I’m nervous about how I’m going to tell the girls today. Ithink I’m going to tell them during the football match that Allie actually wants to watch. I’ve been here for two years, and I have never watched a game. Why would anyone sit around and watch people kick a ball around? It boggles my mind.
But Allie was adamant, and she’s damn stubborn. We also have an agreement that we try to support each other’s hobbies where we can. She likes the sport, but she won’t play due to the sweat and dirt that are part of it. And Heaven, well, she says you get to see hot, sweaty boys, and she’s all for that. If only I had a reason to watch the games...
“Here are your Schattensicht devices.” Ms Delfino hands both Shahira and me the sleek black device that looks something between a watch and a wrist cuff.
Oh, hot damn, we’re getting these… It’s just proof of how serious it is, being where we are. These devices let us communicate with our team, send messages and photos, track one another, recognise poisons in the air, show us maps and many other things. It’s a touch screen that also includes a holographic 3D touch screen.
“Make sure you have your division leader link them up for you, so you are able to communicate and are connected to your team.” Ms Delfino tells us.
I nod. “Thank you.”
After that, I leave Ms Delfino’s office and head towards the football pitch. I glance up at the sky. The sun is out, and it’s pretty warm today. I look down at the hoodie I had put on, feeling warm already. Reaching the bleachers that surround the pitch, I spot Heaven and Allie sitting together. Allie is in all black with her hood up, her arms resting on her thighs, and Heaven is wearing a white dress. She’s waving a little flag with a black and silver wolf on it.
Really?
I run up the stairs and sit down next to Heaven. “Why are you waving a flag? This isn’t even a proper match, it’s just practice.”
“Let’s just show our support, plus I got a few smiles.” She winks at me, and I raise an eyebrow.
“I see,” I smile before shaking my head. “Do either of you have a hair tie? I’m so hot.”
“Take off that horrible hoodie,” Heaven remarks, scrunching her nose at what I’m wearing as Allie holds out a black hair tie.
“It doesn’t stay in my hair. You can keep it.”
“Thanks.” I smile at her, taking it. I bend over, pulling out my waist-length hair from my hoodie and let it fall forward so I can gather it all up. I comb my fingers through it before I put it in a high ponytail on top of my head, instantly feeling better with it off my neck, cooling the heat that is burning my skin a little.
The game soon begins. There are eleven players on each team. I spot a few familiar faces: Valerian, Jayce, Ares, Asher Nicholson and a couple others I know from sparring.
Jayce is the team captain for our Academy team and, according to Allie, he’s a striker, meaning he kicks the ball into the net or something. The game rules are pretty much lost on me, although I’ve seen many football matches on TV. I never really paid attention to the rules, nor has there been a reason to, but… I find my eyes following Jayce throughout the match.
He’s playing on the team with the red band right now, his black shorts come just above his knees, and his socks are right up to his knees, but every time he kicks, I can see his muscles flex in his trained legs.
He runs his fingers through his hair a few times or shakes his head when his hair gets in his eyes. Shifters playing football aredifferent. It’s far more intense than what you see on TV. They play harder and faster. They’re all sweating as they keep up, trying to outdo one another.
I set up my Schattensicht, so it’s ready for whenever Jayce can link it.
There are a lot of people watching, and it’s getting stuffier or it feels like that, anyway. I soon give in and pull off my hoodie, placing it on my knees as I fix the strap of my bra, so it’s hidden under my short-sleeved white t-shirt.
I reach up and tighten my hair tie when I feel that familiar burning sensation ofhisgaze. My heart thumps, and I look down, my eyes finding his. Then, under a trick of the light, it’s as if his eyes just trailed over me, but it’s just a trick of the light, nothing more.
The sound of cheering makes Jayce turn sharply, and I realise the other team has scored.
I see the irritation on his face as he turns to his team. He really doesn’t like to lose...
He pauses, his jaw flexing, and I see his eyes flick this way, but it’s fleeting before he runs off.
“So, there’s something I wanted to talk to you guys about,” I whisper. “Switch.”
Heaven cocks a brow before she allows me to squeeze between them both. She mutters a spell, creating a barrier around us so no one can hear.
“Are you about to tell us you like one of my cousins?” Allie asks in a deadpan voice.
“NO!” I hiss, my cheeks heating. “Never.”
Allie gives me a blank look, but simply raises an eyebrow.“So, what do you want to share?”
I swallow, knowing I’m choosing this place as they can’t just scream at me openly, and, hopefully, they’ll calm down by the time they get me alone.
