Chapter 23 : Winners

The bus pulls over in the crowded car park, easing through the gathering of expectant students and vehicles alike.  

It's obvious that Thornfalls would garner an audience, after all we are their rival school and showing territory is what we Huskies do best. I see the familier logo painted purple and black  face of a growling panther spray painted on every side of the bus, sticking out like a sore thumb. Taking in the familiarity I try not to feel intimidated by the presence of my former school. 

The doors begin to open, one by one the players walk out, dressed in their respective coloured kits, smug looks on most faces -- which I recognise instantly. Their heads are held high, victory glinting in their eyes and in the vicious curl of their lips.  I know them all.  And last comes the one I knew most.

It's only been a couple of months, but honestly? It feels like a lifetime.

Dressed like the rest of his team, his kit bag slung over his broad shoulder, standing taller then most of his friends. His blue black hair gelled back, the same very style I remember. Mindful of his surroundings, his eyes catches mine and he smirks.

 The audacity he has to do that? Before I can even respond, his friends pull him onto their jokes, I notice Holdenbridge boys shooting them glares and the girls swooning especially for him.

Thomas Woods.

"Is that him?" Becky asks from next to me.

"Unfortunately yes," I nod stiffly, clenching my fists.

"I want to best him to pulp right now," Xavier says, practically growling, his amber eyes heated. 

Great minds think alike. 

"What about bail money?" 

Ty crosses his arms.  "I know a lawyer who owes me a favour"

He gives his twin brother a knowing look and they both glance at Thomas, their faces murderous.

 "That's not going to solve anything," I sigh. As much as I want to see the boys outcome, it's not worth going to jail for something as u helpful as killing Thomas Woods. 

Besides, I want to kill him on the playing field.  

The Thornfalls panthers finish file out of the bus and walk through the mass of students like they own the place. I roll my eyes. Why does football have to be so celebrated in my school? I heard there was a dance last week and to think, no one mentioned a word about that?

Once they near my way I duck my head, avoiding the harsh glares and watchful eyes of the other students.  Never have I ever been good with attention. I feel Xavier's hand remove itself from around my waist and when I look up at him, he smiles knowingly.

"Here, I know you have a habit," He shrugs off his jacket and helps me put it on."You should keep it, suits you well Rose"

"Thanks, feels much better to," I grin earnestly, inhaling his nice cologne. My body bruises into the soft fabric, instantly comforting me. 

The bell rings and we make our way inside, my best friend and the twins behind Xavier and I plotting murder.

"I really hope Thomas doesn't notice me," I state, turning towards my locker.

"I'll make sure he doesn't," Xavier assures, leeating his arm on the metal for next to my own. 

I give him a look, rolling my eyes as I tug out my books. "Don't even think about it, Silver. Murder is not okay" 

"Come on princess, not to many bruises," He says, in a whiny fashion, dropping his head on the locker when he sees my expression. "Besides,  murder is okay if you're killing bad guys"

I raise an eyebrow, silently telling him it's no use. 

"Fine a deck to the jaw then? You know the jaw is a knockout button," Xavier begs, his eyes hopeful. 

I let out a best,  turning away from him aways Becky appears. 

"Hey Danny, come to the bathroom with me?" She quips next to me, bumping our shoulders.

"Sure," I reply, turning back to Silver. "I appreciate the help but don't do anything stupid"

Kissing his cheek softly, I walk away catching up to Bec.

"You know we have class right?" I point out, leaning against the bathroom wall as she checks her make up. I already finished change into my alter ego as I waited for her, the seal style of a cap, contact lens and of course, the Holdenbridge soccer uniform. 

The girl waves it off. "No one's really bothered, besides it's free"

I give in realising she's right. 

"We done?" I ask, pushing myself of the wall as I watch Becky tie up her brown curls and cast one last flame at the mirror. 

Becky nods, puckering her lips. "Yup. Let's go" 

 We walk towards class, passing by the grounds and something catches my eye. Pulling my best friend by her sleeve, I stop at the corner of the wall, dragging both Becky and I to a halt.

Thomas is standing near the stands, talking quietly Stephanie and someone else that looks vaguely familier but I can't quite place.

Right! He's Brady's friend. The one with the dirty blond hair. Lucas or something.  

"What are you doing?" Becky questions, tugging her sleeve from my hold. "Danny?" 

"Becky hold on, I need to see what Thomas is doing," I whisper, my expression pleading. "Pass your phone please, I have to check this"

She does as I ask, perhaps by the sombre look on my face or the worry in my eyes. The yellow covered phone filled with glittery butterflies feels weird and I wish I hadn't left my phone in my locker. 

"Hey isn't that Louis West, Stephanie's brother?" Bec asks softly, her confusion morphing into curiosity.

"Wait . . . What?" I reply, hitting the record button on the phones camera. 

How did I not notice the similarities before? The boy with the dirty blond hair and Stephanie -- they facial features are hardly distinguishable. 

Oh flippen fudge.

Louis West goes to Thornfalls, I remember seeing him now.  That's how he knows Thomas. He's a year older. But why is he here?  I don't recall him playing football.

I pressed my finger on my lip signalling Bec not to talk, she nods understandingly as we listen to what they're saying. Yes, we're eavesdropping, I'd admit.

"That's the deal remember? That coward Brady betrayed us now we'll hurt him as well send him warning first. Not too much damage though, you got that Thomas?" Louise orders, a wicked grin that shows his stark white teeth. The other two hold mirrored expressions of vengeance.  

What the - what?

"Yeah that Swift rag, must pay as well," Stephanie flips her hair in a dramatic fashion, nose crunched in revulsion.

"You don't have to worry, I knew Dan once we were friends, I'll make sure they get the message," Thomas tells her and the tone of his voice startles me. 

Louis nods satisfied, shaking Thomas's hand before walking off in the opposite direction. Once he's out of view, Thomas grabs Stephanie by the waist and they start-

Making out. Gross.

"Too much PDA," Bec gags, turning at the same time I stop the recorder.

We both stay quiet for a moment,  shuddering at what we just saw and trying to wrap our heads and round the sudden turn of events. So Thomas knew I was Dan Swift all along - I should be expected that - he's smarter than I gave him credit for. And Louis? He must be been sabatoging this whole game! 

Things are so messed up. 

We start pacing to the gym where Brady would be, not sure of what occurred. I need to speak to the boy and find out what's really going on. He seems like the only one that will be willing to tell me. 

Like what's going with the West kids and Thomas? Is Stephanie the spy I was framed for being when I first joined the team?  Is that why she got so close to Xavier, maybe that's how she knew Dan Swift is actually a girl.

Obviously something is happening and I'm going to find out what.

"Hey women, you bunked?" Ty calls put to us, walking out of Homeroom. The teachers are not going to be pleased.

"Why you calling us women?" Bec frowns, coming to a halt.

"Well, Danny said not to call your'll ladies," he explains innocently, holding up his hands in surrender. "Mind telling me why you guys are looking so damn serious?"

"Major confusion, we'll fill you guys in later, right now we need to find Brady," I say simply. 

Ty points with his thumb. "In the gym, you should also be there"

"Thanks dude," Bec smiles appreciatively, as we leave him.

"Tell Tony and Jen to be at the stands!" I yell or my shoulder earning weird looks from those passing by.

 Once in the gym we find Brady shuffling through his duffel bag, a ghastly pale look on his face.

Well it's about to get paler.

"Brady, we need to talk," I say in a stern tone, slamming my palms on the table.

He stopped rummaging with a shocked expression. "Um . . . Sup Swift what's happening?"

"Do you know Louis West?" I ask, cutting to the chase.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me buddy, who's Louis to you?"

"A friend of mine, yeah, whose asking?"

"I don't know what's going on but, I came to ask you about this," I inform him and when Bec hands me her phone, Brady takes in a sharp breath.

"Woah what's going on?"

 The three of us turn to see Xavier waking up to us, he give me a look trying not to kiss me and instead settles for a fist pump.

"What about you Silver? Ever heard of Louis West?" Bec pokes his chest clearly enjoying interrogating people. 

"Nope, never heard of the guy," Xavier says snatching the phone from me. It doesn't really help that I'm shorter.

"Hey isn't this Thomas? What the hell?" Xavier furrows his brow, cursing a string of swear words.

"We don't know, that's why we came to ask Brady," I explain crossing my arms and giving Brady a hard look.

"Alright" he holds up his hands. "I have a confession to make"

"Go on"

"I used to be the spy for Thornfalls, Xray's injury wasn't an accident," Brady elaborates his head hanging in shame. " I'm sorry honestly none of this was suppose to happen.

"Why you little-" Silver snarls picking up the use by his collar. Signature move.

"Sil- Xray put. Him. Down," I snap, which he thankfully listens to. "Continue please Brady"

"I'm truly sorry,  but I don't know what else to do, nothing like this should of happened and now Thomas is hell bent on injuring you guys and me as well. The whole idea was for me to get close to Dan to find out your weak spot, word went around that you're a good player"

"Why did you do that? And injuring Xray?"

"Because . . . It's embarrassing," he mutters, looking away from us in humiliation. 

"Dan here said he goes to the library, what's more embarrassing than that?" Bec tires to lighten the tension.

 I give her a flat look. Really?

"Fine . . . The truth is I liked Stephanie okay? Xray was dating her and I hated seeing them together.  I got jealous and she knew I liked her and took advantage of me saying it's all an act," He takes a deep breath. "Then your'll broke up because of that brunette and I saw Stephanie with Thomas"

This is to much drama. My head hurts.

"Okay, firstly that brunette has a name, learn it and has nothing to do with Stephanie and I breaking up. Secondly, what are we going to do about that blonde bimbo?" Xavier interrupts coldly.

Bec snaps her fingers, her eyes alight. "Phone Xray, I have an idea"

My boyfriend give me a look and I tell him to give it. "Alright people make a huddle"

Once we're done, Bec goes with Brady to find Archer and Diego, I decide to leave as well.

"What the hell?!" I exclaim looking at my clothes in horror. 

Glitter everywhere. 

I turn to see Xavier grinning. The now empty bucket in his hands, the previous contents of sparkly stuff covering my kit and cap.

"That's for not coming to see your boyfriend," He laughs.

I give him a sly smile and he somber up."Uh Rose, what are you doing?"

With those words I pick up a paintbrush covered in red and stroke it on his t-shirt.

"Infared said hi," I smirk pulling Bec by the hand as we run down the hallway laughing. 

Who would of thought having a boyfriend could be so fun?

Hold up, that came out wrong . . .

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The sun shines brightly. I squint my eyes adjusting to the new light. Without my glasses and cap, I feel like there's no cover for me. In front of me is Xavier wearing his blue kit like everyone else, captain band on his arm and the number ten with the word Xray on his back. I take a deep breath.

This is it. The game everyone long awaited.

The crowd roars as we walk to the stands, I see my friends cheering with everyone else. My parents are away and phoned me this morning wishing me the best of luck. Peter hadn't answered any of my calls though. My heart does a nervous leap as we all gather in a circle, coach showing the game plan and Xavier giving us a quick pep talk. I hope he can manage the first half, he's so dedicated, Tori Edmund would be proud.

"Alright everybody, this is it," Xavier says, grimly gain in at all our determined faces. "This game determines whether we go to the championships or not"

"We're in this together!" Trey shouts earning hollers in agreement.

"Who are we?" Jackson adds. 

"HUSKIES!" We yell our voices filled with enthusiasm before dispersing. Xavier gives a heads up motioning me one side. Seconds before the game.

"You ready Rose?" He whispers making sure no one's around.

"As I'll ever be," I reply shakily. "You think you'll manage?"

He gives me a quick nod. "There's just one more thing"

I frown confused as Xavier removes his shirt, girls swooning and me trying to hold myself. This dude as muscles as in a sculpted chest and toned tanned, skin. He tosses it one side replacing it with an identical shirt and I cock my head to the side.

"Let's go," He pats my shoulder with an encouraging smile. 

I shrug and follow Xavier, noticing that instead of having Xray the t-shirt has Silver written in bold on his back.

I call him that. And I think I'm going to faint.

Shaking my head, I take my position, Thomas and Silver shake hands, I see the hateful sparks in their eyes. Thomas whispers something in my boyfriend's ear causing his gorgeous amber eyes to darken. They take a step back and the whistle blows signalling the game to commence. 

Nervous jitters leave me as adrenaline courses through, my feet ready with anticipation. We get the ball quickly from the opposition, Trey runs forward trying to dodge the Panthers, I mark a player, trying to get a gap.

"I'm free!" JK yells holding up his hand as the ball is passed to him.

The ravenette runs passe the halfway line crossing the ball to Archer and back, my nerves pulse, blood pumping as I approach the goal box, the opposition player tailing behind. No one notices Silver on the other side, everyone was busy focusing on stopping JK. Except one.

"Watch out!" I yell a moment to late.

 Thomas slide tackles Xavier dropping him. The referee blows his whistle giving Thomas a warning. He walks away with the smug grin.

I want to punch it off.

I run across the field to check on Silver. He's sitting and holding his leg in agony. I crouch near him, Jack on the other side helping him up.

"Ugh, flip mahn this is my fault Xray, I should be marked Thomas," Luke apologises.

"It's no one's fault, I should of been more careful," Silver replies patiently.

"You should take a rest," I suggest.

"Don't worry about me Ro- Dan, I'm fine seriously you guys," He assures. I'm not fooled. The pain on his face clearly visible. 

Coach comes to check on him and soon the whistle his blown. I sigh as Xavier stays on the field refusing to give in. Since Thomas hurt him, Xavier gets a penalty. Unfortunately he has to take it. Xavier takes a deep breath, the team behind him, we're standing holding each others shoulders. Everything is silent.

After one more deep breath,  Silver squares his shoulders and-

Kicks the ball curving it straight into the net.

We all jump, tears of joy threatening to show. Hugging each other we all run to the stands where Xavier is celebrating. His sister Lea carrying Blake as they call their brother's name. After our celebration we go back onto the field feeling optimistic.

The next half starts, the ball getting kicked back and forth. A few unsuccessful tries. Thomas has the ball and I decide to give it my best shot. I get close enough to him do that we're running side by side, he looks at me an evil grin on his face.

"You think I'll ever forget? Danny-ella, we're best friends remember?" He sneers jabbing me with his elbow in my gut. My eyes widen as Thomas does a bicycle,  Flynn missing the ball as it hits the net evening the playing field.

I'm going to kill Thomas Woods.