Dragonblade: a new dawn

The end of the day was drawing closer, but Gabriel had no escape plan for the football trial that Jai-Lee had signed him up for. He tried to calm his breathing but couldn't think of a solution. Meanwhile, David was sitting across the room, watching Gabriel closely. Gabriel could feel his eyes but refused to meet them. He gestured to Jai-Lee to see that David was watching, and Jai-Lee nodded. He knew that they both had to rush out of class when the bell rang to avoid David.

Gabriel continued to sit in class, staring blankly at the whiteboard as the teacher droned on about complex mathematical formulas. He tried to focus, he really did, but his mind kept wandering back to the events of the day. The rush of adrenaline as he crossed the finish line, the stunned looks on his classmates' faces, and the proud smile on Coach Kemp's face – it all replayed in his mind like a highlight reel.

As the class drew to a close, Gabriel felt a sense of relief wash over him. He gathered his things and filed out of the classroom with the rest of his classmates. As he walked down the hallway, he caught sight of Harry and David chatting in the corner.

Gabriel's instincts told him to steer clear, to avoid drawing attention to himself. He quickened his pace, keeping his head down as he walked past them. He didn't want to give Harry any reason to notice him, not after that creepy conversation.

As he walked away, Gabriel felt a sense of determination rising up within him. He was going to be cautious, yes, but he wasn't going to let Harry intimidate him. He was going to focus on his training, on becoming the best athlete he could be.

The image of himself crossing the finish line replayed in his mind, and Gabriel felt a surge of confidence. He was going to do this, no matter what Harry or anyone else threw his way. He was going to prove himself, and he was going to come out on top.

With renewed determination, Gabriel picked up his pace, his footsteps echoing off the hallway walls. He was ready for whatever came next, and he was going to face it head-on. The sound of the school bell ringing in the background was like music to his ears, signaling the end of the class and the start of a new challenge.

As he walked out of the school building with Jai-Lee, Gabriel felt the warm sun on his face, and he smiled to himself. He knew that he had a long way to go, but he was ready for the journey. He was ready to face whatever obstacles came his way, and he was determined to emerge victorious.

"That was a close call, Jai," Gabriel said, wiping sweat from his forehead as he glanced around nervously. The dimly lit corridor seemed to close in around them, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the walls. "This trial's been giving me anxiety all day. Imagine if I actually have to do it." Jai-Lee nodded in agreement, her eyes darting back and forth as she checked for any onlookers.

"Let's go before anyone sees us," she urged, tugging on Gabriel's arm. But as they turned the corner, David called out, his voice like a challenge. 

"Oi, where do you think you're going?" he asked, charging toward them with a purposeful stride. "You're not trying to run away from the trial, are you?"

Gabriel stammered, trying to think of a plausible excuse. "Something came up with my dog," he said, hoping his voice sounded convincing. But Jai-Lee wasn't as quick to react, and she chimed in at the same time,

"My brother." David's eyebrow shot up, his expression incredulous.

"Which one is it? You two can't even keep your stories straight," he said, his tone dripping with skepticism. Gabriel's mind racing, he tried to salvage the situation. 

"What Jai-Lee meant to say," he started, "is that my brother's dog is really sick and I need to get back to take care of him."

David's face remained skeptical, his eyes narrowing as he studied Gabriel's expression. "Your brother has a dog?" he asked, his tone laced with doubt. Gabriel nodded, trying to sound convincing. 

"Yeah, his name's Max, and he's really ill. I need to go."

David's eyes seemed to bore into Gabriel's soul, searching for any sign of deception. "Nice try, Gabriel, but here's the problem. Daniel's allergic to dogs. So, you're lying." Gabriel's heart sank, his mind racing as he tried to think of another excuse.

"Right, I forgot about that," he said, panicking as he quickly thought of another explanation. "You're right. I didn't want you to know the truth." David's eyes lit up with curiosity, his voice taking on a sinister tone.

"What's that?" he asked, just as the football team appeared around the corner. The sound of their laughter and chatter filled the corridor, and Gabriel's anxiety spiked. He knew he was running out of time, and he needed to think fast if he wanted to get out of this situation.

The football team drew closer, their faces a blur of curiosity and amusement. Gabriel's eyes locked onto Harry, who was watching the scene unfold with an intensity that made Gabriel's skin crawl. What did Harry know? And what did he plan to do with that knowledge? Gabriel's instincts told him to get out of there, fast. But David's question hung in the air, demanding an answer. Before things got tender, Harry spoke, breaking the silence. 

Harry motioned to his teammates, his eyes never leaving Gabriel's face. "You two have a trial to get ready for. Why are you standing around in the hallways?" His voice was firm, but there was a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. It was as if he was enjoying Gabriel's predicament.

With a nod, Harry signaled for a couple of his guys to take Gabriel to get changed. Gabriel reluctantly followed, keeping his head down as he walked with the teammates. He knew he couldn't escape now, not with Harry's watchful eyes on him.

"I'll go get ready too," David muttered, trying to sound nonchalant. But as he passed Harry, he felt a hand grab his arm, the grip like a vice. Harry's eyes locked onto David's, his gaze piercing.

"The last person who double-crossed me didn't last long around here," Harry warned, his voice low and menacing. The grip on David's arm tightened, making him wince. "Am I making myself clear?" Harry's eyes seemed to bore into David's soul, demanding an answer.

David gulped, his heart racing with fear. "Crystal clear," he stammered, trying to nod. Harry's grip relaxed, and David quickly continued toward the changing rooms, his mind reeling with fear.

As David walked away, Harry's eyes never left his back. He watched him go, a calculating look in his eyes. It was clear that Harry was a force to be reckoned with, and David didn't want to be on the receiving end of his wrath.

The hallway was empty now, except for Harry and his teammates. They stood there, watching Gabriel being led away, their faces expressionless. It was as if they were waiting for something to happen, something that would signal the start of a new game.

Harry's eyes gleamed with anticipation, his smile growing wider. He seemed to be enjoying the power dynamics at play, the control he had over his teammates. And Gabriel, the newcomer, was about to find out what it meant to cross Harry.

The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, the only sound in the otherwise silent corridor. Harry's eyes never left Gabriel's back, his gaze burning with intensity. It was clear that Gabriel was in for a wild ride, one that would test his mettle and his resolve.

As Gabriel disappeared into the changing rooms, Harry turned to his teammates, a nod on his face. "Let's get ready for the trial," he said, his voice firm. 

The teammates nodded, their faces set with determination. They knew what was at stake, and they were ready to do whatever it took to win. The game was on, and Harry was ready to play.

In the opposing changing rooms, Harry and Gabriel were both preparing for the trial, their movements a testament to their focus and determination. Despite their vastly different personalities and approaches to the game, they shared similar expressions - a mix of concentration and nerves that betrayed their inner turmoil. Two different people, two very different sides of the coin, but at this moment, they felt the same. Fear and anxiety lingered in the air, each knowing this trial would test them in ways they hadn't anticipated.

As they laced up their cleats and strapped on their shin guards, the weight of the moment hung heavy over them. When they stepped onto the field, there was no turning back. Either they would thrive under the pressure, or the weight of it would crush them. Only time would tell if they had what it took to make it to the top.

The sound of cleats on the locker room floor echoed through the room as the players finished getting ready. Harry stood up, his eyes scanning the room as he mentally prepared himself for the trial. Gabriel, on the other hand, took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He knew he had to focus if he wanted to make a good impression.

As they made their way to the field, Coach Kemp addressed the teams. "Alright, we have two new tryouts today: Gabriel McLain and David Sanders. Please treat them like your fellow teammates. We don't know who's going to make the cut, but I wish you both the best." Coach Kemp's words were encouraging, but the players knew the reality of the situation. This was a competition, and only the strongest would prevail.

"Gabriel, you're on the blue team," Coach Kemp continued. "David, you're on the red team. Marcus will captain the blue team, and Harry will captain the red team. Have fun out there." The players nodded, their faces set with determination. They knew what was expected of them, and they were ready to give it their all.

As the teams took to the field, the atmosphere was electric. The players were pumped, their adrenaline levels soaring as they prepared to face off against each other. Gabriel and David exchanged a brief glance, their eyes locking in a moment of mutual understanding. This was it - the moment of truth. Who would emerge victorious, and who would fall short?