I was in the zone as I hit the bird with all my strength. I was taking all my emotions and putting them into our game. I had no thoughts because the game kept me focused.

Our Intense match kept both of us on our toes. Rachel had 9 points. I had 8 points. Whoever got to 10 points won. Knowing both of us, anyone of us could win.

I could feel the sweat dripping down my face. Rachel was as sweaty as I was. Rachel hit the bird to my side way too close to the side. I run to it, just barely making it and swatting it hard as I could. Rachel tried to return it but missed, giving me a new point. 9 to 9 now. We were tied.

We both stood there panting.

"You got me that time," Rachel wheezed.

"I try," I smiled.

"Fifteen minutes left of class!" boomed Ms. Bloom.

Hearing Ms. Bloom, snapped me out of my zone. I looked around the gym to notice half of the students were on the sidelines watching Rachel and me. I looked at their faces. Then my eyes came across a face I knew. Cyrus.

I truly couldn't get away from him in person or in my mind! Aaaaaa. Just what a day. Cyrus noticed I was looking at him. He was as bright as ever, even covered in sweat. He gave me a big smile.

Before I could react to him, I hear, "Luna."

My head snapped back to Rachel.

"You ready for the last round?" she asked.

"Yep, I am ready," I respond.

Rachel came close to the net and waved me over. "Don't let anything distract you. Focus on the game."

She moved her eyes over, landing on Cyrus as if she meant him. I nodded my head in agreement.

"Let's do it," I said

We both get back to our positions.

Since I won the last round, I get to serve first. I take a big deep breath then swung at the bird. Running around the court, I must say is very tiring. Rachel batted it back. At this point in the game we are both getting tired, but still on our game.

Rachel hit the bird from the back. It was short. Almost not making it to my side. It was bad for her but good for me. I can hit the bird really hard.

I run to it as fast as I can and slam it with the last of my strength. The bird goes flying over to Rachel's side. She ran to it. But it went flying over her, landing a foot behind her.

I won the game!

That was when we hear the blow of the whistle, marking the end of class.

The students on the sidelines that were watching us along with everyone else got up to leave the gym.

Rachel and I put away our badminton rackets and the bird. We started walking to leave the gym.

"That was a good game," I praised.

"You bet your ASS it was!" Rachel beamed. She wrapped her arm wrapped around my shoulders. "We truly love to go at each other."

I laughed. "We truly do."

"I was so close to beating you! Then right at the end, you got me!"

"Yeah, I got you good at the end!"

We both laughed.

When we reached the gym entrance, we both hear, "Luna."

We both looked over to see Cyrus leaning on the wall right by the door.

Rachel looked at me.

"I will catch up with you later," Rachel winked. She waved to me and meandered away.

What was she thinking would happen? Sometimes, I swear I have no idea what was going on in her head.

I looked over at Cyrus.

"What's up?" I asked him

He stopped leaning on the wall and ran a hand through his messy brown hair. "Congrats at winning your game," he began. "You were really good!"

"Thanks," I responded

"Also..." he trailed off. "I wanted to double-check on you to see how you are from earlier with the basketball."

I blinked. "Wow, aren't you Mr. Nice Guy."

He looked surprised at my response. Then he cracked a smile and put up his arms.

"I try to be," he laughed.

I noticed a red mark on the palms of his hands.

"Yeah, I am fine. The ball did not even touch me," I paused for a second. "But looks like you hurt your hands from."

Cyrus looked down and examined his injury.

"Nah, it's fine," he blew off. "I have had worse from playing hockey."

"Well, that's good to hear. I don't want to be the one responsible if you got hurt."

"Why is that?"

"You're the star player and if you got hurt people would come after me, especially if I was the cause."

Cyrus's face turned serious but still had a kind edge to it. He got closer to me and stared into my eyes.

"If anyone ever gives you trouble about me let me know. I will not let anyone hurt you just because I am on the hockey team."

I nodded my head in agreement.

I tried to keep calm, but I can feel my heart racing and I want it to stop.

Cyrus moved away from my face. "Good," he smiled, lightly patting my head. "You know, we should play a game of badminton together one day."

He started to walk away from me.

"If only you can handle my level. I have a feeling it may be too easy to take you down," Cyrus called out, ruining the mood.

Right then and there, I felt my anger about Cyrus Jackson coming back to me.

"Oh yeah?" I yelled at him. "I would like to see you try!"

He chucked at me.

"We will just have to play a game one day. Then we will find out who beats who," he winked at me. "See you later Luna."

Then he was gone out of the gym.

I could feel my cheeks become hot from irritation and anger.

What just happened?

What did he mean by, "If anyone ever gives you trouble about me let me know. I will not let anyone hurt you just because I am on the hockey team."

That was a kind and sweet thing to say only to then say, "If only you can handle my level."

His level!

He can't handle my level!

I truly don't understand Cyrus! One minute he was all kind then he was teasing me!

I had my hands on my head, running them through my hair in annoyance.

I don't understand!

I walked out of the gym confused as ever. I started my day hating Cyrus then I started thinking he was a kind and good guy only to go back to being angry at him again!

Cyrus Jackson was a monster! I don't know what kind he was, but he definitely was one that was not going anywhere.

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wow! This chapter is finally out! I wrote 6 &7 at the same time. I was on a roll

Anyway! here is the new chapter! Hope you all enjoy! 

Now for the next chapter I need to work on lol.

Again Thank you! For reading my book! ^^