Chapter 16 - It's My Strength!

"I hope you weren't expecting great things from me, Teddy. Cause this sucks!" is what Marcus thought after getting pummeled multiple times by the opposition. The Practice Squad Showdown has barely started and he already felt himself getting exhausted. He had fallen into the cat's trap and became their prey. Marcus called for a timeout.

"Marcus, are you okay?!" Veronica cried out. Suddenly, another teammate walked up to the worn down Marcus.

"Can you still stand, Marcus? It's a best of three match and we need just one more win, it's not over yet!", the mysterious voice said to encourage him. "I will give everything I have to help you win. Your dream is my dream as well."

The boy reached his hand to Marcus, he wore the practice outfit like everyone else in the game, what stood out was his orange messy hair, which made him stand out among the crowd.

Marcus sighs and grabs his hand and catches his footing despite his beat-up condition. "You're right, Theo! Let's end these fools!"

It was all thanks to Marcus, Veronica, and Theo's efforts that they got this far. A few days ago, it wouldn't have been that way when Marcus and Veronica first met Theodore White.

The school bell rang and they headed straight to practice to get ready for the showdown for the practice squad match.

Never one to over-exert herself, Veronica struggled to keep with Marcus's pace. She had promised to help Marcus win this game no matter what, but maybe she was doing too much.

After doing a 100 set of burpees, she flopped down to the polished maple wood floor and just passed down. Quickly, Marcus offered her sports drink to her in which she quickly gulped a chunk of it down.

"Careful, V. I know you want to help me, but it's never okay to go past your limits when you're not even prepared."

"At this rate…..I'll be a burden….You….need...to worry about yourself…..a bit more." She points at him slowly lying on the ground in exhaustion. "Don't do something to reflare asthma. I know it's been a while, but don't tire or hurt yourself before the game."

"Right! Don't worry we got this, besides, someone else will be joining us today. He's on our team."

"He is?" Veronica ponders as to who he could be talking about. Another acquaintance? She didn't really talk to the practice squad that much.

Suddenly, the gym door opens as an orange-haired boy walks in with a shirt in bold saying "King's Academy" and on the sleeves saying "Monarchs".

"Yo, Theo!" Marcus waves which catches the attention of the boy known as Theo.

"Could you please not call me that? It's very much what I would not like to be called 'Theo'."

"Oh c'mon! You look just like the chipmunk!" Veronica takes a good hard look at Theodore's build and if anything he looks like anything but an athlete!

"I know what you may be saying, Veronica! But trust me, Theo's here because he wanted to be here and I think his weight could be a factor, he's like a sumo wrestler!"

"I'm glad to hear you taking an interest in me, Marcus! Are we ready to get started?"

"More than ready now that you're here!" They quickly get in shape for some routines. They do some pushups, situps, the usual, but then they start changing it up.

Marcus quickly places Veronica on one side while he and Theodore go on one side.

"Okay, I wanna try something V!"

"Will it be dangerous?"

"Yes! But all you need to do is dodge!" The two start throwing dodgeballs at her!

She gives him a are-you-serious stare. "I break something in my body, I dump you! Due to her agility, she is able to maneuver around each ball. However, due to Marcus's antics, she decides to throw one of the balls right back at him.

However, he anticipates this and braces for impact. The speed of the ball when it impacts quickly almost makes him lose his balance.

"Hehehe, sorry Mo! I may not have much strength, but my agility and throw speed can beat your strength!"

Theo starts playfully laughing. "I think she is starting to get it."

"Yeah same."

"What are you two blabbering about?"

"How we plan to beat the other practice squad. The other two on our squad are in on it as well."

"And you don't think it's a good idea to let your girlfriend know as well?" Veronica started to cross her arms.

"Heh, I wanted to but I needed to test it out. And now, I think we have the perfect setup for this as well!"

Theo starts to laugh some more than says, "I agree. I can't wait to catch these cocky arses by suprise and finally get their just punishment? Ever since I came to this school, I have been ridiculed by other kids for my fat. I used to think of it as a weakness. But now….it's my biggest strength!"

Marcus and Theo each pat each other on the shoulder and both say, "Let's give em a show."

Veronica looks and smilies. "Now only is becoming active, but he's become more defined as a person. I guess I really didn't need to help him like I thought I did."

Suddenly, the two walk up to her with their hands out.

"C'mon, we are a team and we dominate together!" said Marcus.

"Let's dominate these fools!" said Theodore. Veronica instantly snaps back to her senses and pumps up as well.

"Right!"

Back to the present time, the final game of the practice match has started by the whistle.

It's gametime!