Simon wondered how could she forget everything that was happening? Her whole world had turned upside down in just the past few months, but she somehow still managed to smile like the happiest person in the world.
While Simon was lost in his thoughts, he hadn't noticed the football flying straight towards the two of them. But Stella was too good for a mere football, even without using her powers.
She easily dribbled the ball with one hand and then stopped it with her foot over it.
One of the boys motioned Stella to kick it back to them, and Stella would have, had she not caught what he was thinking. "Better step forward a bit. This little girl doesn't look like she could kick it farther than a few yards."
Stella raised an eyebrow and her lips curved into a half smirk as she took aim and kicked the ball straight to the other end of the football field, to the opposite goal.
She heard in satisfaction as the boys' thoughts turned to wonder and then admiration.
"Couldn't resist showing off. Could you?" Stella heard Simon whisper as the boys raced to where they both were standing.
Stella stuck out her tongue. "I didn't use my powers. Not much, anyway." she whispered back as the boy closest reached them and panted, "That was . . . . . . amazing. . . . . How . . .how did you. . . . ."
"Thought I'd kick it farther than a few yards." Stella replied with a smirk as Simon shook his head, thinking, "Childish."
Soon, all the boys had assembled where Stella was and were asking her how she did that.
Stella was beaming with pride as she showed them how to put the right amount of strength and find the right angle, all without any vampire powers of course. She also showed the boys some great tricks of stopping the ball which left almost all speechless.
"How did you learn to play so well?" one of them asked.
Stella shrugged, "Jumping into practices. Like I jumped into yours."
The boys laughed and one spoke up, "You can play with us if you want. If that's okay." he added, eyeing Stella's broken arm.
Stella internally debated for a few minutes before replying, "Let me ask my . . . . cousin first."
She then jogged over to where Simon had retreated a few meters away. Even before she reached him, Simon snapped, "No!!"
"Oh come on Simon!!!" Stella pleaded coming to a halt.
Simon crossed his arms, "Most definitely not. You are not going to play in your condition."
Some internal debate seemed to go on inside Stella for a minute. She finally decided, walked forward and held Simon's hands. "Please, Simon? I promise not even a scratch." she said, looking straight into Simon's eyes, which seemed to gloss over as he spoke, "Okay fine."
"Yayyyyy!!!!!!!" Stella shrieked and jumped before kicking off Simon's her shoes and rushing to play.
Stella was very tired as she sat slumped in the passenger's seat of Simon's jeep. The sun was already setting and it cast an orange glow over Stella's face, clothes and body. All of which was covered with dirt.
Though tired, Stella was very happy, evident from the huge smile plastered on her face.
"Thank you Simon." Stella murmured, closing her eyes.
"Don't mention it." "To anyone." Simon spoke.