After the game Leo made his way out of the ballpark and headed towards the campus. His cold expression showed no pride or arrogance after destroying Columbia with an overwhelming victory.
"That was the easiest game of my life, I don't know what you were so worried about." Justin, the Crocs short stop said, lazily stretching as he walked beside his captain.
"Don't get complacent." Leo replied calmly, not even turning his head to acknowledge the guy.
Justin shrugged. "Whatever you say man, I still think you're overreacting."
"It's not the team he's worried about Justin." Trent appeared in that moment, alongside the two. "Once Ken gets on the mound you'll understand what we're talking about."
Justin rolled his eyes feeling slightly annoyed. "You keep talking about this Ken guy like he's going to make a big difference. If he was as good as you say, then why did he go to a dump like Columbia?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. He could have gone to any college, even here if he wanted to." Trent replied, himself confused at Ken's decision.
"He wouldn't have come here." Leo spoke up confidently. "Ken isn't that kind of player."
"Isn't that kind of player? What do you mean?" Justin asked, mystified.
Leo was silent for a while as they walked along. Just as the two thought he wasn't going to answer, he spoke up. "Ken thrives under pressure. The more of a disadvantage he's under, the better he plays, it is truly confusing."
Trent and Justin looked at each other, feeling as if their Captain was being a little weird. Instead of the cold and confident expression he usually donned, the guy seemed nostalgic.
"I am thankful for Ken. If we did not lose back then, I would have remained conceited for far too long. Perhaps I wouldn't have improved at all over these past 5 years." Leo said, deep in thought.
"Ah, I'm sure that's not true…" Trent replied, feeling a little awkward. He had never seen the Captain like this before, which made him feel a little uneasy.
Leo turned to him wearing his usual expression, "I am stating a fact Trent. Are you saying that you know more about me than I do?" He asked coolly.
"Ah… N—No. Not at all." He replied lamely.
Leo then continued walking, leaving both Justin and Trent behind. The two looked at each other oddly, it seemed neither had expected this sort of reaction.
"Wait for us Captain."
They caught back up and made their way into the campus, heading towards the facilities. As usual, the coach had organized a film study session following the game. This was something that he did regardless of winning or losing.
Coach Ivor Rodgers had been the coach for the University of Florida for over 15 years and had led them to glory on multiple occasions. The man was strict, but had an undying love for the sport and his players.
There was word that he'd been offered Head Coaching contracts from the Majors but he turned them all down. He wanted to find the diamonds in the rough and polish them as best he could.
This was why UF had many walk on's compared to the other colleges. Just the coach's name alone was enough to draw in prospects from across the country.
However, Coach Rodgers could not control every aspect of recruitment. He had been alarmed to find out that his scouts were using certain tactics that were on the borderline of coercion.
As such, he had decided that this would be his last year as the UF Head Coach, though only he knew at this moment.
The man walked into the room where he'd spent a good chunk of his 45 years and felt a sense of melancholy. He saw the faces of his players watching him expectantly and couldn't help but let out a sigh.
He suddenly felt every bit of his 45 years, if not even more. This was one of his best teams in recent years, mainly because of a single player. Leo Cameron.
When he had first met the boy, it was back when he had been a part of the U13 US National Team. Back then, Leo's eyes showed a certain contempt for others, barely hidden.
He was brilliant, but conceited. No one was worthy of facing him, at least at his own age and he had never been humbled before. Even as Coach Rodgers tried to get the kid to open up, he was met with a polite, yet cool indifference.
Therefore when the Coach had seen the boy again when he was about to graduate High School, he was shocked to see just how different he was. While he still held himself the same way, the arrogance and conceit had been relinquished, replaced by a calm and calculating demeanor.
Leo had sought him out on his own volition, he could still remember the scene like it was yesterday.
"Can you help me improve?" The teen asked, a rare vulnerability laced in his tone.
"Only you can improve yourself Leo." Coach Rodgers replied, "But I can provide the facilities and give you the tools to do so. The rest will be up to you."
Leo was silent for a while before he nodded. "Then I will come to UF. Thank you."
Coach Rodgers was at a loss. How had he secured the number 1 High School recruit with merely a few words? He would never know. It was only a few weeks later that he found out the reason for the changes.
Sitting at home he watched the replay of the U18 World Cup finals. He sat on the edge of his seat watching the masterful duel taking place in front of him.
The tall figure on the mound was relentless despite his obvious exhaustion. Ivor could hardly believe that the kid was 15. If he was the same age as Leo, the game might already be over.