chapter 13

Gabriel stood, switching his weight from one foot to the other. He was nervous, but he tried his best to stay calm. His eyes were fixed on the opponents he would soon face, but his mind was elsewhere, consumed by doubts and fears. He couldn't shake off the memory of what had happened in the gym room earlier with David. His powers had surged out of control, and he had shifted into his other form. The thought of it happening again, in front of the entire school, made his heart race with anxiety. He looked up at the ceiling and let out a long sigh. Why had his life become so complicated? He then looked around, at the faces of everyone around him.

What would everyone think if he mistakenly switched forms in front of them? Would they be scared? Would they laugh? Would they see him as a freak, or an alien like David did? Gabriel's mind was a whirlwind of worst-case scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last. He felt like he was walking on thin ice, and one wrong move would send him tumbling into chaos.

As he glanced around, he caught David's suspicious gaze. David's eyes seemed to bore into his soul, as if searching for any sign of weakness. Gabriel's anxiety spiked, and he felt like he was being sized up like prey. He started to wonder if he should back out of the trials. Maybe it was too much for him to handle. Maybe he wasn't good enough.

The thought of being part of a team, of having to work with others who might discover his secret, made him feel like he was trapped in a nightmare. What if he lost control during a match? What if he hurt someone? The weight of his fears was crushing him, making it hard to breathe.

Just as he was about to give in to his doubts, his eyes landed on Jai-Lee, standing on the sidelines with a bright smile on her face. She gave him a thumbs up, her eyes shining with encouragement. Gabriel's heart swelled with gratitude. She believed in him. She thought he could do this. He started to believe in himself too.

With a surge of determination, Gabriel took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand. He would face this challenge head-on, and he would come out on top. Coach Kemp was about to pick the teams, and Gabriel steeled himself for what was to come. He would give it his all, and he would trust himself to control his powers.

Marcus and Harry picked their teams, their eyes scanning the pool of potential teammates as they made their selections. The atmosphere was tense, the air thick with anticipation. When it was time for the coin toss, Coach Kemp asked, "Marcus, what are you picking?" Marcus called out, "I've got heads," as he flipped the coin high into the air. It spun end over end, landing on the ground with a soft thud. Coach Kemp glanced down, his expression unreadable.

"Looks like you've got tails, Harry," Coach Kemp said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "What are you going to choose? Start with the ball, or let the other team take it?" Harry's eyes gleamed with confidence as he responded,

"We're definitely starting with the ball." His teammates nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination.

As the teams lined up, Harry quickly grabbed David's helmet, his voice low and urgent. "Now it's time to see what you can do. I'm handing the ball off to you. The team will block. You'll go head-to-head with Gabriel. Run him over. Got it?" David's eyes locked onto Gabriel, a fierce glint in his gaze.

"Got it," he responded, his voice firm.

Harry called out, "3, 23, 3, 23!" as he handed the ball to David. David nodded, tucking the ball under his arm. He powered through the defense, his movements swift and agile. Then, he found himself face-to-face with Gabriel, their eyes locking in a fierce stare. The message from Harry echoed in his mind, and David picked up speed, his determination to take down Gabriel growing with every step.

The referee stood at the center of the field, his eyes scanning the players. The air was electric with tension, the players poised for the moment. David charged forward , a chip on his shoulder something to prove not only to Harry , not only to himself but to prove himself to the coach and make the cut. The crowd cheered, their voices a distant hum as the players clashed on the field. Gabriel's heart pounded in his chest, his focus solely on the game. He was ready to give it his all, to leave everything on the field.

As the game progressed, the intensity grew, the players giving it their all. Gabriel and David clashed, their movements lightning-fast as they battled for dominance. The outcome was far from certain, the game's momentum shifting back and forth with each play. But one thing was clear - only the strongest would prevail.

As Jai-Lee watched from the sidelines, there to support her best friend, she covered her face; she couldn't watch what was about to happen. Her eyes were squeezed shut, her fingers digging into her cheeks as if trying to block out the impending collision. She had seen Gabriel's determination, his focus, but she also knew that David was not one to be underestimated.

Gabriel's heart was racing as he faced off against David. He could see the intensity in David's eyes; he meant business. David's gaze was like a challenge, a dare to back down. But Gabriel was not one to back down from a challenge. He steeled himself, his muscles tensed and ready.

As David charged towards him, Gabriel felt a strange sense of calm wash over him. It was as if time itself had slowed to an absolute standstill. Everything looked cosmic, the players almost frozen in motion, the wind suspended in its gentle caress against the grass. You could hear the wind blowing through the grass, the players' heavy breaths, the heartbeats, beating in sync like drums. It was a moment he would never forget.

In this timeless moment, Gabriel saw how bad David wanted this, his fierce gaze, his determination, but he also saw something else - a chance to prove himself. With a calm, gentle motion, Gabriel tackled David. But when time went back to normal speed, David went flying, his body arcing through the air like a rag doll. The players stopped, their eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them.

The sound of David's body hitting the ground was like a slap, a sudden shock that broke the spell. The players gasped, their faces a mix of shock and awe. Gabriel stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion, his eyes locked onto David as he struggled to get up. Jai-Lee's eyes snapped open, her face a mix of relief and amazement. She had not expected Gabriel to take down David with such force.

The moment hung in the air, a moment of truth that would change the dynamics of the game. Gabriel's gentle tackle had belied his strength, his power. David got up, his face a mix of anger and respect. The game was far from over, and Gabriel knew that he had just made a statement.