 appearances and scored in two friendlies. The club was 2nd in the division while the national team was 3rd in their qualifying group. I just wanted to push on from here. I didn’t have time to think about anything else.

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“That won’t be happening anytime soon,” I smiled.


“May be sooner than you think amico,” Cesare said smiling with a girl that had walked by us.

​Had to check back in on our friend Matteo!
​
 
Chapter 16 -
Ezra - Fortunes

A few months have passed since my terrible summer and my fortunes have barely changed. Currently I was treating an injury for a slipped disc that I picked up during training. Before this I made two appearances for Swansea in cup games. I didn’t score in either but I didn’t play too badly and I felt like I could only build on these performances. My body felt otherwise though and now I was injured.

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Being out injured felt worst these days because of everything that happened. My parents still weren’t talking to me much - especially my dad. Since my injury my mom’s instincts have kicked in and she’s been checking on me regularly and even offered to come visit me. However I knew that would only irritate my dad further so I told her not to. I could hear him yelling at the idea, “He wants to be a man, let him be! He was man enough to go off and make bad decisions wasn’t he? He’s man enough to handle his own injuries!”


It’s not like he was wrong. On the other hand, VJ was still supportive and had started to visit me more. His deal in the Netherlands was finally finalized so he started to see me more often as well. If it weren’t for him, I think I would honestly be losing my mind. I never thought I would admit it either but right now, I honestly felt like I missed being in Newport. Though I had a rough year there, it was still the club that has defined my career so far. I also had developed some good friendships there both on and off the field. I would jump at the chance to go back one day.


​

 
Chapter 17
Ezra - Rebuild


​
“So listen here Ezra, Swansea hasn’t said anything about a new contract yet and we may need to start thinking about alternatives. Do you want me to start talking to other clubs?” Mr. Gray said over the phone. ​

With only a few months on my contract there was a steady worrying in my camp that I wouldn’t get my contract renewed by Swansea giving everything that had happened. There were slight positives that I was being used sporadically by the manager. I had played a handful of times for the first team even though it was mostly from the bench. I hadn’t scored for the senior team this season though so I wasn’t enjoying that. ​

I was also playing for the U-21 and U-18 teams though and I was scoring for those teams so it was good. Overall after the start to the season I had, this was good for me. I wasn’t playing as much as I liked but I was playing and this was a good step for me to rebuild myself.

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“No, I want to commit to here. I owe them one so let’s wait for them to offer one. I’m confident they will,” I responded after giving it though.

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“Alright Ezra. I’ll reach out to those in charge to see where they stand on renewing your contract then. I’ll make sure it happens.”​

“Thanks Gray and hey, if you don’t mind my asking...how’s my dad?” Truth be told, we still hadn’t communicated despite the efforts of Vince and mom.​

“He’s fine Ezra. He won’t admit it but he misses you and he’s still looking out for you. I’ll give him your regards,” Mr. Gray said warmly. ​

“Thanks. Let him know I’d like if he came to the new contract negotiations if they come up too. Even though he may not want to.”​

“I will. Don’t worry, he’ll come. I’ll make sure of it.”​


 
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