(Amaia)

I need a full bath, the way Rigel has drenched me, but the game has already begun, so I make a quick stop in the washroom to clean myself up as best as I can and head back without grabbing popcorn. There is no time to get them as the stand is in the opposite direction from where the washrooms are.

My legs are still shaking from the experience I just had with him. Unlike Alnilam, Rigel doesn’t scare me, I don’t know why. He is the definition of psychotic, and yet my heart and magic feel at ease with him.

I didn’t tell Rigel that I had a blood transfusion. No need to make him feel guilty for drinking my blood. If my blood can somehow ground him, keep him from hurting the people I care about then be it.

"No popcorn?" Kacir asks, sadly.

"Sorry, I had to use the restroom, by the time I returned the popcorn had finished," I lie and hope it’s a convincing one.

"It’s alright, let’s watch the game," he reassuringly says, returning his attention to the game.

With a sigh of relief, I sit beside Rahria, who is still sipping a beer. My attention turns towards the ground where both teams have already started.

Black and red tracksuits with the logo of Guild Leo are donned by our team. Chastin is the captain. Two seniors, Alara and Jace, complete the team along with my twin mates. Both of them have their hair up, tied neatly as they stand in their positions, looking like demi-gods descended from heaven just to play a game of ball.

Jace guards the basket pole while Mintaka remains just ahead of him in a defensive position. Chastin is in the centre while Alnitak and Alara are the forwards.

Alnitak turns his head and finds me. His serious face erupts into a heartwarming smile as he sends me a small wave. Enthusiastically, I return it.

The Pegasus Team has Ramian and Luthial on their defence and the rest of their team is made up of seniors.

The ball passes between Chastin and Alnitak. Ramian tries an interception but they are too quick for him. Alnitak dodges Ramian’s outstretched hands and jumps higher than him, collecting the ball.

"Yahhh!!" We clap and cheer for him. Rahria raises her beer bottle.

And just before Alnitak can pass it to Alara, it slows down, changes directions and flies towards the sky. But Alara stays in her position, unmoving and unnerved. Raising her head, she focuses on the ball and elegantly lets her right hand move with a flick of her wrist.

"Control on wind," Rahria explains Lara’s power and I nod.

Swirling back, the ball is pushed forward as if being pushed by a gust of wind and flies straight towards the loop. Luthial jumps trying to catch it, but underestimates the speed, and it hits him directly in the face.

"Ooppps!" I place my hand on my face.

A fountain of blood splutters out as Luthial falls to the ground clutching his nose, and Ball sails inside the loop, scoring the first point for Guild Leo.

"Yoooo!" They gather around and do high fives. We cheer behind them. Even our mentors and Headmaster seem to be enjoying the game. Only Alnilam is watching solemnly from the stand.

This game is fun and I can imagine why certain players with special powers must be chosen.

Luthial is removed from the ground and is probably taken to the infirmary. Another senior takes his place.

The game continues. Alnitak makes his move but the defender from Pegasus tries using a fire attack to stop the ball. Cold mist descends on the ground which I know is Alnitak’s power. It blinds the defender and extinguishes the fire he has been using as the defence.

Alnitak launches the ball with his right hand, arm stretched, muscles rippling against the black fabric.

I hold my breath watching it soar when Ramian jumps, trying to catch it, but his eyes roll in his sockets and he falls on the ground, and the ball elegantly drops in the net, giving us the second goal.

"Hurrah!" I stand up, cheering and Alnitak turns to watch me with a big naughty grin on his face. He points both fingers at me and sends me a wink before Chastin and Alara have him in a huge hug.

"Chastin’s power is to induce hallucinations, that’s what he has hit Ramian with," Rahria smugly explains.

"That is a very deadly power. Hardly anyone escapes it," Kacir gleefully adds, still cheering for our team. We are thrashing them.

The rule is that one player can only use their power one time during the game.

Their forward finally gets hold of the ball, our team goes on defence. The senior from Pegasus comes face-to-face with Mintaka.

Their eyes focus, Mintaka remains sharp with his hands above his head, ready to defend the loop. We are winning 2-0 for now.

He raises his hand and acts like he is going to shoot the ball, but instead, thorny vines shoot out of his hands, directed towards Mintaka. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

My heart jumps into my throat, but Jace, the other defender with Mintaka, moves his hands at the angle of 360, creating a blue shield with symbols and runes visible in it. Mesmerised I watch this stunning display of power and ball game as the vines are swallowed by the glistening shield.

Seeing his vines go to waste, he jumps and angles the ball above the shield directed towards the hoop. But Mintaka is ready for him. Just before the ball can swoop in, it slows down and Mintaka instantly judges the speed and catches it in his safe hands.

Hugging the ball to his chest, Mintaka lands on the ground, and all of us erupt in cheers.

The final whistle sounds from Professor Ipsian.

"Guild Leo wins," he announces and all of them pounce on Mintaka in celebration. I cannot help but clasp my hands together and watch in awe.

We do high fives amongst us and I see Kacir is grinning. Even Rahria holds a smile.

"That was entertaining," Cristo says from beside me. "Now I can finally sleep." He waves and moves away.

Kacir runs down the stairs to join the others, but Rahria stays behind, turning her attention towards me.

I sense she wishes to say something so I turn to face her.

"I don’t know what your deal is, Amaia but Alnitak is a good guy. Don’t break his heart. I know you went and hooked up with someone earlier." She gives me a hard look. "I can scent someone on you and you reek of sex."