Chapter 6

Anaya’s POV 

Did I mention that this was a bad idea?

Well, as though the day couldn't get any worse, I drew the short straw. Which meant I got to join the last group of students for tryouts!

The.last.group!

Why couldn't I go first? At least that way the on lookers would forget about me by the third group's turn.

Seth was in the said third group and he kept sending me encouraging looks that weren't really helpful if I was being honest.

“Listen up everyone!” The coach's voice boomed across the field. Everyone stood to attention, especially those already on the team. I felt my stomach tighten more as nerves took over.

“We have already sorted everyone into groups of seven by the straw lots. Now we will be discussing a few ground rules to guide this particular try outs. If you disregard any of these rules I will haul you out of here through the windows! We accept zero compromises on my pitch!” The coach said to everyone listening but I felt a crushing weight on my chest.

Someone scoffed behind me and I turned on surprise to see who the brave fellow was but it saw Sierra instead.

What now?!

“I see they actually give charity cases chances out here. I thought it was a myth or something the school posted to look good on paper!” Sierra said to me in a stage whisper. Anyone who had a mind to listen in could hear her clearly and the giggles I heard after her words were delivered told me that she was heard.

I said nothing in response and tried to focus on what the Coach was saying.

Sierra was just an awful itch that wasn't going to go away anytime soon.

“The team always consists of thirty students, which means for every key position on the bench we have 2 people on standby. This piece of information is very crucial to you because I not only need to see that you can actually play and keep up with the speed of the game but that you are quite capable of working with others to achieve laid out goals!

We are in dire need to build our defense players, doesn't mean other positions aren't available but that is our priority. You either make the cut or you don't. Go pick your team bands and only enter the pitch when you are called,” Coach said to us and we moved in the direction that he gestured us to.

Sierra scoff followed me behind but I didn't pay her any attention. She might hate me, the feeling is truly mutual, but I wasn't going to let it affect me today. Not that I was sure about today but the least I could do was do it properly.

Just as I placed the band on my arm, my arm was pulled and I turned to see Care staring at me as he fastened the band securely on my arm.

“Your apology better be stellar, I don't mind you kneeling for it, but make sure it's truly heartfelt!” Cade said to me in a quiet voice that would have been used to convert encouragement.

I opened my mouth a couple of times to respond but I couldn't find the words through the haze of rage that was clouding my vision.

“Pigeon? Coach wants everyone lined up on that side of the field,” Seth's voice cut through to me before the words were fully formed in my head.

“I'm going to order a full course meal every single day for the rest of the semester! Good luck explaining that to the Alpha!” I finally hissed at Cade before storming off after Seth who was just watching us from a distance.

“You know, the way you let him get to you is quite concerning,” Seth said to me, his voice sounding careful.

“I know, I know, but I can't seem to stop myself. I don't know why I'm doing this,” I said as we got to where the other students were gathered for tryouts. It was truly uncomfortable being the only girl among them. Failure was guaranteed in this.

“Hey! You are the most resourceful person that I know, and if there's going to be a way for you to win this, you will certainly find it. I'm rooting for you, Pigeon, and I know you have it in you,” Seth said to me and I signed deeply.

His words were sweet but reality was moving in opposite directions as his words.

Suddenly, there was an earthquake. Or at least what I thought was an earthquake. The floor underneath us shifted and then the area began moving upwards, like we were levitating. I had questions, a lot of questions, but as I saw the scenery around change I got my answers.

The pitch looked exactly how it looked on television, I just didn't realize that the pitch itself was suspended in the air.

The team members were on the other side of the pitch and were even moving around despite the pitch gently spinning on its axis.

“Keep your body parts inside the drawn lines behind you at all times. Falling off the platform or trying to discover how we are suspended in the air might just be the last thing you do on this side of heaven. 

Now, you will be going up against the team players in groups. To make this a little fair, your group of seven will go against a group of four of them. The goal keeper, a striker, a midfielder and a defense player. Good luck! May the best be selected!” The coach announced and the first team took their position where they were told to.

When the team mates stepped forward my heart began to beat in over drive as I watched Cade take his position in front of the goal post. His smirk had me once again questioning my life choices.

If he was going to be the one guarding the goal post, how on earth was any of us going to score something?!

I felt someone squeeze my hand and squeezed his in response immediately. Only Seth would do that and I was right.

“Remember, you only have to do your best,” Seth said to me just as the Coach blew the whistle to begin the game.

The ball was tossed in the air by who I assumed was a midfielder and he followed it with serious momentum before kicking it at the try out team. 

To their credit they didn't run away as I imagined they would. They caught the ball, dibbled around each other, had a fair sense of team playing, but it all fell through when Cade seemed to catch the ball without even trying.

I was impressed with him, but then again, his ego needed a little deflating. 

The game went on for a few more minutes before the Coach blew the whistle to bring the game to an end.

The next team fell in line as they waited for the Coach’s signal to enter the pitch.

I joined the others to congratulate the first team but an announcement sent my already racing heart into overdrive.