Long Shot by Cindy Jefferies

1. A New Start
    Roddy Jones tried to get closer, so he could read the notice board in the hall. But it was impossible. There was such a crush of people. It was going to be odd, not being top dog any more. At his last school, people would have made way for him. He’d had loads of respect there because he was the best footballer they’d ever had. But Stadium School was a boarding school for talented young footballers, all wanting to make it to the top. He’d have to do something very special to stand out now.
    â€œRoddy?”
    Someone tapped him on the shoulder and he turned round.
    â€œGeno!” A broad grin spread across his face. “You got in! That’s fantastic!”
    Geno grinned back. “Yeah. You, too.”
    Dark-haired Geno was small and wiry like Roddy, and a great striker. They’d met at the trial in the summer, and hit it off immediately. Roddy had been totally blown away to discover that Geno’s dad was the great Luca Perotti, the famous Italian international.
    â€œThis is
so
cool,” said Roddy, abandoning his attempt to get to the notice board. “Have you been here long?”
    â€œQuite a while,” said Geno. “I already knew you’d got in because I saw your name on the board.
And,”
he added. “Guess what? We’re both in Charlton House!”
    â€œWow!” said Roddy. “That’s great.”
    Information about the four houses had been sent in the welcome pack after Roddy had found out he’d won his place at theschool. The houses would all play matches against each other over the course of the year, with the overall winner claiming the House Cup.
    Roddy was thrilled to find that they’d be playing in the same team. “We’ll annihilate the opposition!” he bragged.
    Geno laughed. “Hopefully,” he said. “This is Jimmy Piper,” he added, pointing to the well-built, fair-haired boy standing next to him. “He’s in Charlton, too. He plays centre back.”
    â€œHi,” said Jimmy. “What position do you play?”
    â€œMidfield,” said Roddy, pleased to meet another friendly face in this room full of strangers.
    â€œJimmy and I are sharing,” Geno told Roddy. “Have you met any of your roommates yet?”
    â€œNo one was there when I dumped my stuff,” said Roddy. “So I came straight over here to see what was happening.”
    â€œNot a lot until tea,” said Geno. “And I’ve already done my unpacking.”
    â€œYeah. Your mate’s really well organised,” laughed Jimmy. “I just left my bag on the bed.”
    Roddy smiled. “Me, too,” he admitted. “Hey, we could go back to the boarding house and check out the common room until tea, if you like.”
    Both Geno and Jimmy nodded, but someone else had just caught Roddy’s eye. “Hang on a minute,” he said, and hurried over to a girl with long, blonde hair, who had just come into the hall with two other girls.
    â€œHello, Keira,” said Roddy. He was delighted that Keira Sanders had got a place at the school. She was a midfielder, too, and really bubbly and enthusiastic.
    â€œRoddy! It’s wonderful to see you,” she said. “I hoped you’d get in.”
    â€œSame here.” Roddy hesitated, unsure how to continue the conversation, after having been so eager to start it. “I’m in Charlton,” he said awkwardly. “How about you?”
    â€œI’m in Charlton, too!” Keira whooped. “How can we lose? Isn’t this all…” She gestured around the room full of students. “Just brilliant!”
    For a moment they both stood there, overflowing with disbelief and excitement. They exchanged grins, and then Roddy cleared his throat. “Well … er … I suppose I’d better go. I’m with Geno. But I just wanted to say hi. See you at tea maybe?”
    â€œSure.” Keira