Superheroes Play Soccer

Chapter 7: Serious and Mysterious

.: Morgan :.

After the movie finished, I went back upstairs with Julie, Kelley, and Alex. We were kind of giggle, more then likely just slap happy. As we approached the elevators, I got a crazy idea. "Guys, let's make a bet." I say as we stop in front of the 4 elevators. "What kind of bet?" Kelley giggled, and Alex for some reason found this too funny as she fell silent from the hard laughing, leaning against the wall to keep her up. Julie began laughing at Alex, and she wiped away tears as she took a deep breath to try and calm down. "Okay okay, everyone pick an elevator. When I press the button, whoever's elevator gets to the bottom first wins." I explain, and they all seem to love the idea. Kelley and Alex sprint for the same elevator, screaming at eachother. Kelley tripped and ended up rolling around on the floor, Julie tripping over her body. Once we all picked elevators, I pressed the button. "COME ON! COME ON! DON'T FEEL DOWN!!! PICK ME UP!!" I screamed, clapping my hands as I looked at the door. All of the others were laughing, and chanting for their elevator. "YES!" Kelley yelled and jumped up as the doors to her elevator opened, but almost immediately closed. "WHAT?! NO!" She screamed, and I lost it. Finally after getting into my elevator, we said goodbye for the night and parted into our rooms. Julie was rooming with Tobin, Alex and Kelley were just across the hall from me. I unlocked the room, and softly shut the door when I realized the tv as off, and it appeared Jade was already asleep. That was weird... Usually she'd stay up with me, and we'd talk about how our day was, and I'd usually have something entertaining to share with her. I was going to tell her about our elevator bet, but I guess I can't. As I walk to my bed, I can't help but look at the sleeping girl. Her black hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and she slept in a gray tank top and yoga pants. Her right cheek was still bruised from the battle on field. I suspected she must have wore herself out to be in bed by- holy crap. It's 2 am. Goodness, maybe it was stupid of me to think she'd be up... Oh well, I'll talk to her in the morning. I freeze as she shifts in her bed, a troubled expression on her face as she turns her back to me, her arms crossed over her chest as her legs curl to her body. I approach silently and pull the blankets over her, before I climb into my own bed and shut out the lights.

.: Jade :.

"AXEL!?" I call out, opening the door of my mustang, slamming it shut as I run to the doors of the bar. He wasn't outside waiting for me to pick him up like he normally was. My dad had insisted he go with me, but I refused. I've been picking up Axel from troublesome parties and events like this all year. But he trusted me, I wouldn't jeopardize that. I open the door to the bar, knowing I'd be thrown out soon enough because I was only 18, even though I turned 19 in September. I sprinted inside, my eyes locking with a man holding a gun to my brother and his friends. My ears weren't picking up what the man was saying, even though he was yelling. I shove through people that were fleeing for the doors, and just as I approached. The bright flash and the muffled sound of gun fire fill my senses. My eyes widen as I scream out, watching my brother and his partners fall to the ground. The attacker then turns to me, approaches, and grabs me by the collar. "You weren't here to save him. And because of that, you're father ended up... Exactly. Like. This." He pulled the trigger.

I jolt awake with a gasp, sitting straight up in the hotel bed. I'm breathing heavily as I grip the sheets, realizing it was merely a dream. I hesitantly glance over at the sleeping midfielder in the bed beside mine, half expecting her to be awake and looking at me. Fortunately, she was still sawing logs, curled up under the covers. I then shift my gaze to the red glowing digital clock, the time reading 4:57 am. I let out a sigh, covering my face with my shaking hands. I sit for a moment, before lifting the blankets off. I grab my black and silver track jacket from the chair and slide it on before opening the door, and silently shutting it behind me.

~ That Night ~

I stood in the locker room, sitting on the wooden bench as I silently tied my cleats. I guess my face looked utterly emotionless, because when Kelley looked at me, she frowned. "Hey, Jade. You haven't laughed or made a joke all day. You haven't even smiled, you're definitely not being yourself. Is everything okay?" She asked me, sitting down as she too began to put on her cleats. "Yeah, sorry about that.. I'm just tired. I think my 14 hour training session yesterday took the life out of me." I lied, forcing a smile as I finished tying on my cleats. Carli walked in with a smile on her face as she passed Kelley the line up. "Alex and Mallory in front. Morgan, Carli, Jade and I in center. Then we have Becky, Ali, Julie and Emily in back." Kelley read aloud, and immediately a bright smile grew on my face. I glanced at Carli, and she too had a cheesing smile. "YOU'RE SECOND CAP!!" Kelley squealed. "My second cap!!" I repeated, and the three of us hugged. Once the two of them walked out to head out, I turned to my locker and grabbed my jersey. My last name printed above the number 7. I looked at the picture of my family and I together, and I suddenly felt the seriousness take over. With a deep breath, I slid on my jersey and shut my locker before jogging after the others.