Lucas

"Right. Bring it in, lads. Bring it in. Danny. Rory. Don't. Thank you.

So … as you can see, we have a brand new boy on the team. Some of you may know him, but for those who don't, this is Lucas. He will be joining us for the season. Now show him the ropes and make him welcome. Okay? Good. Break into pairs, we're going to be doing some passing practice, just to warm you up."

"Oi, new kid."

"Y...Yeah?"

"With me."

"O...okay."

"So, what you play?"

"Winger. You?"

"Centre forward."

"Nice."

"Been playing long?"

"On and off, yeah. Used to play every weekend with my dad."

"So, you've got no excuse for fucking up then."

"H... have I fucked up?"

"Not yet. But there's still time."

"Well... I'll try not to then."

"Good lad... I can call you lad, can't I?"

"Yeah. W...hy … why w...ouldn't you?"

"No reason."

"You can call me lad. Or mate. Or bro. Or dude or …"

"Lucas. I can also call you Lucas."

"Y... yeah... That too."

"Hmm. You can ease up, mate. I know."

"Know? … K...know what"?

"You."

"W...w...what about me?"

"You know..."

"A...are you going to tell anyone?"

"Relax, mate. You got me all wrong. I don't care. I mean, I care. But not in that way. I've seen you around. You've got some moves with a tennis ball at lunch. Think you would make a great addition to the team. As for what I know... You don't have to hide, Lucas. Or be scared. You see Benny's laces? You ain't got anything to worry about with us."

"I...I'm not worried."

"Good. Besides, my sister's like you."

"S...she... is?"

"She is."

"And she plays football too?"

"Net Ball. Switched teams. End of last year. Took a little time to adjust, obviously, losing our goalie like that, but Danny makes up for it. When he doesn't miss easy penalties."

"Oh.."

"Yeah. Danny ain't a patch on Tara, is he, Col?"

"Nope. To this day, she was the best this team had to offer."

"And she's fit as fuck."

"Curran! No! That's my twin sister you're talking about."

"I know. She's as hot as you, and doesn't have your smart mouth. Best of both worlds. Alright, Lucas? Names Curran. This one giving you a hard time?"

"N-no. Not at all. He's been great."

"Well, let us know if he does, and I'll deck him for you."

"Piss off, Curran."

"Love you, too, mate. Oi, Ronaldo, hurry up and pass the ball, I'm more open than your mum was on — Ow! You didn't have to kick it that hard."

"Less chatting, more passing, please. Rory, what do you call that? Inside of your foot, man!"

"Sorry, sir!"

"Name's Colin. Nice to meet you, Lucas."

"You too."