Great Expectations

Aza closed the door to his car and headed to his homeroom. He had about 20 minutes until class began, and he didnt have any plans, so he decided to get to class early.

Aza took his seat and set his bag next to him. pulling out his notebook, he began to sketch the figure hed seen that morning. He started with those icy blue eyes. Aza could clearly remember them. It was almost as though they could kill with a glare. Having completed the eyes, Aza began to sketch the rest of the figure. It seemed as if time disappeared for Aza. Almost like he had spaced out. The next thing he knew there was the sound of books hitting the floor.

"..."

"Erm, sorry. I didnt mean to startle you. Your drawing... It just-" she began.

Thinking that his sketch may have startled her, Aza quickly ripped out the page and crumpled up the piece of paper. Taking quick action he threw the paper ball towards the trash can, narrowly missing.

"Heheh, Yeah sorry! I um, Yeah I had this weird dream last night so I decided to draw it. I apologize, its weird." Aza spoke hurriedly.

Lillie, just picked up her books and sat in her desk. "Its okay," she said. "It just caught me off guard. It was really intense."

Aza wondered if it had brought back any bad memories for her.

For the rest of the day Lillie was not the talkative girl hed met the day before. She kept getting distracted and shaking her head like she was trying to get something off of her mind. Aza couldnt help but think that he was the cause of it.

6th period came and went surprisingly fast. As the bell rang, Aza put away his materials and headed towards the locker rooms to change into his gear. As soon as he walked in the door, a hulking mass picked Aza off of the ground.

"I knew it! You made it man!" Gabriel exclaimed.

"Made what?" asked Aza, confused.

"The team Man! We are the starting striker and forward. Man we're going to crush it this year, we may even make state qualifiers!"

"Oh, sorry Gabriel, I forgot to check the list this morning." Aza grew excited. He'd expected to make the team but not by the first cut, let alone to play as a starter.

CHIIIRP!

Gentlemen, get dressed and meet me on the field!

"Yes sir!" Everyone shouted in unison.

Clapping Aza on the back, Gabriel laughed and said, " Let's get out there, and start practice! im excited to see what lineup we'll have."

- On the Field -

"Gentlemen, as you can see there are quite a few that didnt make the cut. Don't let this discourage you. You are still here because I can see each and every one of you carries great talent. But if you havent been placed on the varsity list just yet, that just means you haven't found an opportunity to demonstrate your true strengths just yet. today is the day lads. I want 110% from all of you today. If you give me that, you'll see what that earns you."

The faces of everyone began to perk up. Mr. Fuller was right. They hadnt been able to show their best just yet. Now was their time if ever.

"Alright, let's get right to it. If your name wasnt on the list get back to the Field. I'll be there in a moment to assign teams. Those who made the list, hang back."

Only 5 people stayed behind, the rest made a Beeline for the Field. All were in high spirits.

"Okay, This year we are going to be running a high defense. I want an off-sides trap so I need four defensive players who can maintain that thought process at all times. Lucas, Tom, Chris. You three will be running drills together today. I want you guys to be one line. you will be doing these drills together, and if one of you falls out of sync, you'll have to start all over again. You three will be on the side of the weight room. Head that way, Coach Drake has already set up for your drills and will walk you through them."

"Yes sir!" the shouted in unison an ran towards the weight room.

"Alright, Gabriel, Aza. You two will be our offense. Gabriel, you're fast. You work well with your team and understand how to drive the flow of the game. Your ball control is a little sloppy, but you have great potential. Today, you will be running the track while dribbling the ball. you'll get a one minute break every four laps to grab something to drink, just dont overdo the water."

Gabriel's face grew ashen, but he knew that was what he was lacking. "Yes sir!" he yelled. Surrendering to his fate, he grabbed a ball and began stretching out.

"Aza, yesterday I noticed you stayed in your zone, and played to your strengths. You have excellent ball control, you can read the flow of the Field and have a defensive understanding. When your teammate passed the ball it was a little off, but instead of giving up the goal you did what you had to do to make it happen. You have quite the skill set young man."

"Thank you sir, growing up it was the only sport I played." Aza said, astonished.

"I noticed on your file that you transferred to a lot of different schools?" Mr. Fuller asked.

"Yes sir. This is my last school I promise." Aza said hurriedly, thinking the coach might be regretting putting him on the team.

How is it advantageous to train someone who wont be here when the season comes around? Aza grew nervous, thinking the coach was going to let him go.

"That's not an issue young man. I received a written statement from your mother and the governor stating you would be staying here for the remainder of the school year. So dont worry about that."

Aza breathed a sigh of relief.

"I did, however, notice that you have played In high level clubs, as well as attended and participated in the Soccer clubs of many 5A schools. So can I assume you can read many different types of field strategies?"

"Yes sir I did , and yes I can. I had to learn different techniques and be able to adjust myself to different field patterns on the fly."

"Good," Mr. Fuller mused. He smiled as he came up with a plan. "Im going to need your assistance on the field to call plays, formations and to run our offense. I'll need you for an hour after practice each day to begin teaching you the ropes. Does that sound like something you'd like to do?"

"Yes sir!" Aza Exclaimed.

"Alright I'm going to decide another one of your teammates to join you, but I'll need today to find someone with the potential to lead." Mr. Fuller said, making a note on his clip board.

Aza became excited! wasn't the Coach basically offering him to be Team Captain?

"Alright, putting that aside. Today you'll need to prove yourself to the others. You're new here, and very few will follow a stranger. I need you to show everyone that you will out-work anyone here. So I'm going to have you doing bleachers. Can you handle that?"

"Yes sir." Aza replied. He wasnt excited to be doing bleachers, but he understood his thought process.

"Good Man!" Beamed Mr. Fuller. "How many can you do in 45 Minutes?"

Aza looked up at the bleachers. "Bleachers this size? 25 rounds if I push myself?"

"Well okay then, don't dissapoint me. Lets make you a pillar in these mens hearts!" Mr. Fuller grinned.

CHIIIRP!

Everyone came to a sudden halt, looking at Mr. Fuller.

"Gentlemen Immediately after school today we will be doing 15 rounds of bleachers! Keep that in mind. But Mr. Silver here has issued a challenge! Should he complete 30 by the time class ends, you can go straight home. Should he fail, everyone will have to run 20. Look forward to the end of practice, don't let me catch you slacking either or you'll find yourself cut! Continue where you were!"

Everyones jaws dropped. 30 in less than an hour? Was this guy trying to Piss everyone off? Did he have a death wish?

Aza stared at Mr. Fuller. "Sir-"

Mr. Fuller cut him off. "You don't have time to waste Mr. Silver."

Aza looked up to the bleachers. "30? No pressure right?"

Taking off Aza began his "challenge."

- 45 minutes later -

CHIIIRP!

"Gentlemen! Gather up!"

Every single one of the students jogged over, breathing heavily. Having been threatened with being cut from the team they had gone all-out, hoping the new guy hadnt been just blowing smoke with that stunt.

"I've seen a lot of effort out there today. I am proud of each and every one of you. Tonight I have a hard task ahead of me. Not all of you will be making varsity this year, but know that I am proud to have each and every one of you here today. Should you wish, even if on the cut list you may stay in this class and train with the team. When the season comes around, you may challenge a member of the team for their position."

Commotion broke out amongst the students.

"That's right gentlemen. just because you make the team doesn't mean you get to just slack off. Speaking of which, I informed a young man today to not push himself during practice today, because he will be our starting Striker and we would be doing bleachers following tryouts. Instead of accepting leniency, this young man issued a challenge to me. 25 rounds of bleachers and no one else would have to do them. I challenged him to 30, twice the amount of everyone else! Well men he did not dissapoint, in 45 minutes Mr. silver completed 34 rounds of bleachers! Thanks to him you may all go home early. Lets hear a round of applause for Aza!"

Gazes shifted to a figure on all fours, breathing heavily near the coach. The sound of cheers came from the group of young men and Gabriel jogged over to Aza and clapped him on the back.

"Whoah Man! Thats crazy!" Gabriel was astonished.

"Gentlemen, hit the showers and enjoy the rest of your day. Tomorrow I will post the final list of cuts in the same place."

Mr. Fuller left the field grinning. " Aza Silver, I'll make you a hero in the hearts of these men." He thought to himself.

The young men ran to the lockers in a cheerful mood, feeling lucky that Aza had finished the challenge.

Aza fell to the ground exhausted.

A figure darted onto the field, carrying a bottle of sports drink.

"Aza! Why would you do that?" Lillie asked in a concerned manner." 34 in an hour? Are you trying to kill yourself? Rumors are already flying around school!"

"Hehe coach said he needed a leader, and I'm the new guy. He wants the others to trust me, so I guess he decided on this. I only said I could do 25. He's the one who said 30."

"Sounds like him, can you walk?" she asked, handing him the bottle.

"Yeah, I'll be good to go in a few. Probably going to head straight home though. I need a nap."

"You're telling me?" she laughed. "I grew tired just watching you.

"You were watching me?" Aza smirked.

"N-No!" Lillie blushed, "Just be careful, ive got to go!" She dashed off heading to get her bag and head home.

" Mr. Fuller. What are you thinking? Aza wondered to himself. "You said I finished 34. In reality, I only did 27..."

Aza just layed there for a while, enjoying The sensation of a worn out body. After a while he rose to his feet and went to change out. Still, he couldnt get the image of a black figure with massive wings and piercing blue eyes out of his mind.