The pitch is dark, and a soft rain scatters across. A hungry crowd’s voices rise into a swelling crescendo. It had been 90 minutes, and the game had not yet been decided. Extra time was needed.

That was no worry for Leonida Reyes. It just means there’s more football to be played.

Suddenly, the pitch lights up, and the Azzurri swarm the field. Their foe? France, with their future Mbappes and Zidanes. What did Italy have? Dreams, and a star goalkeeper. A last-minute goal from the boys in blue was what kept Italy’s dream alive. Though, frankly, this extra time was Leo’s fault too.

Because before the match, she received an envelope. Its contents took her out of her zone, and she’s been thinking of nothing but the envelope. It had cost her team a goal, and she was not going to let it ruin her match.

Spreading her arms, the little star gets ready for the whistle, and to avenge that goal.

…

“And it’s Max la Fontaine who wins the Monza Grand Prix, with Blake Harlow right behind him, and Charlise van der Linde securing a solid third!”

Dammit, not again. Blake knew she had him this time, but he was just too fast. There’s something in the Red Bull, she just knows it.

The racers pull into the winners’ lane and hop off their cars. Max, devilishly handsome yet a little… weird, pats Blake on the shoulder. “Have to admit, you almost got me. But then you slowed down. Nervous?”

Blake snarls at Max… she would, but she knows that cameras are on her. Instead, she goes for a graceful smile. “Nope, it was a good race, you were the better person… and had the better car.” It hurt Blake to say that. But Max was right, in a sense.

Blake had slowed down because of an envelope that she got in the mail before the race. At first, she was overjoyed, but then she was a little confused. What exactly was it trying to say? Why did whoever sent it send that? Blake simply couldn’t get it out of her mind, and she guesses it cost her the race.

“Blake. Hello? Earth to Blake?” Max snaps his fingers, and she breaks from her train of thought. “Podium’s in two minutes.” He gives her a smile - definitely a fake one. 

Blake returns the sentiment.

…

She couldn’t believe what she saw. A hit that bad could kill someone. And yet, he still walked it off…?

As Shay Miller skates to the faceoff circle, she watches her friend Trevor get slammed into the boards, the wind knocked off his lungs. For a second, the sophomore brunette saw him cough blood. And then, a swarm of teammates and bad guys hover over him. Give him some fucking room to breathe?

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But miraculously, he slowly gets up with the help of the goalie, and skates back to the locker room. Looks like he’s gonna be out for the rest of the game. Shay exhales in relief.

Now, for the fucker that pushed him in the first place…

Shay skates to the offending defenseman, gloves ready to be dropped. The defenseman looks her down and up and obliges; she also drops the gloves, and the two get into position. Both teams are shouting at them to stop fighting, but to Shay and the defenseman they are just background noise. Is this even about Trevor anymore? No. They’re here to fight.

Well… that, and more. Before the game, Shay received an envelope from Alyx Thibault, her former sports medicine doctor. The contents were a little out of character, if Shay was being honest. It was weird, that’s what it was. Nothing to be concerned about. Nothing that can’t be punched out of her system.

Whatever this letter had to say, her response will be written in blood.

…

“Ten, hut!” Two words, and they sprung an entire field into action.

Moving parts everywhere. Lines breaking, pawns getting into position. All it needs is a good chessmaster.

And Big Bill is the man for the job.

With a mighty throw, the blonde brute lunges the football toward the 20-yard line, where he knew Bates was going to be. It was 1st and 50, if his team could score a touchdown here, the game is as good as theirs.

Bates gets right into position as he pushes past two other defenders. He jumps for the ball. Only… it bounces wide. No mind. 2nd and 50.

The same thing happens. Now the team is mildly getting upset at Bill, who himself is trying to suppress his rage. This can’t be happening.

3rd and 50. Fumbled. Again. Now the opponent is borderline laughing at him. Bill walks up to one of them and starts yelling. Then the opponent pushes him. Pushes him. And now, there’s a brawl.

As Bill’s mom watches the game from the bleachers, she mutters to herself, “Surely this has nothing to do with that letter from Alyx, right?” She takes it out from her purse and clutches it. “No son of mine is going to… Canada.”

…

It’s a nice weekend when your sister’s able to sleep over at your place. Also nice when you get a weekend off from basketball and drilling and what not. Gets everyone away from, well, everything for a bit.

Jake Corver attempts to fix up a half-decent meal while his little sister Lydia reads tabloids on the sofa. Frankly, reheating frozen pizza is a lot harder than it should be. Lydia notices and giggles.

“What’s wrong, sis?” Jake turns to her, before turning back to the oven.

“Nothing, just that you haven’t really changed at all. Hey, what about that doctor you’ve been seeing? What happened with her?”

Oh. Alyx. It’s been a few days since she stopped seeing him, and Jake honestly doesn’t know why. Did he do something wrong? His face contorts with worry and Lydia notices.

“Oh come on. Surely it wasn’t your fault. ‘sides, she sent a letter to you!”

Jake turns back. “Oi, gimme that…!” Lydia holds up an envelope and the siblings get into a play-tussle. Jake easily overpowers her and holds up the letter. His face scrunches in bafflement before he puts it down. He grabs his phone and begins texting.

“Oi, oi, what’s this? What’s the letter about?”

“Lydia.” Jake begins, uncharacteristically stern. “You ok with living here for a few more days?”

“I mean, yes, of course! Anything to stay with you, away from Mum and Pop… but why?”

“...I don’t think I’m gonna be here for a few days.” Jake’s face brightens. “I’ve been invited to dinner with her! And I’m textin’ my mate Shay. Turns out, she got the letter too.”

Jake hugs Lydia who excitedly hugs back. “See, I knew she wasn’t gonna leave you like that! Always listen to your little sister.” Lydia ruffles Jake’s hair and he chuckles embarrassedly.

“Well… I s’ppose I gotta pack my bags. After all… it’s in Canada.”

Lydia goes slack-jawed. “C-canada?! You know we can’t afford leavin’ Australia now!”

“Looks like she paid for everythin’.” Jake sighs. “So we ain’t gotta worry about that.”

Lydia exhales in relief. “Good. But call me every day, okay? And come up with a real good excuse so I can stay for at least a month more!” Jake chuckles and nods as he starts to gather his things.

And so does everyone. After all, Alyx has touched everyone’s lives in some way. And she is a leading sports medicine figure. Surely, gathering everyone to repay Alyx will be a grand old time filled with laughter, bonding, and a chance to grow sports science even further, right?

Right?