Chapter 2: Arrogance vs. Hope
In the heavenly realm, the sun rose in soft hues of pink and gold, casting a gentle glow over the ethereal landscape. The angelic soccer field, floating among the clouds, was already buzzing with activity as the angelic team assembled for another day of training. Jannela and Andres stood at the center, ready to begin.
Andres glanced around at the assembled angels, his expression stern.
“Alright, everyone, let’s get started. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
The angels nodded, their faces a mix of determination and uncertainty. They had made some progress since Andres had begun coaching them, but there was still a long way to go.
Jannela stepped forward, her voice warm and encouraging.
“Remember, we’re all in this together. We need to support each other and work as a team.”
Andres’s expression softened slightly as he looked at Jannela, but his tone remained firm.
“Exactly. Now, let’s start with some passing drills. Focus on accuracy and communication.”
The angels spread out across the field, and the training session began. Andres moved among them, offering tips and corrections. However, his frustration soon began to show.
“Come on, Seraphiel!” Andres shouted as the lanky angel misjudged a pass.
“You need to be more precise. This isn’t just about flapping your wings around!”
Seraphiel flushed, his wings drooping slightly.
“I’m trying, Andres. It’s just… different.”
Jannela stepped in, her voice calm and soothing.
“Take it easy, Andres. Remember, they’re still learning. We need to be patient.”
Andres sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“I know, but we don’t have much time. The tournament is fast approaching, and we need to be ready.”
Jannela smiled gently.
“We will be. Let’s focus on the progress we’ve made, not just the mistakes.”
Andres nodded reluctantly, trying to temper his frustration. They continued with the drills, but the tension was palpable.
---
Later that afternoon, as the sun began to dip towards the horizon, Andres and Jannela took a break. They sat on a cloud overlooking the field, the angels practicing in the distance.
Jannela broke the silence, her voice thoughtful.
“You know, you’re a great coach, Andres. But you need to remember that we’re all learning together.”
Andres frowned, his pride stinging.
“I’m just trying to make sure we’re ready. The devils won’t go easy on us.”
Jannela nodded.
“I understand that. But sometimes, your frustration comes off as arrogance. The team needs encouragement, not just criticism.”
Andres bristled at her words.
“Arrogance? I’m just trying to push them to be better. Isn’t that what a coach is supposed to do?”
Jannela’s eyes softened with empathy.
“Yes, but there’s a difference between pushing them and breaking their spirits. We need to find a balance.”
Andres sighed, feeling the weight of her words.
“I just… I want to win. I want to prove that we can do this.”
Jannela placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“We will, Andres. But we need to build them up, not tear them down. Let’s work on this together.”
He looked at her, seeing the sincerity in her eyes.
“Alright, Jannela. I’ll try. For the team.”
---
The next day, the tension between Andres and Jannela came to a head during a particularly intense training session. The angels were running a scrimmage match, and Andres was becoming increasingly frustrated with their mistakes.
“Seraphiel, you need to cover your man!” Andres shouted, his voice rising.
“And Raphael, what kind of pass was that? We’re never going to win if you keep playing like this!”
Jannela intervened, her tone firm but calm. “Andres, enough. Yelling at them isn’t going to help.”
Andres rounded on her, his temper flaring. “They need to learn, Jannela! If they can’t handle a little criticism, how are they going to handle the devils?”
Jannela’s eyes flashed with frustration. “There’s a difference between constructive criticism and tearing them down. You’re not helping by losing your temper.”
Andres took a deep breath, trying to reign in his anger.
“I just want them to be better.”
Jannela’s expression softened.
“I know. But we need to lift them up, not break them down. Let’s try a different approach.”
Andres sighed, nodding reluctantly.
“Alright. What do you suggest?”
Jannela smiled, her eyes full of hope.
“Let’s focus on their strengths and build from there. Encourage them, and they’ll respond better.”
Andres nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.
“Okay, Jannela. I’ll try.”
---
Over the next few days, Andres made a conscious effort to temper his criticism with encouragement. He found himself working more closely with Jannela, relying on her gentle guidance to help the team improve.
“Great pass, Seraphiel!” Andres called out during a drill.
“That’s much better. Keep it up!”
Jannela beamed at him from the sidelines, her heart swelling with pride. She knew it wasn’t easy for Andres to change his approach, but he was trying.
One evening, after a particularly successful practice, Andres and Jannela sat together on a cloud, watching the sunset. The sky was ablaze with colors, casting a warm glow over the landscape.
“You did great today, Andres,” Jannela said, her voice full of admiration.
“The team is really starting to come together.”
Andres smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
“Thanks, Jannela. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
She blushed slightly, her heart fluttering. “We make a good team, don’t we?”
He looked at her, his eyes filled with gratitude.
“Yeah, we do. I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. I guess I let my frustration get the better of me.”
Jannela placed a comforting hand on his arm.
“It’s okay, Andres. We all have our moments. What’s important is that we’re moving forward together.”
He nodded, feeling a deep sense of connection with her.
“Thank you, Jannela. For everything.”
---
As the days turned into weeks, the angelic team continued to improve. They still had a long way to go, but the progress was undeniable. Andres and Jannela worked tirelessly, their bond growing stronger with each passing day.
One afternoon, as they were wrapping up practice, Jannela approached Andres with a thoughtful expression.
“I’ve been thinking,” she began. “Maybe we should incorporate some of the techniques from the mortal world into our training.”
Andres raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
“What do you have in mind?”
Jannela’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’ve seen mortal teams use drills that focus on teamwork and strategy. If we can adapt those for our team, it might help us improve even more.”
Andres nodded, feeling a surge of inspiration.
“That’s a great idea, Jannela. Let’s give it a try.”
Over the next few days, they introduced new drills and exercises, focusing on teamwork and strategy. The angels responded well, their confidence growing with each successful practice.
“Great job, everyone!” Andres called out during a particularly intense drill.
“You’re really starting to get the hang of this!”
Jannela watched with pride, her heart swelling with joy. She knew they still had a long way to go, but she also knew they were on the right path.
---
One evening, after a long day of training, Andres and Jannela sat together on a cloud, watching the stars twinkle in the night sky. The air was cool and crisp, and the world seemed to shimmer with magic.
“You know, Andres,” Jannela said softly,
“I’ve learned so much from you. Not just about soccer, but about determination and perseverance.”
Andres looked at her, his eyes filled with gratitude.
“I’ve learned a lot from you too, Jannela. You’ve taught me the importance of patience and kindness. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
She blushed, feeling her heart flutter.
“We’ve come a long way, haven’t we?”
He nodded, a smile spreading across his face. “Yeah, we have. And we’re just getting started.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the peacefulness of the night. The bond between them had grown stronger, forged through their shared struggles and triumphs.
“I believe in us, Andres,” Jannela said finally, her voice filled with conviction. “I believe we can do this.”
He looked into her eyes, feeling a deep sense of connection. “I believe in us too, Jannela. Together, we can achieve anything.”
As the stars continued to twinkle above them, Andres and Jannela knew that their journey was far from over. But they also knew that, with each other’s support, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
---
The next day, as they prepared for another training session, Andres felt a renewed sense of determination. He knew they still had a long way to go, but he also knew they were making progress.
“Alright, team,” he called out, his voice filled with energy. “Let’s keep up the good work. We’re getting stronger every day, and I know we can do this.”
The angels nodded, their faces filled with determination and hope. They had come to trust Andres and Jannela, and they were ready to give it a shot.