Chapter 1: A Cut Above The Rest

Her breaths escaped her throat slowly.

A minute left on the clock. Her shorts hugged her frame tightly, knees pads felt drenched in sweat, and hair stuck to her forehead. She brushed the black locks out of her face, making sure her ponytail was still tight and held her hair firmly in place.

A minute was left.

All eyes were on her.

Half support, half with hope she would fail.

She had been a star for the game, scoring points for St. Heather's for the past couple of hours. She had no idea why, but she was more focused, more brutal towards the opposing team tonight. Aggression was in her blood, and it was right to let it run wild. The opposing players couldn't keep up with her movements.

Okay, Shine. This is it. Keep yourself focused. Let yourself go just a tiny bit more than usual and blitz them. You can do that in under a minute, right?

Despite the sweat, she didn't feel winded. Her muscles were riddled with anticipation, foot bouncing slowly in place while she tried to hold herself back with all her ability.

Come on. Serve the damn ball already!

The girl on the opposite side of the court looked at her teammates, then quickly locked eyes with Shine. She shivered visibly, licking her lips and speaking, "20 serving 50!" Then, the ball flew from her wrist, into the air.

All eyes followed after it. Regardless of which side it landed on, St. Heather's was going to win the game.

Something pushed inside Shine though.

She purposely broke formation. Her feet carried her forward, past the captain and just in front of the net. She jumped high, higher than any normal person would be able to, and she connected. Her palm sent a slight vibration through the ball, and it shot down like a meteor. It stuck the court, erupting air from its sides.

No one spoke. No one breathed. Everyone sat there in a stunned silence as Shine landed just before the net, standing straight and tugging her shirt down just a bit. She looked from the opposing team, to her own, then to the stands and judges.

Shit.. Did I over do it?

The timer buzzed loudly, shaking the silence. The team captain strolled over to Shine, her face stern, until she dropped down and picked the girl up, beginning a chant of Shine's name.

Her team followed. Their school in bleachers followed in the outcry. Even the opposing school and some of the players clapped in disbelief.

Shine released a sigh of relief, and gave her teammates heavy high fives as they moved towards the locker rooms.

-----------------------------------------

"So, how is it you managed to jump that high?"

Shine closed her locker door just enough to lock eyes with the team captain.

The captain had creamy white skin and blonde locks. Her eyes held a mix between green, blue and brown, a strange mutation in her genes that highlighted the personality in her gaze. She was a hair shorter than Shine, with faintly visible muscles in her arms and legs.

Both girls were in their towels, hair wet from their shower. The locker room was filled with steam, the sound of running water and girls laughing and gossiping. "To tell you the truth, I just kinda let go, I guess. I've been working a lot on my leg exercises, so I guess that paid off."

"More than paid off. Girl, everything about you is unreal when you're on the court. Fast, strong, and hella agile. I'm honestly jealous. Maybe you should be captain instead of me."

"Oh please. Frannie, you're a better leader than I could ever be. I'm just your secret weapon." She laughed, removing the towel. Her arms found their way into her locker and pulled out a white sweater. Under it was a pair of blue jeans, with the knees torn.

Frannie brushed her blonde locks over her shoulder and scoffed. "All of that, and you still find an excuse to stay humble."

"Well, that's what makes me so unique." The two locked eyes and laughed. Shine began to dress herself slowly, careful to slip the sweater on. Frannie raised an eyebrow at her, sitting on the bench and pulling her own leggings on.

"No bra? Or underwear," She asked.

"I was in such a rush that I forgot to bring an extra pair today. It's no big deal, not like I'm walking home in the snow anyway." She looked down at Frannie, pulling her jeans from the locker and rummaging around in the pockets. She produced a black touchscreen phone, her screen bright even under the locker room lights and covered with notifications. Instagram, Twitter, even Facebook, though she rarely uses it.

"Someone's popular." Frannie said, clipping her bra strap and sliding on a short sleeve band shirt. "All from guys?"

Shine nodded angrily, closing the locker door and slinging her back around her arm. Her brown coat was on her forearm, eyes scanning the many direct messages from people she knew and didn't know.

She understood she was a looker, but the attention has been increasing as of late. Every day, a new message from a different boy trying to hook up with her. Some around her age, others younger, and many older.

"Gimme a ride home, Frannie?"

"Can I stay for dinner?"

Shine looked up from her phone. Frannie had her hands cupped together, bottom lip pushed out and eyes wide in a puppy dog look.

This was the usual begging method, and it always worked on Shine when it came to Frannie. After all, they were best friends.

"Sure. I think Mom will be okay with it."

Frannie threw her fist in the air and cheered, "Thank you, Lord! I'll meet you in the car." She turned on her heel, carefully stepping through the locker room to avoid slipping. Shine looked at her phone once more, before adjusting her bag and leaving the locker room as well.