#gercam

"It's too late..."

Ludwig looked at Philémon, worried. There was regret in his gaze that broke Ludwig's heart.

Both were promising football players, with a great future ahead of them – or no longer.

Philémon had broken his leg and, in the worst of circumstances, would never return to play again.

It had panicked him. He dreamed of being a great player. Football was one of his great passions, and yet fate had to take that pleasure away from him.

So tragic.

Ludwig clutched Philémon's hand affectionately.

"You aren't usually so pressimist," he commented. His hand trembled, but Ludwig tried to be strong. "The doctor said that with time and with therapy you can play again. You have to believe in him."

"But the opposite can also happen."

"You should believe in yourself too... I believe in you," Ludwig bit his lip. He didn't know what to say or do. He wasn't good to motivate others.

Those words, however, made Philémon smile and shake Ludwig's hand back.