Welcome to My World

Chapter 18 Ez's POV {Several Ships}

I'm excited.

Ok, sure, you probably knew that already, but I'm so excited. I've seen Ellis and Rayla in play and they. Are. So. Freaking. Good.

Honestly, I feel bad for the MacGuffins guys. She

They don't stand a chance unless they bonk Rayla. Then in that case, they have a chance.

I can hear Ellis fussing over Rayla, along with Alesa. "Are you sure you're ok?"

"You aren't dizzy or anything?"

Rayla grins. "I do my best kicks dizzy."

I laugh. Then the Bumblebees strut out into the field, their black and yellow stripes flashing across the field. The cheerleaders prance, waving pom poms designed to look like bees.She

Our players run out to meet them. I note with satisfaction that Rayla's running straight. Ellis flanks her, her braid blowing. Genelyn and her squad scream alongside them. They line up on the field and shake hands.

Then the ball's spinning, rolling out into the field. Ellis is goal keeper. She makes an excellent goal keeper. Rayla's up front, kicking the ball expertly through the opposing players. She passes the ball to Arthur, who weaves it around, but then a Bumbleebee grabs it, but then Rayla kicks it into the goal. We all cheer. Rayla must be dizzy.

The game continues, and the Star Strikers score goal after goal after goal. The ball never gets past Ellis. Everything's going great until break time. Then I see the Bumblebees talking quietly to an Ivywood kid. Money changes hands, and they nod, grim looks on their faces. I wonder what that was about, but no one else notices.

Then they're out again, and we're doing great until Rayla tries to pass the ball to Ellis. A boy from MacGuffins tackles her, slamming her head against the ground, and she screams. But even if she's pinned down, she slams the ball to Ellis, who scores.

The boy doesn't make any effort to get up, and his coaches rushed out to the field to check on him. They carry him to the sidelines, leaving Rayla. Callum rushes out, and Genelyn gets a sour expression, like she's eating a pickle.

Callum's also bringing Rayla to the sidelines when she opens her eyes. "Let me keep playing." She says quietly.

"No, Rayla, you're hurt." He argues.

"I'm fine! Please. Just let me finish this game." Her violet eyes search his, and I can feel his resolve weakening.

"Fine." Callum says finally, putting her down. She runs back onto the field, but I notice that she's running crookedly now.

We end up winning 30-4, and we all cheer. Rayla's smiling an actual smile. I run up to Ellis, and I throw my arms around her. We laugh, and then we both turn to watch. Callum's carrying Rayla to the infirmary, and they're both laughing.

But Genelyn doesn't look happy.