A couple of minutes later, he reached the Rugby Pitch where today's League would happen. From the little distance far up where he was standing, he was able to spectate the fields clearly now. The pitch was slightly packed with boys around the same age as him and as the wind blew into his nostrils, the smells his nose picked light of was mostly sweat and grit. Kai took a deep breath as he basked in the familiar feel of these quarters. He really loved this sport.
The view of the boys jumping up and down as they jogged in the distance caused a warming smile to break forth on his lips. The obvious feel of real tension in the air made him shudder though. The match of today seemed pretty important to his coach who was more likely to go berserk than anyone else if things should go south.
The next minute, Kai picked up his former pace and ambled towards the less busy side of the pitch. He could see just two boys lingering around that end. But why though?
He was absentmindedly dwelling on this thought when he felt a prick on his left shoulder.
No.
A blow.
Apparently the boy who'd just breezed past him had bruised his side on purpose.
"Hey!" Kai protested before twisting his neck to spot the culprit. But once he caught a glance at the short haired boy, those yellow locks were the kind to easily give that moron away.
Zev.
The idiot was smiling sheepishly.
"What did you do that for?" Kai asked before slinging his bag off from his shoulders, quickly flinging it to the side of the field where the others had kept their stuff as well.
Zev, on the other hand, grinned to Kai's talk before he spoke. "I did that cause you were lost in whatever thoughts."
"Yeah right." Kai said. He was jogging towards Zev who was hopping lightly in a backward motion.
"Also why didn't you come earlier than now?"
"'Cause I needed the break." Kai spat out, jogging some more. "I mean, I deliberately overslept."
"Can relate bro, so what's good?"
"Everything. I guess."
At the start, Kai decided to stop abrupt. He was no more running. Instead, he steered his eyes to scan for his other team members; 'The Velcron Taggers'.
Kai saw everyone busy. The boys were either jogging like Zev had presumably been doing, covering a couple of laps around the field. They were either doing that or basically stretching out.
'Where's Mr. Connor?'
Kai pondered as he shot his sight ahead to find the only baldy he was certain to find right here.
**Fffwwwhhhhheeeeeeeueeeeehhhhhh!**
The high-pitched sound of a whistle startled everyone all at once. Including Kai.
'Talk of the devil'
"Outta, boys! Get your lazy butts over to this side!" The Shorty shouted, straining his already cracked voice.
They were lazying in their walk towards him and it pissed him off.
Angry, the baldy screamed. "What, did I speak German?! Scoundrels! Get your weak asses over to my side!"
In a quick minute, his side became packed with the boys of his team who'd curved a mini circle about him. Kai with them.
The grim look on the short man's face showed how little impressed he was with their Practice training.
Mr. Connor would rather blast his chewing gum loudly in the boys' ears than say his words in a hurry.
Kai was waiting.
"You!"
Everyone turned to see who had gotten on his bad side this time.
"Why are you panting like a thirsty donkey? Huh! You dummy put in the lowest spirit out on the field so why are you panting so fricken hard for?"
"Sorry, coach."
"Sorry for yourself. You fucker put in the least effort than the others. Or didn't you know that?"
"Sorry, coach."
"Bloody dimwit!" Mr. Connor eyed the lanky boy for a bit before darting his gaze to the others. "As for the rest of you, all of you! What bloody sick game were you fuckers putting up out there? Was that even a fricken show to watch?! Huh!" He spat his gum out of his mouth to buttress his temper.
"Sorry, coach."
"Sorry! All you fuckers did nothing much to deserve to breathe so fricken hard like you carried some weight too. Or did ya?"
The lot went silent.
"Of course you didn't. Y'all are way too slimy as asses to pick up any metals anyway." He scrunched his nose at this point. "Now listen up! All of you! We have just one more fuckin trial to make this right. This isn't just an ordinary competition. This is war! Do you understand me?!"
"Yes we do! Yes sir!"
"I can't hear ya!"
"We do! Yes sir!"
Kai and Zev then looked at each other and back at their coach. Rehearsals was always a drumroll of harsh words. Today's practice didn't prove any different.
"If you do understand me, y'all would fuckin put in more spirits. Unless y'all fuckers think today to be some joke."
"No we don't!"
The boys chanted.
"Of course you don't." Mr. Connor mellowed for a minute. An awkward silence harassing the air of that place.
"Hey you!"
Every boy turned to look at him. "Rich kid."
"Who? Me?"
"You know any other fucker to go by that title around here, Mr. Chase?"
"Not a soul, Sir." Kai bit hard on his lip afterwards. It was always awkward whenever he got put in such ridiculous situation.
"You came late! Care to explain yourself?"
"I di-"
"Halt it right there! I bet you think yourself special for having certain privileges. Well, you're not!"
"Sorry, coach. I slept over."
"Then fricken keep sleeping over. Why the hell did you show up? You're my fricken Star player, boy."
The man paused and took out another sachet of gum from his breast pocket. After peeling the lips apart, he threw the substance inside his mouth. His anxiousness was very glaring for all to see.