The gym buzzed with life, the scent of sweat and rubber filling the heavy air. Sneakers squeaked, echoed, and bounced across polished hardwood, a rhythmic percussion that filled the cavernous space. The walls reverberated with the slam of basketballs and the sharp thwack of volleyballs.
Aiden settled onto the third bend on the bleachers, the cold metal biting through his jeans. His hoodie clung damp against his skin in the warm, humid atmosphere. Every breath he took tasted like a stale locker room and freshly waxed floors.
Coach Daniels appeared like a looming shadow, clipboard in hand, whistle dangling from his neck. His deep voice cut through the racket: "Alright! Listen up!"
The massive man exuded quiet authority, his grizzled face etched with years of overseeing athletes, both the ones who soared and the ones who fell short. His eyes, sharp and assessing
The class stilled as all eyes turned.
His eyes flicking toward Aiden, who sat awkwardly on the bleachers in his hoodie and jeans, a stark contrast to the sea of gym shorts and tees.
"For the next week, boys start with basketball, girls with volleyball. Then we switch. No slacking. Give me your best effort."
The whistle shrilled again, sharp and piercing, drawing every eye.
Aiden now felt what angela was say about the whistle as Coach dragged the cart forward, the worn balls bumping softly against one another. Across the gym, volleyballs were scattered like oversized eggshells on the court, awaiting the girls.
The boys filed onto the court with the nervous energy of a pack sizing up a new alpha. Sneakers scuffed the floor, sharp, quick swishes and squeals, mixing with the slap of basketballs bouncing in practiced rhythm. The rubber soles squeaked, sharp and high-pitched with every pivot and sprint.
Aiden lingered on the bleachers, arms crossed, eyes flicking between the court and the volleyball side where Angela moved with poised determination. Her hair was tied up in a neat bun, strands catching the light like copper threads, her lean figure agile as she called plays with the nervous chatter of her teammates.
The air smelled damp and warm, a mixture of sweat, fresh paint, and the faint hint of pine from the nearby forest wafting in through open windows.
Coach Daniels' gaze landed on Aiden again, this time sharper, more calculating.
"You gonna join the boys?" he asked, voice gruff but tinged with something like awe.
Aiden smirked inside. No gym clothes. Spectator mode today.
Coach shook his head but didn't push further. Instead, he gave a curt nod and blew his whistle again.
"Boys, get ready to run drills. Girls, warm up for your first match."
The girls' volleyball game unfolded with chaotic energy. Balls flew in uneven arcs, players called out hurried instructions, and feet shuffled frantically across the court. Angela, despite the nerves fluttering beneath her skin, moved with a grace that made her stand out.
The girls stumbled at first, missed serves, tangled arms, faltered communication. Their attempts were like birds startled from a tree, darting in all directions with no clear flight path.
Aiden watched, entertained and critical. Coordinated? Not so much. But at least they're trying.
"How's it look from your seat?" she teased, arms crossed, gray eyes sparkling with mischief behind her oval glasses.
"Entertaining," Aiden replied with a smirk. "Like a bunch of birds freaking out when the ball drops near them."
Angela laughed — a clear, warm sound that rippled through the gym's noise. "Wow, we really do look like that, don't we?"
"Yeah, you're better than the rest. Most of those guys play like kids with busted flashlights."
Angela choked on her water, laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. Heads turned to watch them, curiosity piqued by the easy banter.
Angela and Aiden were in the middle of a casual conversation when footsteps approached from behind, light but purposeful. Two girls, both dressed in volleyball gear, appeared at the edge of the bleachers, eyes locked on Aiden like he was fresh meat in a small pond.
The first one, a confident brunette with a sharp smile, leaned in close and said, "Hey, new guy. You're Aiden, right? Heard you're the new kid around here." Her voice was warm but edged with something sharper, possessiveness.
Aiden glanced up, amusement flickering behind his guarded eyes. "That obvious, huh?"
She laughed softly, stepping closer. "You're kind of hard to miss. And, honestly? You're… hot." Her gaze lingered a little too long.
Another girl, blonde with a sly grin and a hint of mischief in her eyes, added, "Yeah, we all want a piece of the new guy. You better watch out."
Angela, standing just beside Aiden, folded her arms and said quietly, "Alright, ladies, the game's about to start. Don't want Coach yelling at us."
But the girls barely heard her, still circling Aiden with teasing smiles and bold glances.
"So, what's your game?" the brunette asked. "You here to play basketball? Or are you more of a different kind of player?"
Aiden smirked, feeling the heat of their attention. "I'm just trying to survive gym class."
The blonde laughed, twirling a strand of her hair. "Well, you survived this long. That's something."
Angela's eyes flicked between the girls and Aiden, a flicker of warning in her gaze. The girls giggled, sensing her silent claim but clearly unbothered, their interest too strong to back down easily.
Finally, a whistle blew sharply from across the gym.
"Last call," Angela said, her voice low but firm. The girls shot one last hungry look at Aiden, then, with reluctant smiles, turned and jogged back to their volleyball court, leaving Angela standing protectively beside him.
Aiden let out a breath, a slow grin spreading. "Looks like I just got welcomed to Forks."
Angela smiled softly. "Welcome to the jungle."
A sudden basketball arced toward Aiden, slow but deliberate. His hands snapped up, catching it with ease. The crowd's murmur shifted into a charged silence as eyes locked onto him.
Inside Aiden's mind, the entity's voice slithered like smoke, cool and dangerous.
"Yeesss…Show them who you are. Play harder. Faster. Crush their doubts. This is more than a game, it's power, respect, survival. Win and you carve your place. Lose, and you vanish."
The gym seemed to hold its breath, the tension stretching thick as the flickering fluorescent lights.
Aiden bounced the ball, the rhythmic thump matching the electric pulse in his veins. Walking up close to the boy. The boy mirrored him, eyes locked on him..
Every movement from here on out would be a statement, of strength, defiance, identity.
"Nice reflexes", the boy said, "Hey, can we have the ball back?"
he demanded, hand outstretched.
Some of the boys shot dirty looks his way. One walked over with clear disdain.
"Hey, can we have the ball back?" he demanded, hand outstretched.
Aiden held the ball. Drama wasn't his thing, but he never backed down when challenged.
"Are you dumb?" Aiden said, voice dry, almost amused.
The boy frowned, brow furrowing. "What?"
"Are you dumb?" Aiden said again
"You seriously think I'm that weak?" Aiden's tone sharpened, eyes narrowing. "You throw a ball at someone's face like it's nothing, like you think I'm some joke. Like you think I'm gonna just take it. That means you think I'm weak."
The boy's mouth twitched but he said nothing.
Aiden shook his head, a bitter smile curling his lips. "I came in here trying to start off right, you know? Be cool with people, maybe get along."
He glanced around at the circling students, some leaning in, some waiting for the fallout.
"But throwing shit like that? Nah. That just puts me on the wrong path."
He bounced the ball sharply once, twice.
The crowd shifted, murmurs rising as Aiden's words settled over them. He glanced at the two boys who'd been watching him hard all along, their eyes sharp, mean-mugging him like they were daring him to blink first.
"Tell you what, let's make this interesting."
One on three. You, and the two bozos that have been mean-mugging me the whole time. I'm done playing nice."
A burst of laughter erupted from the boys, loud, confident, dismissive. They thought it was a joke. This new kid? One-on-three? Not a chance.
But Aiden's expression didn't budge, his eyes steady and unblinking.
"Dead serious," he said, voice low and calm.
The laughter died quickly as the weight of his stare settled on them.
"Fine," the boy who'd challenged him said after a moment, exchanging a glance with Mike and Tyler. "You're on."
The gym buzzed with renewed energy as the circle tightened around them. This wasn't just a game anymore. It was a challenge, a battle for respect, for place, for survival.
Aiden's fingers tightened around the ball. The entity's whisper slithered back through his mind: Show them.
Dominate. Win this.
And with that, the game began.