Chapter Thirteen: Reflexes
562 Words
The day felt normal.
Almost.
Elara sat in the bleachers overlooking the football field.
A book rested comfortably in her lap.
Sydney was down on the field with the cheerleaders.
Laughing.
Practicing routines.
Having fun.
Elara occasionally looked up from her book to watch her friend.
Then went back to reading.
Peaceful.
Exactly how she liked it.
Unfortunately...
peace never lasted long around Jace Ryder.
Down on the field, Jace adjusted his gloves.
Then spotted her.
Immediately.
Sitting alone.
Reading.
Ignoring him.
Again.
His eye twitched.
Mason noticed.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"I know that look."
Jace smirked.
"You do?"
"Yes."
Mason pointed toward Elara.
"Leave her alone."
"I'm not doing anything."
"That's a lie."
"It's not."
"It absolutely is."
Jace grabbed the football.
Mason groaned.
"Jace."
"What?"
"Don't."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Jace grinned.
Then launched the football.
Hard.
The ball shot across the field.
Straight toward Elara.
Students immediately noticed.
A few even winced.
The football was moving fast.
Very fast.
Elara didn't even look up.
Not once.
The ball reached her.
And—
THWACK.
Her hand shot out.
The football stopped instantly.
Caught.
One-handed.
Without her eyes ever leaving the book.
The entire field went silent.
Jace blinked.
Mason blinked.
The football team blinked.
Even Sydney froze.
Slowly...
very slowly...
Elara lowered her book.
Then looked toward the field.
The football rested casually in her hand.
The silence became awkward.
"Well."
One player spoke.
"That was terrifying."
Sydney immediately started laughing.
Jace pointed.
"Give me the ball back."
Elara stood.
Book tucked beneath one arm.
The football in the other.
Then she smiled.
A dangerous smile.
"You want the ball, puppy?"
The entire football team froze.
Mason covered his face.
"No..."
Jace's jaw tightened.
"No."
Elara raised the football.
"Come and get it."
Several players immediately backed away.
Because they knew exactly where this was heading.
Jace started walking toward the bleachers.
Fast.
Very fast.
Mason followed.
Mostly to stop a murder.
"Jace."
"No."
"Jace."
"No."
"Jace."
"NO."
By the time he reached the bleachers, Elara was waiting.
Completely calm.
Completely relaxed.
Which somehow made him angrier.
"Give me the ball."
"Ask nicely."
"I'd rather eat glass."
Elara nodded.
"Reasonable answer."
Several students laughed.
Jace glared at them.
The laughter somehow got worse.
Then Elara tossed the football.
Jace caught it immediately.
For one brief moment, it looked like peace had finally been achieved.
Then Elara leaned closer.
Her voice low enough that only he could hear.
"You know..."
Jace narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
"I've been thinking."
"Dangerous."
"About the wolf who attacked me."
The smile disappeared from Jace's face.
Immediately.
Elara noticed.
Interesting.
"You seem awfully interested."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Liar."
Jace folded his arms.
"And you're annoying."
"At least I'm not a dog."
"I'm not a dog."
"You literally are."
"A wolf."
"Big dog."
Mason groaned.
"Not this again."
"A wolf."
"Dog."
"A wolf."
"Dog."
The argument continued.
And somehow...
half the school gathered to watch.
Not because they hated either of them.
But because seeing Elara and Jace argue had become weirdly entertaining.
By the end of practice, nobody remembered the football.
Nobody remembered the cheerleaders.
Nobody remembered the game.
What they remembered was Elara Vale and Jace Ryder arguing over whether wolves counted as dogs.
Again.
And judging by the smiles around them...
it wasn't the last time.
- Writer
