11 Glycinia
Amity walked forward carrying her gym bag from the campus running track.
Saturday was tryouts and sign-ups for the school's sports teams, and, more out of formality under the fact that she was moving up to High School, Amity had just finished trying out for the track and field team.
She got, as usual, the best time among the participants.
It was a pity she couldn't take part in inter-school competitions, she would surely be a legend.
She sighed with resignation.
"Exercise is mandatory Amity, but it's not proper for a lady to compete in sporting events, the clothes are inappropriate and young ladies should never stand out for physical strength, you're not going to compete."
That was what her mother had said the first time she asked to compete in a relay race.
Her father only confirmed it.
She tried twice.
Second time had worse consequences than just a scolding.
So she didn't try again.
With a calm step, she reached the bench at the side of the soccer field and took a seat next to a couple of students who were preparing for the tryouts.
Unfortunately, track and field and football tryouts did not coincide in schedules, so she would have to wait for Luz to finish her tryout, since they had agreed to read some chapters at Amity's house after practice.
Oh, and also Edric, who was the one who would take them home.
Being the only male, he had a special place in her parents' hearts and regained permission to use the car.
Amity finally allowed herself to relax in her seat.
He scanned the surroundings curiously, usually never watching football games, not even knowing the rules of the game.
Finally, her eyes found a familiar figure, and, without realizing it, she smiled.
Luz was in the center of the field, with a few balls behind her.
The girl would bend down, pick up a ball, throw it, and repeat the process.
Amity found herself immersed in the brunette's actions in the distance.
The dark auburn of her hair caught her attention, under the golden rays of the sun it shone in coppery glints.
Indeed, all of Luz seemed to glow under the intense brightness of the summer sun.
Her skin, unlike the paleness that characterized hers, did not reflect the sun outrageously, but seemed to refract it and return its own gleam, caramel glowing from the moisture of perspiring skin.
And her eyes, deep chocolate sparkled like freshly polished bronze, further highlighted by the thick lines of black makeup covering her cheekbones.
She could see in clear detail how a bead of sweat slid from her temple, down her neck, until it was lost under her clothes.
Then she noticed it.
This was the first time she had seen her out of school uniform.
She was wearing a white sleeveless T-shirt with a Batman logo on her chest, special shoes for the foot-ball field, a colorful wristband, and short shorts.
A little too short.
And apparently Luz thought the same, as she could tell that, in a supposedly discreet way, the brunette was hooking the bottom of the garment, pulling it tight to stretch it out, uncovering a bit of her belly in the process.
Huh...
Luz's skin was considerably lighter on her stomach.
Frustrated, the brunette tugged at the shirt as well, trying to cover her midsection as the skin on her cheeks flushed slightly.
That managed to get the top of the t-shirt to uncover her collarbones.
Wow...
Amity hadn't noticed how athletic her friend's physique was, her body was slim, yes, but the clothes she now flaunted allowed to see how worked out her muscles were, particularly her slightly bulging shoulders and nicely shaped legs.
She didn't hear her, but she could see her huffing with resignation, tucking the ball under her arm to bring her hand over her head, combing the short mane of hair and getting rid of the locks stuck to her forehead with sweat.
"Amity!"
"AH!" The alluded one jumped in surprise at the shrill male voice.
" What a surprise to see you here!"
Amity, unnerved, turned to see the source of the voice.
It took all her willpower not to roll her eyes.
Before her stood a tall young man, skin as pale as her own, jet black curls, blue eyes, athletic build, and sportswear.
"Hi Josh." She greeted gruffly, turning her face back to where her friend stood.
But the young boy planted himself right in front of her.
And Amity ha0d to stifle a growl.
"Did you know I was going to be here?"
"No Josh, I'm waiting for Luz and my brother."
"Luz?"
"She's my friend."
"Oh! The short haired girl you hang out with every day."
The auburn stood upright in surprise.
"Every day?"
"All week."
The dean's daughter frowned at not having noticed the time she spent with Luz.
Then she flinched.
"Are you stalking me?!"
The young man recoiled defensively.
"Of course not!" Then he stepped forward again. "I just like to admire you from afar."
The young boy took all his courage and rested his right hand on the auburn's shoulder.
"I wouldn't have to if you agreed to go out on a date with me." He told her with the most seductive smile he could offer.
Amity frowned with disdain.
She was having a hard time maintaining her polite lady facade.
"Come on!" She heard him continue. "We can go to a movie, or to the park, anywhere you want, I promise to treat you like a princess."
Amity couldn't help rolling her eyes.
She reluctantly took the hand perched on her shoulder and removed it tactlessly.
" Once again Josh, no thank you, I'm not interested in going out with you."
"Come on Amity!" the young man insisted briskly sitting down next to her. "Just a date, you'll see we're meant for each other!"
"No."
"Amity... Just think about it..."
But the auburn was no longer listening.
Barely an instant after Josh had stopped rudely blocking her view of the playing field, Amity's attention was drawn to a scene that caught her attention.
Edric, his back turned, was now at the spot where Luz was standing, gesturing in the air things Amity didn't understand.
She narrowed her eyes curiously.
Her brother, still with his back turned, shook his head vigorously, took a step forward, raising both arms and...
Hugged Luz.
"Hmmm?" she mused in surprise as she felt her stomach tighten.
"So you're thinking about it?" said the boy next to her excitedly.
"What?" an obfuscated Amity asked, turning her head, confused between the two events that were catching her attention.
"Going to a water park." Josh replied laughingly. "You know what they say! "Take them to a pool on the first date!"
Amity glared at him.
"No Josh." She replied at last dryly.
"Don't you take it that way! I was just joking!" The young man told her with a chuckle. "Come on Amity, you're going to laugh so hard that..."
Amity turned her head back to where her brother and her friend were, still finding Edric wrapped his arms around Luz.
She focused her gaze as best she could.
Edric was holding Luz from behind, holding her left hand with his and doing the same with his right, where Luz was holding a ball.
Oh...
Edric moved Luz's arms rhythmically about three times, then pulled away from her.
"I'm a funny guy! I've studied comedy..."
Luz repeated the movements on her own, receiving an affirmation from Edric, who ran a few feet in front, turning to Luz and slapping his chest with his palms.
Luz looked at him in dismay.
He told her something Amity didn't hear.
"Do you want to hear a really good joke?..."..."
"... Hard as you can!" She managed to make out her brother's shout.
Luz sighed and regained her posture, took impulse and threw the ball with all her strength.
"OOOF!"
She could clearly hear the air escaping from his mouth.
It hit Edric right in the chest, suffocating him and making him retreat a couple of steps.
The scene took her by surprise, without her being able to avoid snorting and letting out a couple of guffaws, which continued into moderately discreet giggles.
"I made you laugh!" Josh exclaimed, raising his fists in victory. "I've never seen you laugh like that!"
Amity, gradually calming her laughter, turned to look at the young man.
"Sorry Josh!" she said calming a last couple of giggles. "I got distracted, I wasn't listening to you."
Her response unsettled the young man, who tilted his head, rather confused and a bit annoyed.
" Then why-"
"Amity!" a voice was heard approaching.
"Luz!" the auburn replied, getting to her feet.
The brunette trotted to meet Amity, with Edric walking and rubbing his chest a few feet behind.
Luz hurried her pace a bit, as she arrived, she quickly leaned over, kissing her cheek.
"Luz!" Amity complained, stepping back and wiping her cheek. "You're sweaty!"
"Oops!" The brunette exclaimed with a chuckle. "I'm so sorry, I forgot." "It's okay." The auburn said with a sigh as she finished wiping her cheek. "Just be more careful, please."
"You say that like you didn't lean in for her to kiss you." Edric whispered in a choked voice, but the girls didn't seem to hear him.
"How did your tryout go?" Luz asked cheerfully.
" Good." Amity replied with a satisfied smile. "I was the best time, as usual."
"Really?!" She replied enthusiastically.
"Sweat!" Amity exclaimed putting her hand in front of Luz to stop her from hugging her.
"Oh, sorry!" Luz laughed again."Force of habit. congratulations!
Amity shrugged her shoulders."
"It's always like that, anyway, they won't let me compete in interschools, so-"
Amity's speech was interrupted by a throat clearing.
The auburn rolled her eyes and tried to continue.
"So it doesn't make much sense that-"
"Nice to meet you, I'm Joshua Baptist!" Josh exclaimed standing up and wrapping his left arm around Amity's shoulders.
Luz frowned and Edric smiled, amused by the situation.
" Are you... Amity's friend?" the brunette asked, disgruntled.
"Oh no, no." Josh said laughingly tightening his arm around Amity. "I'm her future husband."
Luz stepped back in surprise as Amity turned red.
Very red.
She took a deep breath and sighed.
"Josh, let go."
The young boy turned to look at her with a smile.
"Oh come on, don't be mad, it'll be true at some point!"
The auburn grabbed the young man's hand and threw it roughly.
"Josh..." Amity took a breath. "I've tried to be nice to you many times, way too many times, I'm not your future wife, I'm not your future girlfriend, I don't want to date you, I don't even like you! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Josh took a couple of steps back, taken aback by the ferocity of Amity's words.
Then he smirked.
"Oh~...Easy Amity, you say that now, but don't worry, I like a challenge, almost as much as I like you."
"I'M GONNA-" Amity was interrupted as Luz stood in front of her.
"Hey Josh!" the brunette greeted enthusiastically. "I'm Luz, I'm from Dominican Republic! What position are you trying out for?"
Josh watched Luz with a frown for a few moments, then smiled awkwardly.
"Oh no honey, I'm sorry, I'm a one-woman man!" He said laughing nervously. "Besides, you're cute and all, but you're really not my type..."
Luz looked at the boy with disbelief and... Revulsion?
But Josh was still staring at her.
The young man flushed and averted his eyes.
"Luz!" He gasped. "Your clothes aren't... Uh... A little... Short...?"
Amity, blushing, took a step forward.
"HOW DARE YOU-"
But Luz held her hand as she laughed lightly.
"Actually, it is!" She said with a slight blush. "It's my lucky outfit! I wore it when I made it into the baseball team! But I don't think it fits me anymore!"
Josh rested his eyes on her again, a little calmer.
"Maybe you should change-"
Then their conversation was interrupted by the shrill o of a whistle.
Before them stood a tall woman with lush platinum hair, wearing sportswear and sunglasses.
It was Coach Edalyn Clawthorne.
"Time for the tryout kids!" she announced, causing all the teens on the field to hurry their steps around her.
Eda looked at the group before her.
"Luz!" she greeted pleasantly as she ruffled the brunette's hair affectionately. "I'm glad you decided to try out!"
"This game does look interesting! I'm trying out for quarterback!"
"I'm sure you'll do great!" the lady said with a big smile, then, she acknowledged Amity's presence. "Baby Blight? What are you doing here?"
The woman's eyes sparkled.
"You came to try out?"
"Uh... No." The auburn looked confused. "I came by to wait for Luz and my brother, coach Edalyn."
"Oh..." Eda looked disappointed. "That's too bad. And don't call me Edalyn, I've told you several times I don't like it!"
She turned to the crowd again.
"All right folks! Let's start the testing, speed, tackling, throwing, catching, and kicking! Make a line!"
"One men's and one women's?" Josh interjected.
Eda looked at him arching an eyebrow.
"I said a line, not two."
"We'll do the tryout all of us together?" the black-haired boy asked in disbelief.
"Yes." She simply replied and turned her gaze back to the others. "Are you waiting for a formal invitation? Hurry up!"
All the freshman teens swirled around each other until they managed to form a straight line.
"Edric, you and the others hand out flags." She indicated to Amity's older brother.
The young man complied without response, as did two more boys and three more girls, all official members of the team.
They took bags from which they drew belts each bearing two red or green flags tied to them, handed them to the aspirants and returned to Eda's side.
"Listen up rookies!" She said in a loud voice. "In training we play flag football, I don't want injuries, I know about strength with the training dummies, today I want to see your speed, agility and how you get out of trouble, you will do five trials, then we will play a quarter. LET'S GO!"
At the coach's command, the older kids separated the applicants into five groups, and led them to different areas of the field.
Amity watched in fascination.
Besides track and field, which was an almost individual sport where only running was involved, the dean's daughter didn't know much about sports, she found it interesting to see how the applicants had to push or dodge dummies, run fifty yards, kick a ball, hit targets or catch passes.
It was rather more... flashy.
Her brother was in charge of checking the throwing area, where he also noticed that Luz had managed to score most of the time.
After about twenty-five minutes, the tests seemed to be over.
The crucial moment had arrived.
The practice match.
But before that, they were given a ten-minute break.
Amity watched as Luz and her brother walked back to the spot where she was.
She quickly looked around until she found the hydration area.
Finding it, she grabbed a bottle of water for Luz and ran.
Then she quickly went back and grabbed two more, for Edric and herself.
It had been a good idea, because Luz came in practically panting.
"Here." Amity said handing her the bottle with a smile.
"Thanks!" The brunette replied enthusiastically, taking the bottle and drinking the water greedily.
Meanwhile, Amity handed the other bottle to her brother, who was simply overheated from the sun.
Luz gasped finishing the last drops from the small bottle.
"You drink fast." Amity observed with surprise.
"I needed that badly!"
"I could tell." Then she smiled. "You did great."
"You really think so?" the brunette asked eagerly.
"I do! Especially in throwing."
"Thanks!" Then Luz rubbed her head awkwardly. "I didn't do so well in sprinting, though."
"That doesn't matter." Edric interjected. "In this sport it's better to have a specialty than to be skilled at everything."
"Well, I did great in all tests!" Another voice cheered as an arm came to rest on Amity's shoulders. "I could take any position! Even yours, bro-in-law!"
"JOSH!" The auburn exclaimed in disgust. "Don't touch me, you're all sweaty!"
On pure instinct, Amity pushed the boy away and jumped up to stand next to Luz and her brother, trembling with displeasure at the wetness of the boy's armpit on her shoulder.
Both Luz and Edric looked at him with annoyance.
The young boy was getting hard to stand.
"I'm sorry!" He exclaimed lightly taking a step in Amity's direction. "I didn't think...it would bother you."
Luz had gotten right in his way.
Josh smiled awkwardly.
"Ehhh... Luz, right?" The brunette nodded. "Really, I'm flattered, but I'm only interested in Amity, you're kind of embarrassing me..."
The Dominican arched an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Pero si yo no te tocaba ni con un palo mi pana..." She murmured.
"What?" the teen asked, confused. "Uh... I'm not good with French."
"It's Spanish." Luz clarified nonchalantly. "And Amity asked you not to touch her, so please stay away."
Luz's tone was kind and her words reasonable.
But something within his speech emphasized such firmness that the young man stood still.
"Besides, you're lying Josh." Edric said standing right next to Luz. "You only scored great on speed test, in everything else you're average."
He leaned over to the young boy who was slightly shorter than him.
"And you almost didn't pass the tackling test."
Josh took a step back and laughed nervously.
"I was kidding bro-in-law!" He said directing his hand to Edric's shoulder. "You're the cap-"
Edric took his hand and squeezed it with slightly excessive force.
"Call me bro-in-law again, I dare you." He told him with a friendly smile.
The blue-eyed boy's skin went from pale to snowy.
"Uh..."
"Edric, don't scare them off before time." The coach's voice was heard as she reached the place where they rested, inhaling loudly and sighing."He was the best time in the speed test."
Josh regained some color, and with it, confidence.
"See, I'm a valuable member of the team! B-"
"He was the best time in the speed test."
Josh regained some color, and with it, confidence.
"See, I'm a valuable member of the team! B-"
Edric almost stabbed him with his pupils.
And Josh closed his mouth so fast that his teeth clashed together.
Eda looked at the scene and rolled her eyes.
Then she watched Luz, who seemed to shield the youngest Blight.
Luz talked on and on about the dean's youngest daughter at home, and she spent a lot of time at the mansion.
She would never have thought that someone like Luz and little Blight could become such close friends.
After all, she had known her practically since she was born.
But she was glad to see the newest member of her family-.
Ugh...
That her best friend's daughter was adjusting just fine.
Quite nicely actually...
Hmmm...
"So what do you think, baby Blight?"
Amity flinched.
"About what?"
"About the game." She clarified with a smile. "I've never seen you come to the games before either, and I've seen you pretty observant, what do you think?"
Amity took a couple of steps forward, stepping out from behind her friend.
"Uh... It's very different." She said somewhat sheepishly. "It looks... Interesting, I guess."
But the older woman could see the enthusiasm in the teenager's eyes as she watched the tryouts.
Eda didn't just coach the soccer team, she coordinated all sports clubs.
And she knew Amity was fast.
Probably the fastest she'd ever seen in all the years she'd worked at this school.
Having her on the team was... Tempting.
Very tempting.
"Want to try and play?" Eda tentatively asked. "Just for fun."
She also knew how competitive she'd become.
Just need to hook her up.
"Pfft! Of course not!" Josh had said mockingly.
And Eda could tell how all eyes were riveted on him.
Oh, there's the hook.
"Why not, Josh?" the coach asked with a sly grin.
"With all due respect coach Eda, Amity is a lady, and this sport is not for the ladies."
" So what am I, a puffer fish?" Luz asked with annoyance.
Josh snorted.
"I know I can't do anything to stop girls from doing things made for men, I'm just saying Amity isn't the kind of lady who would play this sport, it's rough, it's dirty, it's not her style at all, it doesn't go with her grace and her-"
"I'm going to play." The auburn stated.
"What?" Josh said, dumbfounded, amidst Edric and Luz's restrained laughter. "Amity, you can't!"
" I sure can." She said proudly. "Who's gonna stop me?"
"I will!" The black-haired man declared again, causing laughter to cease and fierce glares to once again be riveted on him. "I know you're doing this to annoy me Amity, there' s no need to, please."
"You make too much of yourself Josh, I don't care at all about what you think."
"Amity, you can hurt yourself!"
"HAHA!" Eda snorted. "Who gets hurt playing flag?"
The black-haired boy huffed in annoyance, then planted himself in front of Amity and spoke earnestly to her.
"What would the dean and your mother think?"
The young girl flinched.
And Edric stepped forward.
"Don't worry sis, they're not going to find out about anything." He looked at the freshman sternly. "I'll take care of that."
Josh clicked his tongue.
" Why do you want to give the test anyway? You' re not even interested in the team."
"Maybe I am interested." She replied hastily and could hear Luz gasp in surprise. "Again, none of your business."
"Do you even know how to play?" he challenged.
"My brother is team captain, of course I know!"
"Cutie, if my friends see you playing, you're going to make a fool of me!"
Amity looked at him with disdain, disbelief and annoyance.
She didn't even have the energy to answer him anymore.
"Do you even know what position you want to have, what to do?!"
"She's literally the fastest student Hexide has ever had." Eda said interjecting. " She obviously would be a runningback."
Josh looked at the coach dumbfounded.
"The fastest?" he asked in disbelief.
"Oh yeah." the white-haired woman confirmed . "With official records and all."
The young boy put a hand to his chin.
Then he puffed.
"The fastest girl for the fastest guy."
He turned again to the youngest Blight.
"I'll let you play Amity..."
"I never asked your permission."
"On one condition..."
"Are you deaf?"
"If you want to play, you'll have to beat me in a race."
"Pero loco, que no entiende´ que a nadie le importa lo que dice´?!"
nJz
Luz had shouted out of sheer frustration.
"Again Luz, I don't understand the language."
Eda huffed in annoyance.
"Edric, get your sister a belt." Then she turned to Amity. "Baby Blight, warm up, you're going to play."
Josh gasped indignantly.
"Eda-"
He was interrupted by a loud whistle.
"I make the rules, Baptist." She sentenced.
Josh looked furious, but finally sighed and resigned himself.
Amity and Luz laughed discreetly as Edric looked for the equipment for his sister.
Josh looked at them angrily.
After a couple of seconds, he smiled mischievously.
Joshua Baptist, even from afar, knew Amity Blight quite well.
And nothing hurt the young heiress more than a blow to her pride.
"Oh well, better for you beautiful, I suppose."
Amity raised an eyebrow.
But she didn't respond.
Instead, she took off her jacket to start warming up.
"I mean, clearly you could never beat me in a race." The young boy continued with a shrug.
Amity snorted.
"Josh, you wouldn't even bite the dust I leave behind." She blurted out with sneer, annoyed and forgetting the facade she was supposed to maintain.
"Oh Amity, I know you're fast, but, you're still a girl."
This time Luz stepped forward.
"What does that mean?"
"Men are naturally superior to women." He said simply. "That's just the way it is, I don't make the rules, it's pure biology."
The brunette planted herself face to face with the guy who was about two inches taller than her.
"Do I remember you bouncing off the dummy and falling on the floor?"
"Luz. What makes you think they program the dummy with the same power for boys as they do for girls?" he replied arrogantly.
"Josh, shut up." Amity sentenced.
And Luz could remember that cruel tone from the day they met.
"It's okay cutie." The young man followed, used to Amity's cold tone. "There's no shame in not wanting to compete when you know you're going to lose."
" You wanna bet?!" The auburn reclaimed at last in a raised tone.
Josh smiled.
I got you.
"Sure gorgeous, we'll have the same position." He began. "Four downs, whoever gets farthest down the field wins."
" Good!" the young girl retorted angrily.
"But...!" Josh continued. "If I win, you go out on a date with me, next Saturday, full day."
Amity looked at him with the most obvious displeasure written on her face.
Then she gritted her teeth in anger.
"All right!" Josh smiled triumphantly. "But when I win, you leave me alone! You stop nagging me about dating and never! You hear me? Never, ever, ever call me cutie again! Or gorgeous, or nothing!"
Josh laughed arrogantly.
"Gladly, cutie~." He answered her with a cloying tone, then held out his hand. "Do we have a deal?"
Amity looked disdainfully at the young man's outstretched hand.
"We have a deal." She confirmed.
Josh stood with his arm outstretched, then reached out further toward the young girl.
But Amity didn't shake his hand.
The young man laughed.
"I just keep liking you more and more."
Then he withdrew at a leisurely pace.
Edric, who had been waiting for them to finish arguing, handed the belt to Amity.
"Easy." Luz told her resting her hand on his shoulder. "You're going to beat him, otherwise Eda wouldn't have stood up for you."
Amity looked at her, finally relaxing her face and giving her a smile.
"Thanks Luz, I'm confident."
"You'll do fine sis!" her brother seconded, patting her back lightly.
"Edric..." She said in response, with some uncertainty. "What's a down?"
End Ch11.