21 – 17. Yeah Fighting Ducks! I don’t ask questions about mascots. Ever. I know I’ll never understand. What matters is the team one. For those who care: the game was close and intense. Lots of moments where I was biting my nails with anxiety. Xandi loves these kinds of events. Growing up, she was only happy if things were a challenge. An easy win felt hollow. A fight made her cheering more exciting! Her role became elevated to a new level of importance.

After the game when all of her things were packed into the trunk of Marco’s car, the buzz of the night shifted to something darker. Xandi now sits in the passenger seat, Marco in the driver’s. Neither is saying a word. So awkward.

“Do I have to drag this out of you? I really wanted you to spill freely,” Marco grumbles.

“I’m going to. Very soon.” She looks out the window at the fast emptying field. Her gaze is fixed on something. I’ll zoom out to check. Yup. Right there. The back corner of the stands for the opposing team. Laken…and he’s looking right back at her.

She sighs. “Yup, he’s going to do this…”

“Who’s going to do what?”

Marco’s question goes ignored.

Slowly, Laken stands, his hands raising as well. When they are above his head, the field begins to shake.

“What the— “ Marco’s eyes go wide with panic, they settle on Laken who is floating in the middle of the field.

Xandi peers at Laken, her hands clenching into fists. “I’ll be right back.”

“Wait, what?”

Rather than answer, she bolts out of the door and runs into the field. Actually, half runs, half flies, as each step gains her more speed and power. Soon she’s in the air, her fist aimed to make contact with Laken’s chest. He dodges it, of course. Xandi is prepared for this as she smoothly repositions herself to attack again. The whole point of her actions are to show Marco, rather than relying only on telling him. Because there is no way he would have believed it without seeing it. How did she know Laken would be here, though? That part I can’t quite piece together.

As they tumble in the air, the shaking slows to a stop. Eventually, Laken gets so frustrated with Xandi he uses all of his strength to slam her into the ground. She hits so hard there’s an imprint of her body in the grass. I’m not worried. She’s gone through a lot worse and been fine. While Laken flees, she’s smirking, so she’s not even mad about it.

Carefully, she pulls herself to her feet and dusts off her uniform. It’s got some grass stains on it, but nothing she can’t take care of. She casually gets back into the car and asks Marco one thing:

“Any questions?”

NANO REPORT:

WC: 7195

Was a rough day for writing.