Chapter 5

I don't know what it was. Instinct. Adrenalin. Pure luck. 

But in that moment, as my eyes locked on the ball speeding towards me, something snapped into place. My body moved on its own. I placed a leg back with my hands already reaching to catch it. In reality it all happened in a few seconds. But time moved slower for me. 

I caught the ball, the force only nudged me back slightly. 

“Oh my goodness, Anaya, are you okay?” Seth asked, grabbing my shoulders gently. I still felt a light humming sensation under my skin. I nodded without looking at him.

I stared at the ball in my hands, twisting it, observing the details. And before I knew what I was doing, I was fully stepping into the playing field. The guys who had been practicing were watching now. One told me to just toss him the ball. 

“Pigeon, what are you doing?” 

I didn't have the answer to that myself. 

I looked up at the ring several feet away from where I stood. I took a deep breath, and without hesitation, I fixed my stance and hurled the ball. A second passed. Then two. Then another. And then—

The ball went in. 

I heard gasps of sticks, murmurs, some people applauding. 

“Damn. What was that?” Seth asked, pulling me off the pitch. I just stared at my hands, equally as confused.

“I-I don't know.” 

I felt someone's eyes piercing into my soul. I looked and of course it was Cade. He stood by a corner some feet away just staring at me. I couldn't make out what he was thinking or what was running through his mind. 

“Impressive.” I heard a deep scratchy voice as a man in his mid forties approached us. “You ever thought about trying out for the team?” 

“Who? Me?”

The man gave a small nod of approval and introduced himself as the team coach.

“Oh no. That's not for me… I just, umm… it was beginner's luck.” 

“I haven't seen such a powerful throw since Cade's first try out. I'm telling you kid, you've got something in there. Try outs tomorrow. Think about it.” 

I blinked and remained frozen after he left. What just happened? 

Seth's voice brought me out of my daze. “I'm telling you pigeon, that took some talent. I'd been training at least a month before I could land a throw that far.” 

“I'm a girl Seth, I don't know much about this game but I'm pretty sure there's like two female players in the entire league. And didn't you say first years never get in?”

“No… I said rarely. Cade got in as a first year and you just heard our coach. Your throw was as good as his.” 

Somewhere within our conversation Cade had drawn closer and he didn't seem very pleased with the on going comparisons between him and me. 

“Don't let them fill your head with nonsense. It was beginner's luck at best.” 

I turned to him, already offended that he thought so lowly of me.

“So you're saying I don't have what it takes to make the team?” 

“Precisely. So save yourself the trouble and don't come back here tomorrow.” 

That sounded like a challenge. One I was not ready to back down from. 

“Care to make things interesting?” Seth was already nudging me and whispering for me to stop. 

“Why, suddenly you don't believe in me anymore?”

“No, that's not the case. I just think betting is unhealthy.” 

I gave him a weird look that kept him quiet and I turned back to Cade. 

“You should listen to Seth. This isn't a bet you win.” 

I smiled. “If I make the team, you have to buy me lunch for the entire month.”

He scoffed but I could see a smile playing on his lips. “When I win, you have to apologise to me in front of the entire common room.” 

“Deal.” 

“Oh dear.” Seth whispered behind me. 

Cade smirked and walked away, Seth decided to accompany me back to my room. He noticed my packed things immediately.

“Why haven't you unpacked yet?”

“Umm, nothing. I've just been too lazy.”

He shook his head. Then he nudged towards the other bed. “Your roommate still hasn't resumed?”

“Nope. Maybe she'll just never come.” 

“Doubtful, it's normal for some people to resume as late as the third week. But one can dream.” 

I jumped into bed, kicking off my shoes, “So any chance you can have me ready for tryouts in one night?” 

Seth gave me an ‘I told you so’ look but I just begged and begged, reminding him that I wouldn't have even considered it in the first place if not for him. Eventually he gave in and told me to meet him back at the arena before lights out.

Needless to say, the training was a lot, there were more theoretical things to learn than I'd imagined. Game rules, number of players and roles of players, stances, scores tallying... it was an unending list.

I could barely move properly the next day and I was sure that alone would hinder my performance. I only got two hours to nap before I had to get ready for the day and attend classes like my bones weren't dying.

And then came the moment of truth. Try outs. As I walked into the arena with Seth by my side, I clocked Cade with Sierra standing by his side. Cade barely acknowledged me but I could practically see the confidence oozing off him. Sierra gave me a condescending look which I ignored. 

“Don't let them sike you out. You've got this. Just remember what I taught you and use your speed and agility to your advantage. The other players will be stronger and more offensive but you can outsmart them.” Seth whispered as I saw the long line of people waiting to try out all of them and only six of us would make it to the team. 

Suddenly I wasn't feeling too confident in those odds.