Crossed Spells

Chapter 5: The Match (Part 2)

The whistle blew, piercing through the clamor of the crowd, and the game began. Aria, who had never attended an American football game before, quickly found herself captivated by the intensity of the game. The players moved across the field with an almost choreographed coordination, each movement seeming to be part of a larger plan.

At the center of all this action was Lucas. Even with her limited knowledge of the sport, Aria could see that he was exceptional. He led the team with an assurance that seemed well beyond his years, throwing precise passes and making decisions in a split second.

"He's amazing, isn't he?" Ivy shouted over the noise of the crowd, noticing Aria's fixed gaze.

Aria nodded, unable to take her eyes off the field. "He seems to know exactly what he's doing," she replied, impressed.

"Oh, he does," Ethan chimed in from the other side. "Lucas was born for this. They say he could get a scholarship to any university in the country if he keeps this up."

This information made Aria think. Lucas seemed to have a bright future laid out before him, full of promise. How could she ever fit into such a life, with her secret and the complications that came with it? She shook her head, pushing these thoughts away. Now wasn't the time to worry about the future.

The game continued, intense and thrilling. Ravenswood was leading, but the opposing team wasn't letting themselves fall behind. Every point was hard-won, each action provoking cheers of encouragement or groans of disappointment from the crowd.

Aria found herself shouting and cheering with as much enthusiasm as her friends. The energy of the crowd was contagious, and for the first time in a long time, she felt truly part of something bigger than herself.

As the game entered its last quarter, the tension was at its peak. The two teams were neck and neck, and it was clear that every second was going to count.

It was at this moment that something strange happened. As Lucas prepared for a crucial pass, Aria felt a familiar sensation rising within her. A warmth that started from her heart and spread to the tips of her fingers. Not now, she thought desperately, clenching her fists.

On the field, Lucas seemed to hesitate for a fraction of a second, as if distracted by something. Then, as if he had sensed Aria's presence, he looked up at the stands. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to slow down.

Aria saw Lucas's eyes widen slightly, as if he had seen something unusual. She quickly looked down at her hands, fearing to see a glow betraying her powers. But they seemed normal.

When she looked up again, Lucas was once again focused on the game. With almost supernatural precision, he threw the ball in a perfect long pass that crossed the field. His teammate caught it just before the end zone, scoring the decisive touchdown that sealed Ravenswood's victory.

The stadium exploded in cheers of joy. Around Aria, her friends were jumping and shouting, hugging each other in the euphoria of the moment. She joined them, her heart racing, not just because of the excitement of the game, but also because of what had just happened. Had she really lost control for a moment? And had Lucas noticed something?

As the crowd began to disperse, heading towards the exit or onto the field to congratulate the players, Ivy grabbed Aria's arm.

"Come on!" she said excitedly. "Let's go to my place to get ready for the party. We don't have much time!"

Aria hesitated for a moment, glancing towards the field where Lucas was surrounded by his teammates congratulating him. Part of her wanted to go see him, to congratulate him personally. But perhaps it was better to keep her distance for now, at least until she understood what had happened.