Natalie Whipple - Blindsided

The goalie always tenses when I approach, which makes me smile because I know Ill score before Ive even kicked the ball. She cant see my eyes, cant anticipate my moves, and it turns out this makes me an excellent soccer player. I aim for the low right cornerthe ball zings by her before she can lunge for it.

Curse you, Fiona! She bites back a smile. If you werent on my team, Id hate you so much.

Guess its good I am then, I say as she kicks the ball back to me. Stopping it, I tap it back and forth between my feet like Seth taught me.

One of our defenders joins in the conversation. We might have a chance at winning this year. Its so hard to compete when we dont have enough gifted players to make a whole team.

Itll still be fun, though. All the schools were playing have just as few. I roll the ball onto my foot and pop it into the air, trying to juggle it from knee to knee. It doesnt work so well. Since I havent been playing long, Im still struggling to visualize where my knees would be between my shorts and shin guards.

A midfielder laughs as she calls, For someone with a killer instinct on the field, you sure are relaxed about the competition!

I laugh. Maybe Im just that good.

Or Im enjoying the fact that all I have to worry about is my grades and soccer. Thats nothing in comparison to my old life, where every day I had to stress about what my syndicate-boss father would make me steal next. The three months since I made that dealDad leaves us alone, and Miles, who managed to imitate Dads mind-controlling scent, wont share it with the worldhave been the best of my whole life.

The goalie snatches the ball from me, a mock glare on her face. Its annoying that I cant argue with that, seeing as youve only been playing for a few months and you rock.

I have a good teacher. I grin like an idiot at the thought of all the hours Ive spent with Seth because of soccer.

True. The defender sighs, looking over to the adjacent field where the boys practice. Seth and Hector pass the ball back and forth as they run across the field. Their timing is perfect, since Hectors sensitive hearing means he can hear any whispered directions. Sometimes I cant believe Seth isnt gifted with perfect aim, because I swear he never misses.

Hes just an obsessive practicer. Im glad none of them can see my face, because I must look like Im lying. Seth may not have perfect aim, but he does have perfect visionmore than perfect, since its so sharp he can see through things. Even my invisibility. And nobody knows about it.

Girls! Ten laps and youre done! Coach Fords low, booming voice spreads over the field before she moves on to the boys. The other girls groan, but I happily jog with them. Im not sure Ill ever get enough of running.

About five laps in, someone whistles long and sharp on the boys team. Carlos. Ever since practices started, hes gloated about being starting goalie as a sophomore. Like this is supposed to impress me enough to break up with Seth and realize the error of my ways, as he always tells me. He cups his hands around his mouth. Looking good, Fiona!

Hector and Seth both kick soccer balls at him, which causes the rest of the team to join in. Seth looks right at me, his eyes seeing all my post-practice grime. He says he thinks its hot that Im athletic, but Im still not sure I look hot. Hell never give me a straight answer, like any good boyfriend, though it drives me crazy.

As I pack up my things to go, I notice some of my team members huddled together, whispering. Not in a gossipy waythey all seem nervous, maybe even scared. I follow their glances and see a man standing in the bleachers. And hes watching me. For how long, I dont know.

Hes too far away to see clearly. All I can make out is long hair, a ridiculously thin frame, and black marks on his arms that Im pretty sure are tattoos. I try not to jump to conclusions, but the way my team is freaking out puts me on edge.

I head over to them to ask, Whos that guy in the bleachers?

They stare at me like Im suddenly visible. The other striker clears her throat. Uh, we gotta go, Fi. You probably should, too, okay?

They run off before I can ask more questions. Clearly everyones afraid of that guy, so Im guessing those tattoos are probably jaguars.

Which means hes from Juans syndicate.

A chill runs down my spine. So far Juan Torres hasnt stirred up any trouble with my mom and me, but Ive always wondered how long that would last.

I look back up to the bleachers to see if I can get a better visual, and the guy is gone. I stare at the spot he was standing in, wondering how I didnt catch him leaving. I only looked away for a moment. He cant have just disappearedI should know. But he must have an ability dangerous enough to clear a field in seconds.

Hands come down on my shoulders, and I let out a little scream. Could that guy be a teleporter?

Seth laughs. Jumpy today, are we?

I turn around and smack his arm. Dont do that! I thought you werenever mind.

His brow furrows. Sometimes I hate that he can see my expressionsespecially because I cant. Theres no hiding from him. He says in a low voice, You look seriously scared. Did something happen?

I look into his blue eyes, knowing its pointless to lie. There was a guy in the bleachers. He had big black tattoos, and the other girls freaked out and left without telling me who it was. Then when I looked back he was gone.

Shit. Definitely one of Juans guysthey show up every now and then. Seth goes into full worry mode. So he saw you?

Pretty sure he was looking right at me.

Seth chews on his fingernail, thinking. Hector, wrap it up, we gotta go.

Even though Hector is a field away, he calls the boys team in and they start packing up their stuff. He and Carlos are by our sides in under a minute.

Whats up? Hector asks as he puts his earplugs back in. His ears hurt if he doesnt wear them most of the time, but he always takes them out for soccer. We havent done laps yet.

One of Juans guys was here, Seth says.

Carlos cringes. Back on the rounds again, huh? Better tell Dad to get the money ready.

You think he was here for that? Not me? I ask.

Hector shrugs. They show up every six months or so, bleed the gifted families dry, make threats. Not saying youre safe, but whoever it was probably didnt come here for you, you know?

I take a deep breath, but it doesnt quite calm my nerves. Itll take a lot of money for Juan to ignore me.

Lets not think about this right now. We should get out of here. Seth puts his hand on my shoulder and follows my arm until his fingers are laced with mine. Little things like that remind me how careful we need to be about keeping his real ability secretit can be hard to remember when Im so used to him seeing me.

We walk towards his beat-up black truck. Hector and Carlos climb into the bed, and I take the passenger side.

Seths knuckles are white as he grips the steering wheel, and when I put my hand on his knee hes the one jumping. Sorry, Fi, but Im freaking out here.

We knew this could happen. I try to sound calm. Mom and I might be out of my dads control, but being safe from every syndicate is impossible. My moms been saving were prepared.

He nods. Itll probably be fine. But well do whatever we have to in order to keep you safe. I promise.

I should be saying that to him. If Juan doesnt think our money is enough, theres no way Im dragging him, Brady, or the Navarros into it. But I dont push the topic, because hell fight me on it and Im too tired for that. You coming over later?