Chapter 22: Chapter Thirteen-2

"He looks so adorable," I hear one of the girl's whine softly. Samara rolls her eyes, turning to me. "Miles," she mouths and I frown, not appreciating the girls talking about him. "Has he gotten with anyone since he's returned?" one girl asked. Their gossiping instantly died when they realise I am in ear range. I grit my teeth together. I see the Richmond River bus pull in and exchange a look of dread with Samara. We both silently watch the opposing team exit the bus, already dressed in uniform. Their colours are jade green and white, whereas ours are blue and white. I notice Eli walking at the front of the opposing team as they make their way to the other bench. I can already see the heated stares between the two teams. Eli is tall, with broad shoulders and well-defined arms. He has dirty blond hair and an annoyingly, handsome face. He looks older than most of the others on his team, as he has light stubble across his chin. "This is going to be a fun game," Samara smirks. Samara has had a thing for Eli, pretty much our entire high school life, even though he is the enemy - she thinks that's hot. "Fun isn't the word I'd use," I reply. After another ten minutes or so, the announcer begins his usual pre-game speech. I zone out as I watch Finn and Alec throwing the football to each other, while Jai stretches his legs beside them. The teams begin to run to their side of the field and I nervously clasp my fingers together, silently hoping that Finn doesn't get himself into too much trouble out there. *** "Awesome job!" I grin, high-fiving Finn. Other than a few pushes, shoves and Jai taking a bad hit, causing him to opt out the last ten minutes of the game, it went rather smoothly. Finn gives me a breathless smile as sweat drenched his skin. He easily scored the most out there tonight, with Alec not far behind him. They won the game, thankfully. "You doing okay?" I ask Jai as I see him gingerly touching his shoulder, wincing. "Yeah, I'll be fine," came his reply as he moves his shoulder in a rotating circle, a pained expression on his face. "Interesting game out there," a voice says behind us. I turn to see Eli Matthews, smirking with red cheeks and sweat running down his neck. "It was," Samara replies with a flirtatious grin. I notice Jai frown a little at her attitude. I make a mental note to explore that later. Eli flickers his eyes to her briefly. I grow nervous, instantly. Eli isn't one to be nice. "Isobel," he smirks. "How you doing?" I don't reply as Finn glares at him. "Miles is back, right?" Eli continues, shifting weight from his left leg to his right. "Not re-joining the team?" "No." Finn snaps, his jaw clenched. "Shame. He was always fun to mess around with, am I right, Isobel?" I grit my teeth together, remaining silent. "Say another word to my sister, I dare you," Finn growls, taking a threatening step towards Eli. "Just one last thing," Eli says with an arrogant grin. "Now that he's back, you up for some revenge sex?" Finn lunges at Eli and I gasp, jumping back. I feel sick as I take in his words, knowing all-too-well that Miles was with another girl. I don't need to be reminded of it. I watch with increasing worry, as Eli and Finn roll around on the grass, throwing punches at each other. My brother is such a hot-head, his impulse and anger always driving his behaviour. I should have known the lack of violence between these two teams, wouldn't last long. Suddenly, Alec's fist is in the face of Eli's best friend, Jace, before gripping his jersey with his two fists. Jai grabs both mine and Samara's hands, pulling us further away, as more of the football team get in on the fight. I turn to see Miles running towards the brawl, not having noticed him lingering near us. He pulls Eli off Finn and grabs Eli by the throat. He swiftly drives him onto his back, Eli's head slamming against the hard ground beneath us. My hands fly to my mouth as I watch in horror, actually fearing Eli's safety. Blood is pouring from Eli's nose as Miles savagely beats him. The Coach is suddenly there, barking orders, telling everyone to break it up. "Jai," Finn calls. Jai reluctantly steps away from me and Samara. He goes over to Miles and grabs his arm with his good hand, while Finn takes the other. They successfully pull him off a motionless Eli. Miles eyes are wide and frantic as he rips his arms away from the boys. "Touch her, I will end you," Miles spits down to Eli, blood soaking his hands, his jaw having some blood on it. I face-palm myself, feeling incredibly embarrassed. Eli struggles to open his eyes. He manages to sit up, one of his front teeth hanging loose from his gum. I suck in a breath of surprise at his mouth, while Samara mutters something about messing up his "pretty face". I am used to seeing blood and missing teeth, due to my job, but having it dangle there, made me a little squeamish. Two paramedics rush over to us as the rest of the team shout insults at each other, still fighting. The level of testosterone around me is suffocating. I take a step back, feeling a little dizzy. Eli gives us a broad grin, despite being in obvious pain. "You're going to have to end me, then," he spits, swivelling his eyes to Miles. "Because she is the best way to get to you." He flickers his eyes to Finn, before looking back at Miles. "To both of you." I gulp, taking a step back. This doesn't look good.