Cipher

Chapter 30: FF

"I feel so left out, "Isaac complained, only half joking as they entered the English classroom. "You and Joslyn over there with your super-secret cool-club."

Cipher looked at him with amusement. "You have a partner as well."

"Yeah, and he's great at getting his part of the project done, but I don't know him that well and he's kind of boring."

"Would you rather have someone who was not helpful?" Cipher asked, eyebrow raised.

Isaac glared playfully as they took their seats. "Don't take the fun out of my complaining."

"What are we complaining about?" Joslyn appeared, taking her seat.

"Me being left out of your cool-club."

"He forgot to add 'super-secret.'" Cipher's eyes danced with mirth.

"You know what-" Isaac started, having trouble keeping the grin off his face.

Joslyn smothered her laugh as the bell rang signalling the start of class. She had been worried that what happened at the mall would make things awkward within the group. Or at least between herself and Cipher. She felt relief flood through her as she met his gaze and his bright expression didn't waver. She couldn't help but smile back.

***

P.E., while still not his favorite, was one class Cipher no longer dreaded attending.

Since the pool incident, it seemed he and Drake had come to an unspoken agreement, an uneasy truce, that they would stay away from one another as long as the other did the same. It had been working out pretty well so far. So, of course, Coach put them on opposing teams for the new sport, American football.

Well, flag football.

As far as Cipher could tell while they all sat around listening to Coach lecture about the rules, it was supposed to be a less violent form of the sport; minimal contact. But as Coach separated them into teams, Cipher knew that violence was going to be practically unavoidable.

He was assigned as one of the running backs, as his lithe form suggested and his initial fitness scores supported. Isaac, who was thankfully on his team, was quarterback. Cipher was almost surprised that Isaac was not on the regular football team, he definitely had the arm and the aim for it.

Cipher could see the mounting frustration on the opposing side with every point his team made, particularly from Drake and his football friends. It was steadily drowning out everything else in their auras with each passing loss. He had a faint hope that it wasn't all directed at him, the other runner was doing a very good job as well, but Drake was absolutely coming for him.

The next time he got the ball, Cipher wasn't really surprised when he lost his flag and was 'tagged' so hard he nearly lost his footing. The other boy looked almost disappointed that Cipher hadn't hit the ground.

Isaac gave him a friendly slap on the back as Cipher put his flag belt back in place. "Who knew you were such a great runner." he smiled wide, obviously happy to be on the winning team. Probably a little smug about beating the actual football players on the other side.

Cipher looked confused, "I had one of the fastest times in our initial fitness evaluations."

"Yeah, but a good fifty-yard dash doesn't automatically make you good at football."

They all lined up again, facing off against Drake's team.

The plays were quick and they were within reach of another touchdown.

He should have seen it coming. His breath was forced out of him as he hit the ground, hard. The ball popped right out of his arms as Drake took him down.

He couldn't breathe.

Drake was suddenly gone from over top of him, but Cipher's mind couldn't focus on that.

He couldn't breathe!

His fists desperately grasped at the grass beneath him, as if he could physically drag himself out of his panic.

He was on the ground. Not water. Grass.

There were voices and yelling around him but he couldn't make it out through his rising panic. He squeezed his eyes shut, only to immediately throw them wide open again. He needed to see where he was, even if all there was to look at were the streaky clouds in the pale desert sky. He needed to know he wasn't under water.

"Cipher?" Isaac knelt beside him as he slowly caught his breath.

He made a small noise, lungs still fighting for complete breaths.

"Do you think you can get up?"

"I..." he panted. "I think I need a moment."

"Yeah, okay." He sat beside Cipher, listening as his friend's breaths slowly evened out and became deeper.

"Is the martian okay?" He could hear Coach's gruff voice call from across the field.

Isaac's face pinched in distaste; Cipher could see how badly he wanted to snap back at the man.

"I am fine," Cipher called out as loud as he could manage, forcing himself up into a seated position in the grass.

"Good. Walk it off."

Cipher could practically hear Isaac's eyes rolling. "C'mon, let's walk it off to the sidelines."

He took Isaac's offered hand as the other boy pulled him up to standing.

"Did you-" Cipher winced. "Did you shove Drake off of me?"

Isaac smirked. "He wanted to make it a contact sport," he shrugged, helping Cipher back down onto the grass along the sidelines.

"You should not leave our team without a quarterback." Cipher pointed out as Isaac moved to sit with him.

"You sure? It's just a stupid game."

Cipher could see how much Isaac wanted to win, even if it was 'just a stupid game.' Cipher inclined his head, "show them how to win without resorting to violence."

Isaac's mouth quirked up into a half smile. "Maybe a little violence?"

Cipher gave him a look. "Perhaps the barest amount."

Isaac's smile grew, a short laugh escaping. "I knew you'd see it my way." He jogged back onto the field.

As Cipher sat there watching the two teams face off, soaking in the pleasant gentle sunlight, he realized that his flag belt was still fastened around his waist. Cipher sighed, Drake hadn't even tried to make it seem like an accident.

So much for the truce.

***Author's Note***

Thank you for reading!

I had to "phone a friend" on this one. I needed help with ideas here; I really struggle with writing the bullying scenes and such. I honestly just want them all to leave Cipher and his friends alone, they aren't hurting anybody or doing anything wrong. But... that's the point. Unfortunately.

I welcome suggestions and questions. While I do have an outline for the story beginning to end, there is room in the situations between what already exists to explore the characters more. I know the characters pretty well, but I realize that I might be unintentionally leaving something out that you may be curious about because I occasionally forget that you all don't know them the way I do.