Emberheart Book 1

By Jonathan Tarte

Emma Celeste was starting her first day as a junior in high school, trying to live a plentiful life as a teenager. But on that day, she met an unparticular boy with a past that was beyond humane, Aiden Aerosmith, an Asterian from another world with a past that haunted him and inflicted damage on others. On the flip side, Dayle Valesquire, the leader of the Phantom Activist, a terrorist cult with the mission to prove the East District, one of the four established districts of Ocroria, what true freedom looked like. Can Aiden stop the Phantom Activist before they unleash mayhem across the East District? Will Dayle achieve his goals and persuade Aiden to join the righteous side?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669848127

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Copyright © 2022 by Jonathan Tarte.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 10/20/2022

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Aiden Aerosmith

Chapter 2 The Phantom in the shadows

Chapter 3 Attachment

Chapter 4 The Party Crashers

Chapter 5 Secrets in the bakery

Chapter 6 Alignment

Chapter 7 First date?

Chapter 8 Wolf under the stars

Chapter 9 The Calm before the Storm

Chapter 10 Star-Crossed Enemies

Chapter 11 The East District’s Harvest Festival

Chapter 12 Confinement

Chapter 13 The Battle of the East Part 1

Chapter 14 The Battle of the East Part 2

Chapter 15 Old Time Bickering

Chapter 16 Abandonment

CHAPTER 1

Aiden Aerosmith

The world works in mysterious ways, one day, you’re working with people you never thought you would have worked with, you become someone that you never expected to be but secretly desired to be, these turns of events happens to everyone. For my case it started on my first day as a junior in high school. Living at the beautiful country of Ocroria; where I am established in one of the four districts in Ocroria, the East District. I, Emma Celeste will begin my long-anticipated journey… or so I thought…

In a bright sunny day in the East District, a young girl by the name of Emma Celeste, 16 years old, was going to start her junior year in high school. In her bedroom, laid a delicate girl with light brown hair, long eyebrows, slowly opening her crystal purple eyes, the sparkles in her eyes were like a school of stars dancing; a soft beam of sunlight touches her soft and supple skin, she turned her view to her alarm clock to look at the time, reality kicked in, the sparkle in her eyes crashed to the floor and her face plunged into an expression filled with worry.

I’M LATE! exclaimed Emma in shock.

She bounced out the bed and headed to the bathroom. Taking a swift shower while also brushing her teeth at the same time; she quickly prepared for her first day back to school. Transitioning from her bath robe to a black hoodie and blue shorts, she made her hair in a ponytail style and clipped-on her special black leaf hairpin by her bangs; She took a moment to look at herself in the mirror making sure she looked presentable. In a frantic state, she searched around her room for her yellow school bag. As soon as she found it, Emma quickly put her shoes on and ran out the house in a rush to go to school hoping she would not be late. On her way to school, an elderly woman walked her dog next to the riverside. At the back of her view, she saw a young woman with brown hair and purple eyes sprinting behind her like she was being chased by a savage lion.

Excuse me miss! said Emma.

She ran past the old lady with her dog so quick that the dog ran around her owner to protect her, leaving the owner tangled by the leash.

Oh, the youth, always full of energy, said the old lady.

Arriving at the school, Emma sighted a beautiful girl with blonde hair, light blue eyes, wearing a white blouse and a blue skirt, a little tiara on top of her head, standing in front of the school elegantly. Emma stopped in front of her; being unathletic, she had a hard time recollecting herself being almost out of breath. Having a parched throat, she let out dry coughs.

Woah Emma why are you out of breath? questioned the blonde girl.

Sorry Kate, my alarm went off three times before I woke up. Actually, why are you just standing here we got to head to class now, we’re already late, said Emma.

What are you talking about, we have 15 minutes before class starts. I’m just admiring the school and the people inside, said Kate.

Hearing what Kate said, Emma remembered how disoriented she was with time. Emma regaining her breathing, she recollected herself and faced the school with Kate.

Junior year. I can’t wait to meet some cute boys… or maybe future husbands, said Kate while biting her lip and raising an eyebrow in a provocative manner.

Emma laughed uncomfortably to Kate’s comment. Wanting to give a rebuttal to her comment, she realised she does not stand a chance against Kate’s alluring character. Entering the school, Emma and Kate were amazed by the beautiful interior of the school, gazing at the school structure and levels of depth at each corner of the building. As Kate approached the center of the school, she shouted,

Hello East High, Kate Lockser has entered the school year; Pleasure to be acquainted with you all!

The school’s hallways go silent, the students were talking amongst themselves about the surprising greeting they have received. When suddenly…

KATE! shouted a young man.

A well-dressed young man with smooth dark skin, black curly hair and brown eyes rushed down a flight of stairs to approach Kate. She was surprised by how quick the distance between them were closing quickly. The young man was striding in front of her. Luckily, Kate recognized the person in front of her.

Nolan Stones is that you? asked Kate.

The one and only, it’s not surprising that you still remember me, I do have charms that melts the hearts of all, said Nolan.

Guys it’s Kate Lockser, the princess of the East District! shouted a student in the back of the crowd.

Realizing who she was, everyone ran towards her to take a picture and or get an autograph. Being so overwhelmed, Emma slowly crawled her way out of the crowd and made her way to her locker. As she was about to open her locker, a jock bumped onto her, attempting to catch a ball. The jock had brown hair that would hang down to his eyebrows and hazelnut brown eyes, with the school’s football logo at the back of his jacket, he turned around to apologize to the person behind him.

Oh, sorry my bad didn’t see you there.

Oh, don’t worry you just bumped my right shoulder, it’s no big deal, responded Emma.

But it did a lot more damage than she thought. His broad shoulders and his tall frame were not a ruse. Holding in her tears, Emma asked the jock to direct her to the nurse’s office.

So, um… I know this is weird to say after what happened but… Hi, my name is Paul Jameson, greeted Paul.

Emma Celeste, replied Emma while holding her tears.

Waving goodbye to Paul, Emma headed to the nurse’s office to check-up on her injured shoulder. She peeked her head around the office to see if anyone was around. After investigating the area for a good minute, Emma smiled with excitement for what was going to happen next. She closed the door, took a steady breathing pattern, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and placed her left hand onto her right shoulder and casted a healing spell.

Restohealia, muttered Emma.

In an instant her right shoulder started to heal thanks to the refreshing green glow casted on it. Emma felt relieved that the pain was slowly disappearing, she also started to think how strong Paul was for a jock or that maybe she was extremely fragile. After her quick healing process was finished, she headed out the nurse’s office, on her way out the door she felt a very immense and ominous presence near her. Her facial expression turned from relaxed to agitated, her palms were shaking, her breathing was off because of this enormous aura surrounding the hallways of the school. She looked around vigorously to find where the source originated. A little minute later, the immense aura dimmed down, and so Emma calmed herself and questioned why something so intense was roaming around the school. Nonetheless, it would not stop her from having a wonderful first day at school. Emma entered her first class, history; she spotted Kate waving at her and indicating her to sit next to her. As she approached to her desired seat, she also recognized that Nolan and Paul were also in her class.

Welcome class to your first year as juniors, greeted the Homeroom teacher. He had black hair and blue eyes, he wore a faint blue button-up with a dark green cardigan and khakis, oh my, I see some new faces here, for prime examples, Princess Lockser of the East District and Prince Stones of the South District. Welcome to East High, now let’s begin with the history behind intergalactic travel…

While Paul tried to listen to the teacher, he easily lost focus on the lesson and wondered in his mind at various observation in the classroom. He thought about his upcoming football matches, why does time started from 1 to 60 seconds and not 1 to 100 seconds, why does the teacher have a funky sense of style? Why is their still princes and princesses in our day and age? As he looked more into that thought, his eyes fell upon Kate’s alluring character and immediately his mind entered a trance as if it were a romance movie, imagining every romantic moment possible: holding hands, eating an ice cream together at the park, walking by the beach, going down a knee and asking for her hand in marriage. As he was still in that frame of mind, with a tap at his shoulder, his friend snapped him out of it.

Hey, you’re looking a little dozed off, we’re still in class you know, whispered his friend.

His friend behind him was a tall individual who wore glasses, had a mixture of green and blue eyes with ginger hair. He seems to be the book smart type by his simple attire and calm and collected attitude.

Urgh, thanks for reminding me, Collins, replied Paul in a sarcastic tone.

Time passed, the bell rang, and the students headed to the cafeteria for lunch. Emma made her way to find a table, she surveyed the cafeteria and found one table at the back of the cafeteria, Kate arrived and looked around for Emma, she immediately found her and ran to her.

Emma, why didn’t you tell me where you sat? said Kate.

Sorry, it was hard to talk to you when you have a swarm of people around you at all times, said Emma.

I know, it got annoying pretty quick but that’s what happens when you are royalty, said Kate as she stokes her luscious blond hair.

They both sat together and enjoyed their lunches as they discussed about their previous classes. Emma reached down her backpack and grabbed a box of cookies.

Oh, you brought those cookies again. Let me have one, said Kate.

Emma opened the box, and they ate a box of White Choco Cookies, decorative cookies with white chocolate chips, pumpkin spice powder and a milk chocolate glaze finish and was shaped like a star.

You need to tell me where you get these, said Kate.

Sorry, it’s a secret. Only me and my mom have permission to these delicious cookies, said Emma as she munched on a cookie, Anyways, I’m not really sure who makes them, only my mom knows. The people who made them ships them to my house every two months, but they made an exception because of the return to school.

Well… said Kate, but she hesitated to finish her sentence knowing Emma’s background. She refrained herself from mentioning it and dropped the conversation as she simply finished the box.

During the last period before school ended, Paul built up the courage to ask Kate on a date. Collins reassured Paul by giving him a thumbs up while in his mind, he was making a face of disappointment knowing how it was going to go down. Paul proudly walked forward to Kate,

Hey there princess, seeing that you’re in my ‘kingdom’, I was wondering if you want to go for dinner with me after school, maybe go watch a movie after.

Hello there, um... it wasn’t a bad approach but come on you ask me out with that line, at least warm up to me first, that was just too forward buddy, replied Kate.

The situation turned from a romantic confrontation to a life advice session between the two of them. As Paul was taking all the advice Kate was giving him, the sound of tapping shoes echoed the hallways. Students were looking where the direction the tapping was coming from. Suddenly, Nolan appeared distance away with a smug look on his face, as he confronted Paul, Collins, and Emma; he wrapped his arm around Kate’s shoulders.

What do you think you’re doing jock? said Nolan.

Oh, I’m just giving him advice, replied Kate sharply after.

Huh, is that so? word around the school is that big Paul here is asking you out, am I right? said Nolan.

Paul embarrassed; he nodded in agreeance. Nolan bursted out laughing at Paul’s approach.

You really think a princess like her would go out with a commoner like you, oh my goodness you are a joke! said Nolan.

Nolan please stop, said Kate.

Nolan was still laughing at Paul’s defeated look on his face, he denied accepting someone who had no status, to try to get with someone as important as the princess of the district they live in. As Nolan calmed down, he finished by confronting Paul, head up and said,

Don’t ever speak to my girl again, understand me?

Collins angered at the situation, he moved in to stop the conflict, but a strange guy bumped Collins.

Hey watch where your—

Collins got surprised seeing the person that walked by him. A brown skin individual with a unique hairstyle walking past Collins and through the crowd of students spectating the conflict between Prince Stones and Paul. Everyone else who saw the student, quiet down seeing the guy walking by without saying a word. He stopped in front of Paul and Nolan.

Can I pass through?

What did you say weirdo? replied Nolan.

I need to pass through.

Nolan felt like he was being ignored by him, to bring attention back to him he pushed the unknown student down to the ground. Nolan feeling good about himself, he added more to his assault.

What are you doing here, walking freely like you own the school. Man, look at that big black jumpsuit you’re wearing, and that rag around your neck, aren’t you warm in that? What did you do with your hair? He pointed at his unique hairstyle: long pointed bangs, black hair color with red highlights at the tips of his hair, the right section of his bangs in a silver color, Red highlights are not even cool and that depressed look on your face, did I make you cry? taunted Nolan.

Nolan, please stop- said Kate while grabbing Nolan’s arm.

Let go of me Kate! This guy pisses me off, snapped Nolan.

The unknown student got back up and asked him again.

I’m sorry, I’m just passing through, can I pass through? he said as he got annoyed at Nolan for calling out at his appearance without properly knowing him, Also, I am not a weirdo, my name is Aiden. Next time you confront someone at the very least you should know their name.

Aiden walked pass Nolan after giving an unusual suggestion. The hallways went silence again, but soon after they started laughing to what seems to be Nolan’s lost. Nolan’s small temper pent up to the maximum. He turned around to Aiden’s back with a fist ready to knock him out.

Nolan NO! exclaimed Kate.

Nolan ran to Aiden with a killer’s intent for the humiliation he felt by the public eye. As Nolan approached Aiden, Aiden stopped and looked at Nolan from behind his shoulder. For a brief moment it felt like time stopped. Emma spectating the conflict from the back, she felt an anomalous aura radiating around the halls. However, this aura felt warm and ferocious like a fanged beast. It shook Emma’s body because it was the same eery aura she felt back at the front of the nurse’s office, this time she felt it closer, really close. She looked around to see where the source was coming from, she found herself looking at the conflict between Aiden and Nolan. Emma’s eyes widen when she saw Nolan on his knees, down to the ground shaken out of fear while Aiden was simply looking at him. The students who were also spectating were silenced for the final time because what they are witnessing was the end of the unwinnable battle.

M..Monster… you are a MONSTER! exclaimed Nolan, scrambling at the floor, trying to pick himself back on his feet while shaken in fear.

Gazing at his pathetic state, Aiden walked away. Everyone moved out of Aiden’s way in awe, processing the outcome of that conflict. Paul and Collins looked at one and another shocked to see the Prince of the South District in a position where he was inferior to a regular student. Kate waved goodbye to Emma as she helped Nolan get back up on his feet and walked with him to his limo. Emma was confused and tired from this intense first day of school, but the first thing on her mind is figuring out… who was Aiden? Emma needed to know more out of him. Something in her told her that he was something special and she couldn’t let that walk away from her, so, she rushed to her locker, picked up her backpack and quickly looked for Aiden. Rushing past several students, asking them where the weird guy who humiliated Nolan went, some students pointed at the front gate of the school. Emma sprinted to the front door, slammed them open as the sun beamed in front of the opened doors. Emma covered her eyes, when the light dimmed down, she spotted Aiden from a far distance.

HEY! shouted Emma, HEY WAIT A SEC!

Aiden was confused of the new situation bestowed in front of him; he gave attention to the girl desperate for air.

I don’t have time for this, said Aiden.

Aiden turned around and proceeded to walk away. Suddenly, Emma grabbed Aiden’s wrist. Such an unexpected movement alerted Aiden that she was going to harm him, He turned his head at Emma giving another terrifying gaze of his. Emma being exhausted from running did not pay attention to the stare but blindly blurted out,

Do you want to be friends?!

Aiden looked at Emma, seeing the passion in her words did not waver him, she released her grip and he scoffed and walked away, she looked at herself and asked herself,

Why is he resonating with my heart?

As the bell was ringing and the students were leaving the school campus, Emma felt excited for next day. Meanwhile, Aiden was walking and was looking at his wrist, he felt compelled about her, he was confused about the situation, why would she come up to him when he had not done anything to be praised for. He pondered,

Did she not like that fancy guy? Did I do something worth praising for? Why am I really doing in this school thing? When am I going to feel like I belong somewhere?

He continued his ponder on those questions as he was heading to what he called a home.

END OF CHAPTER.

CHAPTER 2

The Phantom in the shadows

At Emma’s house, she unpacked her backpack to start reviewing all her upcoming homework that were due. As she does, her stomach rumbled, and so she went to the kitchen and grabbed her leftover lasagna she made during the weekend, it was convenient for her because she doesn’t have time to make dinner every single day, so she made a lot of food during the weekends and reheated them for lunch for school and when she would return home. It was not on par with her mother’s cooking, but it was enough to leave her satisfied. Every bite she took, it made her realized how quiet her house was, just the faint sounds of the outside world. Fragment memories of her parents made it difficult to finish her meal. She set her homework at her desk; the hollow night made it hard to see anything in her papers. Regardless, she started doing her school assignments, all that was available was her desk lamp illuminating the papers in front of her. Soon after, Emma’s mind started to fill her thoughts with the unexpected but exciting first day as a junior in high school: All the people she met, the confrontation at the end of the school day, and building the confidence to confess her one-sided friendship with Aiden. Those thoughts drained most of her energy making her very tired.

The next morning, Emma was awoken from her slumber by a ray of light beaming in between a crack of her curtains, analyzing her environment, she saw that she has not begun her homework yet. In a state of panic, she quickly wrote random answers to fill in the sheet then proceed to prepare for school. At the school hallways, royal guards wearing the typical medieval suit of armor with the crest of the East district in the front were deliberately tossing flier with Kate on it, wearing her royal attire posing gracefully with a time and address at the bottom of the flier. As the guards was giving away fliers, Kate with a megaphone, started announcing a party she was throwing this weekend.

Come one, come all to my little get together to celebrate my continuous stay at this wonderful school, said Kate.

The students clapped and shouted joyously to have princess Lockser being part of the school year. Emma arriving in the nick of time, she saw fliers all over the floor with students cheering and chanting Princess Lockser, Princess Lockser. Kate spotted Emma in the distance and approached her.

Emma, you coming to my party, right? asked Kate.

Um... yeah why wouldn’t I not come to my best friend’s party, replied Emma.

Great, make sure you wear something pretty for the party, you are entering the Lockser residence after all, said Kate.

As the girls continued their little conversation before class started, the doors slammed open as Nolan stood behind with his royal guards wearing black tuxedo suits with the crest of the South District by their left chest. Nolan walked through the door with a sour attitude, looking intimidatingly at students to show who was the superior person in the room. He saw Kate and Emma and approached them like a king who won a war. Both looked confused of the fact that Nolan brought a couple guards with him to school. Nolan looked around, making sure nobody could have heard him.

Is that red head freak nearby, I’m making sure he won’t hurt anyone else, alright.

I think you are overreacting; he doesn’t look harmful, said Kate.

Kate! You do not understand what I saw. That guy is not normal, those pitch-black eyes I saw was not a joke, he has to go, or people will get hurt, said Nolan in a pretty serious tone.

Meanwhile, at another hallway, Collins found Paul distracted at a flier that was thrown all over the hallway. Paul was completely drawn to the words in the flier and the picture displayed on it too. Collins looked confused about the flier, so he snatched it from Paul’s hands. Paul shocked, darted his view to Collins holding his flier,

Hey give that back! shouted Paul.

Waving his hands above Collins’ tall height attempting to retrieve his flier back, Collins quickly evaded Paul’s arms trying to understand why he was so distracted by it. The bell rang, Collins gave the flier back to Paul.

You better not let that thing distract you all day, said Collins with a stern look on his face.

As Collins walked away, Paul vowed to himself under his breath,

I’m going to do everything in my knowledge and power to swoon Kate away.

Starting the day with gym class, everyone prepared their warmups for the impending activity.

Line up! shouted the gym teacher.

All the students lined up in a single file line in front of the teacher.

Alright, hello everyone, my name is Ms. Pikens and today we will be playing dodgeball, if for some reason you don’t know how to play you basically eliminate the opposing team with these soft balls. You can block using only the ball. If the ball hits you anywhere in the body, you are eliminated. If I’m clear, I’ll split the class in two teams, Kate Lockser you will be captain of team 1 and Nolan Stones you be captain for team 2.

Teacher, I would like to have Kate on my team, said Nolan.

I’m sorry but I don’t allow it pick someone else, replied Ms. Pikens.

Miss, you must not know who I am, I’m the Prince of the South District, I decide what pleasures me.

And I am the instructor for this class, I decide what is plausible for everyone, if a few is unpleased it’s not my problem. Learn how to adapt to your surroundings. This is not your pretty little castle at the South. This is East High. Learn your place, Nolan Stones.

The gymnasium went silent by the teacher’s statement. Nolan’s guards step forward in a battle-ready stance. Nolan waved his arm out,

Halt men!

The guards lowered their weapons.

Return to the castle, I’ll be fine, said Nolan.

But Prince, this is the Queen’s orders, said Guard 1.

Just leave, there is little time left anyways, replied Nolan.

As you wish Prince Stones, said Guard 2.

Alright can we continue? Prince, go pick your teammates, said Ms. Pikens.

Nolan looked around and picked a student then Kate looked around and picked a student. As time goes by, the line started shrinking. At Kate’s turn, she looked at the remaining students, she pointed at Emma.

You’re in my team.

Emma stepped forward into Kate’s team. Nolan’s turn, he looked around and spotted Paul. He giggled and pointed at another jock. Returning to Kate, she looked around, all she saw was Paul, Aiden and a nerdy student left standing. She took a little longer to pick, based on her experience yesterday.

Hurry it up buttercup! We don’t have all day, said Ms. Pikens.

She closed her eyes and pointed at the middle between the three. The one in the middle was the nerdy student.

YES! Yes, I won! Chumps! exclaimed the nerdy student.

You are my rival from now on, whispered Paul.

Nolan had the worst time picking between a jock who tried to take Kate away and a weirdo who he confronted and lost against. As Paul was pouting, Aiden was trying to keep his head down. Nolan stared down at both of them with in an intense look in his eyes, both of them look away trying not to get picked by Nolan.

Paul goes to Nolan’s team; Aiden goes to Kate’s team, said Ms. Pikens.

Both shocked at the teacher’s conclusion, they looked at each other, then looked away seconds after and walked to their respected teams. Each team stood with their teammates with soft balls in the center of the court. Both teams facing each other like a western showdown. Silence rose in the gymnasium, the teacher raised her hand,

You have 10 minutes. Start!

By the blow of a whistle, the students ran to the center of the court. Rapidly picking up balls from the center, backing up to their side, aiming at a random student and throw! Throw! Throw! Soft balls were flying across the court left and right, students were dodging, some were running around, some were catching balls, some were jumping over a thrown ball, and some were getting eliminated. A student in Nolan’s team aimed at Kate, he whipped the ball with full strength, Kate embraced for the impact. Suddenly, three guys arm to arm protected Kate with a human shield technique. As for the students in Nolan’s team, they picked up the student who threw the ball at Kate and used him as a human shield for throwing the ball at her. He got eliminated immediately.

Hey, stop taking my men down, said Nolan.

Take that! Chump! said the nerdy student.

After 5 minutes, the remaining of Kate’s team are Kate, Emma, Aiden, Collins, and the nerdy student. For Nolan’s team, the remaining members are Nolan, Paul and 3 other students.

Don’t worry my Princess, I will protect you until you’re the last one standing, said the nerdy student.

Everyone, huddle up, said Collins.

Everyone huddled around him.

If we want to win, we need to come up with a plan. Luckily, I have one.

Nolan tried to eavesdrop the discussion they were having. Being unsuccessful, he told his ‘underlings’ to throw in unison on his mark.

3, 2, 1, throw!

At Nolan’s mark, the remaining students threw their soft balls towards Kate’s team. Emma being in the middle of the of the attack she shielded herself from the impact. Suddenly, Emma raised her view on the aftermath of the attack, she was stunned to see Aiden in front of her with a ball caught in hand.

Don’t worry, we’re still in this, said Aiden.

Emma turned her view to the rest of the team, Collins and Kate were shocked at the nerdy student’s bravery, sacrificing himself for the both of them.

Am I a chump for doing that? asked the nerdy student.

No, your sacrifice will not be in vain, reassured Kate in the heat of the moment.

We will fight back and win this game of dodgeball, as the princess of the East district I ensure of it!

Aiden, Emma, Collins, and Kate picked up a ball and visualized the enemy in the other side of the court.

Just like we planned, said Kate

Kate and Emma throwed their soft balls in the air in unison to distract the students in the other side as Collins and Aiden prepared to launch their soft ball at the students. Collins’s ball eliminated a student from the other team, as for Aiden, he didn’t throw. Kate’s team looked puzzled at Aiden, they try to shake him back up and finish the task at hand.

Aiden! Throw the ball before they strike again!

Aiden timidly shaking his head in disagreement. Kate disturbed by his response, walked towards him, grabbed him by the shoulders and firmly repeated her command.

Are you disobeying an order I’ve given you? If you seek victory, I suggest you wake up and play as a team player just like how you caught the ball for Emma.

Kate’s words awakened Aiden from his timid shell for a brief moment. By a quick response, he shoved Kate out the way, and she fell to the floor.

Hey what was that for!? said Kate.

She looked up and saw Aiden blocking Paul’s powerful throw by using the ball he had in hand. Shocked by the aggressive rescue, she was amazed how he reacted to such a quick attack.

Let’s win this, said Aiden while giving her a hand to stand back up.

As Aiden was about to throw, he was interrupted by the screams a crowd of angered eliminated students for pushing the princess to the floor.

What is wrong with you?! Do you have any respect for the princess?! He doesn’t even have respect for the prince either?! Eliminate this guy! ELIMINATE! ELIMINATE! ELIMINATE!

All the students sitting at the bench were chanting ‘eliminate’ at Aiden for his attempt of protecting Kate. Aiden stopped and shuttled himself, covering his ears from the chanting, not knowing when the harassment was going to end. In that moment, Aiden felt hands holding his shoulders, he opened his eyes and looked up, he saw Emma in front of him with tears going down her face. Emma didn’t know why she was tearing up but seeing Aiden blocking out their hateful chanting, her heart told her to comfort him. Kate analyzing the situation, she stood firm in front of the bench students and yelled.

Do you people have any functional brain cells! If you did, you would see that he was protecting me from that ball! If you do understand, please sit and behave yourselves!

The benched students looked down at each other and remained silent as the game continued. Nolan seeing this as an opportunity to win, he whipped his soft ball at Aiden and Emma.

Double kill, said Nolan proclaiming his victory.

Emma saw the inevitable, however, she was determined to win, she stood in front of Aiden and sacrificed herself from hitting the two of them. Aiden paused, looked at Emma going to the bench, he saw a smile in her face, telling him that he would be the winner in this game of dodgeball.

Win this, whispered Emma.

Aiden nodded and picked up all his courage, got back up from the floor, took a ball and looked at his opponents. Some students were surprised of how focused Aiden looked. Aiden took a stance to throw the ball at max power.

I’ll bring you down and show to everyone what happens when you mess with us Royals! said Nolan.

Aiden was determined, ignoring everything: the students yelling, Nolan’s overconfident demeanor, the teacher counting down the time before class ended, the smell of sweat surrounding the gym. Aiden took a deep breath, clenched his grip on the ball; Paul, Nolan and the remaining students prepared to throw their ball at the opposing team,

Fire! yelled Nolan as he and his team throwed all their balls at Aiden.

Kate and Collins tried to warn him about the attack, but he stayed in his position. They both ran to Aiden trying to save him from elimination. Four balls flew forward at Aiden,

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, counted down the gym teacher indicating the time remaining for the dodgeball match to end.

At that moment, the gym teacher said ‘one’, Aiden opened his eyes and launched the ball at bullet speed! The wind pressure from the throw made the four balls flew outward back the other side of the court. Aiden’s ball blasted next to Nolan’s face to his true target, Paul. Paul at the last second braced for impact. The ball’s momentum was so strong that Paul got carried by it and flew back to the wall behind him. Paul slid back to the ground unconsciously; the whistle has been blown ending the match.

It’s a tie! Good game everyone. Now get changed! Dismissed, said Ms. Pikens.

All the students head to the locker room; Paul was brought to the nurse’s office. Ms. Pikens picked up the deflated ball that Aiden threw. She was shocked by how powerful Aiden’s throw was and the focus required to attempt it.

Later in the evening, Emma was making her way home from the library. Headphones in, she listened to her favourite horoscopes podcast: