The Alien Within

Chapter 16; Sweet dreams and twisted fates !

The roar of the crowd was deafening as the two teams faced each other on the field. Northside Academy had been left in the dust, but now Sord Academy stood as the next challenge. It wasn't just a match—it was war. The stakes were high, and everyone knew it.

The day of the big match against Sord Academy had finally arrived, and the energy was electric. Everyone at the school knew that Sord Academy was a formidable opponent, known for their lethal counterattacks and speed. If any school was going to give Tessa's school a run for their money, it was them.

The students were on edge, but there was an underlying excitement that buzzed through the air, like static before a storm.

Adrian was sitting in the locker room, his headphones firmly planted over his ears, blocking out the chaos of his teammates getting ready. Beyoncé's "Sweet Dreams" thumped through his head, and he couldn't help but smirk. For all the hype, Sord Academy didn't scare him. No, they were just another team—another group of players who had no idea they were about to face something far more... otherworldly.

As Adrian sat on the bench, with his headphones snug over his ears as Beyoncé's "Sweet Dreams" blasted in his head. The haunting yet energizing melody coursed through his veins, syncing with the quiet intensity that brewed beneath his calm exterior. He could feel the rhythmic thumping of the bass as if it mirrored the pounding of his alien heart.

He closed his eyes, allowing the beat to flow through him like wind guiding his every movement.

He was a Kaelrian, after all, a god among men on the football pitch.

The fans had come in droves, packing the stands to capacity. It wasn't just for the team, though. No, most of them—especially the girls—were there for Adrian.

He had become a sensation overnight, a walking heartthrob with a mysterious aura and impossible athletic abilities that left everyone in awe. His reputation had spread like wildfire, and while he didn't care for the attention, it certainly didn't hurt his ego.

James, on the other hand, was in a very different place. He was starting the match, but his heart wasn't in it. How could it be when every time he turned his head, Adrian was the name on everyone's lips? The worst part was that even Tessa couldn't take her eyes off him.

She'd been sitting in the bleachers with Ms. Caldwell, and although she tried to keep her focus on the game, James could feel the pull.

It was as if Adrian had some kind of gravitational force that sucked everyone into his orbit, and James was left on the outskirts.

As the whistle blew for the first half, things quickly went downhill for the home team. Sord Academy was living up to their reputation, tearing through James' team's defense like paper.

Across the field, James, starting the game as a striker, was battling against a team that counterattacked like sharks sensing blood in the water.

Sord Academy had already netted three goals, while James managed one—barely.

He was pushing himself to the limit, but frustration simmered as his mind couldn't help but wander. Adrian.

Adrian, with his alien abilities and natural talent, sat quietly on the bench like some sort of superhero waiting for the signal to leap into action.

The opposition team was ruthless, and by halftime, the scoreline was an ugly 3-1 in favor of Sord Academy.

The crowd was restless, murmurs of disappointment floating in the air as the students slumped in their seats.

Even the teachers, huddled on the sidelines, noticed the undercurrent of tension. Ms. Caldwell sat further up in the bleachers, waving her little flag, beaming with pride but equally concerned.

She knew there was more on the line than just football.

She kept one eye on Tessa, who was juggling a water bottle in her hands, her eyes darting nervously between James and Adrian.

Ms. Caldwell's face was tight with concern as she leaned over to Tessa.

"They're getting slaughtered," she muttered.

Tessa nodded, her gaze flicking between James, who was wiping sweat from his brow, and Adrian, who sat on the bench looking completely unbothered.

She knew what was coming next.

"This love triangle is getting... complicated," whispered Mrs. O'Brien, the sports coordinator, as she leaned over to Ms. Caldwell.

Ms. Caldwell raised an eyebrow but kept her attention on the game. "Complicated is an understatement," she muttered, watching as James struggled to make any headway.

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In the locker room, Coach Thompson's voice thundered through the air. "We're getting crushed out there! Where's the fire, boys? Where's the fight?"

James sat silently, wiping sweat from his forehead. He could feel the weight of the coach's words, but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't keep up.

And worse, Adrian was sitting just a few feet away, earbuds still in, looking like he couldn't care less. That cocky smirk on his face made James want to scream.

The coach's eyes finally fell on Adrian. "Alright, kid. You're in."

Adrian slowly pulled off his headphones, standing up and stretching like a cat waking from a nap. His entire body seemed to hum with energy, his alien abilities coiled tight, ready to be unleashed.

"Finally," he muttered under his breath.

Meanwhile, in the crowd, Adrian had already become somewhat of a sensation.

Girls squealed and waved at him from the stands, holding up signs with cheesy slogans like, "Adrian, dribble my heart!" or "Alien or not, you're out of this world!" It was a little much, even for him. He sighed, pulling the headphones off as he prepared to enter the second half.

He could practically feel the eyes of Tessa on him, and for some reason, it both unnerved and excited him.

"Sweet dreams, indeed," he muttered under his breath as he finally stood up.

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The crowd exploded into cheers as the coach signaled Adrian to get ready. James looked over and saw the shift— "What in the world?" He was uncomfortable with that level of praise.

"Alright, guys," the coach barked. "Adrian's coming in. Play smart, give him the ball, and let him work his magic."

The magic. The stupid alien magic, James thought bitterly, but he nodded anyway. It wasn't Adrian's fault he was good—scratch that, incredible—at everything. Still, the sting of jealousy burned through him.

From the bleachers, Tessa could hardly sit still. Her fingers gripped the edge of the bench as Adrian darted forward, his body twisting with inhuman grace as he moved like a gust of wind cutting through the field. She glanced at Ms. Caldwell, who gave her a reassuring smile.

"You know what's going to happen now, don't you?" Ms. Caldwell asked with a wink.

Tessa smiled back, feeling a strange sense of pride mixed with something else—something foreign and unsettling that she couldn't quite place. Was it because of the growing attention from both James and Adrian? Was it the weight of being watched, observed, and adored by so many?

But there wasn't much time to think. Adrian was already in motion. The moment the ball touched his foot, it was as if the field tilted in his favor.

His body swerved left, then right, leaving defenders in his wake like they were standing still. He twisted mid-turn, his movements too fluid, too fast, almost as if he was bending the very laws of physics.

In the stands, a girl from Sord Academy shrieked, "Did you see that?!"

Another guy, slack-jawed, muttered, "He's not human…"

James, still on the field, watched with gritted teeth. He'd wanted to prove himself in this game, but Adrian was stealing the spotlight, not by choice but by nature. The boy was literally born to dominate the pitch.

The ball danced at Adrian's feet as he zipped past the defense, his speed increasing with every dribble. The opposing team, baffled, couldn't keep up. He flicked the ball over one defender's head, spun around another, and slammed the ball into the net with a shot so precise it could've been measured with a ruler.

The crowd went wild.

From the bench, the coach yelled, "Yes! That's what I'm talking about!"

3-2.

The crowd roared, jumping to their feet. Adrian didn't celebrate—he never did. He just jogged back to his position, that same smug smile plastered across his face. And yet, as he passed by James, there was a moment—a brief flash—where their eyes met.

James gritted his teeth, feeling a wave of jealousy rise up. But there was something else, too. Respect. As much as he hated to admit it, Adrian was saving them, and James had to step up. This wasn't just about Tessa anymore. This was about winning.

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For the rest of the match, something miraculous happened. James and Adrian, though rivals in nearly every way, began to work together on the field. It was awkward at first, but as the minutes ticked by, they found a rhythm. Adrian's superhuman agility and James' strategic nous created a lethal combination that Sord Academy wasn't prepared for.

Another goal came quickly—this time set up by James, who cleverly threaded the ball through two defenders, allowing Adrian to sweep it into the net.

3-3.

The final whistle was approaching, and the tension was palpable. With only minutes left on the clock, James found himself with the ball near the halfway line. He looked up and saw Adrian sprinting down the wing, calling for the pass. Every part of James wanted to hold onto the ball, to try and make the play himself, but he knew better. Swallowing his pride, he launched the ball towards Adrian.

It was a perfect pass. Adrian caught it on his chest, twisted past the last defender, and with a sharp, powerful kick, sent the ball flying into the top corner of the net.

4-3.

The stadium erupted in cheers as the final whistle blew. They had won.

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