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Chapter 54 - Football

The older Arles was standing on the grassy football pitch, on the island of New, New York. He was in front of the goal and wore a pair of brown cargo shorts and a long sleeved, white oxford shirt that only was buttoned by one button in the middle of his chest. The sleeves were rolled up. He was barefoot on the grass. He clapped his hands together and cheered, "Come on then!"

Legate had suggested a friendly game of teachers versus students that they were currently involved in. Bassiano had reported to Legate, as ordered by Lewis just before he left. He was currently getting the ball stolen from him by one Peter Parker.

"Are you kidding me, kid?" Bassiano complained as Parker kicked it hard to another student.

Lance was running along the pitch, playing on the teacher's side. "I'm coming for you, Parker!"

Peter Parker laughed at Lance. "I'm still here! Come on!"

Legate stole the ball and with a hard kick, it sailed into the goal that Mari guarded.

"YES!" Legate cheered.

Mari, Legate's niece, picked up the ball and shook her head. "We'll get that one back, Legate."

Legate stood outside of the goal with his hands on his hips. "You think?"

She giggled, "I know."

Legate laughed as Peter Parker ran over to block him. Parker, kicking the ball down the pitch, was able to move his legs so much quicker than Legate could.

Arles rose up and shouted. "Legate! Are you going to cover that kid?"

Parker kicked it through Legate's legs and ran around him. He passed it to another student who kicked it towards the goal. Arles was able to block it, but only after diving to the ground and catching it with both hands.

The student groaned. "Mr. Bennett!"

Arles stood up and pointed at the student. "Yeah, there's more where that came from." He kicked the ball down the field.

Samuel and Karen walked over to Jane, who stood on the sidelines taking photos of the game. They had also attracted the attention of the rest of the staff and the other students. Some, joining in to play. Others, cheering as the game continued.

Samuel laughed, "Oh, this looks fun."

Karen rubbed his back. "Go play."

"Ah. 30%." He groaned.

She whispered, "I won't tell."

He looked back at her. "You wouldn't have to. One of them would let him know. I'm good watching."

Jane smiled at him. "Hello. Karen, right?"

Karen smiled, "Yes."

Jane giggled. "Lance is a madman. He loves this sort of thing."

They looked back to see Lance down on all fours in Soli's face telling him, "Come on. Do it like me. Grrrr."

Soli got down on all fours and growled back at Lance.

Samuel, Karen, and Jane all laughed.

Samuel shook his head. "Madness. I thought you had Arles?"

"John told Lance that he was playing with Sam." She smiled back at him. "Is that strange?"

Samuel laughed, "What? What is strange?"

"You. Seeing yourself as a baby?"

Samuel held Karen's hand and nodded. "It was at first. I think I've grown used to it. Maybe, that's the mad part."

Jane giggled. "Maybe so."

Karen hugged Samuel's arm. "And he is such a cute baby."

Samuel kissed the side of her head.

Karen looked back at the pitch, "I thought Ashena and Logan would be here."

He shook his head. "Nah, they are on the other island with Dad. Shenny and Logan are both supposed to be resting. They will be sorry they missed this, though. Especially, Logan."

Arles jogged up to them.

Karen smiled, "And here is my One."

Arles smiled at her, "Hi."

Jane lifted her camera and took some more photos of the game. Another teacher took over playing Arles' position as he drank a bottle of water and caught his breath.

Samuel held Karen's hand, "These kids are good."

Arles nodded, "They are kicking our butts. I won't lie about it. Soli zoomed into the goal earlier. Knocked the art teacher on his ass."

Karen giggled, "Scott?"

Arles grinned and whispered, "He admitted to me that he's...in an altered state of mind. I think that's why we're losing."

Samuel laughed loudly. "That could explain it."

Karen shook her head and laughed. "Scott. Where is he?"

Arles pointed back at the school. "He told me he was in some need of some...medication."

Samuel laughed, but stopped as he quickly jumped in front of Karen to block her being struck by the football. The personal shield activated, and the ball bounced off of it.

Soli ran over to get the ball. "Hi, Sammy!"

Samuel smiled at him. "Hi. Having fun?"

Soli laughed. "Yes! Come play!"

"I'm sorry. I need to take Karen to see her Mum."

Soli's smile spread across his face, "Is she making cookies?"

Karen shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know."

"If she is, bring me some."

Legate called for Soli to join them. "Soli! We need the ball, man!"

Soli ran back onto the pitch.

Samuel grinned at Arles, "Maybe you need to rest before your next game. I mean, you were up all night."

Arles knew what he was on about. He pointed warningly at him. "You...mate."

Samuel laughed.

Karen giggled, "How is Kelly?"

Arles nodded, "She's good. Has class today, but we're going to a...restaurant later. Some, live bar thing."

Karen smiled, "Oh, I know the one. It's lovely. Very romantic side of town."

Arles looked back at Karen and rose his eyebrow. "We're just friends."

Jane looked back at them. "Let me take your photo. Together."

Arles stood with Samuel and Karen as she took their photo together.

Samuel playfully slapped his brother in the chest. "And you're all sweaty-"

"I've been playing football!" he insisted.

Jane asked. "Friends. Is that what you said?"

Arles sipped his water and looked back at Jane. "Yes, ma'am. Friends. Everything thinks we're in some...sort of relationship."

Jane smiled and nodded. "I see."

Arles rose his eyebrow at her. "Not getting into this-"

"I do want to talk to you about it, later."

Arles looked back at Samuel and Karen.

Samuel mouthed, "Busted by Jane."

Karen covered her mouth and giggled. "I've spoken to Kelly on the phone."

"Today?" Arles asked.

"No." Karen sung. "After you two had been on the boat. You have a boat in Florida?"

Arles nodded. "Yeah."

Samuel explained. "It's Uncle Tony's. He copied it there."

Karen nodded. "Oh, I see."

Arles held his hands out. "You see? Jane sees, you see, Sammy would you like to see?"

Samuel looked disgusted at the thought. "Not really, mate. Gross."

Karen giggled as Arles rolled his eyes and drank his water.

Samuel wrapped his arm around Karen's waist. "Well, as fun as this is, we're on our way to Anne's."

Arles tossed one of the other teachers his empty water bottle. "Yeah, I need to get cleaned up and get back to Florida."

Jane nodded without looking at him. "For a date."

Arles' phone dinged in his pocket. "It's not a date."

Jane insisted. "It's a date."

Samuel and Karen laughed at Jane's insistence.

Arles was looking at his phone with concern. "Not a date. Huh."

He glanced up at them.

Samuel recognized the look on his brother's face. "Want me to join-"

"No. I'll text you later, though." Arles told him and popped away.

Samuel rubbed his chin.

Karen asked, "What was that about?"

"I don't know." Samuel sighed.

Genie walked up beside of them. "And I thought we were doing swimming lessons?"

Jane smiled, "They did. And then a game broke out."

The crowd cheered as Mari scored a goal.

Legate ran to lift her up to present her to the crowd. "And that was a goal from Mari!"

Mari waved both of her hands to the crowd and laughed.

Genie shook her head with her hands on her hips. "Madness."

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