Goal

Home.

The concept of it seemed foreign to the guy who was sweating, his eyes fixated on the goal. If they make this shot, the win would be theirs.

His team knew this. The weight of it lay heavily on Yvann's shoulder.

The audience watching on the bleachers held their breaths.

Sweat trickled down Yvann's face. He was trying not to think of anything else. He needed to keep his focus or they would have to wait for another year to beat Shantel Academy's dragons.

A soft breeze blew by as the referee blew the whistle. Yvann instantly caught the ball and passed it to his nearest teammate, running close towards the goal.

A defender instantly guarded him closely, a smirk on his face.

The count down for the minutes of the game began. This was the last round. After this, the winner will be determined.

Yvann had no desire to lose.

He would snatch the win for this year and break Shantel Academy's winning streak.

They have always been the tightest competition for Shantel. But, for the past years, they had a losing streak for football.

'Not this year.' Yvann thought, his eyes zeroing in on the ball.

"Lorenzo!" Cayden called out to him, the ball flying towards him. Not taking any chances, Yvann secured it.

The defender from Shantel Academy guarded him, his eyes focused on Yvann's feet. Any move he would make, he was sure to block it.

Yvann feigned kicking the ball only to have it roll over slightly before making it past the defender and kicked the ball towards the goal.

Heart beating, Yvann could hear his heart pounding against his ears. A still silence seemed to have fallen in his surroundings, the ball soaring in slow-motion before it made it through; the crowd cheering as the referee blew the whistle.

Game over.

Yvann and his teammates gathered and screamed their victory.

An uproar was ongoing in the bleachers.

"You did it Lorenzo!" Cayden gave Yvann's shoulder a tap while some of his teammates started to cheer for his name.

Yvann couldn't believe it.

Coach Doyle smiled at all of them, yet he remained standing on the sides. The smile on his face was undeniable, though.

He was proud of his team.

This year, they made history.

Yvann was savoring the taste of the win. He was too happy that it took him a minute before he noticed someone staring at him, standing beside his coach.

When Alwreck Lorenzo caught Yvann's surprised gaze, he paused.

The last time his father watched him play was way back when his mother was alive.

After losing her, his father never wanted to be there at his games anymore. In fact, he had almost pulled him out from the team.

However, Yvann didn't want to lose the one thing that kept his mother's memories alive.

She was the one who encouraged him to try it out. She was his number one fan.

Slowly, Yvann pushed his feet to walk towards his father.

When they were only three feet apart, Alwreck Lorenzo clapped his hands thrice, his eyes never leaving Yvann's.

"I'm proud of you, son."

Yvann blinked.

"What made you come here?"

"Remember the friend you brought? She said something to Nizah. It made me realize some things."

"Szeina?"

"Yes. It's unfortunate that we didn't get to say goodbye before she left."

"Yeah." Yvann agreed, his memories of that night briefly coming to his mind.

His heartbeat pounded against his chest. This time, it was no longer because he was afraid or pressured about winning the game.

He didn't tell them the entire story.

He left out the part about why she run away.

Yvann doesn't even know where she was or if she was safe.

There can be some bad people chasing after her. What if they caught up to her and had her killed?

Yvann kept himself pre-occupied so he wouldn't be able to think of those questions that were left unanswered.

Szeina's disappearance also caused Officer Von to lose the closest chance he had to solve the case he was working on.

"Congratulations, son. I hope you could forgive me for my shortcomings. I'm not a perfect father. But, I'll try to be just your dad."

Hearing his father say this, Yvann came back to the present. But he completely forgot about his surroundings, crushing his father in a tight hug.

Szeina's words rang in his head.

'Give them a chance.'

"I have my shortcomings too. And I'm sorry. You grieved mom's death your way, and I failed to see that. I hope you could forgive me too."

Wrapping his arms around Yvann, the father and son found it in their hearts to forgive each other.

The pain that their loved one caused tore them apart. And it took a stranger to help them mend it.

--

The moon sat above the skies and Szeina stared, captivated by its beauty. She was by the balcony, sleep escaping her.

She knew she was to take this time to rest and recuperate.

However, so many things bothered her. Her mind was restless.

A soft knock came through her door. She walked back inside and opened it just a crack. Neyandro smiled at her.

"Can I come in?"

Szeina opened the door and welcomed him. She then inclined her head and asked him to join her on the balcony.

"You look horrible, by the way." This made Szeina roll her eyes.

"And here I thought that you'd be a little kinder to me."

"I'm the kindest person you'll ever meet. What are you saying?"

Szeina shook her head, chuckling. She looked at Neyandro and couldn't help but feel grateful.

"I thought I had lost all of you. My heart was grieving when I woke up with only the briefest memory of hearing the sirens from the distance and remembering the faint sight of red."

Neyandro came closer, putting an arm around Szeina.

"I was afraid that I'd lost you too, Szeina. Imagine, I wouldn't have anyone whom I could tease."

Szeina shook her head, grinning nonetheless.

"On a more serious note, I'm glad you're alive."

Szeina blew out a sigh.

"I can't get around the idea that we're not human. I just… I feel weird. Like it's no longer who I used to be."

  "I'm still me. You're still you, Szeina. No matter what the world would label us, the person who we become lies in our hands. In the end, we get to choose who and what becomes of us. So, you have really nothing to fret."

Szeina turned to Neyandro, her expression incredulous.

"Whoa, when did you become so mature?"

Neyandro shrugged.

"Yesterday, maybe. Or the other day. You know, I kind of bumped my head."

Szeina shook her head once more.

"Ugh, you always know how to ruin a good moment."