SKYLA’S P.O.V
I walked down the stairs hurriedly because I was already a bit late for school.
“Morning Skye” I greeted my little sister as I rushed out the door to the dining hall for breakfast….I sat down devouring the awesome waffles I had for breakfast.
“You have eye bags” Alice said not looking up from her phone.
“Was up all night studying” I said avoiding eye contact as I was lying….I couldn’t sleep worrying about the finals and the team.
“Studying? You’re not trying to start that unhealthy obsession with medical journals again are you?” Mom questioned.
“No mother I’m not” I inwardly groaned.
“Maybe she needs to visit a therapist” My grandmother said from the head of the table.
“What are you doing here this early?” I asked my grandmother.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” My grandmother retorted as I rolled my eyes gulping my orange juice down.
“Skye’s going to Osaka with grammie” Eric said as I gagged.
“Grams…..” I scoffed “What for?”
“She’s the only one father doesn’t really wish to hurt….she still remembers him being good and has mixed up memories of him with dad y’know” Sky said.
“Ah….should I break the ice?” I asked motioning to the round table not so far away where the kids and Skyla sat having their breakfast
“Skyla” Eric gave me a death glare.
“I wasn’t going to anyway” I shrugged wiping my mouth clean and kissing their cheeks before getting skyla junior running to the garage to get into the car for school.
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I was in the home economics lab making some cupcakes….I placed down the rice in the huge coolers Silvia asked me to earlier…..I scoffed as Silvia, Celia showed Nelly the rice containers to make rice balls.
“She’s cooking?” I asked.
“More like moulding rice balls” Celia snorted as Nelly gave her a sharp pointed look.
“There’s Cupcakes in the oven just incase anything goes wrong” I told them.
“We need to fill them up with calories” Silvia said.
“and nothing fills more than rice balls” Celia said.
“Hehe” Nelly sweat dropped.
‘Interesting’ I leaned back watching with amusement.
***************************************************
“It’s hot so be careful okay?” Silvia said scooping some rice into her hands as she began moulding….I scooped some into mine as well as Nelly looked between us girls.
“Here you try Nelly” Silvia smiled at her.
“Oh okay” Nelly picked up the serving spoon with a serious look on her face….I’ve got to say….Nelly in an apron is the most scariest thing ever.
She scooped a big portion directly onto her delicate little hands and then….
“Ow!” She screamed letting go of the rice as I sighed.
“It lasted way too long to be too true” I shook my head.
“Let me guess….you’ve never made a rice ball before have you, Nelly?” Silvia asked nervously laughing.
“You are a bit like a princess aren’t you?” Celia asked.
“Sorry about that” Nelly said her cheeks red from embarrassment.
~~~
“Okay watch carefully now” Silvia said as Nelly sat on a chair watching the three of us closely. “This is my double rice ball move”
“Put the rice in the first ball like this and cover it up with the other…..Then shake it up like this” Silvia said demonstrating it to Nelly.
Before opening it to see a proper rice ball….at which Nelly gasped in surprise…..
“Now it’s almost the right shape….Next to cool it off…..put some water and salt on your hands and that makes it easier to fatten it up” Silvia said as Celia molded another rice ball. “See….Now you try it”
“Uh….Okay” Nelly said
~~~
Nelly closed the cups and looked to Celia and Silvia who nodded in encouragement as I decorated the cupcakes.
And then Nelly shot the cups in her hand with the most deadly glare and shook it really…well?
She shook it in all directions Silvia didn’t which made the rest of us sweat drop.
“I think that’s enough” Silvia called out making Nelly pause in surprise.
“Okay then” Nelly opened the cups. “So far so good?”
“Yep” Celia said with a small smile.
Nelly carefully put the rice in her hands and molded it to a really odd shape.
“I did it….Look amazing” Nelly kept cheering on her first succession as I mixed another cupcake batter…..Tch.
“You guys should move to the clubhouse so there’d be more space in here for the cupcakes” I smiled.
“Okay” Nelly said triumphantly carrying one huge cooler out the door.
“Don’t let her use too much salt….That’s her weak point” I told Silvia and Celia as they sweat dropped nodding as they left.
**************************************************
I took my cupcakes out and placed it on the table along with the rice balls.
“Come and get it boys…..We’ve got cupcakes and rice balls for you” Celia called out.
“I got the first one” Mark said as Nelly slapped his hand away from the rice balls.
“Ow what was that for?” Mark glared at her.
“Go wash your dirty hands” Nelly said.
“Sure Nelly” They replied running to wash their hands as I laughed lightly seeing Jude wiping his hands clean already with a towel as the team stared at him with a shocked expression.
Minutes later they were showing off their hands clean to eat.
Nelly nodded with a smug smile as Silvia, Celia and I sweat dropped.
“Alright go ahead” Silvia called out to them.
“Okay….where was i?” Mark said reaching out with the others for the rice balls and the cupcakes.
I laughed at Jude stuffing his mouth while Celia watched him with Axel looking at them smiling
I was talking to Mark as he laughed.
“This one’s got a really weird shape” Mark noted as Kevin sweat dropped leaving Mark’s back.
“I made that one….. got a problem?” Nelly said with a cocky smile.
“Uh….Oh no of course not….the shape doesn’t matter….It’s the taste that’s important” Mark said throwing the rice ball into his mouth….The poor boy.
His eyes began to water.
“Too salty” Mark murmured.
“Yes….my hand may have slipped with that one” Nelly said as Mark started to sweat.
“It’s okay….I’ve been sweating a lot so I need to get my salt levels up” Mark said swallowing it before choking.
“Oh god now I’m choking…I’m seriously choking I can’t breathe” Mark said as Nelly hit his back a lot worried.
“Can you stop being so high maintenance please?” Nelly asked.
“The snacks were delicious” Jack thanked me.
“Of course they were” I smiled at the foodie.
“Some of them were really weird tasting though” Nathan said nonchalantly as my smile dropped.
“You’re lucky we even cook for you” I sent a glare his way defending Nelly’s dignity….She’s my cousin and it’s no surprise those were her slip-ups but a woman’s dignity should always be protected.
“Okay let’s get back to it guys…” Mark called out.
“Yeah” They replied as I smiled softly sitting on the bench watching them.
I sighed as my I bit my bottom lip….Truth was I was scared on what would be happening in the finals….I didn’t want to get any of my friends involved….I wouldn’t want that to happen….I wouldn’t know what to do if he used them as leverage….My family….I could control but…
I looked at the darkening sky.
“Alright….It’s getting late….” Silvia called out to the boys as they stopped practicing.
*****************************************************
I was at the hospital with Doctor Alex as he was examining my system.
“I’m surprised you weren’t dragged down here by anyone today Skyla” Doctor Alex chuckled as I nodded slowly.
“Am i….Fine? Fit to play?” I asked silently.
“You’ve always been Skyla…Just keep the exercise down a notch….You’ve been Overworking I can tell…Get some hell a sleep” Doctor Alex smiled at me.
“Okay….Is….Skylar?” I trailed off.
“Yeah…. She’s back in her old room…..She has a new roommate….” Doctor Alex said with a small smile. “She doesn’t have to wait for you to visit everyday now”
“She doesn’t ever…..I don’t visit everyday anyway….I have much more on my schedule to balance” I scoffed.
“You girls are like that a lot….Pretend you don’t care but are really inseparable at heart” Doctor Alex said.
“Right…I’m leaving first” I said thanking him and leaving the exam room.
*****************************************************
I ate slowly and quietly at the breakfast table.
“She’s a natural” Alice smiled at me as I glanced around.
“What’s with the mood change?” Eric bluntly asked me as I gave him a bored yet killer look.
“Eric” Alice nudged him.
“I prefer saying things straight out” Eric shrugged.
“I wonder how you asked Alice to marry you….Instead of using those cheesy pick-up lines…..” I said.
“It’s not to be discussed” Eric said sharply as Alice glared at him.
“He did not use a cheesy pick-up line but that was his charades for me” Alice rolled her eyes.
“ Wait…You mean….It was in the middle of a game of charades…..and that was the word you were to guess?” I asked shocked. “Way to go….Big bro….That should’ve been the most childish thing ever”
“Because a ring in a cake would make it so much better” Eric rolled his eyes.
“A cake makes everything so much better” I smirked.
“She swallowed the first ring in a cake by accident….I can’t believe you have the audacity to question my proposing skills” Eric said.
“Enough you two” Alice laughed….Her heterochromic eyes settling on me. “You take so much interest in your sibling’s relationships….”
“I have the right to” I shrugged trying not to be amused.
“Heck she doesn’t have one of her own….Lonely ass” My grandmother spoke up from the head of the table.
“Grammie” Eric said amused.
“Grams….What the heck is that supposed to mean?” I said offended. “I’m not lonely”
“But you an ass” My grandmother retorted.
Another thing about my grandmother was her unfiltered mouth….The kids were in the Play pen and Skye was catching up with homework which left the grown-ups for late breakfast.
“You also an ass” I said….Yes I did pick up majority of my swearing from her unfiltered leak she calls a mouth….also my dissing skills too yeah
“She does have one” Sky spoke up a mischievous grin playing on her lips.
“No I don’t…..But I’m not lonely either way” I sent my grandmother a disapproving glare as she smirked.
“Grammie’s favourite….You can tell me anything sweetchums” My grandmother buttered up Sky.
“It’s this guy from the soccer team….Mark Evans” Sky said.
“You did not just say that” Alice said shocked. “You like an Evans?”
“I’d rather be in hell than admit that….That’s saying a lot” I stated.
“Why are you always talking to him?” Sky said.
“Why don’t you mind your business? I don’t like him in that way” I scrunched up my nose in disgust. “Come on even Grams knows I have a hell a better taste than Mark”
“Yeah I do baby girl” My grandmother said as I nodded in approval.
****************************************************
I watched Mark get defeated by the tire each and every time….I couldn’t help but worry.
“Geez…He’s here already?” Jude asked.
“He’s been for a while now….So have I actually” I spoke up as they turned to me with a shocked face.
“You’re up early” Jude smiled at me.
“Heh” I shrugged.
“Are you sure we shouldn’t go help him out?” Eric asked.
“If he was fighting against an enemy….Then I’d say Yes….No doubt Skyla’d be the first one there…..But he’s fighting against himself” Axel said. “It’s a battle he needs to fight on his own”
“I see….He’s fighting to find his own heart” Eric said
“Well….I suppose that’s what his grandfather meant in that book” Jude said. “Don’t you think Axel?”
Axel smiled at him.
“I guess so” Eric gave a cheeky grin
“Hmmm” I looked up at the Sky in thought.
“Jude……” I called him. “Ray Dark gave you a clue that time on the stadium’s iron rods right?”
“Yeah….If you spit on the gods….They’ll rain on you later” Jude said.
“Maybe it had a double meaning…..You say Zeus was god like strengths” I said.
“I wouldn’t say that” Jude crossed his arms.
“Of course you wouldn’t….What are you coming to Skyla?” Axel asked.
“Mr Wintersea said godlike creatures to the detective and all….Maybe he has left way too much clues and yet we all need one thing to be pieced together” I muttered looking at the sky.
“Skyla….” Axel smiled at me. “It’s Okay….You don’t really have to solve this like a detective”
“How else do we solve things then?” I asked him
“Never mind” Axel ruffled my hair.
******************************************************
I stood on the field waiting for Mark’s signal.
“Go” Mark said as we ran to the balls to take our direct shots.
‘Dragon tornado’
‘Twin boost’
“Phenomenal scan” I used my new technique as a sequence of three powerful shots going head first at Mark was surprising.
But then I saw a blinding light and someone blocking our shots….With ease.
I gritted my teeth recognizing the uniform….Zeus high?
“Amazing…you can stop both dragon tornado….Twin boost and Phenomenal scan at the same time” Mark praised the guy. “You most be an awesome goalie”
“Sure but I’m not our goalie though….Our team’s goalkeeper would be able to stop both those pathetic shots at the tip of his finger” The guy said spinning the ball on a finger
“There were three shots” I stated annoyed.
“When you say team….You mean Zeus Junior….don’t you Byron Love?” Jude spoke up.
“You certainly have some guts” I glared at him as he smirked turning to Mark.
“You must be Mark Evans, yes?” Byron asked. “Allow me to introduce myself….I’m Byron Love from Zeus junior….I know all about you already thanks to Master Ray” Byron said.
“Aha…So then Zeus junior is connected to him” Jude said “And just maybe they’re”
I clamped his mouth with my hand.
“Shut it….Are you trying to start a riot? What school would want to believe they’re a project like guinea pigs for a sicko?” I whispered.
“Alright Girly-boy, what do you want to challenge us or something?” Kevin asked.
“Don’t be ridiculous” Byron laughed.
“What’s funny blondie?” Kevin asked.
“A challenge implies that I will be picking a fight with you but I have no desire to fight you people at all…In fact it will be better if you didn’t have to fight trust me on that” Byron said. “And why is that? Because you’ll lose of course”
“That’s it….I don’t remember extending an invitation to stand on our field…..Get out of here before I lose my temper and you lose your life” I glared at him as did the other five on the field with me.
“Of course not sweetheart….I’m just reminding you that when humans fights with Gods…..the outcome is a fore-gone conclusion” Byron said.
“You’re calling yourself a god?” Jude asked.
“What? You can’t tell” Byron chuckled darkly
“The only way to settle this is until we play in the game” Mark glared at Byron.
“Is that what you think? There are many facts in this world….Apple falls from trees….Night follows day….and so on, that boy over there Jude sharp is familiar with all kinds of facts isn’t he?” Byron said as Jude tensed up from beside us.
“Why you little” I started as both Axel and Jude held me back.
Axel shook his head.
“I suggest you wouldn’t spend any more time practicing …..all the practice in the world won’t be enough to fill the gap between gods and humans ….Stop wasting your time” Byron said with a cheery smile.
“Shut your mouth…..Who are you to come here blabbing your mouth about gods and truth….Practice is what keeps us alive….It’s the food that nourishes our blood and flesh” Mark said angrily.
“He said indirectly all the words meant to be said.” I gushed.
“Oh….Hahahaha…..That’s really very funny…..Practice is your food? Isn’t that a kid’s saying?” Byron laughed as I sweat dropped at Mark’s deadly gaze on Byron.
“There is nothing funny about that” Mark said his gaze intensifying.
“You don’t get it? Here, let me prove it to you….Observe your insignificance” Byron killed the ball up to the air.
“Tch” I crossed my arms as he got to the ball in lightening speed.
He kicked the ball simply but…..It well….was a bit too hard for Mark to catch.
“Mark” I ran over to him in an instant as the the soil grazed my knee sharply…I carefully raised my knee to see Blood dripping down slowly.
“Are you okay?” Axel and Jude both ran down next to me and Mark followed by Eric and Kevin and then the next of the team.
“Hey wake up!” Jude said holding Mark’s unconscious body.
“Ah crap!” Steve said as I winced from the pain in moving my knee.
“Give him space” Nelly said.
“Mark”
“Mark”
I looked worried at Mark even if I had an injury of my own…It’s like Nelly said….It’s like an only horse kind of thing.
“Move” Mark stood up like it was nothing….He almost fell back down too but Jude managed to catch him.
“Again….Give me another one” Mark said fighting out of Jude’s grasps. “You can hit me harder”
Byron stood there with a deadly expression on his face.
“Don’t hold back on me this time” Mark said his legs weak him on the floor struggling to stand properly.
“Mark…Ah” I winced more as a cold cloth was pressed down to my Knee.
“You sure do hate being injured” Nathan smiled at me as Axel focused on the cloth and my injury as Mark was focused on being purely stubborn.
“Very impressive….You’re the first one to even lay a finger on my god ball….I’ve looking forward to our match than I was before” Byron said as a light surrounded him as he disappeared….
“What the heck was that?” Eric asked as Axel helped me to stand up properly after wiping the blood away from my grazed knee.
“That whole entire team is full of arrogant twirps like him” Jude said bitterly.
“This final….I think it’s going to get a little bit crazy” Axel said.
“You don’t say” a frown made it’s way to my face….
Eric held my arm for support as Axel and Jude made their way to talk to Mark.
“Thank you” I smiled at him as he nodded curtly.
*****************************************************
I got down from the car and paused at the silhouette found on my porch.
“C-Cole?” I croaked out.
“That’s my name” The person bluntly said turning to me with clashing brown eyes.
