Tyler woke late the next morning and had to kick himself out of bed. He rose groggily, wishing he hadn't drunk so much during the celebration. It hadn't really affected him during the night, but now it was hitting him like a sledge hammer. He took his head in his hands and then went over and pulled the curtains shut, stopping the glaring sun from entering his room and disturbing his already fragile state of mind.

It was Monday, and he probably should have been at university an hour ago. No point rushing now, he was already late. He realised he was still in his clothes from yesterday. He walked over to the computer, flicked it on, and then started getting changed into some clean clothes. Grabbing the deodorant off the shelf and coating himself in it. He would have a shower in the evening, now he was just not in the mood.

He spun his seat around and sat down at the computer, running his hand down his face trying to wake himself a bit. A message flashed up on the screen before he had a chance to do anything. He had received an email. Not entirely uncommon for him. He grabbed the mouse and opened the email so he could read it.

The window opened quickly and he stared at it in shock. It was an email from the Street Soccer Competition, listing what group they were in for the knock-out and where and who they were supposed to play next. He ran his finger along the screen as he checked that he wasn't mistaken, especially about the time of the game.

He shrugged and quickly jotted down everything that he would need when he saw Scott at the university. Then grabbed his backpack, folder and rushed downstairs, his hangover forgotten. He jumped onto his bike and made for the campus grounds.

He came to a sliding stop when he got there and locked his bike at the racks. He looked at his watch and realised it was now nearly lunch time. He had missed his first class, but there was another in the afternoon. He was sure they would understand him missing one class after their win yesterday. At least Scotty would be coming out of class soon.

Tyler threw his bag over his shoulder and made his way to where his class should have been, to wait for Scott to come out. He didn't have to wait long, within the moment the bell had rung and the class was filing out the door. Scott came out, saw Tyler, and grabbed him by the shoulder, turning him around and leading him down the hall.

“You are really gonna have to fix this. The professor told me that if you miss any more classes then you will fail. I know you don't like school, but if you fail, you're off the team as well, you know that.”

“I know, I know. I'll be more careful next time Scotty. I just overslept because of the drink yesterday,” Tyler raised his hands before him as if to calm Scott down.

Scott jokingly pushed him forwards and kept walking down the hall to where the lunch room was.

“So now we need to work on a team then for this thing you found. I suppose we could ask a few at lunch here. I think most of the team will be here. Though, some did stay longer last night.”

“We are going to have to act fast. I already have our group listing. Seems there's about a hundred and thirty or so teams. They've divided them into groups of sixteen. Our first game is tomorrow night. Against a team calling themselves Raging Boars.”

“That's not too bad then, we have a day and a half. When and where?”

“That's the strange thing. It’s at midnight at the abandoned youth centre in the western suburbs.”

“Well, right you are then. Midnight it is... Um, you serious? Midnight? At that crumbly old youth centre? Does the thing even have working lights anymore,” Scott was scratching his head in amazement.

“Yeah, if we miss the game we lose instantly and are out of the competition. It seems serious. The email even said they were providing two referees to each match. Thirty minute games, rules as per the website. It's vague and precise.”

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“Suppose we only have one choice then.”

Tyler stopped for a moment and tilted his head. “What's that Scotty?”

Scott smiled at Tyler as he stepped into the lunch room, holding the door open for Tyler.

“Get three more players.”

“Hopefully as easily done as said,” he said as he entered the lunch room.

The two of them scanned the sea of heads that were sitting before them when they noticed three people sitting with their heads down on their table, a tray of food pushed off to the side. One of the boys had even fallen asleep on his sandwich. Tyler and Scott looked at each other and nodded.

They made their way through the sea of people until they had reached the table with the three sleeping boys. Tyler slammed his bag on the table and the whole thing jumped. The three boys woke with a start, all their heads popping up and looking around, a slice of bread still on one of their faces. Tyler and Scott couldn't help themselves but laugh.

“Good look for you David,” Scott said to the boy with the bread on his face.

David brought his hand up to his face and felt the bread. He pulled it off and slapped it down onto his sandwich. He looked up at Tyler and Scott, Tyler towering well over Scott. His eyes were groggy with sleep still.

“Hmm?”

Tyler slapped his hands on the table beside his bag.

“We'll make this short, sharp and sweet. The three of you have been recruited into an indoor soccer team.”

The three of them looked at each other and shrugged.

“OK then, that was easy. David, Dennis and Gavin, be at the run-down youth centre in the western suburbs at midnight tomorrow,” Tyler turned to leave when he heard a stifled cough from behind him. He turned back to face his three recruits.

“Midnight seems a bit crazy doesn't it?” Dennis sounded a little confused.

“That's what I thought, but that's what the draw said. It’s a knock-out tournament for the first round. We need to win our first four games to advance. I thought you guys would give us the best chance at that. Scotty here in the goals, and the four of us on the field.”

“OK, sounds fair, two midfielders, a forward and a defender. But why midnight?”

“I ask myself that too. But I have no answer for you.”

“Fine, we'll be there. But you owe us.”

“How does a hundred thousand sound if we win the whole competition?”

Their eyes opened wide. “You're serious bout that are you?”

Scott grinned at the three of them, “I saw it myself on the website. Just make sure you show up and we'll be fine. Bring your game.”

The three looked at each other again, grinning widely, and nodded enthusiastically at Tyler and Scott. Then the three of them fell back asleep. Tyler placed the paper with the information about the game on the table, in case the boys thought they were dreaming. Then he and Scott went to get themselves something to eat.

“As easy as I hoped it would be, Scotty. Can’t believe they just accepted like that.”

“Ty, money can make anyone's head turn. Let’s just hope they are there on time. I don't want to be made to look a fool.”

“Well, we'll find out tomorrow night though. I don't have any classes, so I won’t be coming in.”

“I'll rub the time into their minds when I see them tomorrow. Just hope we win our first game. Would be so sad to lose in the first match and be out of the tournament.”

“We can’t lose with the five of us on the field.”