Flaming Souls

Chapter 1 - Nostalgic Coffee

"Maybe it won't work out, but maybe seeing it does will be the best adventure ever."

The last day of my junior year at Harper High School was nothing like I expected. In the previous night, Brooks and I spoke hours about our plans for summer and the feelings about finishing the junior year. One more year to college and to our freedom as young adults. We hadn't any idea what it'll be happening the next day.

On the last day of school, all the students were dismissed from the fourth period and summon to the gym. I remember well that day. I was sitting tightly with my friends on the benches. The gym was full, almost to the point of exploding with so many students. Without more space, some people had to sit on the floor or standing against the walls.

The principal approach the center holding a mic. His chubby face smiles apprehensively while looking at us. Because of our sudden meeting everyone as curious or bored. Maybe he'll say we were all dismissed for the rest of the day and able to start our summer early. But nobody was expecting his next words.

A week after our school was demolished. And all Harper High School students were forced to transfer to another school. Apparently, the landowner chose to sell it and the new owner decided to build a prestigious sports academy for rich kids.

Right now, I am standing here. Watching the first steps to a new completely different building where it used to be my school. It makes me so angry. Because of ambition and bureaucracy, I and all the other students have to start from the beginning again. In my case, the senior year in a strange place.

"As much you cursed them in your mind nothing will change." Brooks, my best friend, said walking to my side.

"I know." I sigh. "It just... it pisses me off." Brooklyn smiled with sympathy. She knew how much I liked Harper. In one way, it became my second home.

After all, I spent most of my time at school. Studying, hanging out with my friends and especially leading the cheer team. Another thing I had to let go.

I was happy here.

And now it's gone,

"I hate it too. It sucks but we can't do anything about that." I stayed quiet with my own nostalgic mood.

"C'mon, captain. It's our last day of summer. We should get wasted and make out with hot boys. Not staring at our old-school non-existence. "

I laughed at my friend description. "I'm not captain anymore. What's a captain of the cheer team without a school to cheer for?"

"Quinn then," Brooks emphasized. "Quinn, we should have fun right now. It's our last day of vocations."

"I'm too nervous for tomorrow."

"Don't worry, it'll be fine. In fact, it'll be great." Brook ensured, with a big smile on her face. "It's our senior year!" She exclaimed, jumping happily making her enormous curls dance around her face.

We both enter in the small coffee shop just a few blocks away from our old school. Inside, in our usual table at the corner of the room, beside the window was our group of friends.

"Hey girls."

"What's up?"

"Finally the princesses arrived." Zac joked.

"Shut up."

I noticed the guys already asked our drinks. As I sat tasting the warm coffee, Mateo noticed my quietness.

"What happen Quinn? You're unusual silent." With Mateo's words, all eyes were on me.

"Quinn is nervous about the new school." Brooks answer for me.

"Captain Quinn, nervous?" Tami repeated surprised. "You have no reason to be." I smile at her comment.

Tami and I met each other in our freshman year when we both join the cheer team. We remain friends since then.

"That was what I told her."

"Why are you nervous?" Tyler inquired curiously. "It isn't your type."

"You guys are forgetting I'm going to Roosevelt." They all exchange a knowing look.

"It'll be fine, Quinn." Tami ensured once again but this time not so certain.

"Yeah, it just a school. This year you're a damn senior not a timid freshman." Zac continued gasping my hands in his.

"Now I'm sure. You really forgot my situation with Roosevelt."

Harper and Roosevelt High School are...were the biggest rivals. Since I remember we always compete with each other to be the best. Not only in football but also in other subjects. But mostly in football. The tension was almost palpable in the games.

I loved the pressure from that. Make your blood run faster in your veins like a drug. The rivalry between two sides. I belonged to somewhere.

Although in the most cases we were all civilized there were, of course, some expectations. And I was one of them.

The administration of Harper Highs School treated our transfer's processes. They spread the students through Chicago not caring where we will end up. I end up in Roosevelt High School.

Zac and Tamia didn't understand. Luckily they were transferred to another school while Brooks, Mateo, Tyler and I were at Roosevelt. I look at them and I could see the worry in their eyes. Especially in Mateo.

Mateo was a former football player at Harper High School so like me he wouldn't pass unnoticed through the year. However, unlike me, Mateo was friendlier than me with our opponents. He gets along with everybody while I always got in fights.

"Quinn," Mateo call me, pulling me from my thoughts. His chocolate eyes piercing against mine. "You're the captain of the cheer team and I'm a football player from Harper High School. I know how you feel but we'll be together, all of us."

"Of course. We're a team." Brooklyn agrees.

"We all know your aversion through Roosevelt but you can't start the year with this hate." Smirking Mateo pointed at himself. "You should be more like me."

"Maybe you'll like it," Tyler suggested.

"Be more like Mateo?"

"No." He grinned. "Maybe you'll like Roosevelt." I laugh at his words. I doubt that. The thought of me liking Roosevelt was absolutely ridiculous. On my three years of high school, I cheered for one school and despised the other. Mostly Roosevelt with great aversion.

In the others schools, the tension was between the players. In my case, it was between me and the captain of the football Roosevelt team. It was me against him. He against me. With our hearts full of hate for each other.

Every time we met the world turns into a battle arena and we're the gladiators. Now I have to see him every day. The boy I can't stand. My biggest forever rival.

James King. The golden kiddo of Roosevelt. 

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Hope you liked. 

With love, Inês.