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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: ❝︎It's Only One Game❞︎
"AS YOU ARE WELL AWARE,IT'S TIME FOR THE ANNUAL FOOTBALL MATCH WITH MYSTIC FALLS HIGHS. Groans fell from the students as the headmaster spoke. "Today, you will not be forced to lose a game so that humans can feel superior. Every one of you is special. Every one of you. And it's time you showed it." The students clapped and Harper only rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms over chest.
Josie stood up, causing Harper to look at the brunette. "How?"
"By using your powers in moderation, Ms. Saltzman." He answered her. "The goal is not exposure, merely to win." Josie slowly sat back down. "Think of it as an exercise in control."
That's when Kaleb stood, clapping his hands. "Well, I am here for it. After last year, it'll feel really good to show those Timberwolves what we're all about." Noise of agreement fell from the other students mouths, and all Harper could do was cross her arms over her chest and slouch in her seat. Josie glanced at her before reaching over and giving her a pat on the shoulder.
"And who better to lead you in this endeavor, as your quarterback, than our own Landon Kirby?" He tossed the ball and Landon attempted to catch it, fumbling with the football before firmly placing it in his lap. His eyes met Harper's, and she could see the nerves coating his face. She gave him the best reassuring smile that she could―︎though she realized it probably wasn't that reassuring seeing as she hated everything to do with sports. And then Harper was looking at Josie, watching the amused and proud smile on her lips, and suddenly that reassuring smile that she had seemed to fade, and she went back to slouching in her chair with a small frown on her face.
When the assembly was over, Harper made her way back to her room. A sigh fell from her lips as she landed face first on her bed, pillows muffling the groan that ripped from her lips. A knock came at her door and all she could do was hum, too lazy and frustrated to move even though the pillow case was starting to suffocate her. She felt her bed dip slightly, letting her know that the person had sat at the foot of it. She didn't say anything, waiting for the person to speak so that she didn't have to.
"He's making you come this year."
Harper's head snapped up from the pillow, turning to look at Josie who was sitting there with an apologetic smile. Harper glared dangerously at her. "I go only because of you, and you know that. But this year, the one year I actually decide I don't want to fucking go, I'm literally being forced. What's he going to do? Bound my hands and feet and throw me onto the bleachers?" She slammed her face back into her pillow, another groan falling from her lips.
Josie watched the brunette with a small smile, moving closer so that she was sitting at her side instead. She couldn't help but feel like Harper was upset about something, but she decided she wouldn't ask. She gently pushed Harper's shoulder, forcing her to roll onto her side. A laugh escaped her mouth when she saw Harper's hair covering her face. She reached over, pushing the hair aside, her smile still evident on her lips as she looked at the girl. Harper watched Josie as Josie watched her, their hearts pounding in their chests before Josie finally looked away, swallowing thickly before forcing herself to stand from the bed.
