Midfield Academy: Book 3

Chapter 51: Watch Your Mouth (14 years, 8 months)

Daven and Jagger stood at the very end of the line. There was a pretty big gap between them, and a couple tall, scrawny boys who didn't look too comfortable being so close to them.

"Welcome to the track and field team," said the man with gray speckled brown hair. "I'm Coach Jim, most just call me Coach J."

"No weird tree name?" said Daven with a smirk.

"Nope," said the coach with a grin. "I'm too busy to come up with one that doesn't sound stupid, or can't be turned into some perverted joke."

The group smiled at each other.

"You're all new to the track." He folded his arms. "So today, I want everyone to do warm ups with the rest of the team, and then we're going to rotate around to the different events to see what you like. Feel free to try out as many as you want, but you'll only be allowed to compete in four events. Within in those four events, you can do all three forms." He held up that many fingers. "So you could have a total of twelve events. Unless of course, you do pole vault or one of the throwing disciplines. You kind of need your hands for those, so wolf form doesn't work very well."

The boys chuckled.

"We have a bit of everything. Short and long distance for the runners, plenty of jumping events, and of course throwing." He motioned to a group of broad boys holding onto a black ball. "So let's get warmed up and see what kind of team we have this year so we can work toward bring home that national title." He blew his whistle. "Alright boys, line up." He herded them out into the middle section of the indoor track.

The older members of the team jogged over as well.

Jagger took his place and let out a deep breath. "Just remember this was your idea. You better not try to quit on me."

"You'll rat me out to Jesse if I do." Daven stretched his arm across his chest.

"I'll have him on the phone before you get out the door."

"Bastard," said Daven under his breath.

The whistle blew, and they were off.

***

Jesse knocked on the door to Liam and Vinny's room. He didn't get a reply. Leaning against the counter in the bathroom, he gripped the edge. Liam was being distant. He knew it had something to do with what happened at lunch the week before. The sub hadn't meant to make Liam feel that way. Jesse knew their situations were nowhere near the same.

He knocked again and heard some movement. Slowly opening the door, he poked his head inside. "Liam."

The lump on the bed didn't move.

Jesse entered and stood by the wall. "Liam, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. If I made you feel like I was making fun of what you're going through, I'm not. You never got to know your parents, and I was lucky enough to have a dad with a high rank and who actually wanted me." He took a step forward. "Somedays I wish are fur color could be switched, because I'd get a mate no matter what because of my bloodline. I just..." He sat down on the end of Liam's bed.

The golden blond boy didn't move and kept his face hidden behind his hands. Jesse heard him sniffling. Jesse crawled to the front of the bed and leaned against the wall. He slipped his arms around the boy.

"Don't," breathed Liam. "I'm fine."

Jesse didn't listen and simply held Liam to his chest. Liam was fighting to keep his sobs hidden. Rubbing his back, Jesse sat there quietly. Liam's alpha must have called and really ripped into the sub. That was only time Liam ever cried.