"Let’s break some bones."

The spectating students watched with anticipation as both groups faced off. Chris and Ben each squared a ball in their hands.

"Ready?" Go!"

The moment the voice shouted, Miles felt his hairs actually stand on edge.

’Fuck!’ he cursed inwardly. Almost too late to react.

Chris and Ben shot the balls in a spinning spiral motion with just one target in sight, Miles.

’I must not catch.’ Miles warned himself as he shifted slightly to dodge the ball coming from the right but placed himself in the path of the left one.

’Fuck.’ he cursed instantly, realising he underestimated those two.

But fortunately, just as the ball was close to hitting him in the elbow, Simon stepped up and directly bore the full force of the ball.

" Argh!" His pained cry rang through the field, causing every student’s eyes to widen at the unbelievable sight.

Simon stumbled, dragging his feet six steps back before falling on his butt with a heavy thud.

A round of silence spread through the onlookers, before each covered their mouth in disbelief.

Sure, their target had been missed, but their strength shocked everyone.

’Shit!’

Glancing at Simon groaning on the floor while clutching his stomach, Miles was also a little astounded. Although if he had been the one to receive the blow, it wouldn’t have been exaggerated like that, Miles acknowledged the hatred Chris and the bully clique had for him.

Moreover, when playing in their turf, the ball made everything much more dangerous.

Seeing they had missed, Chris frowned and clutched his fist silently. That throw was supposed to settle it and leave Miles bedridden for a couple of weeks at least.

Ignoring the amazed clamours of the crowd, Miles moved to check up on Simon.

"Are you okay?"

He asked and Simon nodded, struggling to catch his breath.

"I didn’t die. Hahaha." He began laughing while grinning at Theo and Oliver who appeared greatly shaken.

"It’s okay now, it’s our turn now." Miles comforted and swiftly grabbed the ball.

" Our target is Ben." He muttered lowly to Oliver who picked the second ball.

The onlookers quickly quieted down.

" Ready! Go!"

Oliver threw the ball and it weaved through the air . Compared to the speed at which Ben and Chris shot theirs a moment ago, it could be said to be quite languid.

But it was enough distraction for Miles who lagged his throw by a split moment.

’Huh?’

As their eyes instinctively traced the ball thrown by Oliver towards Ben, they failed to see Miles’ throw.

By the time anyone realised it, a loud anguished cry rang across the field, drawing their eyes to see Ben stiffly holding one of his thighs as a ball dropped with a thud then rolled towards Chris’ feet.

For a moment, silence fell over everyone, none able to understand what just happened. But before they could bring themselves to react, Ben fell like a log of wood while still gripping his thighs, his cry louder than ever.

"..."

They were speechless...

Whilst, Miles hid the dangerous look in his eyes and promptly smiled to taunt that trio.

"Can’t take a light punch huh?" He jeered, knowing that the throw had contained 70% of his strength and Ben’s bone had most likely suffered a deep fracture.

He felt no pity since he was just repaying a favour.

’Light?’ the onlookers exchanged a synonymous glance, chilled as they stared at Ben, his eyes bulging while his hands clenched around the hurt thigh.

If he let go, they would see a deep dark red spot.

Chris’ eyes turned grim, turning to glance at Miles.

’How can he be so strong?’

Every tiny bit of underestimation towards Miles vanished like a fog, now viewing him with seriousness as a mighty foe would.

The reason for this? Because he knew Ben and how strong the former was, gridiron was a sport played by those with a strong heart. And for a strong heart to crack with a single hit. Miles wasn’t Miles, in his mind, he quickly judged that the person before him was an imposter. Miles’ twin perhaps?

That was the only plausible scenario other than being faced with a ghost.

At the same time, he realised another thing—

’We have to find his body.’

After a moment of silent contemplation, he motioned for two students he was familiar with.

"Go and bring a stretcher."

From afar, the coaches who had been busy with their popcorn saw students rushing with a folding stretcher and spat out what was in their mouths.

" Deep shit, what the fuck happened?"

They wanted to run and mediate but suddenly each got a phone call.

__

"You’ll pay for this." Chris gritted his teeth and picked up the ball.

"Bastards." Tyler cursed while sharing a nod with Chris.

Meanwhile in the grandstands, Chloe’s heart felt heavy watching what was about to unfold.

"They aren’t trying to aim for him." Suddenly, Billy, renowned as the Silent Giant because he barely spoke, tried to ease his sister’s worry.

Chloe was stunned.

"... what do you mean?" She quickly brought herself to ask.

Seeming unwilling to speak further and praise his sister’s obsessive crush, he pursed his lips before saying:

"Earlier, the reason he was able to take down Ben was because he faked the shots. Chris and Tyler know they wouldn’t be able to avoid another shot like that so they are going to take out the fakes and leave him open in the next round.

" Oh..." Chloe let out a relieved look, but then her beautiful face quickly formed a worried look.

"Won’t that mean he’ll be in more danger after?"

"It depends." Billy replied, his nonchalant eyes focused on the exchange while mourning the fact that his sister loved another boy after all he did for her. He was a sis-con.

"Ready?! Go!"

The same shout came again.

Chris and Tyler stomped hard on the ground and let loose the ball in a spiral form.

The crowd drew a shocked breath at the next scene.