BAILE (Where We Come Home)

Chapter 17 Goal

"What have you discovered?" Charlotte asked.

I sat down the book I was reading. "That Britain is so fucked. Did you know that there's this Questing Beast which has the head of a snake, the body of a leopard, the backside of a lion and the hooves of a deer?" I read from the page I was up to.

"Yeah but all those things are extinct, well, most of them." April spoke while not removing her eyes from her phone.

"Do I really need to be concerned about all these creatures?" I asked her.

She chuckled. "What a silly question. Of course you do, especially me." She met my eyes, her irises flashing a blood red.

Charlotte made a face behind her and I laughed.

"Have you found anything in there that looks like it might be up your alley?" April glanced at me.

"Not yet."

"Maybe you should ask your mother." She stood up, striding over to her wardrobe.

"Why?"

"Do you seriously think that your own mother wouldn't know you're not human?" She tossed a Uisneach scarf around her neck, in classic green, white and blue. "Anyway, let's go watch some people kick balls around for an hour and a half."

I found my team scarf before we left the dorm room for the football field. We took our seats in the middle of the stands, huddling together for warmth.

"It's freezing." Charlotte's teeth chattered.

"When does this bloody game start?" April looked around the empty field.

A blonde head caught my eye and I turned my head to see Mr. O'Sullivan and Eleanor looking for a place to sit.

"Oh look at them, don't they look cute."

I turned to find April grinning mischievously at me. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." She smirked. "Is that a ring she's wearing?"

"What?" I yelled far to loudly.

"You've got it so bad."

"A headache, yes." I watched the pair sit down two rows in front of us.

"You want in his pants."

I jabbed my elbow into her side. "Shut up, I do not."

"Firstly, don't elbow a Vampire and secondly, you so do."

Everyone started clapping as both teams rushed onto the field.

"He's a teacher."

April shrugged. "So?"

"It's illegal."

"Lots of people have a some fun with their teachers."

"Where?"

"On TV."

"And those books you bought-"

"-Charlotte!" April cut her off. "Do not speak of them."

I focused on the game playing out before us while Charlotte and April talked about April's erotic, Vampire romance novels. I spotted Alick, he moved so fast across the field, nimbly weaving his way between the opposition. I was so proud of him.

"You're on snacks." April and Charlotte handed me some money.

I got up, heading down the stands to the canteen. I groaned at the mile long line, taking my place at the very end.

"Quite a crowd."

I turned around, exchanging a smile with Mr. O'Sullivan. "Yeah."

"I hear you and Alick are talking again."

"We are." I glanced at the field to watch Alick kick a goal. "He's doing really well out there."

"Werewolves build up a lot of adrenaline, football's helping him burn it out. Which reminds me, I think intense physical activity would help bring out your supernatural side." He spoke lowly so nobody else would hear. "Swimming clears the mind, which is good, is there any sports you like?"

"I used to dance. But it's been a while."

"Maybe you can get back into it, if worse comes to worse you can run with me."

I chuckled. "Will I have to take my clothes off?"

"Only if I ask you to."

I didn't know what to say. I quickly bought some food before it got awkward, speed walking back to the stands. I was pretty sure he just hit on me, in a way that made my cheeks flame and my heart flutter.

"Thanks." Charlotte thanked me as I threw her a bag of crisps.

"Do you think I should try dancing again?" I asked.

"I know you gave it up because you said it was for people who liked broken toes." April replied.

"Oh yeah." I had forgotten I'd said that.

"What prompted this idea?"

"Mr. O'Sullivan thinks that psychical activity will bring about my...supernatural side."

"He has a point, but I'm pretty sure he only asked you so he could see you in your active wear."

I elbowed April and she gave me a menacing look.

"Maybe you're a sprite." She shot. "I will help you with the dancing if you require it."

"Thank you." Alick scored another goal and we gave him a standing ovation. By the end of the match we were up ten nil, all thanks to Alick's newfound abilities.

"You were amazing." I handed him a drink as he left the field.

"It felt so good."

"Good job Alick." Mr. O'Sullivan approached, Eleanor's arm looped through his. What was with these two? "Keep it up and you might get a career out of it."

Alick shook his head. "I don't think so."

I met Eleanor's crystal blue eyes, a small smile tugging her pursed lips.

"I'm sure your parents would be proud." He left with a parting smile.

The four of us headed back to the dorms, Alick sneaking his way into our dorm room like he used to do. We snuck food from the cafeteria, settling down on two beds pushed together to watch a movie.

"We're watching Pretty Little Liars no exceptions."

"I'm not complaining." Alick shrugged, with us all knowing he had always had a massive crush on Lucy Hale.

I flicked off the lights before sitting between Alick and Charlotte, holding the bowl of chocolate-coated popcorn in my lap. I wished I could have lived in this moment forever.