The Alien Within

Chapter 23: The Plot Thickens

The sun rose lazily over Riverdale, casting a golden glow on the pristine track and field of Riverdale Academy. The track event involving both Riverdale and Fiver Academy was fast approaching, and the entire town buzzed with anticipation.

While most eyes were on the upcoming track competition between Tessa and Bridget Mills, a few unsavory plots were brewing behind the scenes.

Riverdale's track instructor, Mr. Joel, had spent the morning preparing his team for the intense day ahead.

His whistle echoed across the field, his short temper as reliable as ever. "Come on, Tessa! I don't care if you can run faster than anyone in town, I want perfect form today!"

Tessa nodded, focused as ever. Her quiet determination had become almost a legendary trait around the school. But it wasn't just her academics that made her stand out—her speed was something otherworldly. And Mr. Joel, though he barked like a bulldog, was proud of her. He knew she'd need every ounce of that Kaelrian strength in the face of Bridget's arrogance.

Tessa was holding back as much as she could. Her average speed was already scary enough, her full speed would break the internet.

She looked at the air as her eyes filled with warmth, took in the fragrance of the bright windy day as the trees swayed to the teasing breeze.

"If only this guy know just how fast I am, he will probably stop wasting his time!' Tessa thought as she kept taking instructions from Mr. Joel.

She hardly broke a sweat all day, like a stuff for kindergarten. She didn't have the arrogance of Bridget but let's face it, this was beneath her.

Meanwhile, the track and field event was heating up as well. With the Peri Inter-Region Track Championship just around the corner, the internet was buzzing with speculation about who would dominate the competition.

Bridget Mills, the star sprinter of Fiver Academy, the reknown 'cheetah' of the academy, had taken to social media, making bold statements about her impending victory.

On her latest post, she wrote:

"To all the schools participating in the Peri Inter-Region Competition, I hope you're ready for the show. I've seen the records, and while some of you think you're fast, I guarantee that I'll leave you all eating my dust. Especially you, Tessa of Riverdale Academy. Let's see if your legs are as fast as your tongue. #Unstoppable #QueenOfTheTrack"

The post quickly went viral, with students from all over the northern and southern regions chiming in. Most were eager to see the showdown between Bridget and Tessa, two powerhouses whose reputations preceded them.

The participating schools for the event included:

1. Oakridge High (known for their long-distance runners)

2. Blackwater Prep (fielding top-tier hurdlers)

3. Crescent Heights Academy (famed for their high jumpers)

4. Redstone Grammar (sprinters with quick starts)

5. Pinevalley Technical (home to a strong relay team)

6. Hazelwood High (dominating in the shot put)

7. Stormway Institute (their 400m runners were lethal)

8. Ivybridge Academy (specializing in the pole vault)

9. Fernleaf Secondary (long-distance marathoners)

10. Silvercrest School (throwing events experts)

11. Rivermount Academy (their jumpers were Olympic-level)

12. Larkspur Grammar (speed walkers, surprisingly competitive)

13. Briarwood Prep (middle-distance track stars)

14. Northwind High (sprinting legends)

15. Southernhill College (400m relay masters)

16. Greendale Academy (home to the discus throw champions)

And of course, rounding out the 18 schools were Riverdale Academy and Fiver Academy.

Despite all the hype, Bridget's arrogance knew no bounds. She dismissed any notion that Tessa could pose a threat. After all, Bridget had never been beaten, and she had the social media following to prove it.

At Riverdale, the post didn't go unnoticed. People started talking about it. Some of Tessa's fans even mocked Bridget.

""Can you believe she wrote that?" one student asked, showing Tessa the post during lunch.

"Just another fool trying to gain attention," another responded.

"She has no idea who she's messing with! We call her the Beast of Riverdale for a reason!" one student, Oxlade, exclaimed passionately.

"Bridget might be a cheetah, but Tessa is a freaking beast, a god!"

"Relax, Oxlade," a friend said, elbowing him. "We all know you like her, so shove it. But for real though, there's no need to respond. When they see the beasts we've got here at Riverdale, they'll realize why we don't even bother to reply."

Tessa smiled at the banter, but she stayed quiet. She didn't need to say anything. Her actions on the track would do all the talking.

...

A while later, on another part of the school, Tessa was relaxing with Adrian beside her.

Tessa glanced at the screen and gave a small, amused smile. "Let her talk. We'll see what happens on the track."

Adrian, sitting next to her, chuckled. "I don't know, Tessa. Maybe you should let me race her. I'll give her a real reason to be scared."

Tessa rolled her eyes playfully. "Please. Leave the running to the professionals."

---

In a dark corner of the school gym, James was having a hushed conversation with his "spy"—the student he had paid to secretly film Tessa's every move. His frustration had reached new heights, and he was determined to find something, anything, that would expose Tessa and bring her down.

"How much do I owe you for this week?" James asked, flipping through his wallet.

The spy, a wiry boy named Craig, scratched his head. "Twenty bucks should do it."

James handed over the cash and leaned in, whispering, "Make sure you get close-ups. I need evidence that there's something off about her. She's hiding something, and I want to know what."

Craig nodded, slipping the cash into his pocket. "Don't worry. I'll get what you need."

As James walked away, his mind buzzed with malicious intent. But no matter how many dirty tricks he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was always a step behind. And Adrian, with his infuriating coolness, was making things even worse.

...

Meanwhile, inside the school, Riverdale's football coach, Mr. Thompson, paced nervously outside the teachers' lounge, glancing through the small window at Ms. Caldwell.

She sat inside, sipping her coffee, her busty figure framed perfectly by the early morning light. With her plump cheeks and radiant face, she looked every bit the Egyptian queen of the academy, exuding calm and kindness.

Mr. Thompson wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers. He'd had a crush on her for what felt like years, but he was far too shy to approach her. "Why is this so hard?" he muttered under his breath.

He needed help, and fast. And then he spotted Adrian.

Adrian, with his unshakable calm and god-like swagger, was leaning casually against a nearby locker. The girls in the hallway were practically swooning as they passed, whispering and giggling. The football prodigy, skilled in almost everything—sports, academics, charm—seemed like the perfect guy to get advice from.

"Adrian! Hey, come here," Mr. Thompson called out, trying to sound casual.

Adrian raised an eyebrow but wandered over, his usual cool smirk in place. "Coach. What's up?"

Mr. Thompson stammered, looking awkwardly at the ground. "I, uh… I need your help with something."

"Sure," Adrian replied smoothly, crossing his arms. "What's the problem?"

Mr. Thompson's face turned a shade of red that almost matched the school's track uniforms. "It's, uh… it's Ms. Caldwell. I… I have a thing for her."

Adrian blinked, suppressing a chuckle. "A thing?"

"Yeah, a thing. I want to talk to her, but every time I try, I—well, I freeze up."

Adrian's lips twitched into a grin. "So, you need advice on how to woo her?"

Mr. Thompson groaned, "Yeah… I guess."

Adrian nodded, his blue Kaelrian eyes twinkling with mischief. "First thing's first, Coach. You need confidence. Just talk to her like you would anyone else. Don't overthink it."

Before Mr. Thompson could respond, the bell rang, and the hallways started to fill with students. Adrian flashed a reassuring smile before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Mr. Thompson to mull over his newly acquired "wisdom."

---

Elsewhere in the school, James was busy plotting. His jealousy had been bubbling over for weeks. Seeing Tessa gravitate toward Adrian, while he himself was pushed further away, had lit a fire of spite within him.

His initial attempts at subtle sabotage had failed miserably, so now, he was resorting to… creative measures.

In his locker, James pulled out a small metal nail. He smirked, staring at the offending object before casually placing it on Tessa's usual seat in the cafeteria. This will teach her to ignore me, he thought with satisfaction.

The lunch bell rang, and students filed in. Tessa, carrying her tray, walked toward the table, oblivious to the trap James had set. But just as she was about to sit, her Kaelrian senses kicked in. Without a second thought, she stopped mid-motion and flicked the chair lightly with her fingers. The nail flew across the room, embedding itself in the far wall like a dart.

James, who had been watching from the corner, stared in disbelief. How is that even possible?

He muttered and scratched his head before scurring away like a rat that had been exposed.

Next, he tried placing a poisoned mist in Adrian's gym bag—his latest grand scheme. But again, the god-like Kaelrian abilities Adrian possessed made short work of James' efforts. When Adrian opened his bag, the mist dissipated harmlessly as if it had never been there, leaving the football star completely unfazed. What would have hospitalized a normal human had no effect on him whatsoever.

Adrian, of course, was well aware of James' antics. He just found it mildly amusing. After all, what were a few human tricks to a Kaelrian? James' attempts at sabotage were like a child throwing tantrums—endearing, if not completely ineffective.

The only thing that could truly harm them was salt, and James had no clue.

...