a/n: hey guys... grins sheepishly
ok so here it is...chapter 8...and its very...
short.
woops.
Anyway this chapter was written quickly and is definetly NOT my best work...but hey! Its better than nothing. I will try to update again before the end ot the weekend as this is just a lead-up chapter and the next one shall be much longer. However...how quick i update depends on how many reviews I get.
Now here it is...better late then never!
Disclaimer: I don't own GS/D...duh.
Chapter 8:
"Oh come on Shinn, you're great at soccer, you'd be sure to make the team!" Luna encouraged.
The truth was, thought he excelled in nearly every sport; Shinn had a particular talent for soccer. He could run faster and kick harder than anyone else in his grade. He could even best most of the older boys and had been known to use his speed to the best of his ability, weaving in and out of the other players so fast they were struck dumb.
But it wasn't his lack of skill that deterred Shinn from trying out for the team. The truth of the matter was, if it came down to skill alone, he would easily make it. That was the problem…it didn't always come down to skill alone. The Archangel Academy took great pride in their star soccer team and its accomplishments; the team was famous for being faster than other teams, so fast in fact that they tended to leave their opponents in the dust. But it wasn't the team's reputation that kept Shinn form attending tryouts. It was the team itself.
The team's coach, Mwu La Flaga, was a laid-back man and was known to be kind to his students, throwing celebratory parties and going easy on the homework he assigned on game nights so as to encourage his students to attend the games to cheer on their team. Not that the students needed any encouragement. Nearly every game, rain or shine, the bleachers would be full of adoring fans watching their team add yet another win to their records. The majority of the dedicated fans were females…not doubt turned up to watch the school's hottest 'beefcakes' working up a sweat. Though the thought of drooling fangirls did send slight tremors down his spine this alone wasn't the main problem. The true problem was that the coach La Flaga was known to leave many of the team's recruitment decisions to the most senior members of the team, mostly the team captain, who was traditionally in their senior year. The current captain of the team Kira Yamato had been the first to break tradition. He was just entering his senior year and was already in his 2nd season of captaincy, having been promoted to captain while only in the eleventh grade. Not only was Kira Yamato the team's captain he also lead the team in points. His skills were greatly respected by teams all over the league. Though the team had no official 'assistant captain' Kira Yamato's best friend and right-hand-man Athrun Zala helped with many of the decisions involving the team. Athrun Zala was arguably one of the best right wings in the game.
These two were the reason Shinn had never tried out for the team. He hated them. Athrun Zala was probably one of the richest students at the school, his father being one of the most powerful men in PLANT. The ease at which he got what he wanted brought a bitter taste to his mouth. It was…unfair. What had this man done that had made him worthy of his lifestyle? What had this Athrun Zala done in life that he hadn't?
And then there was Kira Yamato. Perfect…he heard the girls whispering in the halls. Smart, modest, athletic, good looking and incredibly rich, Kira Yamato had it all. Shinn had never even met the man and he already loathed him. Some said that even if the school burnt down and Kira Yamato was found holding the burnt match he could still walk away without consequence, such was his favour with the teachers and staff of the Archangel Academy.
"I'm not about to waste my time trying out for the team. It's pointless and stupid. Those guys couldn't play their way out of a paper bag." Shinn scoffed.
Luna raised an eyebrow at this. She saw threw his lies. The truth was that being on the Academy's soccer team was a sure to secure a scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities in PLANT. "Come on Shinn! What's the worse that could happen? You don't make the team? So what? It wouldn't be the end of the world."
Shinn sighed, she had a point. The problem was that he didn't want to draw any more attention to himself. He thought of Ms. Gladis and how kind she had been to him. Wouldn't the best way to not disappoint her be to just lose himself in his studies? Make himself as un-noticeable as possible?
But if he did that, if he just flew under the radar, would he come to regret it? Would he look back on this in a few years and wish he had tried? Besides he was already a target, how much worse could it get? Chances were that he wouldn't be able to control his anger for ever. If he was going down, then he might as well go down kicking. He wouldn't get anywhere hiding in the shadows.
"I know." Luna challenged, rebellion flashing in her eyes, "Your scared aren't you?" She must have seen his eyes flash for she continued, "Is the great Shinn Asuka afraid of being bested by some rich kids?"
A low growl rumbled from deep within Shinn's chest at the challenge in Luna's eyes. She was daring him to back down, to prove her right. He smiled ruefully, "You know what Luna? I think I might try out after all, I'm going to prove to you that no matter how well I play, I can't make the team without social standing." He sneered the last two words, disdain laced in his voice.
"You know what?" She smiled and he could se the mischief flashing in her eyes, "I'll bet you twenty bucks that you make it."
He gave a bitter smile at that, "Make that forty" He extended his hand for her to shake and she grasped it tightly and added one more confident smile.
"You better get my money ready."
Shinn smiled, but the truth was he couldn't keep the tiny glimmer of hope from arousing.
After all as Luna said…What was the worst that could happen?
Kira sighed, propping his chin in his hands. Only five more minutes. He dared a glance out of the corner of his eye at Dearka. Dearka caught his glance and grinned, rolling his eyes skyward. He grinned back then fixed his eyes back to the clock. It had barely moved. He suppressed a groan, this was going to be a long day and he had so much to do. After school ended he would have to head to the field to set up for tryouts. He had to decide what drills he would put his potential team mates through and decide which positions needed to be filled the most. All this in the hour before the tryouts started.
But at least he would have help. All the senior members of the team (they were almost guaranteed a spot because they needed them for a chance at scholarships) had agreed to meet him immediately after school.
"Mr. Yamato?!"
Kira started slightly in his seat. He'd completely missed the question, "Could you please repeat the question?"
Mr. Waltfeld smirked, "I wouldn't have to if you had paid attention Kira."
"I'm sorry sir. I was just pre-occupied that is all."
Mr. Waltfeld smiled slightly, "You have a lot on your mind, just make sure it doesn't happen again." With immaculate timing the bell tolled, marking the end of the day, "Class dismissed." Mr. Waltfeld's voice was barely audible over the sound of chairs scraping across the floor and exited chatter over the tryouts set to begin later. The bleachers would most likely be as crowded as they would be during a game, even though these were only the preliminary rounds of tryouts.
As Kira gathered his things Dearka was immediately at his side. Like an over-eager puppy he rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet patiently (or as close as Dearka could get to the word 'patiently') waiting for Kira to acknowledge him. Kira felt the corner of his mouth twitching slightly as he purposely ignored Dearka, gathering his things at a speed that was sure to torture his fellow classmate.
A minute passed.
Two Minutes.
Three Minutes.
Five Minutes.
"God damn it Kira!" Dearka's (more than slightly) annoyed voice rang out in the now-empty classroom.
"Hmmmm?" Kira mumbled finally making his way towards the door.
Dearka responded with a low growl. "Are you done torturing me? Everyone is waiting for us, captain." He taunted.
Kira grinned, "No Dearka, they are waiting for me. They couldn't care less about you." Kira managed to dodge the punch aimed at his shoulder. With a grin he spun to face Dearka and aimed a playful punch at the other's chest. Dearka was jogging backwards in front of him, just barely evading his reach. Kira grinned mischievously and crouched slightly, picking up speed and barrelling his shoulder into Dearka's chest. As Dearka hit the ground Kira stood over him; smiling in triumph.
"Meet you at the field in ten?"
Dearka coughed, trying to regain his breath, "S-sure" He sputtered. Kira smiled and stepped over him, making his way towards his locker and then, the change room.
Ok so there it is.
Next Chapter : Tryouts. All the characters together for the first time.
Please review...if you want me to update soon. .
Till then,
thanks for reading!
bfos
