Of Kings and Aces

19| Shot in the Dark

"Oh, come on, Ace! What was that?" Jaxx growled at me, his competitive side surfacing.

We were playing European football, or soccer, in one of the fields in El Valle under the torrential rain. I had just missed a save, making Seb score a goal against us. Even while growing up, I preferred non-contact sports and I only ever enlisted to play chess and table tennis, so this was alien to me.

Don't get me wrong, I knew the rules, and I liked watching FIFA and other European cups. I'd even be screaming foul and whatever strategy at the television while I did, but I've never played competitively in person. 

It was competitive because I was with Jaxx, the growling bear, and Chino, the Chinese demon incarnate, who also happened to be the captain of their college basketball team back then. Jaxx also used to be the team captain of their high school soccer team, which was a double whammy for me.

The other team consisted of Jacob, an English football fanatic, and Seb, who was Jaxx's assistant team captain in high school.

And there I was, student council president, music club member, Toastmasters club member, chess enthusiast, and table tennis player. Physical contact sports did not sit well with me. I am a lover, not a fighter. Therefore, I had no advantage, whatsoever, on any of the guys.

"Jesus, man, calm down! It's just a friendly game!" I complained while Seb and Jacob did a chest bump. Fucking show-offs.

There was another scrimmage for the ball, and Jacob kicked it out just as we were close to their goal. Seb took the opportunity to ram me over. I pulled him as I tripped, and we ended up rolling a few times before he landed on top of me, laughing and insulting how I was such a wuss. Chino walked over to me and helped me up. Once standing, he patted my back and smirked.

"Why don't you just sit down and score?" he shouted over the sound of the rain, though still politely. I stared blankly at him, not knowing whether to be relieved or insulted. 

"Ace! Corner kick," Jaxx ordered. 

"You got this, buddy. I'll be right on the other side of the field if you need me," Chino said. He tapped my shoulder and jogged away. I sighed and shook my head, and did what Jaxx asked. 

Once the ball was in, the guys scrambled to take control of it while I jogged to our goal to guard it, staying as far away as possible from the tussle.

And just as I feared, Seb got the ball. He turned to me with a malicious grin and started charging. Anxiety surged as I watched the distance between us diminish. He was going to hurt me. Knowing Seb, he was going to ram into me because he was an ass. I was about to run in the opposite direction when I heard both my teammates growl at me.

"Eyes on the ball, Ace!" Chino shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth. 

"Knee that motherfucker!" Jaxx growled.

My heart rammed against my chest. Fight or flight? I have no clue what to do!

When I looked at Chino asking for help, he just grinned and gave me a thumbs-up sign with both feet planted on the ground, ankle-deep in water.

Son of a gun, I will kill this demon! But before I could storm towards Chino, my name was called again and I saw Seb running furiously towards me. However, his eyes were at the Jaxx and Jacob who also raced towards my direction while pushing roughly against each other. 

Everything moved in slow motion as my life began to flash in my mind. My terror was legitimate. I was about to be run over by three mad bulls that went to the gym, and I would be lucky if I got out without a broken bone.