Page 55 of I Blame the Dimples
“Didn’t realize inanimate objects could play,Vector.” Cody’s voice breezes past the tension dividing the field, drawing reluctant chuckles from our side. Through his face guard, I see Vector blink slowly, unsure of what to make of the unexpected power play.
Seeming completely unconcerned about the threat of bodily harm, Cody blows the beast a kiss, putting a smirk on every Tiger’s face and setting off some snickers on the Saber side. Vector turns and glares at his teammates just as the ref blows his whistle.
The lingering fear seems to dissipate as everyone readies themselves into position. Say what you want about my short, stocky captain but one thing’s for certain.
The guy has balls. And they're definitelymade out of vibranium.
“Mother fu…” Letting out a string of expletives, I watch as Vector snatches the ball out of the air not five feet from where I’m standing. Hunter overthrew the shot, and I didn’t get there in time to stop the bulldozer from embracing the breakaway opportunity.
Swivelling with impossible grace, Vector does a full 180 and charges down the field back to where Nico just barely managed to save his last shot. I sprint after him, but the guy’s stride and sheer power leaves me with no hope of catching up.
One of our senior defensemen attempts to block Vector’s pass, but one momentum-fueled bodycheck later, the guy goes flying. One bounce, two bounces, the defensemen comes to a crunching stop and I change my trajectory to his direction. I see Cody correct his own course of action to intervene, but it's too late. Vector flings his stick with furious intent and the ball flies right over Nico’s foot and into the net.
Saber cheers go up as I rush to the fallen player’s side. By the time I reach the redheaded senior he’s already sitting up and waving away offers of medical assistance.
“Bro, that wasn’t even closeto the worst body slam I’ve had. The only thing hurting right now is my ego. Tell me, did the fall look sick at least?” Relief hits me as I grin, reaching out a hand to pull the defenseman to his feet.
“Sick is the only word I would use to describe that fall.” Mason chuckles and fetches his lacrosse stick from the ground just as Cody runs over.
“Mace, you alright?” Concern fills our captain’s voice as he offers a hand of assistance.
Mason slaps the hand away and gives him a reassuring laugh, “Quit with the babying, Cap. You know as well as I do our position means taking a tumble now and then.”
Cody shakes his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “I’m glad you are okay. Let me know if you want to get subbed next quarter.”
Snorting, Mason waves off the comment, “As if I would give Vin the satisfaction.”
Together we walk back to the centre circle, where the Sabers are still celebrating the tie-up. Watching Vector rejoice with his teammates feels like watching a lacrosse-playing vampire celebrate his bloodthirst among friends and family.
Nope, I am no longer Team Edward.
As if reading my offensive thoughts, Vector glances over to us. For a split second, I think his pale expression is about to transform into something resembling an apology, but then he ruins the moment by raising his finger and sliding it slowly along his neck. Psychopath style.
Good to see Silverwood’s sportsmanship is up to standard.
“That guy’s got serious issues.” Mason mumbles the comment before peeling off into position. Despite the defensemen’s reassurances, it’s pretty obvious he’s shaken from his fumble with Vector. The guy hasn’t been able to look anywhere butthe white-haired vampire, as if he’s waiting for the kill shot to happen at any minute.
Little did I know it wasn’t Mason who should have been worried.
With a tied scoreboard and only two minutes left in the third quarter, I sneak a glance at Trip in the crowd. The sight of her paint-streaked face is enough to drop my nervous system back down into its normal stratosphere.
Breathe, Wes. Just breathe.
The whistle blows and we’re off.
Lou
It happened so fast.
One second he was running up the field, the next he was crumpled on the ground. And this time, he didn’t get back up.
Vector was tearing down the field like some sort of madman when Hunter stepped out in front of him, ready to steal the ball from the charging bull. I’ve never felt so afraid for someone else’s life – and that was before Cody yanked the rookie out of the way and took the full force of Vector Vin.
Tears filled my eyes as I watched the team’s beloved captain – myfriend– get trampled like a vintage rag doll across the field. Cody’s body rolls to a stop, and there’s no movement in sight. The bleachers, unusually quiet, let out a collective gasp as it becomes clear Taber Tigers’ captain isn’t getting up anytime soon.
With a scream, Stella volts herself from our bench and hurtles down three rows of bleachers, scrambling over spectators until she hits even ground. Mo lets out a curse as we watch his sister sprint across the field to the crumpled heap of lacrosse gear. She makes it there before any of the other players or medics and drops to her knees, reaching out to cradle Cody’s face in her hands.
By this point players and spectators alike are streaming onto the field, a chaotic muddle that makes our traverse to the injured Tiger much more difficult. When we finally reach him, the medics have arrived and are struggling to move Stella aside.