Chapter 14: His First Practice

Date: September 21st, 2023

Location: Ellington Central Highschool, Principal’s Office

Time: 8:00 AM (Local)

Sophomore Year, 1st Semester

“Maybe, maybe I should just retire….” Principal Willow thinks to herself as she stares at Coach Selene. When the coach walked into her office first thing this morning, she did not expect to find herself in the conversation she was currently having. Coach Selene had her cellphone in her hand, ready to play the video Aiko had recorded. Coach Selene had her send the video to her phone the night before so she could show it to Principle Willow as evidence to her words. Principle Willow resigns herself to her fate and reaches her hand out for the phone. Coach Selene approaches and hands her phone to the principle as she makes herself comfortable in a chair. Ms. Willow pushes play, and watches Allen’s try out. Coach Selene watches as Ms. Willow’s eyes grow larger and her mouth hangs lower. Ms. Willow winces as Allen’s bullet rocks Sarah’s helmet back. She moves her eyes back and forth from the phone to Coach Selene as Sarah walks numbly to the bench and puts a towel to her nose in the video.

“He bloodied her nose THROUGH the facemask. I personally feel it was warranted. Allen was unprotected and Sarah was going to bury him. The boy will be able to handle himself. The Summertons signed the paperwork last night to let him play. We are legally covered, and I researched the league rules last night, boys can play if they so choose. It actually used to be quite common.” Coach Selene leans back in the chair and places one ankle on the opposite knee.

“And Ms. Abner?”

“She texted her boss and they okayed it.”

“Well, I guess I can’t argue. Might draw in a larger crowd and the boosters can use the extra money.”

Coach Selene lets a rare smile show. “We do need new pads.”

Allen currently sits at a packed table in the lunchroom. He decided to be brave today and actually got cheeseburgers and fries. Eve had okayed the beef. She only detected a few anomalies in the meat. She had informed Allen that the nanites would require more fuel since they didn’t know when he could take the booster pills that were issued to all Alliance military personnel with nanites. The pills contained minerals the nanites used to reproduce and repair themselves. Since he lacked those here, Allen would have to increase his food intake. His tray reflected this. Aiko, Kayla, Millie, Sasha, and Misty all stared in open shock at the three cheeseburgers and pile of fries on Allen’s plate. Without concern to the looks he was receiving not only from his table, but the surrounding ones as well, Allen shoveled food into his mouth with military precision and haste just like if he was seated in an Alliance Carrier’s chow hall.

“Did he pick up a tapeworm?” Misty whispers to Kayla. Kayla numbly shakes her head “no” as she watches Allen. A big part of her is impressed. Aiko is starting to do a complicated mathematical equation about Allen in her head. She didn’t know this, but Valorie and her math was coming out the same. Allen must have been grown in a lab in their minds. Aiko was mildly shocked that it didn’t affect her growing crush on Allen. As Kayla is watching Allen eat, a terrible and evil thought crosses her mind. It was high time that she introduced Allen to a time-honored tradition. A tradition that has been held since the first siblings walked the earth together. Time to haze her new, younger brother. Kayla keeps an eye on Allen as she surveys the trays in front of her. Finally, she spots suitable ammo on Millie’s plate. Kayla reached across and snatched the chosen weapon and places it on a spoon. She was about to break the Geneva Convention in the use of chemical weapons in warfare. She brings the spoon back and carefully aims, getting the timing down of Allen opening his mouth. Aiko’s eyes grow wide in shock at seeing the chemical weapon on Kayla’s makeshift trebuchet. Kayla counts down to one in her head and releases the pressure of her finger on the tip of the spoon. The vile substance arcs through the air as Allen opens his mouth for a fry. All eyes track the ordnance on its tract. Eve was concentrating on Allen’s nanites and had assumed they were temporarily safe in the company of allies. She had just made a grave mistake of trusting an older sibling. The munition lands perfectly in Allen’s mouth as the fry in his hand almost reached his lips. Allen closes his mouth in reflex and the chemical weapon is successfully delivered on target. The table stills. Allen Stills. The universe takes a breath. Eve’s attention snaps back to the forefront.

“Allen, I’m sorry, I’ve failed you. You have ingested the dreaded poison known as Jell-O. I will now perform Seppuku to redeem my honor!”

“AIKO! AVENGE ME!” Allen shouts as he grabs his throat and falls backwards out of his chair to the ground.

Allen stares across to Kayla in the gym. She’s trying to not meet his eyes, but the pressure of his stare draws her back in. When her eyes meet Allen’s, he gives her an evil and grim smile as he slowly drags a thumb across his throat. Coach Selene clears her throat after watching Allen and Kayla’s byplay.

“Line up and we’ll get the warmup out of the way. Afterwards we will play dodgeball. Kayla and Allen will be the two captains.”

Coach Selene wanted to see this conflict worked out before football practice. She didn’t want Allen to be distracted at his first practice. Also, her future playbook hinged on Allen’s arm and Kayla’s speed. Eve quickly explains to Allen what dodgeball is and his evil smile grows as he gets the jist of the game. Kayla starts to sweat and gulps loudly as she watches Allen. Allen sees traitorous belter scum across from him. Kayla sees a towering, relentless predator in his icy blue eyes. The surrounding students edge back from Allen as they notice his aura take on a beastly presence. Coach Selene is starting to doubt her idea and nervously blows her whistle to start warm up.

Ellington Central Highschool Football field, Practice

The bleachers seem a little more packed today. Word had gotten around school that a boy would be the new starting quarterback. Allen now had multiple spectators there for him. This also included Amy, Brad, and Principle Willow. They all had nervous looks on their faces as they watched Allen like a hawk. Coach Selene had set Allen up with pads and a jersey. Allen stood on the field in pads with his helmet in his hands. He sported a jersey with the number #18 on it. As Coach Selene talked to the girls about Allen being on the team, said girls constantly shot him furtive looks. Sarah stared straight at Allen with an unreadable look on her face. She had mixed feelings with him on the team. One side of her brain was telling her to protect Allen while her competitive side said to lay him out. She had gone home the night before and though about yesterday’s events. She still wanted to take him on a date. Coach Selene blew her whistle and the team started practice.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

On the top row of the bleachers, Brad, Amy, and Ms. Willow watched Allen practice while discussing him playing football. Being a football fan herself, Amy noticed how all Coach Selene would have to do is call a play she wanted ran and Allen would run it without being told what to do. Although Coach Selene used the more common names of plays and not team specific calls, it still didn’t escape her notice how Allen knew the plays. She had her phone out and recorded Allen as he practiced. When Brad raised a questioning eyebrow at her actions, she explained that her boss wanted her to report everything to do with Allen playing football. Amy wasn’t the only one recording. Aiko had taken it upon herself to be Allen’s videographer and planned on uploading it to a popular social media page. She was surrounded by girls who wanted to know more about Allen. They all knew she hung out with him. Aiko switched between recording Allen practice and fielding the girl’s questions. She suddenly shushes them as Allen drops back into the pocket and looks down field. Kayla kicks in her afterburners and rushes straight down the sideline in a full-on sprint. Allen cocks his arm, takes aim, and then launches the ball high into the air. It travels in a beautiful, tight spiral until it lands in Kayla’s outstretched hands as she’s running. Kayla tucks the ball in and the distance between her and her defender widens as Kayla beelines straight for the end zone. She scores and the bleachers erupt in cheers. You would have thought Allen just won a game with a touchdown pass. Brad, Amy, and Ms. Willow sit in stunned silence as everyone around them chattered in excitement.

“Well, we have a boy quarterback.” Ms. Willow mutters.

The girl sitting on the benches with a cast on her leg hangs her head. She looks up when a pair of shoes enter her vision. Her eyes land on her replacement. Allen extends his hand to the girl.

“Sorry, didn’t introduce myself to you yet. I’m Allen Sanderson.” The girl offers a friendly smile.

“I’m Michelle Anders. I was the starting quarterback until I broke my leg hiking.” Allen offers her a conciliatory smile. “Sorry, I’m not meaning to steal your job.”

“It’s fine. Not like I can play anyhow. I’m only glad they found someone capable.” Michelle says this while gesturing to her cast. “I’m only sad that this is my senior year and I’d hoped to play at Ellington State. The scouts were going to check me out this year.”

Allen nods his head. “Well, I hope to be able to fill your shoes. I’ll do you proud.”

“Good. I’ll be cheering for you.” Michelle states as she extends her hand. Allen shakes it and walks away to grab some water. Michelle watches him go with a thoughtful look on her face. Coach Selene called practice and the players cleared off the field after the last team huddle. The stands soon followed their example and filtered out to the parking lot. Aiko was excited as she had plenty of footage to start a channel on “MYtoob” featuring his high school career. Allen, Aiko, and Kayla arrived at the parking lot after Allen and Kayla had showered and changed. Brad, Amy, and Ms. Willow greeted them as they walked up, chatting about practice. It didn’t escape Brad’s attention that Aiko seemed to stick to Allen as much as possible since she met him.

“Well, Allen. I admit, I had mixed feelings about letting you play. After watching practice today, I’m convinced to let you play. I understand Mr. Summerton already gave you his conditions but I will also add that you must keep up your academics as well.” Allen nods his agreement to Ms. Willow and gives her a thumbs up with a big smile. She snorts at his cheeky behavior. Allen is about to speak to Amy when he notices a familiar motorcycle behind her. He walks over to it as the group watches him. Allen runs his hand along the aggressive lines as images of him flying down the highway fill his mind. Eve is chatting excitedly about how great it would be to go high speeds again. They both missed the thrill tremendously. A voice speaks up behind him, interrupting his and Eve’s daydreaming.

“She is beautiful, isn’t she.” Allen turns his head to the voice and sees a tall girl with a pink pixie cut. Her right side is shaved, and she has ocean blue eyes. She’s wearing the same outfit Allen first saw her in. The black and red leather again hugs her athletic curves, and he stops himself from following the curves down her body. Her eyes twinkle when she notices his struggle and she adopts a predatory grin.

“Name’s Kyra Williams. Owner of this beautiful bitch.” She says as she sticks her hand out.

“Allen Sanderson.” He shakes her hand and offers his go to bright smile.

“Hmm. You’re the new starting quarterback, huh? Bigger than I’d imagined.” She says as she cocks a hip while switching her helmet to her other side. Allen’s eyes track her helmet, and his face takes on a look of longing. Kyra also notices this.

“Like bikes, huh? That’s too bad, I only let guys I’m dating to ride her.” She says with a smirk. Allen smirks back at her.

“Guess I’ll have to wait till my bike’s finished. I’ll owe you a race.” Allen says as he turns away and walks back to the watching crowd. Kyra laughs good naturedly as she plops her helmet on her head and starts her bike. She looks back at Allen through helmeted eyes before feathering the throttle and speeding out of the parking lot. The sound of the engine echoes in Allen’s soul as his eyes are glued to the departing bike. Kayla elbows Allen to get his attention.

“Didn’t you agree to a date with Aiko?” Allen looks at the person in question. She has her head down and she’s scraping a rock back and forth on the asphalt.

“Yes I did, and I meant it.”

“Then why are you flirting with THAT man eater right in front of Aiko?”

“You still think it’s about the rider, don’t you?”

“It’s not?” Kayla asks with shock. Aiko jerks her head up and looks at Allen in shock too.

“Pssh, no! As I said in the mall parking lot. It’s not the rider, it’s WHAT she is riding!” Allen punctuates his statement with a finger wag. Aiko smiles with relief. She resolved to bug her mom about a motorcycle that night. Kayla has the decency to look contrite at Allen’s words. She smiles and gives him a light punch on the arm.

“Good! I’d hate to think that my new, cute bro was a cooch tease!”

“LANGUAGE!” All the adults shout in horror.

Amy maneuvers her car through evening traffic as Allen sits in the passenger seat and gazes out the passenger window at the passing sights. She’d asked Brad if she could drive Allen home as she needed to talk to him.

“Okay, time for some housecleaning.” She starts off. Allen directs his attention to Amy.

“We believe we tracked down your parents and name. I’m sorry, but your parents are deceased. They perished in a house fire. You survived after a firefighter rushed in and saved you. They couldn’t save them as they were trapped in their bedroom. They were Amanda and Tom Stryker.” Amy closely watches Allen’s reaction. Colonel Stryker had concocted this story after coming across two family members that had actually died in an electrical fire. They hadn’t had kids yet, but she was able to materialize paperwork for Allen with the help of her superiors. It would stand up as authentic under any scrutiny. Allen can’t stop the look of shock that crosses his face. He takes a moment to respond as he consults Eve.

“I don’t know what’s going on, Allen. This is TOO perfect of a coincidence. We are going to have to start playing closer to the chest with Amy. I guess we go with it for now.”

“Yeah, we will need to step up our game.”

“Umm, wow. This is sudden. I truly don’t know how to respond.” Allen gives a truth wrapped in guile.

Amy smiles internally at his safe answer. “Yeah, well I have all the paperwork in my satchel, we’ll look it over after dinner tonight. This raises an important question. You have no surviving family members. Your parent’s assets were held in trust and now they will belong to you.” Another lie concocted by Colonel Stryker to get Allen capital so he could possibly develop tech and get his bike running. This of course would lead to tighter surveillance of him to ensure he didn’t disappear into the wind. After Allen failed to respond, Amy went on. “Now, my boss and I agree that with these developments that if you choose, we can go ahead with the adoption.” Allen ponders his statement and Eve offers a test for Amy.

“If I refuse?”

“We’d find you another family willing to take you in. I have to say though, the Summertons have fallen for you hard. It’d probably break their hearts. Think it over on the rest of the ride.” Allen nods and goes back to window watching. He already knew his answer, he and Eve were just testing Amy.