Alpha's Stolen Mate

Chapter 7

It was a Friday morning, and Thea was excited to get to school. There could be a couple of reasons for her hysteric glamour. One being the fact that her aunt had talked to her mother and she was fine with them living with her. Two, being the fact that after one unsuccessful psychological therapy session, she'd managed to convince her aunt that she shouldn't burden herself with unnecessary expenses like paying for a psychologist, because she was doing great, both academically and socially. And talking about her social ventures, Thea had been talking to Conrad Ashford for the past two weeks. They had exchanged email addresses and mobile numbers last week Tuesday after their training sessions, and the communication was promising a potential romantic adventure. And him being the first boy to ever find an interest in her, she was up to anything to make it work. Despite the possibly age difference between the two, Thea swore to not even give it a thought.

She stood in her bedroom, the soft glow of the morning sun filtering through the sheer curtains, casting a warm light across her room. Her eyes were fixed on the mirror in front of her as she adjusted the hair tie in her high ponytail, making sure it sat just right. She stepped back and took in her full reflection, her cheerleading uniform hugging her athletic frame.

She ran a hand down the side of her skirt, smoothing out an imaginary wrinkle, and took a deep breath. “You’ve got this,” she whispered to herself, a small smile tugging at her lips. The uniform, with its navy blue and gold colors, made her feel confident and strong, like she could conquer anything.

Her mind wandered to the upcoming cluster football tournament. The pressure was on, and everyone was counting on the cheerleading team to do what they do best. Being a flyer wasn’t just about the cheers and stunts; it was about representing her school and inspiring her teammates.

Thea tilted her head, examining her reflection more closely. Her brown eyes sparkled with determination. She flexed her arms, feeling the muscles she had worked so hard to build, and nodded to herself.

“You’ve worked for this,” she thought. “You’ve earned this.”

She turned away from the mirror, grabbing her pom-poms from the bed, and took one last glance at herself. “Let’s do this,” she said, her voice filled with resolve. With a final nod, she left her bedroom, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with the confidence and poise of a true leader.

Downstairs, her sister had her netball attire on. Like the cheerleading outfit, the netball's one was also navy blue and gold. They both had AHS letters written on them, but Delphine's one was written at the back of her dress and in the front, were the letters WD.

Aunt Leah looked at them with so much admiration in her eyes. "My girls," she said smiling at both of them.

Rocking their New Balance sneakers, the girls followed their aunt to the car.

Fifteen minutes later, they were at school. Thea was eager to get to their classroom, for her third reason for her excitement was waiting for her there. Conrad Ashford.

He was waiting for his lucky charm she'd promised him last night.

Smiling at herself, she made her way to their classroom. She'd fifteen minutes to spare before she could go up to her team for a final warm up.

***

Conrad was having time of his life. He'd managed to get one of the girls, and he already had a plan in motion of how to get the other one without them knowing.

As the door of the classroom creaked open, she walked in. Looking mesmerizing in her cheerleading attire. Unlike her usual hairstyle, today she'd her bohemian braids in a flattering, dimensional ponytail, leaving a few curls flowing freely over her high cheekbones. He watched her as she slowly made her way towards him. He didn't attempt to meet her halfway. He couldn't afford to look like he was impatient. Though he couldn't wait to taste her lips that were so kiss-inspiring, pillow soft, and looking like velvets.

"Hi," she whispered, a smile plastered beautifully on her lips.

"Hi there," he said, pulling her closer. She chuckled, placing her arms around his neck. He was still standing leaning against the teacher's desk, and even with his posture bent, she was still undoubtedly short.

"Conrad, I..." She started but her voice caught in her throat.

Conrad's eyes, deep and soulful, met hers with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "Thea, you don't have to say anything," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. He took a step closer, his hand gently cupping her cheek. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down her spine.

For a moment, they just stood there, their foreheads touching, eyes closed, breathing in each other's presence. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in this perfect, suspended moment.

Then, Conrad's lips brushed against hers, tentative and soft, as if seeking permission. Thea responded instinctively, her hands finding their way to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, a mingling of longing, tenderness, and the unspoken promise of blissful momemts. His lips were warm and tasted faintly of salt from the sea air. She felt the strength in his arms as he wrapped them around her, holding her as if she might disappear.

Time seemed to stand still as they kissed, the world around them forgotten. It was a kiss filled with the raw intensity of their shared connection. Thea felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes, but they were tears of release, of letting go of the past and embracing what lay ahead.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless. Conrad rested his forehead against hers, his fingers gently tracing the outline of her face. "You're something else, Thea McKenna," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the shrieks and laughters of learners and fans from outside.

A smile tagged at her lips, and her heart swelled with a mix of joy and relief.

Biting her lower lip, she said, "I hope you do well in the game,"

"That's a sure thing, cutie pie. After all, I got my lucky charm," he said, winking at her. She chuckled, her cheeks reddening.

He kissed her on the cheek, before he left.

***

The soccer tournament was a riot of color and sound, the football pitch a bustling epicenter surrounded by clusters of exuberant cheerleading squads, each bringing their own unique flair and energy. The air buzzed with excitement, a palpable mix of competitive spirit and team pride. Brightly colored uniforms glinted in the sunlight, each squad's attire a distinctive blend of their school colors and mascot themes, from bold reds and blues to vibrant greens and yellows to navy blue and gold.

To the east of the pitch, the Lincoln Lions' cheerleaders erupted into a synchronized routine, their gold and black pom-poms flashing in unison as they executed intricate flips and tumbles with precision. Their chants rang out clear and strong, urging their team forward with every beat. The rhythmic thud of their acrobatic landings echoed like a heartbeat, steady and powerful.

On the south side, the Riverside Raptors' squad from Swakopmund Academy captivated the audience with a high-energy performance, their green and silver outfits shimmering under the bright sky. They formed towering human pyramids, each layer perfectly balanced and exuding strength. As the crowd gasped in awe, the cheerleaders at the top unfurled a large banner bearing their team's emblem, eliciting a roar of approval from their supporters.

Directly across, the Maplewood Mustangs brought a different flavor, their routine a blend of hip-hop dance moves and traditional cheers. Their maroon and white uniforms contrasted sharply with the lush green of the field, and their dynamic choreography, filled with spins, jumps, and sharp motions, kept all eyes riveted. The beats of their music thumped through the air, mingling with the sounds of the game and the rhythmic clapping of their fans.

Near the north end, the Ashford Stars took a more classic approach, their blue and gold cheer squad executing perfectly timed stunts and formations. Their voices blended harmoniously in chants that swelled and receded like waves, rallying their team with each crescendo. The sight of their flyers soaring gracefully through the air before landing seamlessly back in formation was nothing short of mesmerizing.

On the pitch, the Ashford High FC would have a face off in about ten minutes, with their hometown rivalry, the Swakopmund Academy FC. Last year, Ashford High had won the cluster tournament and the regional tournament as well, when they beat Swakopmund Academy five nill at the finals, thereby ending their five years winning streak. This month, Ashford had trained effectively and efficiently that they were confident they'd win the match, though it was just a friendly game. They were willing to show everyone why they were the champions.

The stadium buzzed with electric anticipation, the air thick with the roar of thousands of fans from the Ashford High sitting area as the number 10, their star player, took center stage. Conrad Ashford, the attacking player scored a head-trick last year in their regional soccer tournament. Thus, another layer of fame and recognition was added to his already exiting exciting reputation. Despite being a playboy, girls were willing to have him as a boyfriend just for the fame and money and respect. It'd been a month since his last break up, and every girl in the school knew he'd eyes on the new girl. They were however praying silently for the new girl to lose her freshness and new scent, in order for Conrad to get tired of her and move on to the next willing girl.

As the whistle blew, he sprang into action, moving with a grace that seemed almost effortless.

With a quick glance, one of his teammates spotted him making a run. And in a flash, he executed a perfectly timed pass, threading the ball through a forest of legs with pinpoint accuracy. The crowd erupted in applause, a wave of admiration surging through the stands. Jonas held onto the ball brilliantly and droped it back to Conrad, who thundered a low strike towards the goal. The goal made an attempt to block it but failed. And so Ashford took the lead.

After the second half, Ashford were level with only a few minutes left to play. Deon had the ball on the left, and he lifted a cross towards the back post, with Joel rising high to head it back to Conrad, who fired his low shot in off the left post.

Ashford had a late chance. Jonas, one of the middle fielders made a late run into the box, a defender lunging at him, but with a deft flick of his ankle, he evaded the challenge, leaving the opponent grasping at thin air, to get onto the end of a cutback but directed his first-time effort just wide of the bottom-right corner.

It was an effortless three one win for Ashford High. The crowd's deafening cheers echoed their school anthem. A proud moment for the fans, knowing that their school had orchestrated yet another unforgettable performance.