Toxin

CHAPTER 3 - Happening more Often...

12 am. My eyes fluttered open. The cool night's breeze was bear against my skin, though I still felt as numb as ever. The sheets were below me, rippling against the soft breeze by my open window. I sighed, shuddering as dark visions shadowed my sight. I sat up, leaning heavily against my bed's head frame. I gazed over into the far corner. It was there again. And as if it finally knew I was watching it disappeared out the window in a blink of an eye, and faded into the night.

"In today's lesson, we'll be revising our football skills and drills that we left off on last year." Miss Jones strut carefully along the side line of our oval, looking up at us every minute. Effie grunted next to me, nudging my upper arm. I looked beside me to face her. Effie may have great grades up in the brain department, but even she knew she was never the one for athletics, or just sport in general. "What?" I mumbled, having a sleep-deprived tone to my voice. "A little groggy I see. Anyways, can you-" Effie started, stopping when Miss Jones glared at her. Miss Jones was actually quite naturally pretty, with her long dark brown hair and light brown eyes. In fact, she wasn't that much older than us. "Sorry, miss." Effie muttered, straightening up and looking over. "Aaly. Would you come to the front here please? I want to give some people an example." Miss Jones smiled, dragging me to the front. I sighed, putting on a small smile. "Alright Aaly, could you show us some juggling?" Miss said casually, crossing her arms across her chest. "Sure miss..." I sighed, rolling the ball towards me. I looked up for a second, catching the eye of Atlas, who was smirking at me. I rolled my eyes, tilting my head forward towards the ball again. I flicked it up, stretching out my legs and using my knee to bounce the ball. I quickly moved onto my other leg, hopping down and using my left leg to keep the ball up. I leaned back, catching the ball again and continuing this process. "Alright, thank you Aaly." Miss Jones said, shaking my hand and patting my back. I smiled, heading back to Effie, who was pouting and kicking the ground softly. That was, until I was held back from my arm. I didn't even need to turn around to recognise who it was. I flicked my head around, facing Atlas. "What do you want?" I asked, now turning my full body around, snatching my arm back. "I was wondering if you'd like to be partners." he sneered, placing a hand on his hip. I'd grunt, turning back to look at Effie. She had a surprised face for a second, before she grinned, shaking her hands in front of her as if she were saying 'Go ahead'. I glared at her, but she just chuckled in return and turned to pay attention at the front again. "So, your answer?" Atlas smirked, now crossing his arms. "Fine." I snapped, heading back towards him.

"You're actually not bad at this." I exclaimed, kicking the ball across and over to Atlas. "What, were you expecting me to be terrible at this?" he grinned, passing it back through the air. "Well, no... But also yes." I shrugged smirking at him as a passed the ball back at him. "I guess I'm always used to having to teach Effie how to do it." I sighed smiling. Atlas grinned, kicking the ball up high into the air. "Wow, thanks..." I muttered, grinning back as I controlled the ball using my chest. I booted the ball up higher into the air than Atlas did. He shrugged, bringing it back down carefully using the space between his ankle and foot. "Do you play?" I asked, passing the ball back to him. "Yeah, I do. And you?" he retorted, kicking the ball back. "Mhm." I answered, focusing on the ball and passing it back through the air. "Mixed or just girls?" he'd ask again, flicking the ball up and catching it in his hands. "Mixed. I can't stand girls whining and attempts to kick the ball." I snorted, Atlas chuckling along with me. We walked up to Miss Jones and returned the ball, before sitting down on the silver seats. Effie bounded up to us, and sat down next to me. "So, how was it?" she whispered into my ear a little too loudly. I rolled my eyes, catching a glint of amusement in Atlas's eyes. "You know he can hear you, right?" I sighed, pushing Effie away from my ear. "Effie, right? I'm Atlas, as you could probably tell already." started Atlas, leaving his hand out to shake Effie's hand. "Yes, it's Effie. Nice to finally meet you, Atlas." she smirked, shaking Atlas's hand. I sat awkwardly, pressing my hands between my legs and waiting for Miss Jones's next call. "Alright everyone! Settle down now." she roared, using a firm tone to her voice. The class fell silent, along with Effie and Atlas too. "Shooting's next."

We were split into groups. People who didn't feel confident kicking a ball, and people who were. Of course, I was the only girl to join the confident side, but usually I'd be alone, with no one to talk to. Yet here I am, standing in the line next to Atlas. "OK, shut up you lot!" Miss Jones called, telling the boys in front of me off. "We're going to see how you kick the ball, or more fondly, your shooting ability." The guys in front of punched each other's arms, obviously excited. "First to start will be the non-confident side." she bellowed, signalling my side to sit down. The first few to try and kick the ball were Alyssa, Rachel and Victoria. These three girls were definitely not cut out for sport and were lathered in make-up. It pained me to see them attempt to kick a ball. Victoria toe-punted the ball and even fell on the floor clutching her toes. I couldn't suppress my laughter, so I let out a small giggle. I don't think Atlas could hold it in either, since I heard a soft chuckle escape his lips. Why am I even looking at his lips. After a few more people, it was Effie's turn. She's not that bad, at least not as bad like when she started. She kicked the ball using the right part of her foot like I had taught her, but it sadly just rolled off her foot instead. I shrugged. At least it actually went into the goal.

Soon, before we knew it, it was the confident side's turn. The first boy in line booted the ball. It flew swiftly into the middle of the goal, which was the reason why him and his friends were now all getting lectured by Miss Jones about putting the ball into one of the four corners of the goal. After that, it was soon my turn. I decided that I wanted the ball to go into the top right corner. I jogged into it and booted the ball heavily into the top right corner. I smirked, patting Atlas on the shoulder as I began to pass him. I pulled him in using his shirt, and whispered; "Try and beat that.". I walked away, shoving my hands in my pants pockets. I knew Atlas was grinning, so I didn't even bother to look back. All I saw were the other boy's eyes on me. I stood back, watching Atlas from the sideline, next to Effie. "You think he can shoot better than you?" she pondered out loud. I shrugged, "I can't tell. Let's just see." I murmured. "I know he'll do better than those boys in front of you." she retorted. I look at her, confused. "And how can you tell?" I asked, keeping my eyes on her. "Because I bet you told him to." she shrugged, grinning. I rolled my eyes, gazing back at Atlas. Miss Jones blew the whistle and Atlas snapped back, preparing for a small run up. He stalked up, striding towards the ball almost elegantly and booted the ball in the top right corner. How could he look so... Majestic? I stared as the goal net rippled against the strength of the ball. I got to admit it, he was good. No, good won't cut it, because that was a magnificent sight to watch. I could hear the girls further down the sideline clap and cheer. Even a few of the boys were impressed and joined them. But he was looking at me, that fox-like grin appearing on his face again. And... He was only looking at me.