Leon arrived at Veltins-Arena at his normal time on the twenty-first of January, 2018. The day might not seem significant to most, but to him, it was an important one; it was the first day he would play in a match since announcing that he was moving to Bayern in the summer. He was nervous as constant anxiety had overtaken him ever since word had gotten out about his future plans.

Leon knew the fans probably wouldn't be too happy about him switching to Bayern, as they thought he was doing it for the money. What they didn't know however was that it was more about his future goals rather than the money. In fact, Schalke had offered him two million Euros more per year to stay than his new team did, but he rejected the offer.

The media also said that he left to win championships, but didn't everyone? His decision didn't focus on that either though— it was more so that he was worried that he would end up somewhere he didn't want to be.

This past year one of Max and Leon's closest friends, Benedikt Höwedes, had been sent out on loan to Juventus from Schalke. This may not appear to be a big deal to most, but to the Schalke players, especially the ones who had been at the club for a while, this was a punch to the gut. Benni was their captain, their leader, and the club just loaned him out like he was just an average player— but Benni wasn't. It probably sounded foolish that Leon was so worried about this, but he didn't want to be like his friend— he wanted to be in charge of his future. And to be honest, Leon thought that leaving Schalke, as hard as it was for him, was the only way to accomplish this.

These thoughts clouded his mind while he walked towards the Veltins-Arena entrance with a few of his teammates. Leon tried to drown out the jeers and boos, but it was so hard. Some people had called him a 'Bayern-pig' or even 'Judas' when he entered the arena that morning. His training yesterday didn't go well either, as there was a very persistent fan who told Leon that 'he was lucky there were kids there, otherwise he'd pull him off the pitch himself.'

Leon knew that his decision would cause some backlash, but he didn't think it would be this bad. Honestly, he didn't know how he would make it through the next five months if tensions stayed this high.

∞

"Leon, just try to ignore it, alright? They're just hurt, they don't understand your situation, okay? Just go out there and give it your all—give them a reason to cheer for you and not against you."

The sad Schalke boy nodded his head before his best friend ruffled up his hair a bit. "It's you and me, Leon. It always has been, and it always will be even if we play on different teams. You'll always be right here for me," Max pounded on his chest where his heart was located before pulling Leon off the wooden bench he was sitting on in Schalke's locker room.

"Yeah, we got you Leon, don't worry," Amine Harit patted him on the back as they lined up for warm ups.

Leon shot his teammates a small smile, but as he ran out with the rest of the Schalke team, the boos were deafening. It was even worse when he saw a banner in the front section that said, 'Neither money nor trophies are worth more than our club! Anyone who doesn't understand that can piss off!' He averted his eyes higher, but that didn't help as there was another banner which accused him of 'letting down a 1,000 friends in favor of emotionless titles and shallow twits.'

He tried to act unbothered, but deep-down it was destroying him. Leon had given his heart and soul to this club the past five years, and sure, he might not have went about his move the right way, but there was just so much pressure on him. It had been consuming him, and by the time he signed the pre-contract with Bayern, he just wanted it all to be over.

"You okay, Leon?" Max asked him inconspicuously while continuing to stretch.

"I'm about as good as I can be, but as much as I love you, Max, you shouldn't be talking to me. I don't want them to start insulting you because you're talking to me— that's not fair to you."

"Well it's not fair to you either, Leon!" Max shouted, waving his arms in the air. "You've done so much for this club and we wouldn't be half as good without you! It's just not fair!"

"It is though, Max. I betrayed their trust, and for that, I deserve this treatment."

∞

"Leon Goretzka!" His name boomed through the arena, but it was met with whistles of distaste and boos. The boy in blue ran out as he usually did, but today, unlike usual, he did it with a heavy heart.

Schalke had the ball first, and Leon was trying his hardest to prove to this club that he was going to give them everything he had until his contract ended. Things weren't really going his way though. His teammates weren't passing him the ball much because they didn't want him to have to hear the boos that ensued everytime he kicked the ball. There was one time however that reminded him of the times before he announced his pre-contract. They were just rolling the ball to one another, and when the ball was kicked to Leon, the crowd forgot to whistle at him. It was one of his favorite moments of the match.

Luckily for his team, in the forty-first minute, Marko Pjaca scored for Schalke. The crowd went wild, and his teammates, including Leon, rushed over to congratulate him on his first goal for the Royal Blues. Shortly after that, the whistle blew for halftime. An emotionally drained Leon Goretzka sprinted to the locker room and put his head into his hands. His coach, Domenico Tedesco was the first to console him.

"It's going to be okay, Leon," He patted his back encouragingly. "Can you continue playing or do you want me to pull you? We can tell the media that your injury was acting up so they don't think it's because of the fans."

"I want to play coach. I'm sorry I hurt you and the fans, I am. I'm worried if you pull me though, I'll never see the pitch here again."

"You know if that happened, it wouldn't be my decision, right? I want you on the pitch, Leon. Schalke needs you, even if it's just for a few more months. Please don't give up on them, even if they've already given up on you," His coach tousled his hair before walking off to address the rest of the team.

Leon knew that his coach was taking his decision hard. He had not only a professional relationship with the young German international, but a personal one as well. Leon considered him a friend and a confidant, even though his coach was ten years his senior. He was worried that his move now would jeopardize that as well.

For Leon, the losses he had suffered in the past few weeks were becoming immeasurable, and he wasn't sure how he was going to be able to come back from them.

∞

The second half began with Hannover receiving the ball straight away. The game was going fine, but there wasn't much happening for Schalke's offense. Amine Harit was having a spectacular night, but was having a hard time turning it into anything productive.

In the fifty-fourth minute, Leon had a challenge when he was pushed to the ground. Because he was now considered an enemy of the Royal Blues, instead of howling at the other team for their aggressive actions, they jeered at Leon instead. In that moment, he could've just stayed on the ground and never got up; he felt that defeated. Looking for the smallest sliver of hope, he glanced at the Schalke box, searching for the face he so dearly needed to see right now. Much to his dismay though, she wasn't there. Emilia wasn't there.

He craned his neck, looking for someone to help him up, but no one offered their hands. Leon didn't blame them; he wouldn't want to help him if he was his teammate, either. Finally, ten minutes later he was taken out of the game. He shook hands with everyone on the bench before taking a seat; he couldn't wait for this day to be over.

∞

The match ended up 1-1, unfortunately. Leon applauded his teammates as they came off the pitch and trudged back to the locker room with them. There, Coach Tedesco began his pep talk to the group of men.

"So I know this isn't exactly the result we wanted today, but we have time to improve before next week. Just remember that we're a team, and as long as each and everyone of you is signed to a Schalke contract, you're brothers. Keep that in mind when the media tries to pin you against one another," He scanned his men before settling his eyes on Leon's.

"I admire and respect each and every one of you and I expect the same from each of you. Now, if you're expected in front of the media, get changed and ready to address them. Otherwise, go ahead and shower. Practice will resume tomorrow as scheduled."

With that, Coach Tedesco went to the press conference where plenty of reporters were probably wanting to talk about not only the result of the day, but Leon as well.

∞

Fifteen minutes after the coaches speech, Leon was dressed in a Schalke shirt and sweatpants ready to talk to the sea of reporters waiting for him. He welcomed their questions as it was really the first time they have been able to talk to him since Bayern and Schalke announced his transfer.

"Anyone have a question for me?" He asked the media.

A man raised his hand and Leon called him as if they were in school. "Yes, Leon, what did you think of the day today? Not just the win, but the response from the fans? It must be hard for you to have your club booing you," The man posed the question to the young German.

Leon paused, wanting to make sure his answer was well thought out. He decided to answer both calculated and honestly "These days have been the most difficult of my career. It was a special situation for me. I'm glad that the atmosphere remained positive overall. I understand that some fans showed their displeasure and disappointment. The boos hurt of course."

To say that the jeering hurt would be an understatement, but he wasn't going to tell the reporters that. It would just make the situation worse. "Any other questions?"

"Are you hoping that Schalke transfers you to Bayern so you can join them in January?"

"Join Bayern in January? Schalke have always made it clear that my options are either extend my contract or stay till the summer. That's my clear plan. I will stay here and give my all until the end of the season."

The Schalke boy really did want to finish his time at this club. He hoped that he didn't have to do it from the stands as that was what some rumors were saying, but if it was, so be it.

Bayern has made it very clear that they only wanted Leon on a free transfer, and wouldn't sign him earlier than June 30th when his contract with Schalke ended.

"One more question, then I really do need to head out," Leon addressed the group.

"Leon," A brunette woman moved her microphone in front of his face. "How did you make your decision? Certainly you had to realize there would be backlash to your move, correct?"

Leon took a deep breath, trying to internalize his reply. He didn't want to seem like he didn't enjoy playing for Schalke, because he did. He had made some of his closest friends there, and wouldn't change his time there for anything in the world, however he thought it was time for a change. Plus, Bayern was a great club, and he was excited to play with Joshua, and grow with him as both teammates and friends.

"I thought so long about my decision. It was a long process. I listened to myself then decided where I wanted to go and where my goals are."

The reporter nodded, signaling that Leon's answer was sufficient enough. With that, he turned on his heels back to the locker room to grab his bag. Much to his dismay, the lights were on, but everyone else had left already. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, Leon dragged his feet back to his car, barely keeping it together.

Like he had said in his interview, this was probably one of the most difficult days of his career. Leon couldn't imagine having to endure five more months of unhappy Schalke fans— it was a hell which he created all by himself, and he was about to burn himself alive.