Play the above song - I think it suits Castor's attitude in this chappie :)

⚔Castor Cruz⚔

I tied up the second rugby boot and stood up, "Shut up, Mayers."

"I'm just saying," Ethan said with his hands raised, "If you give a girl a necklace, she's gonna get an idea in her head."

"It's unrequited," I clicked a finger in his face, "She doesn't like me back. She is a freaking supermodel."

The other boys trying out could hear every word we were saying, but guys don't exactly like to gossip. It just starts pointless s*** with girls. 

Ethan clapped my back, "Yeah. Right." We ran outside and I looked up to the small set of silver bleachers that had been set up. It was mostly taken up by families, looking to see if their 'little boys' would make the team. I waved to Zoe.

She grinned and began wiggling in her seat. 

Ethan came and stood beside me, "Who're you looking for? Leila?"

"Shut up, Mayers," I repeated and glared at him.

He grinned and turned around to talk to the coach.

Coach called, "Okay boys! This tryout is for the Open team. Whoever makes the team this season can almost be guaranteed a spot next season. Let's do this."

*****

Long story short...

I suck at being a flyhalf. I suck at being a prop. I suck at being a winger. What I rule at is this:

Being a hooker. Number 2 baby. 

I took the ball from Ethan who was Loosehead Prop and ran it forward. I faked a pass back to Ethan and dodged an oncoming tackle barely. I now had three guys coming for me. I passed off to the Tighthead Prop and ran through the three guys. The guy immediately passed it back to me and I dived for the open space right beneath the posts. 

I grinned and shouted, "That's what I'm talking about!"

I leaped up and kicked the ball off to the flyhalf. I can't kick amazingly, but I can kick somewhat adequately. The coach studied me with appreciation and then shouted, "Hurry up with that conversion!"

The flyhalf winced and then made a perfect conversion between the posts. The coach nodded, "Good!"

I glanced back to the bleachers. I spotted them in the back corner with my mum and Zoe. Leila was arguing with Evie about something, but her gaze was on me. I smirked and looked back to the coach. 

Coach said, "Come on in, boys! We're going to do an offensive, defensive drill. Can I get Mayers and Cruz on the pads? Everyone else get into three lines behind this set of cones."

Me and Ethan bounded over and grabbed the large blue trapeziums on the ground. I held it up to my chest and bounced lightly on the feet. I smiled as a scrawny guy got chosen to be halfback. The halfback practically just picks up the ball and throws it. Every. Single. Time. The guy had good aim though. 

The halfback tossed it to the guy that had been flyhalf. He was running straight for me. I took a step towards him and he passed the ball to the right, but I'd been expecting that. I changed directions and joined Ethan in effectively charging the boy that had the ball now. We landed on top of him and leapt up quickly. 

"Nice one Cruz and Mayers! Two more for you boys and we'll swap!"

*****

I think it's pretty obvious to tell that me and Ethan were labelled co-captains. He got Loosehead Prop. I got Hooker. And... to be honest, I'm pretty happy about that. Coach looked at his watch just as he finished announcing the team, "I've got a date to get to boys," he spoke to me and Ethan and tossed Ethan a large black bag, "Hand out the right jerseys. The bag can go in the sports cupboard. Training is tomorrow morning at seven a.m."

We exchanged a glance as Coach ran off to his car.

"Hussle up, team!" Ethan called out loudly.

The boys made a circle and I began throwing out the jerseys to the boys according to their positions. Ethan told them of the training schedule and the diet everyone would be required to undertake - the second part was a lie. I doubt half of these boys would even survive going paleo like Leila.

I finally chuckled, "Forget about the food part. But training is tomorrow at seven a.m. If you aren't there for three times in a season we'll be talking to Coach."

I finally pulled out the last jersey - number 2. I grinned at it. Number 2 has been my number since... forever really. 

"So that's what the two is for!" a voice laughed.

My heart plummeted. Evie knew exactly what the necklace meant. I'd known her for a few days and she could already read me like an open book. 

I rolled my eyes and turned to Evie with a scowl, "Got a problem with it?"

She gulped and took a small step back to be behind Leila. Leila grinned, "Geez, Evie. We literally only just fought about you being a chicken."

Evie wrinkled her nose. 

A koala threw itself at me and wrapped itself around my body. I leaned back and looked into the face of the five-year-old dancing queen, "Zoe..."

Zoe smiled brightly, "Number 2?"

"Number 2," I confirmed and bopped her nose.

Two women hurried over, recognised by the universe as Mrs Cruz and Mrs Mayers. I sighed as Mum hugged me. I squirmed out of her gasp, "I am secure enough about my rep to let my little sister hug me in public. But not my mum anymore."

She raised an eyebrow, "Whatever. I'm still proud of you, Cast."

"And of Ethan," Mrs Mayers concluded, pecking her son's cheek, which he quickly wiped off. 

Evie let out a small giggle, "Ethan, are you so immature that you still wipe off ladies kisses?"

"Only some ladies," he scowled and looked away. 

Evie and Leila cracked up laughing. I saw the necklace dangling from Leila's neck and before I could ask her to hide it...

"Leila, who's that from?"

And Mum had noticed. 

She looked down at the necklace and up to me, "Actually, Castor gave it to me this morning. He said it used to be yours?"

"Yeah," Mum said with a beam, "I knew he'd give it to the right person."

I frowned and raised an eyebrow. She wanted me to choose Leila? Why didn't she say that in the first place.

"What's the time?" Leila suddenly dead-panned.

Evie looked down at her watch, "Six-fifty."

"Crap," we said together then took off running for my bike - me still in my gear.

✌︎

So I hope you enjoyed :) If you did, leave me a comment, if you didn't, tell me what I can improve on. How are you? Leave me a comment and a vote if you're healthy or sick. If you're sick, I hope you feel better. Shoutout to those that are reading this at 1am.

Sharky.