Gameday
Running.
That's all I do for a while is run. I run through the woods, trees blurring past me at an unprecedented speed. I run and I run, and I run, nothing coming into contact with me for hours. There's nothing but trees and the sound of birdsong until the sun starts to sink below the horizon and the moon peeks out to say hello. There's nothing, but then... Then I start to recognize my surroundings a bit more. There's the road that if I turn right on, it'll bring me to my house. I pause there, thinking without truly thinking, and then I seem to come to a decision. I turn left. I turn left on the road, and instead of heading towards my house I start to enter the part of town where the houses are just a bit further apart. Just a bit more expensive. I know this area, too. I ran the same road not too long ago.
There. I see it - what I must be looking for. It's Wanda's house. The yard looks much cleaner since the last time I saw it, a significant lack of teenagers and red solo cups littering the well-maintained lawn that I'm making my way across. It takes me no time at all to propel myself up to the roof thanks to the trellis on the far side of the house, mostly hidden by trees, and I tilt my head to listen for the residents within. I move slowly across the shingles, slinking towards a nearby window that I can hear music coming from. There's only two people in the house, and one of them is in this room. I peek my head over far enough to look in, and I'm delighted by the sight that greets me.
It's Wanda, and she seems to be getting ready for something. In my current state of mind, I can't imagine what that might be, but something about just watching her be herself without the pressure of people seeing... It brings a certain sense of comfort to me and the animal controlling my actions currently.
Wanda is applying a light shade of lip gloss in front of the vanity mirror that sits against the wall near her door, taking care to make sure it's perfect and there's not any excess. She presses her lips together before slightly smacking them as she puts the gloss away, raising her hands to fuss with her auburn locks. She's beautiful, and I can't take my eyes off of her as she remains at the vanity and admires her reflection. Then, she reaches for the drawer and pulls it open hesitantly. Her movements are slow now, and I tilt my head at the difference between now and a couple of seconds ago. Before, she was confident and relaxed as she dolled herself up. She was happy. Enjoying herself while listening and singing along occasionally to the sound of Chappell Roan. Now, it's like something upset her - her body language screaming 'uncomfortable' as she grabs whatever it is she was needing from the drawer. Her movements are stiff and hesitant as she fists the item in her hand and brings it out, and she carefully opens it up and pours a couple of small, white, oblong pills into her other hand. She seems to think about it for a second, and then puts all but one back into the bottle.
My breathing gets heavier as I watch her in curiosity as she replaces the pill bottle back in the drawer before closing it and then reaching for her nearby bottle of water. She unscrews the cap and then tosses the pills back, chasing it with a drink to help it go down and I'm sure rid herself of the awful taste of whatever medicine it was. Leaning her head down, I can hear her sigh heavily as she seems to be trying to regain her composure over something, or perhaps ready herself for something to come. I don't realize that I'm leaning too far forward to look in at her until a shingle shifts beneath my clawed hand and I slip, almost falling. Quickly, I launch myself off the roof and take off, not wanting to risk anything. If I had stayed just a second longer and paid attention, perhaps I would've noticed Wanda's gaze shift in the mirror to where she could have possibly seen my figure looming outside...
I'm running again. My black converse slap hard against the asphalt as I return to the road and just take off, losing myself again. The wind whips at my hair, tangling it as my curls snap behind me and I just enjoy the feeling of running free. There's a flash of bright lights as I turn a corner, and I pause to look right before I'm slammed into. I'm thrown back across the road a couple of feet, groaning as I roll to face the sky. Instantly, the pain seems to ground me, and I come to my senses as my vision returns to normal. My claws retract and my body shifts back and suddenly I'm very aware of the fact that I've been running around like a wild animal all day. That I stalked Wanda at her house, seeing something I probably shouldn't have. That I was just... hit by a car. Shit! That hurt.
"Holy shit, are you okay?!" I hear a voice call out, and I slowly sit myself up and look towards them. It's Yelena, standing with the passenger side door open as she looks at me, the headlights illuminating my features. "Dianna?!" She says incredulously, running over to check me over. "Is she okay?" I hear another voice ask, and it's then that I notice she isn't alone as the driver steps out and comes to the front of the vehicle. It's her sister, and I gulp fearfully as I realize how bad this could be.
"What were you doing? Are you okay?" Yelena asks, ignoring her sister as she offers me her hands to help me stand. I take her hands and try to stay calm as I'm pulled to a standing position, facing them. "I was just out for a walk..." I say rather unconvincingly, my voice cracking in all of the wrong ways thanks to my nerves as I glance at Yelena's sister. How much did they see? How much did she see?!
"You're kidding me, right?!" Yelena exclaims, her accent thick with concern as she looks me over thoroughly for any injuries. "I'm fine, 'Lena. I really was just out for a walk before heading to the school for the game tonight." I clear my throat, hoping I sound at least mildly more convincing as I offer a small smile and dust myself off. "Right..." She says, sounding wholly unconvinced as she glances at her sister who has her arms crossed beside her. Nat's red hair is braided and falls over one shoulder, looking soft like the sweatshirt she wears with a pair of dark mom jeans. "We're headed to the game now, actually. Hop in, I'll give you a ride." The red head says with a crooked smile, emerald eyes watching my every move. "Yeah, Dee, hop in. You can't be late, you play tonight."
With the way they're both looking at me, Nat looking almost like I've been caught in a trap... I know I can't decline. I smile broadly and nod, following Yelena as she leads me to the car and opens the door to the backseat for me. Breathing carefully, I watch as Natasha slowly gets back into the car with more grace than the action should require, and she smirks as she makes eye contact with me before turning her attention to the road and beginning to drive. The whole way there, I make small talk halfheartedly with Yelena, barely paying attention to what I'm saying in response as she tells me how excited she is for later and how she'll be cheering me on from the stands the whole time along with Nat and Wanda. I can't help but feel like a mouse that's been caught by the cat as I continue to steal glances at the redhead as she just drives, an ever-present smile on her face as she listens to her sister.
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Sighing, I start to change into my gear and jersey in the girl's locker room back at the school. That had to have been the most uncomfortable, terrifying car ride of my life - I tried to act normal so hard that, if Yelena's sister didn't have any idea that I was the werewolf from that night, and she hadn't seen any of those animalistic features as she hit me with her car... Well, she likely suspected me now, based off of my behavior on the ride here alone. I'm royally screwed, the more I think about it. I have no idea how I'm going to get through this game, with everyone watching me and counting on me. With a fucking werewolf hunter watching me, waiting for me to make a mistake. I lean my head against my locker door, fully dressed and ready to go now... In every way except mentally, that is.
There's a hand on my shoulder and I feel whoever it is give a tug as they turn me to face them. It's Kate, and her eyes scan every inch of me as she grabs my face and turns it this way and that way, looking for any injuries or wolf characteristics I'm assuming. When she deems that I'm okay, the concerned look in her eyes fades as she smacks me in the arm. "That's for running off like that, and not even sending me a text when you got back to yourself! I had no idea if you were okay!" She whisper yells, glaring at me as she gives me a small shove back into the lockers.
"Hey! I'm sorry, okay?!" I rub the spot where she hit my arm, because werewolf or not it still stings. "I only just got control back, okay? And I would've texted you, but I kind of... Umm..." I hesitate, not really knowing how she'll respond to this next bit of information. "I kind of got hit by Yelena and her sister in their car and it snapped me out of it and then they gave me a ride here." I let out all at once, wincing as I look at her. The darkhaired girl just blinks at me for a second while she processes my words, and then. "I'm sorry... WHAT?!" She almost screams out, and we get a couple of weird looks from the other girls in the room.
Grimacing, I slap my hand over her mouth and drag her off to the side more. I swear, if it's not me getting myself killed then it will be her, I think. "Are you okay?!" Kate whispers, and I think about it for a second. "Yeah, I'm fine... Physically, at least. For now, anyways. I have no clue if Nat knows about me, and the ride here was torture. And now she's going to be out there watching the game, too!" I shake my head, breathing getting a bit heavy as I start to panic some.
"Hey, breathe. It's okay. I believe in you." Kate starts. "We're just going to go out there and play the game, and you're going to try to stay as calm as possible while doing so. It doesn't matter if we win, so just focus on staying calm." I nod, my breathing returning to normal as I start to get my head in the game and do as Kate says - just stay calm. "Just try not to worry too much while you're out there or get too angry. Or stressed." I give Kate a weird look as she looks up at the ceiling and starts listing things off. "Don't think about Yelena's sister out there watching, or Wanda and Yelena watching. Or your mom watching. Or that Yelena's sister is trying to kill you... And so is Steve..." She continues, my eyes growing ever wider, and I gulp. "Or that you might kill someone, if a hunter doesn't kill you first!"
"Kate! Stop it!" I shout, gently smacking her upside the head. "I get it. I'm fucked." I breathe out, and she grimaces while nodding and we head out of the locker room to the field and waiting crowd. The people in the stands are already shouting as the teams prepare to face off against each other, and I take a deep breath and roll my shoulders before lining up with everyone else. Kate pats me on the back before she heads to the bench, whispering. "Good luck!" Turning to face her as I put my helmet on and adjust it, I make eye contact with Wanda sitting next to Yelena and Nat. The other two seem to be having an excited conversation about something, but Wanda just stares at me with an intrigued look. Her eyes scan me from head to toe and she tilts her head, and I could have sworn I almost saw a flash of red within those normally jade green orbs before Yelena elbows her and she's drawn into their conversation with a laugh as she turns away from me.
I don't have much time to think about it, because before I know it the whistle is being blown and everyone is getting into starting positions, including Vision. It seems that his shoulder is okay enough to play, after all, and he glares at me for a minute before bending down into position. Taking a deep breath, I readjust my grip on my stick and bend down. "Please, let this be okay..." The whistle blows again, and the field erupts into chaos as the players start moving.
We make a couple of goals, but the other team is ahead of us. I've been trying to get the ball all night, but it's like my team is purposefully avoiding having to pass it to me. So many times, I've been open to take it, and every time they shoot me down like I don't exist.
We're about to start again, everyone in position. The whistle blows and I go long, making sure I'm open for a pass as my teammates scoop up the ball and rush the opposite end of the field. They seem to be struggling, and I wave my stick in the air to let them know that I'm open. They don't make the pass, and the other team smacks into them hard. I see the ball laying there on the field and I go for it. I don't know why they didn't just make the pass, but the ball is open for me now as I run for it. I go to scoop it up with my stick, but something pushes me off to the side and I tumble over, looking up to see Vision scoop up the ball instead and make a shot at the goal... He makes it.
The crowd goes nuts as we score, and I scramble to stand up in confusion at what just happened. Vision just sabotaged me, and I'm on his own team. Looking out towards the benches, I try to see if anyone else noticed and might call him on it, but Coach seems to be cheering for him too. "That's it, Vision, get fired up!" He shouts, waving his arms in the air. The only people that seem to notice are Kate and my mom, who has made it a point to sit as close to the benches as she can. I scoff and throw my hands up in the air, and they give me an apologetic look before my eyes continue to scan the crowd. Yelena seems to be slightly put off by the events too, an odd look on her face, but then Wanda sends her a smile as she leans down and grabs something for them to hold up. My heart sinks as I read the sign they now hold proudly in the air. 'We Luv U Vision!'
Something snaps in my mind as I make eye contact with Wanda after looking at that hideous sign, and I breathe out heavily as I slowly make my way back to the starting position. She looked so proud. Whether it was her being proud of him, or proud of herself... I'll never know. All I know is that I am livid and there is no way Vision is going to sabotage me again. I bend down, and I can feel the strength in my body as the anger and injustice of it all scorches through me. I forget all about what Kate told me before the game started, and I growl softly as I prepare. I spare one last glance back at the stands - back at Wanda and Yelena. They still have that stupid sign up, and Wanda is looking right at me. There's a peculiar look on her face as she stares right at me, almost like she's seeing through me, and I shiver as I refocus and let my anger rise. I have to make a shot.
The whistle blows, and the struggle to see which team gets the ball first causes it to be launched into the air. My eyes snap to it, and my body reacts without me even having to think about it. I'm instantly rushing forwards and jumping up to catch it in the pocket of my stick. I know I should probably tone it down as I'm sure I'm several feet off the ground, but I don't care. I land on my feet perfectly and continue towards the opposite team's goal. The other players dart in front of me, doing everything they can think of to stop my path, but I'm on a mission and there's nothing they can do about it as I weave in and out, my body twisting to avoid contact with them as I hold my stick tight and close to ensure I don't lose the ball. There's cheering from the crowd as I get closer and closer to being able to make a shot, and it only gets louder at each close call between me and another player trying to get in my way. My cleats are tearing up the ground as I run through them all, and finally I am close enough to make a shot. Bringing the stick back, I let my anger flow through me and propel my arms as I swing and make the shot.
It hits the net, scoring us another point. Cheers erupt from all around me, and I look back as Coach starts shouting for the rest of the team to pass to me from now on. My mom is jumping and clapping, grinning. Kate is beaming at me from her spot on the bench. Yelena also seems ecstatic, screaming and clapping loudly as her sister just looks at her with an exasperated smile. And Wanda... Wanda's jaw is dropped as she looks at me. She's just standing there in shock for a moment. I can't help but grin as I watch her, the sign no longer in sight as I head back to the starting positions. Her eyes soften the longer she looks at me, and I see a slow smirk start to form on her face.
The rest of the game goes pretty much the same way. The team now putting all of their efforts into getting the ball and tossing it over to me. Each and every time, I make the shot and score for us yet again. There isn't a single time that I miss, and we quickly catch up to the opposing team's score. My heart is racing as I prepare to do it again, one last time to win us the game. The crowd's cheers are loud in my ears, the sound banging around in my skull like tiny people with sledgehammers trying to bust their way out. The whistle blows again, and my team gets and passes me the ball. I start running down the field, heading for the goal yet again when my vision sharpens. The colors and details becoming more easily seen, more vibrant. I can feel my claws trying to rip through my gloves as they grow in, and I pause halfway down the field. My head sways side to side as I take in the threats before me... no, not threats, just other teenagers. This is a game.
Growling lowly, I try to stay in control. My breathing quickens, and there's very little time on the clock left for me to make this shot and win us the game. I can hear Kate freaking out a bit, her tone worried as she watches me. She must recognize what's happening, that I'm losing it. That I'm seconds away from attacking one of these teens that are wholly prepared to tackle me for the ball I possess, blissfully unaware that a predator stands before them wanting to rip their throats out with their teeth. My grip tightens on my stick as I hear my mom cheering me on, no clue about the monster I have become. I hear Yelena cheering the loudest, supporting me like she said I would, and again I worry about what if she knows. What if she or her sister knows it's me, and then I'm dead. I'm seconds away from snapping and giving Nat all the proof she needs to finish the job she started that night in the woods, with the full moon high and bright above us, when I hear it. It's so soft. Quiet. A slight accent wrapping around the words as I hear them, voice velvety smooth.
"Do it." She whispers. Everything slows down when I hear her say those two words, my body relaxing instantly at the softness it seems to hold for me. I can feel the change, returning to human. The familiarity of the voice shines through the fog that has taken over my mind, and my body begins to move again. As if of its own accord, with seconds left on the clock and the other players charging at me, my body makes the shot from halfway down the field. And it goes in, and the crowd goes absolutely feral about it.
Realization dawns on me that the voice that just calmed me down and allowed me to win us the game belonged to... Wanda. It was Wanda's voice that broke through my inner turmoil, her voice low and encouraging and just so, so soft. I take my gloves off and notice that my claws had gone through the fingertips, but where the claws should still be there's now just normal human fingernails attached to my hand. I let my gloves fall to the ground as a smile breaks out on my face and I tear my helmet off my head, my hair wild after being in it for so long. My eyes seek her out in the stands. I have to see her face. I have to see if she's proud or not, because after that...
There. Her and Yelena are hugging and bouncing up and down before they break apart to look at me, Yelena cupping her hands around her mouth to shout something at me before laughing. And Wanda is just standing there with a soft smile on her face, her eyes avoiding looking at me... Grinning, I take in the sight of her like a woman starved. My heart beats painfully hard within my chest as I'm reminded of why I've always had a crush on her, and it wasn't just for her looks. She used to be so... sensitive. She was always so kind and sweet, very quiet and empathetic. It was only once her brother died that she started to become this popular girl, 'Queen Maximoff' as some people called her, almost as if she was trying to make up for something. Now, it felt like the part of her that I actually used to know from a long time ago, the part of her that I first developed feelings for, was showing its face once again. And I could not get over the fact that it was for me... Even if she didn't know I could hear her.
Or did she?