Luminescence

The ball flies high into the air, captivating the observing crowd as their lips tremble. Their glossy eyes flared with anticipation as the bright field light reflects the shimmering gold covering half their face, the other half covered with blood red. The next moment felt surreal for the crowd and the team.

“They’ve done it! Mulberry High has won the season once again for the second time with Vincent Raymond, Quarterback of The Alpha’s shooting the last ball. How extraordinary was that!”

The crowd went up like flares. Their glowing faces aching from how hard they were beaming as their sweaty and colorful bodies flew up and down, their hands in the air. The chaotic cheer multiplied by the minute as they celebrated their achievement, rejoiced at the outcome. The melody played as the night rolled on, the emotion never fading from their faces.

“So like, I have to pay off a fine of 2 dollars because I brought the book back two days later?” The teenager questions for the umpteenth time.

Heaving an exhale, Rose resists the impulse to roll her eyes and through clenched teeth repeats the message she’s been telling for the past few minutes to him. “Yes.”

“But I’m not even that late! I had this book for two more days to wrap up my project, I couldn’t just give it away. I would’ve failed!” The youth struggles to infer.

Rose closes her eyes and thinks about how magnificent this library is, how the books stacked by author’s name, how the snug white sofas located after every few aisles looking like they demand a companion, maybe she should relax on them and pray she can plunge into the underworld, that way Satan could accompany her as they strangled the lanky fellow in front of her. Hell looked appealing at this moment. The wooden floorboards and walls provided a sense of therapeutic feeling she sought. The whole vintage vibe helping her de-stress.

She could easily crack this dude’s skull with the pen firmly held in her fist, make it look like an accident and casually move on with her life but sadly, this library was her second home and she’s not willing to be terminated because of this dumb boy. The moron present in front of her was raising her blood pressure higher each second for lacking common sense, she couldn’t bear it, she was about to burst.

With her job at risk, she ponders for a brief second and makes the best decision she could in that state of mind. Excusing herself, she trudges towards the back of the library in pursuit of Laura Johnson, manager and owner of this exquisite and singular library in Oakland City to deal with that imbecile.

Meanwhile, the players of Mulberry High ran towards Vincent tackling him to the ground with all their might (it’s a miracle he was conscious after that). Hoisting him up, they roared towards the trophy, their victory march out of harmony as the adrenaline kicked in. As the members put Vincent down, he receives the cup and passes it on to the others who struggled just as much as him.

Peering at the huddle of people, his eyes spot a battered leather jacket trudging towards the exit and his heart warms. He seems like he accomplished something unattainable. Something that takes him to memory land where he becomes distracted for an abrupt minute. Jolting from his daydreams, he casually wanders towards the interviewer.

“Mulberry High has achieved the trophy. First of all, congratulations on the success. Tell me, though, as captain of the Alpha’s, how do you feel and what do you think led to the win?”

With a focused and victorious manner, “Thank you. It’s an honor to be the representative of such a hard-working and talented team. Everyone cooperates, and that’s what gets the job done.” He gives a robotic answer. His arms folded in front of his chest as he looks down at the reporter with an inquisitive expression.

“You’re one of the local celebrities of Oakland City. Does the popularity ever get to you?” His expression falls as he tries not to cringe at the reporter.

“I’m not a celebrity. I’m just an ordinary high school student with a ton of unfinished homework assignments and boring classes.” Unheard by the reporter who rushes to catch up with the opposing team, he sighs; Arms dropping to his side as he moves towards the lockers.

Rose trailed behind Laura, her balled fists urging her to knock him out while her composed manner screams patience. Laura Johnson walks towards the lousy teenager with grace as the knee-length skirt rustles behind her. Looking at the teenager through her thick-rimmed glasses, she explains the rules to him. The frightened fellow looking back at her in such a terrified manner it was concerning.

Rose stood behind Laura, glaring daggers at the dude who was making her job harder than it should be. Her nose scrunched up as she settled on the most twisted look. Menacingly frowns at the boy. Her ripped jeans and the black shirt added to the frightening expression she was hoping to achieve.

Hastily reaching for his wallet, his trembling hands slip out the money. slapping it on the counter, he scrambles toward the exit, nearly stumbling as the gate opens and he safely vacates the vicinity.

Cold, warm. Lukewarm. The metallic surface of the handle escapes from Vincent’s calloused fingers as he tries not to gag. The air coated with axe and sweat combines to give a hint of vomit. Holding it together, his eyes take in his surroundings.

The excited chattering of the members takes up the room, their voices ricocheting off the small dusted surfaces as they hoot and celebrate. The sweaty individuals high on epinephrine, their eyes gleaming with glory and delight. They looked ecstatic, content with the turnout of this season. After all, they worked out their asses for this.

Heading towards the dirty blue locker, and twisting the latch, he plucks out a fresh pair of clothes and changes out of his attire, all the while the members circle him.

Like a vulture set to pursue the living shit out of his prey, they observe him, seeking to gather information in order to approach the situation. Anticipating for the brave and gallant one out of them to drop the question.

“Dude c’mon, consider this the last party, we won’t urge you again. This is the celebration we earned, didn’t we?” smirks Jason Ruth as he steps towards him. A hero in the eyes of the teammates, for not only talking to Mr.Sunshine but being one of the best players on the team.

“Grandma! I’m home.” Locking the door, Rose charges towards the kitchen and promptly reaches for the cookies set on the kitchen counter. Slapping her hand away from the aromatic goodies, grandma yells, “These cost a fortune you know! I can’t just order them all the damn time when they take two weeks to be delivered. They’re not for stuffing your mouth Rose Walter! and where were you? I’ve been waiting for so long. You know I can’t stand th....”

“Weren’t you planning on taking that baking class down the street?” Rosie inquires, her mouth stuffed with heavenly goods.

Mama Walter just grumbles, “They won’t take me in after the last accident.”

“Which one?” Rose inquires, her mind wandering off as she recalls all the disastrous moments that occurred,” Is it the one where you almost burned the place down or... the one where you started the food fight or Oh! my personal favourite! The bitch fight with Britney when you snatched her wig-”

“That’s it. Guess you aren’t getting any.” snatching the overly decorated box, Grandma Walter marches away while hugging her sweet money.

Rose just rolls her eyes and beams. Not before stealing another cookie and sprinting away as Mama Walter’s voice echoes in the neighborhood.