Chapter 1: Raiden
EPISODE: 1: Chapter 1
POV: Raiden
“Did you see that throw!” Jude doesn’t ask it like a question, because we all know what he’s talking about. The throw came from my twin brother, Rome, our quarterback. But he’s forgetting who made the catch that led to the winning goal. Me. Rome and I are the reason Willow High will soon be state champions. I know that sounds cocky, but it’s true. Without us, this team would still be losing.
The summer before our senior year, our family moved to Willow Cove when Dad’s company transferred him from his comfortable Atlanta job to his current position in this small hick town we now call home. At first, we were furious. It’s our last year in high school, after all. But our big-city background made us popular when we arrived. It helped that the football team needed good players, and the rumors about our on-field reputation were enough to make the coaches salivate.
We weren’t alone in our transfer.
Halftime is over, and as I jog back onto the field, my eyes instantly scan the bleachers. She’s here. I know she is. She started Willow Cove High a few weeks ago, with the semester already in full swing.
There.
At the top, cuddled under a blanket in the corner, as far away from everyone as she can get, sits Clara Watson. I’ve never seen her at a game until tonight, which isn’t surprising. She’s not the type to be into sports. Trust me, I’ve been watching her. She’s the type who likes to stay stuck in a book, or the type who always seems to be jotting something down in that notebook she’s always carrying around.
It’s a good thing tonight is my lucky night. Her pen-and-paper fascination brought her here. Through the fine art of eavesdropping and sending a few of my newfound friends on a mission to dig up what they can about Clara, I’ve heard she’s an excellent writer.
Although she’s new to the school, I overheard our English teacher, Mrs. Stanton, bragging about her skills. That’s how I knew she was chosen to write an article about the team and our chances of winning a championship.
I’ve had my eye on Clara since the day she walked into Mrs. Stanton’s class, but I’m clueless about how to approach her.
To begin with, she’s everything I’m not, and she’s always hiding behind that damn laptop of hers, but that’s not what’s preventing me from making a move. I’m not saying I’m a mean person. Temperamental, maybe, but not mean. Clara, on the other hand, is soft-spoken, kind, and, generally speaking, just an overall nice person, the kind that volunteers at a soup kitchen on a day off. She’s way out of my league.
Rome jogs past me, his helmet under his arm.
“There’s an entire school full of girls. Give it up, brother.”
Running after him, I can’t help but tease him. “You can’t expect all of us to be a man whore like you.”
Rome lets out a laugh. “This weekend, I won’t be the one feeling left out. It’s your dry spell, not mine.”
Slowing down, I let my gaze return to Clara. Her auburn hair is tied up in a messy bun, and a pair of reading glasses is perched at the end of her nose. From where I’m standing, she could fool anyone into thinking she’s a teacher, but up close, it’s obvious she’s not. Her small size makes me feel huge. I tower over her at six feet two, and it’s one of many reasons I’m attracted to her.
Despite her height, there’s something about Clara that draws me in. Or maybe I’m just attracted to nerds. Regardless, I’ll keep my eye on her. She hasn’t received the same positive reception we did when we arrived. She’s pretty, and my attention to her has made a few girls jealous.
Not that I should probably worry. She’s not the type that cares about what others think of her. She’s the type who beats to her own drum, but I still don’t want anyone bothering her. I might be an asshole, but I’m an asshole who hates a bully. Fortunately, my twin brother and I think alike on that matter. It’s an area we know all too well. Our brother, who has special needs, has dealt with enough of it, but he is secure knowing we’ll always be there for him. This world is full of assholes. Maybe that’s the reason we’re not considered the nicest guys in the world. You have to be an asshole to beat one.
Jude running past shakes me out of my thoughts, and I realize I’ve been gawking at the bleachers like a fool.
“Raiden, snap out of it! We’ve got a game to win!”
Taking one last look at Clara, I put on my helmet and get into position. I’m going to give Clara Watson some material to write about. Hopefully, by the end of this game, she’ll at least know my name.
