Harry told me you're trying out for the team," David said with a mocking chuckle. "That place is mine. Why would Coach give a spot to an unathletic, heavy-footed nerd like you?"
Gabriel's eyes rolled as his eyebrow raised, his expression calm but unimpressed.
"Well, David... as you can see, I'm not the coach. So if you want to know the answer, go ask him yourself," he said with dry sarcasm.
"Now—if you don't mind—I'd like to get to class. Because as you can see, we're both about to be late. And if we're late, that means detention. And if we get detention… none of us make the trial."
David's jaw clenched. His face reddened with anger, but he knew Gabriel was right. After a moment of brooding silence, he stepped aside reluctantly.
"Thank you," Gabriel said, his voice polite but detached.
David leaned his head to the side, a twisted smirk forming on his lips.
"Don't thank me, nerd. Because when we're out on that field, I'm going to smash you to pieces. And there's nothing you—or anybody else—can do to save you."
Gabriel simply walked past.
"Being that angry all the time really isn't good for your health, David. Try and relax sometime."
Gabriel didn't stop to look back.
As he neared the gym, the squeaking of sneakers on hardwood echoed in his ears. His stomach twisted. That familiar stench of sweat, rubber soles, and worn-out gear hit him hard as he stepped inside.
"Gabriel! Great to see you back to full health," Coach Kemp's voice echoed across the gym.
Gabriel paused, almost forgetting the forged sick note he'd handed in with his dad's signature on it.
"Yeah… there was a nasty bug going around," he said, trying to sound half-believable. "Brutal stuff. Lucky I survived."
Kemp raised a skeptical brow but didn't push it.
"Alright, enough drama. Get ready and line up."
Dragging his feet to the changing room, Gabriel took his time, hoping to miss as much of the gym session as possible. He didn't want attention—not after the uncontrolled transformations and everything that happened not too long ago in the hallway. But Coach Kemp wasn't about to give him his wish.
"Where's Gabriel?" he shouted, scanning the gym floor.
"He's still in the changing room," Joseph replied.
"Then go get him. Now."
Joseph groaned. "Why me, sir? Can't someone else do it—"
"Now, Joseph."
With a loud sigh, Joseph shuffled off toward the changing rooms, huffing and puffing along the way. As he turned the corner, he let out a deafening scream.
Gabriel jolted out of his seat, his heart skipping a beat.
Joseph's eyes were wide with fear.
"Alien!" he shouted. "Please don't hurt me! If you're looking to abduct someone, I'm not your guy! My family is middle-class, I'm unathletic, and my GPA is only 3.0. There's better options just around the corner—I can show you! Just spare my life in return!"
Gabriel turned toward the mirror—and froze.
His worst fear had come true.
A full-blown, uncontrolled transformation... at school.
His eyes glowed. Skin shimmered. Muscles pulsed. Gabriel began to breathe heavily, his breaths coming in short and fast. He took in one more deep breath before centering himself.
"Joseph, relax. I'm not going to hurt you."
Joseph wasn't having it.
"It knows my name! Oh God, they've been watching us—we're all dead! We're all dead!"
"Kill you?" Gabriel blinked, confused.
Joseph backed up, staggering over a bench, tumbling, and scrambling to his feet.
"Oh gosh!" he shouted before darting out.
Gabriel's jaw dropped. He'd never seen Joseph move that fast.
Joseph bolted into the gym.
"Coach! Alien! In the changing room! It ate Gabriel!"
Coach Kemp stared at him, unimpressed.
"Joseph, I don't have time for this nonsense—"
"I swear, Coach! An alien boy! He was glowing—it looked like a human dragonfly! It was horrifying!"
The gym erupted in laughter.
"Next you'll be telling us The Rock's your uncle," Harry joked.
"When they take over the planet, just remember—you all laughed," Joseph mumbled.
Coach Kemp sighed.
"Come with me right now—we'll get to the bottom of this."
Harry motioned to the team.
"Boys, this sounds like something worth seeing."
They entered the changing room and there Gabriel was—sat alone, face in his hands, quietly sobbing.
Joseph's face fell. He pointed.
"It was right there! Coach, I swear it was right there!"
Gabriel wiped his tears, stood up, and glanced at the mirror. He was back to normal.
"Come on, Gabriel. You must've seen something! You were right here!"
Gabriel blinked innocently.
"Saw what?"
Joseph's face twisted with disbelief.
"The alien, man—come on!"
Coach Kemp rolled his eyes.
"Joseph, aliens don't exist. You've got detention. After school."
"But Coach—!"
"But Coach nothing."
As they filed out, Joseph tugged Gabriel's sleeve.
"I know you saw it. You can act dumb now, but I know what I saw. And I know you saw it too. I'm going to get to the bottom of this."
Gabriel kept his expression blank.
"I can't say I saw something I didn't."
But Joseph's eyes narrowed. He knew the truth was just under the surface.
"Alright! Enough noise!" Coach Kemp shouted. "Since nobody listens to instructions, I'm picking who's up first."
His eyes scanned the room.
"Harry, Jake, Joseph—you're up. And last but not least… Gabriel."
Gabriel looked up, stunned.
"Huh? Who, me?"
Coach chuckled.
"Unless you know another Gabriel. I don't. Then yes, you," he responded with a smile.
They lined up.
"What are we doing?" Gabriel whispered.
Harry turned and smirked.
"Doesn't matter. You'll lose anyway."
"We're doing 60-meter sprints," Coach Kemp explained. "Now, get into your start positions and wait for my whistle."
The runners lined up, the tension palpable in the air. Gabriel's nerves started to rise as he looked at the others. Harry's arrogance was evident in his expression, making Gabriel feel the pressure. He tried to calm his racing heart but couldn't.
Coach Kemp blew his whistle.
And the race had begun.
The sound of pounding feet and heavy breathing filled the gym. As Gabriel started running, everything seemed to slow down. He looked at the others, their faces filled with intensity, while Harry's expression screamed overconfidence.
Realizing he had to focus, Gabriel tried to pace himself—but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't. His legs seemed to move on their own, propelling him forward.
Before he knew it, he had crossed the finish line far ahead of Harry, causing a stunned silence in the gym.
Coach Kemp ran over, clapping him on the back.
"Who would've thought you had it in you? That was impressive," he said, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Harry clenched his fists. His pride shattered.
"David," he shouted.
David looked up from his phone.
"You want a spot on the team?"
"More than anything."
"Then take Gabriel out during the trial. Make sure he never wants to play again."
David smirked.
"Say no more."
"You better. For your sake."
As David's eyes locked on Gabriel, the plan took shape.
And Gabriel—still breathless, still glowing from his victory—stood oblivious to what was coming next.