An: Wow, guys, 10 reviews in less than 24 hours, thank you SO much! I think you deserve a fast update thanks to that! This chapter is dedicated to one of my very best friends who just started Twilight today (thanks to me and my marvelous copy of Twilight) and who assures me that she shall not sleep a wink tonight, lest she have to stop reading. Thanks, Liz!
Bella POV:
I noticed, quickly enough, that all my teammates were dudes. All the red team was, inevitably, male. I quickly scanned my opponents: Edward, of course, he was good and might potentially be a problem, there were a few beefy guys who looked like knocking down was more of their mechanism, and there were about two who looked like all they did was hack away at a computer screen. Between Edward and the human bulldozers we had our work cut out for us. The whistle blew. I glared in the direction of the red center forward. Bring it.
Edward POV:
Emmett could be related to some of the players on my team, they didn't have much skill, but were experts in the area of brute force.
Ha, they've got a girlie, this'll be fun. One of the monstrosities thought. I growled, and it didn't escape his notice. I took my place as right forward; the blue team would probably put Bella on defense and I was taking no chance with her making contact with the bulldozers. They would make one hell of a defense, anyway. I instantly regretted my choice as I saw who was playing forward for the blue.
Bella POV:
The big guys were playing defensive while Edward and the small dudes played it up on offense. I looked to my left and right; the two guys seemed capable enough.
" Ladies first", the ref sneered as he positioned the ball at my feet. I glared my hardest at his retreating figure. When he was off the field he yelled into his megaphone, " When the whistle blows...". A high note filled the air, as I faked right, then passed left to my guy. Damn. Some wiry red got it. I sprinted back to play defense. Surprisingly I got there before him. I rushed up to where he was, colliding with him full on. The side of my foot slammed into the ball, sending it down the field as I felt something smash my unprotected shin. I didn't even flinch; he'd have to do a lot better then that to get me down. I smiled at him then ran past him, rubbing shoulders on the way, I heard the sound of him hitting the grass. My smile widened.
Edward POV:
At the end of the first ten-minute quarter I gathered my team.
" You", I said, pointing to a huge defender, "Switch with me." He all too readily agreed. The ref blew his stupid whistle, game time.
We started with the ball this time. The big guy was passed the ball and made it two steps before a blue forward stole it. He sent the ball flying to the other side offense who dribbled almost to shooting range before another bulldozer stopped him.
" Oi!", a voice yelled behind him. In his mind I could hear him contemplating any other possible way to pass the ball. Eventually he did the only thing h could: took the opening.
Once equipped with the ball, Bella swerved easily around the other two defensive dudes and would've made a shot if I hadn't been there. I blocked her easily, she was so small compared to the others on the field, and it didn't seem fair. I retained myself from using any of my vampire strength, why rub it in her face? This may be soccer, but I am still a gentleman.
I heard a cheer from the opposite end of the field.
Bella POV;
Once my teammate was finally left with no choice but to pass to me I got the ball. I felt so right, to be dribbling a ball, running seemed to be like flying these days. The red defense may be made of brawn, but they were not a tenth quick enough to stop me. I was almost in range to shoot when non other than Edward Cullen came and blocked me. He didn't try to steal the ball, though, so I took advantage and slid the ball under his legs dashing under his out-stretched arms to kick the ball right into the corner of the net. Perfect.
As the teams reset I felt the familiar game rush start to take over me, this time fueled by my anger over that fact that Edward Cullen was holding back when he played against me. Fine Ed. I thought. Go ahead and do that, but I have a feeling you're gonna need all your skill to win this game.
Edward POV:
The last quarter of the game we were tied 3-3. Bella had scored every single goal, and had stopped numerous of ours by playing forward and defense. Not a single mind on the field doubted what she could do. If I was nervous about her before it was nothing compared to now, no human could be that fast, but still she wasn't as fast as a vampire. Her skin was warm, too, and her eyes still brown, not red, black, or topaz. She couldn't be a vampire... and yet a nagging voice in the back of my head reminded me she couldn't be human.
AN: I couldn't resist a good cliffy. This chapter would be WAY too long and the next wouldn't flow right if I didn't stop here, trust me. Review, of course, tell me if you liked it, always good to hear.