Chapter Eight; Drift Away

“Attention. Soccer tryouts will be held Saturday at noon. Thank you. You are dismissed,” the intercom rang. The bell went off, signaling we could finally leave. 

“So how was your first day?” Andrew asked, walking beside me. 

“Not awful.” I replied, watching where I was walking. I had barely managed to stay upright, and I didn’t want to trip now. 

“I’m glad.” Andrew replied, reaching the door first. He opened it for me, bowing his head. 

“Thanks.” I replied, walking through. He’s been doing that a lot lately. He says he has to ‘make sure he’s showing his royal manners.’ From taking that Royal Manners course, I could verify this. Now that class is going to be the worst one. 

Today wasn’t much for me. I basically just got my textbooks and learned what homework was. They seriously make these kids do school at home? 

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Good luck with the soccer practice at your house.” Andrew smiled, waving as he parted his way to his carriage. I nodded, entering mine. 

“So that’s where Andrew was at lunch today!” Liam exclaimed as I entered the carriage. 

“Huh?” I asked, putting my bag down. 

“He normally sits with the soccer kids, but he wasn’t there. Was he sitting with you?” Liam asked. I nodded.

“Also, I saw your name was on the soccer tryout list. Are you for real?” Liam asked, pressing for a ‘no’ answer. I nodded again. 

“But girls don’t-” 

“Trust me. I know. But that’s not a rule now is it?” I asked, leaning my head against the window. Liam pulled out his phone. I hadn’t really ever seen one before. I’ve seen people in Jamaa use them when I first came, but mother never had a phone. She said they were ‘the way to be spied on’ or something crazy like that. 

“Say, do you want me to help you with soccer? I doubt you know how to play.” Liam asked, putting his phone down. I looked at him. 

“Really? You’d do that for me?” I asked. 

“Sure. I mean, you are my-uh” 

“Half sister?” 

“Yeah.” Liam cleared his throat, grabbing his phone as it buzzed. 

“We’re gonna have to get you a phone. Where in Mira’s name is Olivia?” Liam got up and peaked his head out the opened door. Olivia was chatting by the stairs with a group of her friends. 

“Hey! Let’s go! I’m hungry!” Liam yelled, causing the girls to look up. A couple giggled, while Olivia rolled her eyes. She said her goodbyes, grabbed her fan, and walked towards the carriage. 

“Thank you!” Liam exclaimed, sending a text back to one of his friends. Olivia pulled out her phone, which was pink and sparkly. Obviously.

“My photo this morning only hit two million likes on Instajam. It’s a tragedy.” Olivia sighed, pulling up the photo. 

“What does that mean?” I asked. Olivia looked up. 

“Instajam? It’s an app. It’s where you have a profile and people can like and comment on your photos. I’m telling Dad to get you a phone. What twelve-year-old are you gonna pass for if you can’t use a phone?” Olivia fanned herself with her shiny fan. I rolled my eyes. Is this a compliment or another remark? Should I be thankful or hurt? 

***

“Hey!” Lucy greeted us at the door. 

“Mom! Mariah signed up for soccer. Please explain to her why that’s not a good idea.” Olivia said to her mother before walking inside. Liam patted me on the back before rushing in for a snack. 

“Soccer? Really? That’s a pretty big step.” Lucy explained, going to sit on the bench next to the stairs. She patted the seat beside her, but I shook my head.

“I just don’t want to be held back, that’s all.” 

“Look honey, I support you in everything you want to do but-” Lucy began, but I cut her off. 

“You don’t believe in me either. I get it. But I can prove to you too if that’s what it takes.” 

“You don’t need to prove anything, Mariah. It’s just girls don’t play soccer. I went to a private school in Jamaa before I became queen, and girls didn’t even play there. I’ve never heard of it.” 

“So? I want to do this. It’ll make me feel like I’m more than just a girl in a gown and a pokey tiara. I’m more than the phantom-jammer hybrid that lives a double life in the Jamaa Castle.” I explained, getting frustrated. 

“Honey I’m not saying you can’t-” 

“Save it.” I held my paw up. I didn’t need to hear this. 

“Mariah.” I heard Xavier’s voice. He came down the stairs, sitting beside his wife.

“Soccer, huh?” He asked, putting his arm around Lucy. 

“Liam has a big mouth.” I explained, running my fingers through my pulled-back hair. 

“He does when it comes to snacks.” Lucy giggled. 

“It’s never been done.” Xavier stated, going into a serious mode. 

“Trust me. I’m aware of that. But who says I can’t play? Or atleast tryout? Is there some ‘unspeakable’ rule that prevents me from even trying out?” I asked. 

“No. There isn’t. And I think you should try out. And if Liam won’t show you how to play, I will. I was one of the star players at Magestia Prep in my time. I’m sure you got those genes from me.” Xavier explained. I looked at him with full hope. 

“You believe in me?” I asked quietly. His green eyes looked at me. 

“Of course I do. I always have, even if I never knew who you were. I will always believe in you.”

“You will never amount to your title as the Destroyer. I will never believe in you.”  

“I will never believe in you.”

“Thank you.” I whispered, tears in my eyes. I had never really heard those words in my life. Sure, mother loved me. She did, anyways. I think. I mean, she was my mom. She had to, right? 

“Hey hey-” Xavier gave me a hug. It was a hug that made me feel a feeling I had never felt before. I felt warm inside. It was like a lost puzzle piece in my soul had finally been found, and everything was finally starting to fit into place. 

I waited so long for my mother to finally be proud of me, and Xavier’s only known me for a few weeks. I had to spend my days proving. Proving I was strong. Proving I was the prophecy. Proving I was the Phantom’s last hope. I had to prove I was worthy of my mother’s love and care. 

But the truth is, I don’t have to prove anything anymore. I proved I could change my ways. I proved I was good. That’s all Xavier needed. He cared for me since the moment he saw me, even as I had his head Alpha imprisoned. He doesn’t care that my people are the ones causing his kingdom hardship and pain. He doesn’t label me a ‘hybrid’ or a ‘freak.’ To him, I’m his daughter, and I could never ask for someone better to be my father. Even if I never got to have a ‘dad’ when I was little, I have him now. 

When I was little-maybe five or six- I remember playing games with my mother. I can remember her smile-which was one of the last times I ever saw it. She was happy. It was as if I had a totally different mother. I started to assume it was because I wasn’t mastering my Destroyer powers quick enough for her likings. I still tried to hold onto my string of hope that maybe one day she would turn around and realize I was still her daughter. That day never came. 

Day after day, I began thinking it was all my fault. I thought I was the reason my mother was so cold to me. I began to work harder and harder to perfect my powers just to make my mother happy once again. But it never worked. She was always distant. A piece of me now wants to think it’s because she despised the Jammers, so her only child being a Phantom-Jammer hybrid must’ve sucked. 

But that was in the past now. Right now, I have a kind, supportive, loving family-even if Olivia can be a brat sometimes. I had a father who was there even when I didn’t want him to be. I have Lucy who-whether she thinks it or not- is kind of like a mother figure to me. And I have Liam-my weird half-brother who might bond with me over soccer. Lucy’s a piece of work still, but I think she’s warming up to me. And I have Andrew, who has been a better friend to me in the past day than I could’ve ever read in a book back in the cottage. 

My life is so different now, and it was for the better. Sure, my only parent I ever knew might be locked inside an amulet, and my grandfather is trying to destroy the kingdom I will rule one day, but I’m not alone anymore. I have so many great adventures and memories ahead of me. Who knows where Mira and Zios are going to take me next. 

***

“And that’s it! Soccer’s a pretty easy sport once you get the hang of the rules.” Liam explained, kicking a ball into the net. 

“It’s all in the motion right before the kick. That is what changes it to a goal-winning shot.” Xavier added. 

“So you can’t use your hands?” I asked, holding the ball. 

“Not unless you’re the goalie, which I don’t see you being one. I mean I’m going for goalie this year. It’s been my position since little league.” Liam explained, juggling a ball with his feet. 

“So what do I do?” I asked, putting the ball onto the grass. I was wearing my usual sweats and t-shirt, which I’m hoping is fine for when I try out. I don’t see them making me wear a dress and tiara and kick a ball. 

“Well that’s for Coach Taylor to decide. I think attacking and defensive midfielder would be a good position for her.” Xavier explained.

“Really? You need a lot of skill to play those positions. No offense.” Liam admitted. I glared at him. 

“You also need a lot of creativity to play there. And I think she has that.” Xavier pointed out. Liam nodded. 

“You do have a nice power kick.” Liam noted, yawning. The sun was already starting to set. 

“I think we should turn it in for the night. We still have tomorrow, even if it’ll be spent at the Festival. I have to make sure everything is going smoothly for that, so I’ll be away pretty early tomorrow morning. Good night you two. Get sleep tonight, Liam. No TikCroc until 1:00 AM again.” Xavier narrowed his eyes at Liam, who was looking away from Xavier. I laughed. All the sudden, I heard the siren call. I had gotten semi-used to it again, so I simply plugged my ears. 

“Mariah!” Liam exclaimed. Xavier turned around, rushing over. 

“Siren call.” I explained, unplugging my ears once the noise subsided. 

“Mariah if you think-” Xavier began. 

“I don’t think he will,” I began, “I know he will. It’s a move and risk he’d try to take.” 

“Then we’re going to cancel the Festival.” Xavier stated, turning on his heel. 

“No.” I stated. He paused. 

“Mariah we can’t-” Liam began, but I held up my paw. 

“If you want your threat gone, this is how you do it.” I explained, sitting on the grass. Liam joined me. Xavier stood in front of us. 

“You use this Festival to lure him into a trap.” I explained, picking at the grass. 

“A trap? Mariah, we can’t put our subjects at risk.” Xavier pointed out, looking down at me. I took a deep breath. 

“We won’t be if we play our cards right. You put up those gates that the kingdom used for

when Balloosh was being explored. You keep those gates exclosing everything but Jamaa Township and the castle. Assuming the Festival will still be held along the streets of Jamaa Township, we have guards and a few of the Alphas surrounding the area. When he sees that Jamaa is surrounded, he’ll panic. The Phantom King will order a siren call for the attack on the castle. He’ll try to take out the source. He’ll think he’s won, but then the other Alphas, guards, and myself will be there. We’ll take him out and get him into custody. Problem solved.” I explained. Xavier looked at me with thought, while Liam was straight up confused. 

“You want to lure the Phantom King into a trap to try and take him into custody while an event is being held? It’s too dangerous. We’ll cancel the Festival.” Xavier stated, walking away again. 

“You said you believed in me.” I stated as Xavier halted. 

“If you really believe in me, believe that I know this is what could work.” I pleaded. Xavier sighed. 

“Now you’re using my words to guilt trip me.” Xavier laughed. I nodded. 

“Trust me. I know this will work. We just need to play our cards right.” I explained, standing up. 

“I’ll talk to the Alphas about it. If they disagree, we’re canceling the event for everyone’s safety. Deal?” Xavier, asked, holding out his paw. 

“Deal!” I exclaimed, shaking his paw. 

“Happily wondering

Night after night

Is this how it works?

Am I doing it right?” 

***

Hey Jammers! Wow! This chapter was sad! My editor was crying after she was finished XD. Anyways, I apologize for the long wait! I wanted to make sure this chapter could be as perfect as it could be for you guys! Do you guys think that Mariah will make the soccer team-or better yet-do you think the Phantom King will attack the Festival? So many questions that need answers! Jam On!