Win or lose
Win or lose
J O S H U Ax⳧xR O Y
☙ Win or lose, 23 May 2026 ❧
The day of the football match was finally here. Last night, all Joshua could think about was the game between Aldham Juniors and Canterbury Juniors. After dinner, he watched football with his older brother. Their mom brought them each a cola, which helped calm their nerves a bit before bed. When the alarm rang at seven, Joshua opened his eyes, still half-asleep as the sound kept going. He turned it off and rolled onto his side, wishing he could stay in bed a little longer. Then a loud knock on the door made him pull the covers over his head. ’'Just a few more minutes,’’ he mumbled, barely awake. It didn’t take long for Joshua to remember that last night was the 22nd and today was the 23rd—the day of the match. Before he could finish the thought, someone shouted from the other side of the door and knocked again. ’'Get up, Joshua, or I’m telling father that you’re a lazy twat!’' And he knew that it was his big brother’s familiar, sometimes annoying, voice on the other side of the door. Joshua let out a sigh, then mumbled, ‘'At least I don’t knock on doors like that’' as he made his bed and prepared for the match, which took about forty-five minutes because Matthew was constantly in the bathroom. ‘’ Hurry up already! We only have one hour to get there, I can’t be late, I’ll tell mom if you don’t open the door soon, and then you’ll be the twat!’’ Joshua knocked loudly on the bathroom door, and in that moment, he heard loud footsteps coming from his parents' bedroom door.
Joshua knew that there was only one person it could be, and that was his father, who’d had an evening shift the night before, and terror in Joshua's face was clear when the door finally opened. Out came his father, Ryan, who opened the bedroom door and got right over to Joshua, pointing the finger straight in his face. " That's enough. I won’t hear any bickering or complaining today, not one word of it from either of you, you hear?!’’ Ryan pronounced sternly. Joschua had been so shocked by his father's reaction that all he could do was nod and say, ‘'But it's his fault he keeps using the bathroom!’’ It was like the words had flown out of Joshua’s mouth, and it was clear that his father didn’t approve, as he now looked even angrier than before. ‘’Not one word, Joschua, or I’m sending you to boarding school this instant.’’ Shortly after, the bathroom door opened, and out came Matthew, who looked just as embarrassed as Joshua did. A while later, Matthew, Joschua, and his mother, Jessica, had finally gotten into their car and were making their way to Canterbury football stadium by driving out onto the motorway, and the fields of the countryside became clearer and clearer, wider and wider, and Aldham began too fade away behind the car, as the chatter with his mother and brother in car, helped the thoughts of a bad morning to become a mere afterthought.
☙ Stamina 6 Evasion 5 Strength 5 Wisdom 6 Arcane Power 6 Accuracy 7 ❧
Last edited by Joshua Roy on 23 May 2026, 01:08, edited 2 times in total.
Win or lose
Win or lose
J O S H U Ax⳧xR O Y
☙ Win or lose, 23 May 2026 ❧
A s the car pulled into the parking lot at Canterbury football stadium, his body began to feel quite weird, and the thought of losing today's match clouded his mind a bit as he sat there, thinking about all the possible outcomes that might come to pass if they lost, and his chances of becoming a professional player would be shattered like a glass. That thought became quite real when he felt a hard slap on his shoulders from Matthew, who was sitting beside him, as the car turned off. ‘’Oi! Cut it out, will you, I’ve got plenty on my mind already’’ Joshua said in a voice of annoyance, looking up at Matthew as he put his hand on his shoulder where he’d hit him. ‘’You'd better win this match, you know how disappointed father will be if you don’t, " said Matthew, quite pleased with himself. Joshua knew exactly what he should say in return to Matthew’s comment. ‘’You’re such a….twa’’ ‘’That’s enough, both of you! Matthew, leave Joshua alone, and can u both stop swearing, please? I want us to have a nice day together, we’re here to support Joshua on his big day, aren’t we?’’ Jessica said as she looked over the car seat, looking at Matthew, who was sitting there trying to look as innocent as he possibly could. ‘’Sorry, Mom, I was just telling Joshua that he’ll do great today, right, Josh?. " This remark was followed by a demanding stare from Matthew, a stare which Joshua absolutely hated, as it made him feel quite small and stupid.
He hesitated for a few seconds, not knowing if he should say the truth or not. In the end, he decided it would be better to let out a white lie. Joshua didn’t want to upset his mother anymore today, as the pair of them had argued quite a lot with their mother during breakfast because they’d woken their father up earlier than usual after a night shift. In this moment, however, he knew that lying seemed like the easier and safer choice; now it was just about making the lie convincing enough. ‘’His right mom, Matthew, was just making sure that I felt ready for the match. I’m sure I’ll do great.’’ Jesscia smiled, looking at Joshua. ‘’Ah, I see, well then, let’s get inside, so you can change it's almost half nine, and we don’t wanna be late, do we? Her voice now sounded warm and loving towards the pair of them. Matthew opened his side of the door, making his way towards the back of the trunk, which made Joshua get out just as quickly. He didn’t want Matthew messing with his sports bag before the big match. Joshua tramped angrily up beside his big brother by the trunk. ‘’I’ll get my bag on my own, you know I hate when you mess with my stuff!’’ Joshua sounded quite annoyed once again. Matthew had the face of the most annoying big brother in the entire world, who was ready to bully him once more. Shortly after, however, their mother stood beside them, not looking quite pleased at them. In the end, it became clear that all Matthew could do was hand the bag over to Joshua.
☙ Stamina 6 Evasion 5 Strength 5 Wisdom 6 Arcane Power 6 Accuracy 7 ❧