Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 41: Games We Play

Dean jogs around the football field, far ahead of his teammates as his gear jostles against his body rhythmically. He breathes softly, focusing on the movement of the running and the feeling of the grass beneath his feet. Behind him, he can hear Chase and his other teammates laughing together as they warm up.

Dean's mind, however, is on what's going on at his home. Sarina being back is definitely happy, but the news she brought back with her certainly isn't. The Foot Clan is returning, meaning that the entire Hamato Clan has to be ready to fight back. That means extra training for everyone.

Dean's sapphire eyes flicker to the stands, where he can see the cheerleaders chatting and going over formations. Katie looks up and waves at him, to which he returns the small gesture. He looks back at the path ahead of him as he jogs around the corner, his breaths coming a little faster as his strong legs push him further and further.

He glances to his shoulder, where he knows his human patch is hidden beneath his right shoulder pad. He'll have to be quick with changing it after today's game, knowing that this one won't last the entire evening. He looks up at the stands, where his cousins, friends, and little sister are gathered. Ruby, Asher's violin teacher, is with them too, going over music with the intelligent teenager. He smiles and adjusts his glasses, throwing her a sideways glance.

Nearby, Venus and Blake leap up and down the empty bleachers with Keith, racing each other over and over again. Copeland and Tiki roll their eyes a little every time they go rushing past them, but then they smile at each other and continue with their homework. Dakota, Kelly, and Lukas do homework with Mitch and Nixie, knowing that they need some extra help understanding the scientific concepts from today's lesson. Elisabeth reads a Space Heroes graphic novel next to Copeland and Tiki, once in while meeting her friend's eyes and smiling at him.

Dean's chest swells with pride as he forces himself to keep the pace. Speeding up and showing off will do nothing for him other than making him look like a complete jerk.

"Team! Huddle up!" the coach, Mr Livingston, calls.

Dean jogs to his coach as his teammates join him. Mr L goes over the various plays, as well as the plan for tonight. Of course, he also adds in the whole, "This team is my heart and soul, and I want to see you win this. Win this for our school, but also win it for me. I need this," speech.

The huddle breaks so a few more drills can be run. Chase shoots Dean a winning smile and jostles his shoulder.

"You ready for this?" he asks, puffing a little as he bounces in place.

Dean nods. "As I'll ever be."

"Good. We need everyone ready for the championships this year. We're gonna make it this time, I know it." The blond wraps an arm around the disguised mutant's shoulder. "Especially with you as our quarterback."

That makes Dean smile, proud that he's being a good leader. He maneuvers out of Chase's grip and laughs, punching at his friend's chest plate lightly.

"Well, we aren't going to win standing around! Let's go!"

The two boys dash off to join their team.

🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕🐢🍕

Elisabeth sighs a little as she watches Dean race up and down the field, his brow furrowed with determination. Her coffee brown eyes flicker around to each of her other friends, noticing that they all look happy. Still, something puts her off, and it isn't a new feeling.

In fact, she's been feeling suspicious for weeks now. First, Nixie seemed to know something secretive, and then that secret seemed to spread to each of the others inside the group. Something Elisabeth definitely doesn't like is being excluded, but she decides to put it to rest again as she looks towards the field.