Saving Number Nine

chapter 1

  "Scott, I'm freaking out," Liam Dunbar said, tugging on his lacrosse jersey with shaky hands.

  "Don't you worry, Liam, you're gonna do great," Scott McCall, the Beacon Hills team captain, said, patting his shoulder.

  "Oh God," Liam mumbled, walking away to get some water. It was his first lacrosse game as a Beacon Hills team member. He didn't want to lose it during the game like he had done in years past on his old lacrosse team. Liam's history with anger management was not something to be proud of.

  "Hey, Dunbar, I kind of need you to use your practically-superhuman abilities during the game today," Stiles Stilinski said. Stiles was his 'big brother.' Coach Finstock had begun doing that to his players, assigning them big and little brothers as a 'bonding exercise,' that 'encourages teamwork' on and off the field. The whole team knew this was a load of crap and Coach was really just trying to please the guidance counselor who believed he provided an unhealthy environment for teenagers.

  Really Coach and Stiles were quite alike with their persistent use of sarcasm that could really make someone cry if need be.

  It sure made Greenberg cry.

  "Yeah, I'll try," he sighed. He gave Stiles a nervous smile, focusing mainly on his breathing.

  "Do you know who we're playing?" Stiles asked warily.

  "Yeah," he said. "Devenford."

  Devenford Prep, Liam's dreaded old school, and better yet, old team.

  "Don't worry about it man, as long as you don't suck you'll be good."

  "Yeah, 'cause that's relieving," he mumbled as Stiles walked over to Scott.

  He looked up into the mirror at his reflection. In it he saw a boy wearing a red and white Beacon Hills lacrosse jersey with the number nine on the front (and back, but he can't see the back now can he?). Blue eyes stood out on his tan, beach grown, skin. His caramel hair was a mess, going every direction in little spikes. But in that mirror, in that reflection, he didn't see him, it was like he was looking at someone else entirely.

  "Dunbar!" He heard Coach bellow. "Get your ass over here! You have a game to win!"

  Liam looked down and smiled, that was good old Coach for you.

  "Dunbar and McCall, I want you attack," Coach told them as they stood on the sidelines before the game. "Do not be afraid to score. If we don't win this, I swear-"

  "Coach," Scott calmly interjected, knowing his words before they even came out of his mouth.

  "Thanks McCall. Now get out there and kick some ass. Except you, Greenberg, you stay here. You suck."

  Liam laughed lightly, running with his captain onto the field, shoving his helmet on his head.

  He walked up behind Scott, who would be starting the game.

  His breath caught in his throat when he saw who Scott was up against.

  He didn't even need to see the boys face, just the white jersey number, twenty-eight.

  "Brett," Liam whispered feeling fear strike his heart.

  "Dunbar! Stop standing there like a daisy and be ready!" Coach Finstock yelled at him.

  He repositioned his body to hide his face from Brett, Devenford's team captain.

  "Dunbar," a familiar voice laughed. He knew immediately it was Brett's. "They actually accepted you on the team?"