I spent most of the school-day pretty paranoid. Not just about last night, but Zack was worrying me too. See, he’s the bragging type; if he thinks he has a leg up over someone, he won't hesitate to take them down. I’d imagine the ability to conjure fire, vines, and to summon a goblin-like familiar has left him feeling pretty high-and-mighty.

One of the rules we have as gifted is to not tell people about the goddesses. Zack’s a really good liar, so I don’t have to worry too much about him exposing them. However, showing off his superpowers to get a girl’s number or to burn a guy he doesn't like, that kind of stuff I wouldn’t put it past him. The last thing I need is him to expose himself like that. I had gym class next so I was gonna see him, and I hadn’t heard any rumors of anyone fire bending yet, so that was a good sign.

I rushed into the gym, my teacher announced that we were playing dodgeball today and to get dressed immediately. As I walked down to the changing room, I noticed most people were already in teams, I also noticed that Zack was there. For the first time in the six years I’ve known him, he was on time for class (and it wasn't even a field trip.) That was the first sign that something was wrong. With that in mind, I started thinking of some contingency plans just in case Zack slipped up.

As I went upstairs, I noticed the two distinctly different groups on either side of the gym. On one side we had all the jocks wearing yellow jerseys, while on the other side were all the geeks, shy kids and Zack with no jerseys. Zack was standing in front of the geeks, sticking his tongue out at all the jocks, daring them to come closer. They all got a good laugh at his facial expressions.

That was the second sign that Zack was up to no good. He usually sided with the strongest people and hid behind them, or solely relied on me... Then a light bulb went off in my head. He was gonna rely on me and my new eyes to win. He chose the team I felt the most sympathy for!

I growled as I heard the coach yell my name and tell me the oh so wonderful news that I was on Zack’s team. That evil genius played me by getting here early...

“Now that my knight is here you’re all going down!” He cheered as the other team just chuckled and shook their heads.

If they only knew...

The coach lined up the balls, and we all stepped back against the walls. We all waited in anticipation for the whistle to sound us off. I looked over at Zack, who was flexing and making kissy faces at the girls. They looked like they were supposed to be playing volleyball on their side of the gym.

Then I felt my heart skip a beat. I could see Alexis waving our way, I felt the butterflies in my stomach begin to form. However, a knot soon took its place. I remembered she asked me to put in a good word for her for Zack. I didn’t wave back and faced forward again, I needed to get my head in the game. Zack could pull something at any time. Besides, it was a lot better than letting my mind wander.

Then the whistle sounded off. Most of my team and the entire yellow team ran for the balls like sheep to the slaughter. I never understood why everyone always ran up to the balls, it was suicide.

“Get ready for the grand wizard to shine!” Zack cheered, punching my shoulder playfully.

“What does that-” Before I could even ask he was running off to the front lines.

Zack’s a coward, he never runs to the front unless we already won. The final sign I needed. I activated my eyes and watched him carefully as I slowly made my way to the front. I noticed that there were only three of us now, my team had been annihilated. I watched in astonishment as the balls coming Zack’s way were smacked to the side…by nothing. Zack pretended to dodge the balls that were smacked away, but I wasn’t fooled. He stood up tall with a smirk and his arms folded as he stared down the other team. Then I remembered my fight with him in the woods, Bean, it had to be Bean!

“Ha! Your aim’s crap, meatheads!” Zack yelled as the only other person on our team stared in awe at him.

“Y-yeah!” Our teammate cheered from behind Zack’s nest of safety.

I was beside them now. There was a moment of ceasefire as the opposite team seemed to be in awe at Zack’s dodging skills.

“What do you think you’re doing,” I whispered to him.

“Giving these losers a show,” He chuckled.

“You know wha-”

“It's time to get zacked, losers!” Zack declared to the other team, completely ignoring me as he stepped forward.

I could see the kid behind Zack get a more confident look in his eyes, he ran from Zack’s protective bubble to grab a ball. The yellow team took notice of this and fired at the kid. My legs moved without me even thinking about it and before I knew it I was guarding the kid. I caught the first ball that came my way and smacked the other balls away. My eyes made this child's play.

“Jeffery! Out!” The couch yelled as Jeffery shot me a death glare.

“Zack, and the guy whose name I don’t know, get behind me. I'll take care of them.” I called out as I eyed the yellow team down.

But they just started to laugh at me.

“Oh, Stryder’s gonna take us out! I’m so scar-” I chucked that rubber ball hard at his face before he could even finish.

He dropped to the ground hard like a rock as everyone's laughs were silenced. I just gave them a quiet glare as the guy whose mouth I just shut slowly got up rubbing his face with a groan. Followed by our couches all too familiar roar of “you’re out!”

“That’s right my knight! Show these jocks they need to go back to the gym!” I turned quickly back to Zack and gave him the shut-up-or-I'll-kill-you look.

He chuckled and held up his hands, backing away slowly. I turned back quickly and looked over the yellow team again. There were three balls coming my way. I sidestepped and did a back handspring dodging the other balls.

“Spread out!” Someone yelled on the other team as they all did so.

Everyone was silent, watching in anticipation. Then the balls came flying my way, I used my eyes dodging like a pro. Using flips, spins, and corkscrews to dodge, catch, and throw balls back at the yellow team. Then one by one I took out the entire team. I have to admit. I showed off a bit for Alexis. I knew she liked Zack and all but I, I just, I don’t know, I couldn’t help myself.

“Game! Nice work Stryder! Should sign up for some sports with moves like that!” The coach called out to me.

I was suddenly surrounded by praise from my entire team, some of the other team members, even a few of the girls came over. I was blushing like a tomato now as everyone complimented me. I didn’t know how to take compliments, so I just stood there awkwardly smiling like an idiot and nodding. Then I felt my heartbeat pick up, as Alexis came over to me with a huge grin on her face.

“That was flipping awesome, dude! You have to show me some of your ninja moves!” Alexis chimed doing some ninja strikes and noises.

I was still super flustered and slowly becoming nervous. I needed to say something, but I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want her to think I was boring or didn’t care. My brain was completely scrambled, but soon my brain moved back into place as I felt someone move their arm around my shoulder.

“Yeah, that’s my knight for ya!” Zack cheered as he leaned more onto me. “Strongest of them all!” Then it all came back to me. Bean, I was supposed to beat Zack for using Bean.

However, Alexis’ constant praise just melted my worries away. I watched her smile and relaxed a bit. I felt that pit in my stomach again as I thought about it. She really did like Zack. All this time, all my stupid fantasies of manning up and asking her out. It was all for naught. It would never happen. I felt my smile slowly begin to fade, but just as I did, I felt a tug at my shirt sleeve. Alexis’ friend was asking for my attention.

She had long neat and clean black hair that had no sign that she had just come from a volleyball game. She was a head shorter than me and had these greenish-brown eyes, that admittedly I stared into. I was trying to guess which color was more dominant. Her skin was blemish-free and looked smooth like silk. I could see her cheeks flush red like the streaks in Alexis’ hair. I realized I was still staring at her eyes and immediately looked away.

“S-sorry.” I stammered out as she just shook her head.

“It’s fine, I wanted to introduce myself. My name’s Valentina, I’m the student council president.” I immediately felt embarrassed.

I know she was just the student council president, but to me, that made her a bit above me. Like she had some celebrity status or something.

“O-oh, nice to meet you. I'm Stryder.”

“And I’m Zack sweet cheeks.” Zack blurted out as he leaned over to her.

I could see the hurt and frustration in Alexis’ eyes as she looked to me for help. But before I could even speak, Valentina spoke up with a sigh.

“Yes, Mr. Grendell, I know you quite well. From flooding the boy's bathroom to sneaking into the girl's locker room. The student council is very aware of your presence.” She had this look of agitation in her eyes as Zack had one of fear.

“Haha, oh yeah! Well, I think I’ll be taking my leave now…” Zack chuckled nervously as he slowly walked off.

Valentina just glared a bit at him as he slowly walked away.

“I'm sorry about him..he’s...he’s an idiot,” I said flatly as Alexis chuckled a bit.

“Anyways, I came to ask you about possibly joining a sports team here at school. Clearly you have the physical capabilities.” She proposed but I just shook my head slowly.

“I've never really been good at any sports. The most I do is parkour in my free time and that's not much of a sport.” I said softly.

“I think with a little practice you could be a great help. We’re in a bit of a losing streak right now…” She said softly

“With those ninja moves of yours! I bet you’d be great at sports! Super agile!” Alexis cheered happily which made me smile a bit.

“Well, I'll think about it, is that alright?” I suggested to the two who just smiled and nodded. Great well I’m going to go get dressed now, nice meeting you Valentina.” I said waving off to her as I headed back down the stairs.

As I did I could hear Zack bragging loudly and proudly to everyone. Some looked agitated as others were just trying to ignore him like I was. However, as I was getting dressed I could hear Zack going back and forth with another kid. It was harmless at first, then it started getting heated.

“Bruh, if you don’t shut up.”

“Oh, what are you gonna do about it!”

“I'll bust your lip open!” The guy yelled back, that's when I headed over there.

“What's up?!” Zack yelled.

I started to run once I saw the guy he was arguing with, he was going for a punch. I leaped in just in time, and got clocked in the face! And let me tell you, if I hadn’t had those body modifications, I would've lost a tooth.

“Look, believe me, I know he’s an idiot and all, but we’re better than this senseless violence aren’t we?” I asked, staring the guy in the eyes. He looked shocked for a moment before he finally relaxed again.

“What am I thinking? I got the homecoming game coming up soon. I can't afford to get in trouble with this idiot. Good looking, Stryder.” He said softly as he turned to walk off shaking his head. Thank god our coach stayed upstairs, or else that would have been bad.

“Seriously. Can you be just a little less heroic?” Zack asked me with a groan.

“Shut up, or next time I'll deliver the punch, got it?” I grumbled as I walked over to my locker.

As school let out, I waited on Zack at the front. Zack eventually came over to me and dragged me to the park.

“Dude, dude, you're gonna love this!” Zack exclaimed, but I just stayed quiet.

I was deciding whether I should hit him first, or yell at him. But I was curious to hear what he had to say first. He was giggling like a dufus the entire walk to the woods.

“Check it!” Zack cheered.

He took out some upside-down photos and handed them to me. I turned them over and I was speechless.

“Zack! What the hell! How did you?-”

“Ssshhh.” Zack hushed me.

This perv had just given me photos of the girls from gym! Changing into their regular clothes!

“Hey, I even got a good shot of Alexis for you. Don’t you wanna just take a peek?” Zack creepily whispered into my ear.

I was disgusted and furious. But a part of me awakened when he said, Alexis.

“Well, umm, I umm.” I started to say before I snapped back into reality. I couldn’t dare look at these photos.

“Come on Stryder, just quench a little of your thirst. How is she gonna find out? Just a little peek won't burn your Christian eyes. You’re a man after all, and this is the jackpot!” He snickered with a smirk.

“I won't! It’s the principal of the thing! It's wrong! And an invasion of their privacy!” I manifested a knife and slashed the photos up.

“Noo, my babies! How could you! My beautiful, beautiful babies!” Zack yelled falling on the ground to the remains of his photos. Seemingly crying over them.

“You shouldn’t be using your powers so recklessly. What if someone finds out, and they come for us!”

“Jessica’s Awesome bod! Gone! I worked so hard for that shot!” Zack whined.

He was on his knees beating the ground in defeat.

“Are you even listening to me!” I hollered.

“Shut up you homewrecker! Those were my children! My gifts from the gods! And you ruined it!” He cried

I sighed.

“Oh, and if you take a single pic of my sister, I'll cut your nuts off,” I said activating my eyes, giving him a death glare.

“Hmph!” He groaned like a child.

He folded his arms and turned away from me.

“Also, Bean can get big?” I asked curiously.

But he just ignored me.

“I guess someone doesn’t want ice cream on the roof tonight,” I sighed walking away from him.

He sprung up fast and hugged me from behind.

“Oh yeah! Bean has lots of abilities!” He yelled holding onto me.

“I’m serious though, get one picture of Lux and your-“

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

“What do you take me for? A perverted freak?” Zack asked, seeming offended.

“Yes, yes, I do. You better be on your best behavior for Alexis as well.” I told him as I continued to walk away.

“How dare ye claim the handsome and charming Zackery is anything but a gent!” He yelled.

“Says the guy who took photos of the girls changing. Or the time you tried sneaking into the changing room at the pool.” I said in a rebuttal.

“I thought we agreed to never speak of that day!” Zack yelled running up to me. He had a please-Stryder-don’t look in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, I know this was all the way back in middle school and all. But you have to admit that was hilarious.” I said with a chuckle.

“Look, I was young Stalin back then. I didn’t have much control over my wild side yet.” Zack mumbled

“And now you’re a crusty old horse, with new tricks,” I replied.

“Crusty!? I am a strong vibrant young stallion!” Zack yelled while smacking his chest repeatedly.

“I’m sorry, but someone who dresses as a girl to get into the girl's changing room does not get to be called a stallion.” I shot back. ”I can't believe you wore that one piece. I told you over and over that was stupid. Just because your hair went to your shoulders, you thought it would work.” Zack groaned and facepalmed.

“There was even a guy who hit on me. You remember? The guy who bought me food?” Zack groaned.

“Oh yeah! He followed you around all night. He looked dead inside after you were caught. You deserve that crusty horse title. As a matter of fact, Zack the thirsty, crusty horse sounds pretty accurate to me.”

“Hey, don’t think you're safe. I seem to recall someone sneaking around in the pool area, so you could stare at Alexis. I remember you going on and on about how hot she looked in that –” I put my hand over his mouth.

“We were both kids, I guess.” I blushed a little and sighed.

Zack chuckled teasingly as we walked the rest of the way home.